Mason's Daughter

by Cynthia J. Stone

Sally Mason's teenage son Colton is headed for a major meltdown, and she's desperate to avert another disaster by proving her husband's recent death was an accident, not the suicide determined by the coroner. Everyone in town, even Colton, seems to know something particular about Jack's last days, but no one in Mason's Crossing can help her put all the pieces together.

On the morning she discovers secret notes in Jack's appointment book, she finds something else to convince her she's right. But the more she digs for the truth, the more destructive Colton's behavior becomes, until Sally is left with only one choice: ask her father what really happened.

The problem: Sally hasn't spoken to him in fifteen years.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Contemporary, Amazon, Ebooks, Mystery Thriller

315 pages, Paperback

First published August 6, 2012

About the author

Cynthia Stone believes she and Sting were twins separated at birth, because they share the same birthday and original last name. Since she's a native Austinite, some complications in proving their kinship are sure to arise. All of which provides creative fodder for the family sagas she loves to write. Cynthia wrote her first story at age five and has continued to indulge that Muse ever since. Her checkered career includes magazine publishing, copywriting, professional fundraising for the fine arts, antiques importing, and interior decorating. She still lives in Austin with her ever-patient husband, Gerald, a restaurateur.

Connect with Cynthia online: www.CynthiaJStone.com

Reviews

[Nancy Stopper · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the premise of this storyline but I did NOT like the character of Sally one bit. As a mother, she was unbelievably unaware of her son's feelings. And instead of ASKING, she just kept assuming she knew how to fix her son and went about doing it, even when others, including her son, said to stop. She didn't once stop to ASK him to talk to her about what was going on - she was accusing and bull headed. It was clear that her feelings about her loss of her mother were overly influencing her decisions with regards to her son and how to deal with his emotions. It took until very near the end before she finally started listening, and I never expected to hear what she did. Even after her son's admission of what he knew, she started to go back to her bull-headedness and made completely boneheaded comments to her father-in-law, IN FRONT OF HER SON. She was more concerned with her own feelings and her own revenge and anger than the feelings of her son and I didn't like that at all.

[Tosh McIntosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is like fine wine on paper.

Although comparing a book to wine might seem off-point, the analogy serves to illustrate my core reaction to reading Cynthia J. Stone's debut novel.

You can't reliably judge a wine by the bottle any more than you can judge a book by the cover, but there exists in both cases an implicit promise about the quality to be found within. And like the label on a bottle of exceptional, vintage wine, the cover of Mason's Daughter speaks to its depth of character and enduring finish.

It is a story to savor, one that will linger with you long after the last page. Look closely at the cover, let the details evoke images, memories, and emotions from your own past, and then read the description.

From the first sip to the last, I promise you that Mason's Daughter will deliver all that you expect and more.

[Ginger · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Gs Elmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My book club discussion went into overtime with this intriguing novel. We all have intense family stuff and this one spoke to us a on deep level, especially the flashbacks, which gave it a richness beyond the current story. Most of us didn't think it was important to like the protagonist -- sometimes we wanted to shake her, then hug her. Everyone picked the same favorite character, and no one expected the surprise climax. The family secret resonated with several in our group, because it's something families don't talk about. Hope there's more from this author.

[Kate Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

A free Kindle book from Amazon. I liked this book. Sometimes I was angry at the main character Sally because I perceived her attitude to be selfish. But then the author would reveal a little more about her childhood. I know how hard it is to get past childhood issues, real and imagined. Eventually, I came to appreciate Sally.

[Ann Leifeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am totally hooked! ...on this Texas family! I hope it's just the beginning of a long family saga. Great read. Lots of complex relationships and characters with family truths finding their way to the surface. What's next from this talented, new author? Couldn't put it down!

[Jonna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn’t get past the lack of character development for this book. The main character, Sally, is self-centered and heartless as a mother. She repeatedly calls her son an a-hole or other derogatory labels without ever really trying to connect with him. The gratuitous make-out session with the local cop made no sense in the greater story line. I found myself sympathizing with the evil father instead of Sally. I have to admit I stopped reading about 3/4’s of the way through the book. I couldn’t bring myself to continue reading, so maybe all of this was wrapped up neatly in the end, but wanted to spend my time reading something I was actually enjoying.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A complicated relationship, for sure.

Really a 3.5 story in my opinion but I decided to err on the high side. This book was a little hard to follow in my opinion. Sally is the main female character. She didn't really invite me into her life. She told me a lot about her story but I found it difficult to become invested in her. I did enjoy the story. I wished that the story of Sally and Colton could have been more realistic. I'll recommend this book to family and friends with a small caveat.

[Shey · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author acknowleges her friends' encouragement with this book; she needs more honest friends. If I could give this book zero stars, I would have. Written with an unsatisfactory ending and too many underdeveloped events and too many questions arise which go unanswered. The first person narrator is blind to anything but her own agenda and self indulgence in her life long resentments. I finished reading it, but without enthusiasm.

[MargeGordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trying to understand the past, something I have done my whole life. This book is nothing like my life except for that, but was an excellent reminder of how you don't always understand it all. Great read!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book

You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so.Shelley MA

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of WOW in these pages. Pretty good read .

[Gayle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mason's Daughter is about a woman who is determined to prove her husband's suicide was not intentional. She (Sally) somehow believes if she proves this fact it will cure her son of his self-destructive behavior. Being so focused on finding the cause of her husband's death keeps her from focusing on anything but the mechanics of her son's behavior. She doesn't seem to be able to connect with him in any meaningful way. The family dysfunction extends to Sally's dad, her father-in-law, and beyond. It took too long to get into the book and by the time it got a bit interesting I realized I really didn't care anything for the lot of them. Even the ending of the book is not really satisfying.

[Kim Cooney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book but could've been a little better

I enjoyed the book primarily because I loved the book I read of this authors prior to this one. I got it for free along with the book written in connection with this one. While I was interested at the start, I began to lose interest because while this can be a stand alone book, having read the first one, this one started out confusing. It was if there should've been either a book in between or a better introduction to the characters. However I did stick with it and am glad I did. Her story eventually became more clear. Will continue to read more books by this author.

[Sally Beaudean · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first impression was bad; I don't like present tense. But the book had so many high ratings -- I had to give it a chance. When I realized the author had a purpose, to separate two different stories, I was more accepting. Why am I drawn to books about mental illness? Now there's an interesting question! This book shows how the present lives of family members can be powered by relationships from the past. I had trouble getting through this book, but I'm glad that I persevered. It was worth it.

[Bendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I would have liked the book better if Sally had shown more growth. You amend you opinions based on your experiences. She only saw things based on her singular experience. And sadly she couldn't see herself in her child. You would that she would try to get help for her son based on family history. This was not my cup of tea.

[Amanda Knox · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a hard time really connecting to any of the characters in this book. Sally never seemed to change - really, there was no real character growth or change. Just some people going through the motions of life. Dull - should have put it down before I made it 1/2 way, but that's just not possible unless a book is really bad...

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sally Mason's husband, Jack, died a year ago. The police ruled it suicide, but she doesn't believe it. Her son, Colton, has struggled with it, and gets more and more destructive. She tries to seek the truth to help her son, and while doing so, must come to terms with her estranged father. She finds out a family secret kept from her and eventually learns the truth.

[Gerardine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Predictable read. Readers are led to believe that the main character had difficulty getting close to people because of her difficult childhood but she must have been raised in a box to miss the clues pointing to the truth of all the stories in her life…

[Vicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had trouble getting into this book. It was very slow-didn't really pick up until the end. I hated the character of Sally. She seemed completely oblivious to her son's feelings. I wouldn't recommend this book to others.

[Janet McQuaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the development of the two central characters. I thought there were a few too many characters. I could have done without the romance n this book. Not that I object to romance in my novels, but in this book, it was a distraction, I thought. Still, it was well worth my time.

[Amy Weinreich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe it was the complicated family dynamic that drew me in; or, maybe I could relate to Sally 's insecurity as a Mom, but the characters kept me intrigued enough to keep reading. For a free book, I was pleasantly surprised by how well it was written and how seamlessly the plot unfolded.

[Shirley R Keller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kept me reading

This book I almost gave up on at first but I decided to keep reading a little while longer and I'm glad I did. Once I got into the book it kept me guessing and enjoying to the end.

[Therese]

$0.0

[Michelle [Helen Geek]]

Free on Amazon 10/14/2012.

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started off a good read. Started dragging towards end. Lot of unanswered questions. could only give it 3.5 stars. I did love the methods of transitions which gave it that extra half star!

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Free book. This one was a challenge to get through. Super slow in the beginning and middle. 2 stars for picking up in the end.

[Diana · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could not get into this book.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't mean to be clueless but Mason was her married name and she did not have a daughter and the scene on the cover was not ever explained in the book. BUT, I liked the book

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story with some twists and turns