The old saying 'A problem shared is a problem halved'. But what if your problem is secret?
Erica, newly widowed, is devastated to discover her venture capitalist husband left their finances in ruins. Determined to save her home while protecting her teenage daughters, she vows to get back on her feet without letting them, or anyone else, know the truth.
When her girls head off on a long-planned overseas adventure, Erica focuses on her much-loved job behind a makeup counter to keep her emotionally and financially afloat - although she is troubled by a peculiar encounter at work.
Then she loses her job, the darkness beckons and Erica's life spirals downwards, further disturbed by strange occurrences in her house. Missing objects. Stopped clocks. Noises in the night. Should she doubt her very sanity? Can she swallow her pride and make herself reach out to her friends in time? Does she have a choice?
A moving story of loss, change and self-discovery from Australia's master storyteller.
Fiona McCallum spent her childhood years on the family cereal and wool farm outside the small town of Cleve on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula.
Fiona now lives in Adelaide and works full-time as a novelist. She writes "heart-warming journey of self-discovery stories" - often with a rural setting, sometimes with a romantic thread and sometimes without. Her tales tie together her love of animals and fascination with the journey people go on to find what really makes their heart sing and then follow their true passions to find happiness, even if it means taking risks and facing seemingly impossible obstacles. It's a storyline very close to Fiona's heart because it reflects her own life.
Fiona now has nine Australian bestsellers to her name: 'Paycheque', 'Nowhere Else', 'Wattle Creek', 'Saving Grace' (Book one of The Button Jar series), 'Time Will Tell' (Book two of The Button Jar series) and 'Meant To Be' (Book three (and at this stage final) in The Button Jar series), 'Leap of Faith', 'Standing Strong' (a sequel to Wattle Creek), and 'Finding Hannah'. Her tenth book, 'Making Peace' has just been released (late March 2018).
Fiona is proof dreams can come true...
Please note, Fiona isn't active here. She only signed up to try and get books by authors of the same name removed from her listing. (Note, this Fiona McCallum is not the clairvoyant and author of "Dear Fiona". Nor is she the Scottish academic who writes about Christianity in the Middle East.) She's too busy writing to be on multiple social media platforms and only does Facebook. She can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/fionamccallu...
I think Trick of the Light is my favourite Fiona McCallum book to date!
The main character, Erica, was easy to connect with. She had lost her husband and although she was devastated she still insisted her daughters take the extended overseas holiday they had planned. I could understand Erica's push for the girls not to forsake their holiday assuring them that she would be fine. This is a natural parent response protecting your children even though they were adults. Once Erica is alone she soon spirals into a state of severe anxiety.
The story was quite sombre as we follow Erica as tragedy after tragedy befalls her. I found the story line realistic and could appreciate how this series of events could possibly happen to a middle aged woman whose life was previously settled and happy, thus plunging her into a state of despair. I liked that the events were well portrayed in the time-line but were not overly dramatised.
Fiona McCallum includes themes of family and friendship and shows how we don't always include people closest to us in times of need but they are always there to help if given the chance. I loved the added element of mystery and how the mystery and suspense slowly built adding a compelling element to the story.
Erica's decline is heartbreaking however their is an element of hope as Erica starts to rebuild her life and accepts that she must move on to a new phase in her life. Fiona McCallum's characters are real life, relatable and strong women that have come through the hard knocks of life and moved forward with a new resilience.
Trick of the Light is a relatable story of growth, changing life plans and moving on in new directions.
‘Now it seemed different. Why am I being like this? she thought. Renee might suggest she was finally coming out of her grief and beginning to properly see the world again. Like a caterpillar leaving its cocoon as a moth. But wouldn’t she have a brighter and more cheerful view if she was leaving the darkness for the light?’
A leader in the pack when it comes to Australian contemporary fiction, Fiona McCallum returns with another moving, poignant and reflective story. A tale that reminds us of the power of valuable friendships, hope, courage and determination, Trick of the Light is all about seizing the day and working towards a brighter future.
Problems, secrets, grief, support and change marks the new release from bestselling Australian author Fiona McCallum. We meet new widow Erica, who has just discovered that her late husband has left their finances in a sad and sorry state. While Erica is shocked and worried, she knows that she must withhold this information from her two teenage daughters, in an effort to protect them from further concern. Erica resolves to take care of her family’s difficult financial situation, but she soon realises that she is in way over head. While her daughters embark on a long-awaited trip overseas, Erica is left with an empty household. Sadly, Erica loses her job not long after her teenage daughters set off on their overseas adventure. Erica feels alone, lost and troubled, especially when some unusual noises occur at night. Alarm bells continue to ring for Erica when various household items disappear. Erica begins to question her mental health. Should Erica reach out for support, or is this an issue she can deal with alone? Trick of the Light is a tender-hearted story, that charts the raw emotions, growth and change faced by a woman dealing with loss.
Trick of the Light by bestselling author Fiona McCallum signals the author’s thirteenth release. I consider myself a seasoned fan of McCallum’s work, having connected to this talented Australian author’s writing since the release of the Button Jar series back in 2013. I always make a conscious effort to read and review McCallum’s books soon after their release. Trick of the Light proved to be another winning piece Fiona McCallum.
Combining themes of loss, secrets, change, self-reflection and hardship, Trick of the Light pits lead character Erica against some difficult life changes. The reader watches on as Erica navigates loss, grief, financial woes, menopause, empty nest feelings and care for her elderly parent. I felt terrible for Erica, it seemed like she had been given the short straw. The combination of all these issues would personally send me right off the edge emotionally, but McCallum’s lead reminds us that problems can be shared and it is important to deal with issues one step at a time. I appreciated these important affirmations.
Financial awareness seems to be the overriding theme in Trick of the Light. Erica is not aware of how dire her family’s financial resources are until her husband passes away. This creates quite a storm, as Erica must navigate a new life of changed responsibility, while protecting her children and their family’s legacy. I could relate to this issue and it definitely gave me a bit of a nudge to take a greater role in my own family’s financial arrangements. This storyline may serve as a wake-up call for other readers. Likewise, readers will be able to relate to the empty nest situation and the menopause symptoms faced by Erica. McCallum builds a strong sense of authenticity, sympathy and sensitivity in regards to these issues. I found Trick of the Light to be a very relevant novel, with connective ideas presented.
Mental health following loss is a significant focus of Trick of the Light, as Erica wrestles with her new life and family burdens. This is coupled with strange situation at work, a job loss and odd movements in the home. We question Erica’s state of mind along with Erica herself. I think component of the novel was handled well by McCallum. Possibilities arise as the story unfolds, with elements of intrigue and danger. I did appreciate how it was all wrapped up, but I did feel that Erica’s story wasn’t over, I would like to revisit this character as she settles towards a brighter future.
With glimmers of both darkness and light, along with sadness and hope, Trick of the Light is a reassuring tale from a valuable Australian storyteller.
*I wish to thank Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Trick of the Light is book #55 of the 2021 Australian Women Writers Challenge
Thank you Harlequin for sending us a copy to read and review. Fiona writes heartfelt, realistic, raw emotion stories that are honest, touching and wrap readers in a warm blanket. Erica has just lost her husband, is grieving and her two daughters are about to embark on a planned overseas vacation. When the accountants arrive on her doorstep, she discovers her supposedly organised husband has left her broke and owing money everywhere. Whilst hiding the truth and embarrassment from everyone she tries to get back on her feet by being frugal wherever possible. Her job as a make up consultant seems to be something she is secure in until the company has to close and she loses her employment. Everything comes crashing down and on top of all that, there’s strange occurrences in her home. Will she be able to come out the other end and look towards a bright future? A moving journey of one woman’s struggles and courage to endure and recover from grief, money problems and the darkness of life. Like all Fiona’s tales, it’s a book you can disappear into and come out the other end feeling contented and serene. Passionately written and sympathetically told, it’s sincere and uplifting whilst vulnerable and sensitive. An exploration of self discovery, hope, overhauling your future and finding it’s never too late to search for your dreams. I really think there’s more of Erica’s story to tell, fingers crossed. Fiona will continue to be a stable member on my reading shelves.
Losing her husband to cancer was devastating for Erica, but when she found out that he had left them in financial ruin she didn’t know what she would do.
Deciding not to tell anyone of her financial crises, including her daughters, Erica believes that if she works hard, she will be able to ease their crises and get them back on track that is until she loses her job.
Trick of the Light by Aussie author Fiona McCallum is a beautifully written story of family, loss and friendship. A heartwarming story that I loved and have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who enjoys a great read.
This story was missing continuity - and was very repetitive. The end part was shallow and unrealistic and the 'stalker' presence was really inconsistent.
Wow... I loved the heart warming, emotional roller coaster storyline of this book. I think because I could relate to it, but most of all because it made me cry, laugh, snicker, smile, and by the end of the book, feel good. Well worth the read. Thank you Fiona McCallum for a wonderful read. I am looking forward to reading the next book 'Her Time To Shine'.
What a hard slog! I was really interested in the character in the beginning and sympathised with all that went wrong in her life but the stalker bit was cringeworthy! So ridiculous. Could have been a nice story.
This was a great read and really made me wonder how easy it would be for someone a little unhinged to work their way into your world by one simple chance meeting.
Erica lost her husband to cancer recently, to then find that his entrepreneurial ways had left their finances pretty well nonexistent. So Erica decides not to tell anyone, and she will work hard to get them back on their feet ..... until she loses her job because the business has gone into administration.
With her two daughters gone overseas for up to a year, Erica is lonely and melancholy sets in. She is having trouble sleeping, hearing strange noises, misplacing things, and dealing with odd occurrences within her house.
Eventually she swallows her pride and calls her friends, because she thinks she has lost her mind. They all discuss things and help Erica make some plans for her future.
When Erica goes out for a walk late at night, she returns to her house to find emergency vehicles surrounding it, she is in for an enormous shock!!
Generally I can't put Fiona's books down, and yet this one, whilst it held my attention seemed to be bogged down and just plodding along. I found far too many pages devoted to how Erica was feeling, sure I get the grief, the feeling of going nuts, but honestly, to be plagued with every tiny detail was starting to derail me!
The story line was interesting enough, yet I found myself almost screaming at the pages at this non-real person, "Just bloody well get on with it!" I understand the deep despair and the attitude of the writer to include some references to the modern day. 2022 this was published, so only a year ago, which makes interesting comparison's of Erica's feeling old and all the self-doubt which goes with that realisation times move on.
In general, I enjoyed it, but would rather have not had to wade through so many self-absorption pages. I do, however, look forward to reading of Erica's new life in the next book Her time to shine. (Which incidentally can be read as a stand alone)
Love an Aussie book and thought the reading of this one was particularly good. Moving story of a woman who has lost her husband to cancer before discovering that he has left her in a terrible situation financially. Add to this losing her job, her daughters leaving for a gap year overseas, a father living with dementia and a series of weird happenings in her house which leave Erica feeling that she is losing her mind. With the support of good friends and her daughters Erica is able to gradually able to come to terms with everything, even beginning a new career. The story is told with compassion and humour as well as very human emotions.
First time reading a Fiona McCallum book. I won this book in a Facebook competition on Maeve O'Meara's page so very happy that I did. I'll be reading many more of them.
Erica's life is a whirlwind of trauma and she feels she is losing her mind, while trying to get her life back on track. Jobs, daughters and strange things happening in her house all send her into a complex time of emotional ups and downs. Trying to navigate those down times is tough as so many of us already know but Erica really learns about herself, life as she knew it, her friends and how she must take herself out of her comfort zone to pursue new directions.
Fiona McCallum has a special talent for giving her main characters time in her novels to reflect on their lives and this is beneficial to the reader especially when some life experiences are similar. The main character Erica has several challenging personal events in this story and she tries to cope with these alone for much of the time. Fiona then shows how by sharing her mental health issues with friends and family and even friends’ pets Erica turns her life around somewhat. Looking forward to the sequel coming next year.
Erica's story survival after spouses death. (aged father also) I'm battling depression myself as I'm reading Erica's story and I felt we were doing life together in the pages. I do like Flinders Ranges and I hope to travel there soon among the covid in the states. Flights to Adelaide airport a time or two to fly from Perth. Possums sort of get the blame for being rather loud and rowdy, but had thought there was more to it. Overall a very personable story dealing with grief, empty nest, finance and Aussie.
I got quite absorbed by this book. This was a timely telling of the problems that can beset women who are no longer young. Not being in control of your finances, losing your job, and dealing with grief and older parents are big issues. Add in the stalker and the fear of dementia, there was plenty for Erica to worry about. It was a heart warming ending, with power of family and friends and a new beginning.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This book felt like a babbling brook. Delightful Aussie chick lit. It was delightful and kept me entertained from beginning to end. Descriptions of complex grief and the context of motherhood, other family obligations and motherhood were poignantly described. The plot was predictable and a little frustrating that the characters weren’t more aware, and some of the plot elements felt convenient and contrived.
I wasn’t as keen on this bookasalltheothers I’ve read by this author. I felt it was contrived Ana a little unrealistic. I find it difficult to believe that a wife would have no idea about what was going on interpersonal her personal life eg finanacial. The daughters go on holiday straightway she finds herself broke and ends up stalked broken into daughters come back anshe takes a job as a mortician somewhere else. Not her best book in my opinion and the only one that I’ve missed chapters
Many times at the start of the I almost stopped reading it as there was too much unneccessary detail on mundane hapoenings. There wasnt a lot going on so I skimned though. Later the tension built with wondering what was going on. It was a pleasant ending, but overall the plot was not interesting enough. I would read the sequel as it ended when it was starting to get interesting.
This story was exceptional. I especially loved the last two chapters where Erica's girls surprised her, returning home from their overseas trip. It's amazing how life can throw you around. Erica's story ended up being a very enjoyable read. Thanks Fiona :D
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Whilst I enjoyed the read I found it a bit slow and predictable. In saying that, I did wake up mid-nightmare one night when I was reading it so the storyline was definitely rolling around in my head!!!