Primal Wound

by Ruth Francisco

When Cicely Scott sets out to find her birthmother in rural New Hampshire, she uncovers a dark family saga of insanity and murder. Meanwhile, in San Francisco, Homicide Inspector Val Picard suspects Cicely may be responsible for the disappearance of a young preschool teacher. Lies and betrayal lead to additional murders. But who is at fault?

Genres: Mystery, Adoption

ebook

First published April 7, 2010

About the author

I tend to write novels that are a little controversial. I don't intend to, but a question grabs hold of my mind--Do we have a right to say no to medical technology? What would it be like to be Jackie Kennedy? Where is Islamic extremism taking us?--and it won't let go. I have to explore it, I have to write about it.

Since my interests are varied, my books are varied, perhaps too much so. But whatever the theme, I always explore identity, trying to reconcile the physical and spiritual worlds. My characters respond sensually to the world as I do, they question and doubt. It would be easier to be a different kind of writer maybe. I hope you get something out of my little efforts.

Reviews

[Vicki Tyley · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Cicely Scott’s father needs a kidney transplant, she doesn’t hesitate to offer one of hers. Except, as she soon discovers, he’s not her biological father. Cicely’s life is thrown into turmoil as, desperate to connect with her “real” family, she stalks a woman who wants nothing to do with her.

Francisco weaves a compelling, multi-faceted psychological tale of deceit, insanity and murder. A story so full of twists, the twists even have twists. I had a hard time putting this book down.

Ruth Francisco has a new fan.

[Todd Fonseca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A naked, pregnant, teenage, American Indian girl is found floating face down – dead; detective Val Piccard is brought in to lead the case. As the investigation unfolds, the pieces don’t add up. The young girl, though she had a troubled past, was clearly on the path to recovery and making a life for herself. Piccard finds dead end after dead end while trying to uncover who would commit such a brutal murder. Was it just fate? Could it have been simply her being in the wrong place at the wrong time?

Across town, Cecily Scott desperately tries to save her father who is in dire need of a kidney transplant. After having herself tested to see if she is a match, she learns the shocking truth – not only is she not a match, but genetic tests confirm she isn’t even related. Thus begins her journey to find her biological parents.

Ruth Fransisco Primal Wound is a compelling read of two interweaving stories lines. Clearly the reader knows that these arcs must at some point intersect – but how? Fransisco expertly gets the reader into Cecily’s head in her quest to find her biological family. She slowly shows us how Cecily step by step goes from investigating, to stalking, to interfering, and how all of it could seem quite reasonable as events escalate as the chapters unfold. Frankly, I could not turn the pages fast enough.

While some actions seem a bit out of character for Cecile, I think this was Fransisco’s point – that the primal wound she endured is so embedded in who she is she isn’t even aware of its impact. The ending was definitely satisfying, but I enjoyed the slow buildup of tension and the unraveling of Cecily’s psyche. Primal Wound is a gripping, compelling, and disturbingly good tale.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story opens with a woman who finds she was adopted and begins a search for her birth mother. You're then led to a murder scene and the beginning investigation.

The book leads you through both stories, slowly revealing details until everything clicks into place. The timing was perfect and kept me enthralled.

[Jovita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book; it is a gripping and disturbingly good tale. The book leads you through both stories of the police investigation and Cicely’s search to find her birth-mother, slowly revealing details until everything fits into place. The only I disliked, I would have liked to see Cicely give her cheating boyfriend what he deserved.

[Julie Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing- even better than Good Morning, Darkness. Dark and full of twists; I couldn't put it down and I read it in half a day (ignoring my poor family in the process). Really fantastic book.