The Daughter She Used To Be

by Rosalind Noonan

In this emotionally charged and riveting novel from the author of One September Morning and In a Heartbeat, one woman is torn between loyalty to her family's ways and to her most profound convictions... The daughter of a career cop, Bernadette Sullivan grew up with blue uniforms hanging in the laundry room and cops laughing around the dinner table. Her brothers joined New York's finest, her sister married a cop, and Bernie is an assistant District Attorney. Collaring criminals, putting them away--it's what they do. And though lately Bernie feels a growing desire for a family of her own, she's never questioned her choices. Then a shooter targets a local coffee shop, and tragedy strikes the Sullivan family. Anger follows grief--and Bernie realizes that her father's idea of retribution is very different from her own. All her life, she's inhabited a clear-cut world of right and wrong, of morality and corruption. As Bernie struggles to protect the people she loves, she must also decide what it means to see justice served. And in her darkest hour, she will find out just what it means to be her father's daughter. Praise for Rosalind Noonan's One September Morning "Reminiscent of Jodi Picoult's kind of tale...it's a keeper!" --Lisa Jackson, New York Times bestselling author "Written with great insight... Noonan delivers a fast-paced, character-driven tale with a touch of mystery." -- Publishers Weekly "Noonan creates a unique thriller...a novel that focuses on the toll war takes on returning soldiers and civilians whose loved ones won't be coming home." -- Booklist

Genres: Fiction, Book Club, Family, Contemporary

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

ROSALIND NOONAN grew up in suburban Maryland and enjoyed being part of a large family. "With my four siblings, Saturday mornings were a blast," she says. "There was festival seating on the living room floor as we devoured cartoons and passed the Sugar Pops."

She caught the writing bug in second grade when she won first place in a poetry contest. "The prize was twenty dollars," she recalls. "That was big bucks for a second grader. I thought I was going to Disneyland." Wooed by the taste of fame and fortune, she kept writing.

After attending Wagner College in Staten Island, she remained in New York City where she worked as an editor for various book publishers. Noonan currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, a retired cop from the NYPD, and two children. Although she sometimes misses the rapid pulse of New York, she enjoys writing in the shade of towering two-hundred year old Douglas fir trees.

Reviews

[Vickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Daughter She Used To Be by Rosalind Noonan was a ♥♥♥ for me. The beginning was extremely slow and I almost gave up on; the reason why I didn't is because it fits some reading challenges for me. Bernadette Sullivan is the youngest in this family of police officers in NYC; her role is as an assistant district attorney in NYC. The first 100 pages really were awful to read: so many characters, many clichés, and some characters that were just unlikable. The storyline picks up after a major event at Sully's Cup and from then on, I just wanted to find out what happened to everyone.

Overall, I felt as if I was reading a script for a TV show, such as Blue Bloods. It was ok, but I'm not sure I will seek out other books by this author.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The winds of change are blowing for the Sullivans. This tight knit family of God loving and fearing cops will be strained to the very fibers of their souls. A terrible crime will rock the very foundation of all they hold near and dear. As every member faces a new and stressful day they will all handle the situation differently and some of the effects will damage an already volatile situation. Sully the patriarch has vowed to keep his family safe and when he knows that isn’t always possible, something inside him breaks. Bernie the baby of the family has turned to law to fit into this brood of blue brothers, but her beliefs will put stress on a family already falling apart. She and Sully will but heads continually but it doesn’t mean she loves him any less but for Sully the actions of Bernie make her in no uncertain terms “ The Daughter She Used To Be”. What will happen to this once golden group, will they ever recover from what happened or will they ever be changed by fate. What will happen to their once solid faith and who will suffer the most from the fallout.
Rosalind Noonan has given us very realistic look at the things that “could happen” and do, the things that tear the closest of families and friends apart, she does this with an incredible eye for detail and emotion as she spins this tale that we could read on any front page or news website. She does this with dialogue that will take her readers to the Burroughs of New York thick with diversity and flavor and deliver something very special to those of us lucky enough to read the novel. Her characters are the real stars here and she has an amazing way to intimate her audience to each and every one, no matter the role they play, no matter the depth of their involvement. She gives us a realistic look at a family drama come to life and how this one family survives the bomb blast that they will be given.
If you like family drama, crime fiction or even romantic suspense you will like this novel as Rosalind Noonan expertly mixes a bone chilling thriller with a family drama and throws us a small bone of a love story to boot.

[Kristin (Kritters Ramblings) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first experience with a Rosalind Noonan, but as they came highly recommended from my mom, I would have to agree with her that this won't be my last Rosalind Noonan read.

As luck would have it, I was asked to host this book for a book tour and what a great read. I am now in a relationship with a police officer, so this book hit way close to home, but this new living situation, may have helped me love it even more. The story centers around the youngest daughter of a retired police officer who spent 50 years serving the city of New York and lived through many things including 9/11. Along with this main story is another story that centers around a young man who has some physical disabilities and is just getting out of prison, the way these stories intertwine is entertaining and heartbreaking.

I thought I knew where this book was headed and was ready for it to end one way, but the story went a completely different direction and I loved every minute of it. The surprises were enjoyable and came from out of the blue. I would recommend this book to those who like women's fiction with a little more depth to them.

[Kimmel Tippets · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Review coming soon*

[Allison Boyd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing about this stuck with me, it felt like an NBC pilot.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, had some different perspectives but the characters were too superficial or cliche for me to be really interested in their stories. Ok to pass the time.

[Maryellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good story of stereotypical Irish, Catholic NYC cops. Has an interesting twist, though.

[Ashleigh Rivers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good character development but weak emotional attachment for the reader

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I was just thinking how hard it is for any parent to protect a child." -Bernie (p.279) The Daughter She Used To Be takes place in New York, the story is about a woman named Bernie and all the things that happen to her and her family. Bernie grew up being around cops all of her life, after all her dad and brothers where involved with New York's finest police force. However, being a cop does have its ups and downs, one day tragedy strikes and something happens that changes Bernie and her family forever. One of the major themes in the book that you should be grateful for everything you have and cherish every moment with your family because one day it will all change, an example of this is on page 126, it says: "She slid into the river of memories, deep and heavy with longing. Bernie squeezed her eyes shut, wanting to hold onto him in the past so she could carry a part of him into the bleak future." I would recommend this book to others because it's a great book that fills you with emotion and you see other perspectives on what is going through other characters heads and how they cope with what ever is happening in their lives.

[Janice Forman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bernie Sullivan, an Assistant DA in New York, grew up her whole life knowing what was right and what was wrong. Her Irish Catholic family are career police; her father recently retired, her brothers currently members of NYPD, her sisters married police — upholding the law is the mainstay of Bernie’s existence until tragedy strikes the very heart of the family. The line between right and wrong becomes blurred and Bernie realizes that justice is possibly more important than right versus wrong! Bernie’s pursuit for what she feels is justice pits her against her family and the beliefs she once held. Throw in an additional problem of her love for a fellow colleague with an Iranian background and Bernie is further at odds with her family.

Some parts of this narrative were difficult to believe could actually happen in real life. However, it did make for some interesting plot development. Okay read — maybe between a 2 and a 3.

[Alice Harbin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is entertaining. The pace of the plot is slow at times, but it kept my attention. Bernadette Sullivan is one of two daughters in the Sullivan family. All of her brothers (4?) and her father, are NYC cops. Their lives seem so exciting and she is fascinated by their stories.
She is an attorney with a desk job. She is wanting to settle down with a man she works with, but her family scorns him because he is not Italian. She just feels out of sync with her wants/needs and her life.
Then tragedy strikes her family. Her father's coffee shop that caters to cops is robbed. Her brother is killed and a good friend is seriously injured. She has a part time job to investigate insurance claims and even that takes a crazy turn. She is accused of helping the claimant to make a fraudulent claim.
Life goes on..

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Complex and Intense read about a woman and her family going through the terrible crisis of loosing a family member to terrible violence. Bernie’s brother and other fellow police officers are killed by a sick and violent man. Each of her big Irish Catholic family deals with the loss In different ways. Her retired cop father wants “an eye for an eye”, her mother retreats into her roll as housewife and grandmother, Brendan’s wife and children are lost in grief and Bernie, a lawyer leaves the DA’s office to work for the killer’s defense because her brother would not want him killed. But the damaged man is stuck in his own world of hate.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the surface, this is another quick read crime story. But looking deeper, the author discusses a number of difficult topics in a very unbiased way and that is where her skill really shines. The story is fine, sometimes a little hasty particularly at the end, but the thought provoking moments throughout make this a memorable read.

[Rhonda M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed, but felt like it really needed another good 200 pages to wrap things up. I call these Lifetime movie books, where the story is super gripping and then it seems they realized they only had 5 minutes til their closing mark so they quickly wrapped up.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the different points of view throughout the story. It felt like it was more set up to be a TV show about a family of cops or possibly a movie. Lots of coincidences and not much character development.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this one a bit more difficult to get in to. Didn't enjoy it as much as the others I have read.

[Deanna Larsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slow start and I almost quit several times. It got better and I couldn't put it down. An enjoyable read.

[Amy J · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Easy family drama read but the plot did not draw me in. This was a virtual book club book for September, “Daughter” in title for National Daughter’s Day month.

[Laurie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring boring boring

[MARY ANN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminded me of Blue Bloods.

[Roma Del · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a good story. Hard to put this book down. I wanted to know what would happen

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely blown away from this amazing story by Rosalind Noonan. She captivated me from the beginning and kept me enthralled throughout the whole novel. I kept wanting to peek ahead to see what would happen next. This is storytelling at its very best!!

You would think that this story revolves around the daughter Bernadette “Bernie” Sullivan. In reality, I feel it revolves around every single member of the Sullivan family and even a few of the extended cast. Yes, Bernie held the limelight a bit more and it was her driving desire for honorable justice that propelled the storyline, but it was the whole cast of characters that made this story as strong as it is.

The Sullivan’s are a family of crime fighters. Either you are a cop, married to a cop or involved in the law. This is all they know. When tragedy hits close to home, their views and family ties are tested. Can this Irish Catholic family survive?

The book is separated into three parts; the buildup, the aftermath, and then finally the consequences. With each chapter I could feel the suspense growing. I could almost feel it in the air while I was reading. I had the expectation that something big was going to crash down on me and then I was still totally taken by surprise when it did. I was absolutely floored and my heart was broken.

During the aftermath I was still reeling from the tragedy and desperately trying to grasp and cope with my feelings. I felt all the emotions that every single character was feeling. Ms. Noonan did a superb job with her writing skills to make me feel my emotions so overwhelmingly.

The consequences were just as well written. Depending on how you felt about the issues that were being written about, I can see every reader feeling differently about this part of the story. There are a few highly controversial ideas and views brought up. I enjoyed how they were written, without feeling preachy.

It’s been a long time since I have had so many emotions ripped out of me; so many highs and so many lows. This was a journey of the soul. A deep look into oneself to discover what you are really made of. I highly recommend this book. While it is an emotional read it is extremely thought provoking and very well written. Be prepared for the emotional roller coaster. I laughed, wept, and even got angry. Along the way I learned a few things about myself and I’m a better person for it. This is an outstanding story!

[Nancy Narma · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A True Spellbinder Not To Be Missed”

Ms. Noonan has truly woven a spellbinding tale of family loyalty, suspense, and romance. We follow Bernadette (named for St. Bernadette) “Bernie” Sullivan, youngest daughter of legendary/retired police officer James “Sully” Sullivan, who is the Patriarch of this strong Irish/Catholic family of five, with two sons who are also members of the NYPD and Bernie joining the ranks as Assistant District Attorney. You will be introduced to Peg, Sully’s strong-willed “Better-Half” as well as Matriarch of the Sullivan Clan, Sully’s befuddled Mother, Mary; who may bring out a chuckle and remind you of a loved one, “Brothers in Blue”, James and Brendan , their wives and children, and Bernie’s Sisters, “Devoted but the Woman Scorned” Mary Kate, and the “ black sheep of the family”, Lucy. You will definitely grit your teeth and boo/hiss Bernie’s arrogant, over-bearing Brother-in-Law, Tony Marino. When Peyton Curtis; a newly-released inmate from Lakeview Shock Prison, marches into Sully’s coffee shop, “Sully’s Cup” and opens fire on who he believes is responsible for the injustices he has endured, tragedy strikes the Sullivan family. A mixture of anger and grief tinged with revenge rears its ugly head. As much as Bernie loves her family, she decides, for better or worse, that she must follow her own conscience and pursue what she believes as just and right. But, what effect could her decisions have on her relationship with her beloved confidante, sounding board, and lover “Keesh”? She knew she had found her soul mate back in their college days and prayed that nothing would ever make them drift apart. Prior to the shooting, their parents’ opinions had been making any hope of a future together an impossibility. To complicate matters further, Bernie is being reminded that her biological clock is ticking every time she turns around. Ms. Noonan tackles difficult topics such as capital punishment, abortion and infidelity with tact and grace. This is the second book within a few months that has brought me to tears. The emotions that erupt in these pages will keep you wanting more, more, more! I, for one, am hoping that it won’t be long before we have another of Ms. Noonan’s volumes to enjoy. In the interim, Don’t miss this one!!
Nancy Narma

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I started reading, I was reminded of Every Last One by Anna Quindlen. We start with seeing Bernie and her family’s day-to-day life before – BAM! – tragedy strikes. Unlike Quindlen’s book, I wasn’t blindsided by the violence in this one – it’s told pretty clearly in every synopsis I’ve found. Still, it is highly emotional and packs quite the punch. And the aftermath is no less emotional. Watching Bernie evolve from the daughter she used to be to the woman she was meant to be is fulfilling. She is worried about the repercussions to letting her father down, but doesn’t let that sway her from doing what she feels is right.

Always told in third-person, we get varying points of view. We see Sarah, Mary Kate, and Sully’s perspective, but it’s clear that Bernie is the primary focus. I found that many things were a bit predictable, but there were many unforeseen (at least by me) events. The conclusion is quite dramatic, but not over-the-top. And the epilogue is perfect.

I recommend The Daughter She Used to Be to those who don’t mind a dramatic, emotional read. Make sure to have tissues nearby! I look forward to reading more books by Rosalind Noonan.

[Jennifer Melnyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book grabbed my attention, mostly, because my own family is a cop family. Both of my brothers are officers, my cousin is dating an officer, and my dad retired from the force a few years back.

In many ways, I found myself in Bernie. Although I am a staunch supporter of the death penalty, I admire her ability to find her own beliefs in a family that disagrees with her beliefs. I don't believe that my dad would react like Sully did and disown me, either. But I can definitely understand where Sully was coming from, as well.

All of my growing up years, the most interesting dinner table discussions involved stories of my dad's job. I had no idea that most people did not grow up in an idyllic environment like the one I was raised in.

As I've gotten older, I still find those stories interesting, though they are now my brothers' stories. I, like Bernie, have come to discover that I don't always agree with my brothers or my dad on certain topics, but that's what makes life interesting. Agreeing to disagree.

[Cynthia (Bingeing On Books) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not really sure why this book got such good reviews. The plot was mildly interesting, but the writing left something to be desired. Even when the writer describes the tragedy and what happened (no spoilers, even though you can see it coming a MILE away), I did not care. I felt no emotion. Usually, I will cry anytime something sad or happy or at all emotional happens in books. So the fact that I didn't shed a tear over this one says a lot. The plot moved very slow. Seriously, the tragedy didn't happen until more than halfway through the book. I wasn't even interested in what was happening until the very end. And the author described the point of view of about ten different characters. Every chapter was a new perspective and the voices of certain people sounded exactly the same. All in all, it felt like a Lifetime movie. I read it just to see what happened at the end, but I would not recommend it.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book from this author and I must say I will be looking for more. I loved the dynamics of the story and how you, as the reader, even started to feel for Curtis and not really look at him as the villain but just another victim in this tragic story. I also loved how Bernie evolved as a character. She changed so many times throughout the book and each time she became a stronger more respectable character that you had to cheer for and who touched your heart with how she learned to stand for what she felt was right. I know everyone feels differently about the death penalty but the way it was handled in this book with both sides being represented in the same family and almost tearing it apart was early with class and grace and really made you think about what side of the debate you sit on.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bernadette "Bernie" Sullivan comes from a family of blue bloods. Her fascination of police stories told during family dinners draws her into law but not enough to become a police officer. She believes in justice and wants to help people, but at what cost.

When a family tragedy strikes the Sullivan clan, each member has their own way of handling their grief. Some seek retribution while others try to make sense of it all. Bernie wants to do the right thing, but the loyalty to her family is tested.

Family dynamics, corruption, good vs evil and transformation makes this novel an enjoyable read.

[Mary Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book about a family (the Sullivans) who are all tied to the NYPD. The father, Sully, is a retired cop, two of his sons, James & Brendan are cops, his daughter, Mary Kate, is married to a cop and his youngest daughter< Bernie, is an asisstant DA. The story centers mostly on Bernie. After a terrible, unimaginable tragedy hits the Sullivan family, Bernie braves her family's disapproval to follow her convictions. The developments through the story made it hard to put down. The plots were definitely thought provoking without being preachy. Some mystery, some suspense, some love, some betrayal, etc -- in other words, a bit of everything.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an amazing read! Rosalind Noonan is a wonderful author. This is my second book I have read of hers and both are wonderful! I have another one sitting on my shelf and I can't wait to dive right in to that one. I think I would read anything she writes.

I could not put this book down. From the very start I was captivated. I just wanted to turn one more page, one more page, until the very end. Then I didn't want the story to end!