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Looking for Peyton Place
For Annie Barnes, going home to Middle River means dealing with truths long hidden, some of which she buried there herself. But it is a journey she knows she must take if she is to put to rest, once and for all, her misgivings about her mother's recent death.
To an outsider, Middle River is a picture-perfect New Hampshire town. But Annie grew up there, and she knows all its secrets -- as did her idol Grace Metalious, author of the infamous novel Peyton Place, which laid a small town's sexual secrets bare for all the world to see. Though Grace actually lived in a nearby town, the residents of Middle River have always believed she used them as the model for her revolutionary novel, and some even insist Annie's grandmother was the model for one of Grace's most scandalous characters. With these rumors and whispers about Peyton Place haunting her childhood, Annie came to identify so closely with the author that it was Grace and her bold rebellion against 1950s conformity that inspired Annie to get out of Middle River and make a life for herself in Washington, D.C.
It's been a good life, too. Annie Barnes is now a bestselling author, reaching that level with only her third novel. Success has given her a confidence she never had as a young girl in Middle River -- and it has given the residents of that town something new to worry about. When they hear Annie is returning for a lengthy visit, everyone, including Annie's two sisters, believes she's coming home to write about them.
Though amused by the discomfort she causes in Middle River, Annie has no intention of writing a novel about the town or its people. It is her mother's death -- under circumstances that don't quite add up -- that has brought her back, and soon her probing questions start to make people nervous. When she discovers evidence of dangerous pollutants emanating from the local paper mill -- poisons that she comes to believe contributed to her mother's fatal illness -- Annie finds herself at odds with most of the town's inhabitants, including her sisters, both of whom are seemingly unfazed by the incriminating evidence she uncovers. Because the mill is the town's main employer, everyone is afraid of what might happen if Annie digs deeper, and their fears soon start to turn ugly.
For Annie, though, there is no turning back, as passion and rage propel her forward in a determined quest. Coming face-to-face with decades of secrets and lies, she knows she must find the strength to move beyond the legacy of Grace Metalious, defying her past to heal the wounds of the town and her own family.
560 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 12, 2005
383 people are currently reading
1334 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Delinsky
307 books4,356 followersI was born and raised in suburban Boston. My mother’s death, when I was eight, was the defining event of a childhood that was otherwise ordinary. I took piano lessons and flute lessons. I took ballroom dancing lessons. I went to summer camp through my fifteenth year (in Maine, which explains the setting of so many of my stories), then spent my sixteenth summer learning to type and to drive (two skills that have served me better than all of my other high school courses combined). I earned a B.A. in Psychology at Tufts University and an M.A. in Sociology at Boston College. The motivation behind the M.A. was sheer greed. My husband was just starting law school. We needed the money.
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
July 30, 2017
Good read! interesting writing on the turmoil of divorce plus other matters concerning one women who chose to return to her small home town to find out what her mother died from...excellent story (paperback!)
February 20, 2016
I can't remember what made me want to read Peyton Place, but I thought this would be an interesting read after enjoying its namesake. Not the case; the narrator annoyed me and seemed to have a huge chip on her shoulder. In the end, it seemed to be a cheap ploy to gain readership.
January 12, 2012
Again not what I expected really. The romance in this novel was really mild but the main plot was amazing. It was very educational and it was really a good turn of events.
Annie came back to Middle River to know what really happen to her Mother and what's happening to her sister. What starts of as a personal goal turns out to be something more serious when people around town shows symptoms same as her mothers.
I actually admire her for taking on that big task. I mean even if she knows that people around town doesn't like her or trust her, for that matter, she still perseveres to know the truth. I just hated it when her sister Sabina didn't support her. It was something that tick me off. I also hated Aidan Meade and what he did to Annie. Having Marshall follow her around like that was really annoying. But on the other hand, James Meade was charming. He was very human in a sense that he makes mistakes but he tries to make up for them. And I was really happy when he starts to realize that he wants to be with Annie. I mean the romance wasn't really a big thing but it was really sweet.
In total, it was really good read. I enjoyed it and I got engrossed with all the mercury stuff. So my verdict is a solid 4. Hope to reading more of Barbara Delinsky. ♥
Annie came back to Middle River to know what really happen to her Mother and what's happening to her sister. What starts of as a personal goal turns out to be something more serious when people around town shows symptoms same as her mothers.
I actually admire her for taking on that big task. I mean even if she knows that people around town doesn't like her or trust her, for that matter, she still perseveres to know the truth. I just hated it when her sister Sabina didn't support her. It was something that tick me off. I also hated Aidan Meade and what he did to Annie. Having Marshall follow her around like that was really annoying. But on the other hand, James Meade was charming. He was very human in a sense that he makes mistakes but he tries to make up for them. And I was really happy when he starts to realize that he wants to be with Annie. I mean the romance wasn't really a big thing but it was really sweet.
In total, it was really good read. I enjoyed it and I got engrossed with all the mercury stuff. So my verdict is a solid 4. Hope to reading more of Barbara Delinsky. ♥
January 22, 2016
While the ending was really good and sumed up everything just perfectly, It took me forever to really get hooked.I had to close the book every now and then to do other things because mostly I got bored. IMHO it was just too similar to many movies out there.
The romance between the main characters was predictable and slow, almost not there at all. There was no mystery at all, as I knew how everything would work out at the end since the beginning. Although I did get to appreciate the characters once I moved on with the story, and the ending improved things swiftly. My problem was that it felt rushed.
I'm not saying DO NOT READ IT, i'm just saying that if you have anything else to read you'll probably regret starting this book out . I didn't have anything better to read at the moment, so I didn't mind reading it. Maybe I would have never ended it if I have had a better book at hand.
The romance between the main characters was predictable and slow, almost not there at all. There was no mystery at all, as I knew how everything would work out at the end since the beginning. Although I did get to appreciate the characters once I moved on with the story, and the ending improved things swiftly. My problem was that it felt rushed.
I'm not saying DO NOT READ IT, i'm just saying that if you have anything else to read you'll probably regret starting this book out . I didn't have anything better to read at the moment, so I didn't mind reading it. Maybe I would have never ended it if I have had a better book at hand.
January 9, 2019
Creo que lo que salva este libro es la forma en que esta narrado, Barbara Delinsky escribe fabulosamente bien, lo que hace que esta trama que es, por decirlo bajito, bastante mediocre, resulte en algo bastante leíble.
Barbara Delinsky se inspira en la obra de Grace Metalious, Playton Place, para escribir este libro, digamos que tiene en común que está en un pueblo donde todos guardan secretos y donde supuestamente creció Matalious y en las personas en las que se inspiró para escribir Playton Place.
En este sentido si Delinsky ha querido hacer algún homenaje a Playton Place, con la pena, pero me ha parecido un homenaje pobre y mal encaminado, por otro lado, si bien este libro no es una copia ni de lejos de Playton Place, sí se ve a lo lejos las similitudes y eso me hace pensar en que incluso en eso Delinsky fracasó rotundamente.
En cuanto a la historia del libro, como he dicho me ha parecido más bien mediocre, los protagonistas no me han gustado, no he logrado conectar con ellos, sin embargo los personajes secundarios son muy buenos en algunos casos y en otros hay lagunas del tamaño del Mar Caspio, es decir, no sabemos en los casos donde importa las razones por las que son como son, la hermana de la protagonista se muestra una arpía con Anne, es mala, es crítica, es horrible y honestamente no se demuestra ninguna razón de peso para que sea de esa manera, tampoco se explica, por ejemplo, la razón por la cual todo un pueblo nunca ha querido a la protagonista, vamos que se explican las razones del presente, pero no las del pasado.
Y podría seguir, el libro tiene fallos por todos lados, sin contar que la historia, si bien, no es una historia romántica en absoluto, se parece más bien a una mala copia de la lucha de Erin Brockovich
He destrozado el libro y pido disculpas por eso, porque tampoco merece que me ensañe tanto, en general es un libro entretenido, se deja leer y al final de cuentas me lo he leído completo sin abandonar y eso ya es mucho considerando que yo no me corto un pelo para abandonar un libro que no me guste, así que muy malo no ha resultado ¿verdad?
Y hablando de la historia romántica que si la hay, aunque no sea el centro de la historia, pues ni Anne ni James me han movido un pelo, no me llego su historia de amor, demasiados silencios y perdónenme pero el sexo bueno no hace que te enamores de alguien con quien no hablas y de quien no conoces en absoluto.
En fin, que el libro tiene una nota de esas que te hacen pasar por los pelos para no reprobar porque al final del día me gusta la forma en que escribe Delinsky.
Barbara Delinsky se inspira en la obra de Grace Metalious, Playton Place, para escribir este libro, digamos que tiene en común que está en un pueblo donde todos guardan secretos y donde supuestamente creció Matalious y en las personas en las que se inspiró para escribir Playton Place.
En este sentido si Delinsky ha querido hacer algún homenaje a Playton Place, con la pena, pero me ha parecido un homenaje pobre y mal encaminado, por otro lado, si bien este libro no es una copia ni de lejos de Playton Place, sí se ve a lo lejos las similitudes y eso me hace pensar en que incluso en eso Delinsky fracasó rotundamente.
En cuanto a la historia del libro, como he dicho me ha parecido más bien mediocre, los protagonistas no me han gustado, no he logrado conectar con ellos, sin embargo los personajes secundarios son muy buenos en algunos casos y en otros hay lagunas del tamaño del Mar Caspio, es decir, no sabemos en los casos donde importa las razones por las que son como son, la hermana de la protagonista se muestra una arpía con Anne, es mala, es crítica, es horrible y honestamente no se demuestra ninguna razón de peso para que sea de esa manera, tampoco se explica, por ejemplo, la razón por la cual todo un pueblo nunca ha querido a la protagonista, vamos que se explican las razones del presente, pero no las del pasado.
Y podría seguir, el libro tiene fallos por todos lados, sin contar que la historia, si bien, no es una historia romántica en absoluto, se parece más bien a una mala copia de la lucha de Erin Brockovich
He destrozado el libro y pido disculpas por eso, porque tampoco merece que me ensañe tanto, en general es un libro entretenido, se deja leer y al final de cuentas me lo he leído completo sin abandonar y eso ya es mucho considerando que yo no me corto un pelo para abandonar un libro que no me guste, así que muy malo no ha resultado ¿verdad?
Y hablando de la historia romántica que si la hay, aunque no sea el centro de la historia, pues ni Anne ni James me han movido un pelo, no me llego su historia de amor, demasiados silencios y perdónenme pero el sexo bueno no hace que te enamores de alguien con quien no hablas y de quien no conoces en absoluto.
En fin, que el libro tiene una nota de esas que te hacen pasar por los pelos para no reprobar porque al final del día me gusta la forma en que escribe Delinsky.
July 12, 2012
So my average book review basically consists of a thumbs up or down. I don't like to go too indepth, as I don't want to accidently give away enough that someone else finds it to now be "ruined" by a spoiler.
This was a fantastic book. I know it's fiction, but isn't there a little truth behind most fiction? To a degree Barbara Delinsky hits on why my mother so passionatly attended town meetings, and informal protests on why they shouldn't turn some of our rural farmland into a dump. I loved the passion for a cause, rather than passion for sex in this book. Yes, I know a couple of my girlfriends just spit coffee out mid sentance.....
This was a fantastic book. I know it's fiction, but isn't there a little truth behind most fiction? To a degree Barbara Delinsky hits on why my mother so passionatly attended town meetings, and informal protests on why they shouldn't turn some of our rural farmland into a dump. I loved the passion for a cause, rather than passion for sex in this book. Yes, I know a couple of my girlfriends just spit coffee out mid sentance.....
January 7, 2009
I don't think the author could have made Anne any more smug and self-righteous (and just downright annoying!) if she tried. I gave this one a shot, but I cannot put myself through listening to the rest of it. Something else that annoyed me was how she kept referring to where she lives as Washington, meaning Washington, DC. No one who is talking about DC ever refers to it as just Washington. That irritated the heck out of me!!!
July 7, 2016
A very readable story. Of course I always love a book where the main character is an author. I also liked the link to Peyton Place. I liked the fight that Annie took up at Middle River to get to the bottom of what is causing so much sickness in the town. Individuals that question the power of those who do not have the good of all at heart need to be challenged.
August 6, 2018
I really liked this book. The power of community and the strengths that exist among its residents came as a surprise to Annie as she came home to visit her two sisters. Doing what’s right can be a uniting factor.
September 5, 2020
I remember Peyton Place as the first soapy novel and TV series in my life. Uncovering the secrets of a small town was unheard of back in the 50's. This author has a connection to Grace Metalious crowing up in the same small town decades later. She becomes an author as well, and the town is fearful that she will also uncover their secrets as Grace did in novel form. I grew attached to these characters and empathized with their feelings. I could relate to our heroine who did not fit in and went searching for answers of her own family.
June 1, 2012
I actually first read Looking for Peyton Place several years ago. I had just finished reading my latest book on the beach, and my mom had what was Barbara Delinsky's latest novel in her bag. I had never read (or heard of) Delinsky before, but it was the middle of a summer afternoon on the beach and I was looking for something to read so I started it.
It turned out to be one of my favorite books, and I've actually read it more than once. I was instantly drawn into the story by Delinsky's incredible storytelling talent through excellent character development, attention to detail, and intertwining subplots.
Grace Metalious claimed her controversial novel, Peyton Place, was fiction, but the residents of Middle River, New Hampshire knew differently. It was about them; it was about their town. Over a half century later, the residents were still on edge.
Annie Barnes always related to Grace Metalious. Now a well known author herself, Annie returns to her hometown of Middle River. Her mother has recently passed away and her sister is suffering from similar symptoms. She's looking for answers, but the townspeople are reluctant to talk as they are convinced she's back to write an exposé about them just like Grace did over 50 years ago. To further complicate the situation, initial hints are pointing towards possible mecury poisoning from the local paper mill, owned by the Meades, one of the wealthiest and therefore, most powerful families in town. However, as Annie continues on her quest for answers she finds an unlikely ally in James Meade, who happens to be looking for answers himself.
As I said before, I loved this book. Delinsky's attention to detail and character development is in a class by itself. As Annie drives into Middle River around midnight one summer night, you're right there in the passenger seat with her, and as she investigates for her cause, you not only meet the townspeople but you actually feel like you know them. The residents' lives are intertwined through history, and the subplots surrounding the story are so carefully written it's difficult to put the book down. But what's most impressive is that the main plot line is not lost in the midst of the characters and details; it's enhanced. Delinsky is a storyteller in every sense of the word as she takes you on the tale of looking for Peyton Place.
It turned out to be one of my favorite books, and I've actually read it more than once. I was instantly drawn into the story by Delinsky's incredible storytelling talent through excellent character development, attention to detail, and intertwining subplots.
Grace Metalious claimed her controversial novel, Peyton Place, was fiction, but the residents of Middle River, New Hampshire knew differently. It was about them; it was about their town. Over a half century later, the residents were still on edge.
Annie Barnes always related to Grace Metalious. Now a well known author herself, Annie returns to her hometown of Middle River. Her mother has recently passed away and her sister is suffering from similar symptoms. She's looking for answers, but the townspeople are reluctant to talk as they are convinced she's back to write an exposé about them just like Grace did over 50 years ago. To further complicate the situation, initial hints are pointing towards possible mecury poisoning from the local paper mill, owned by the Meades, one of the wealthiest and therefore, most powerful families in town. However, as Annie continues on her quest for answers she finds an unlikely ally in James Meade, who happens to be looking for answers himself.
As I said before, I loved this book. Delinsky's attention to detail and character development is in a class by itself. As Annie drives into Middle River around midnight one summer night, you're right there in the passenger seat with her, and as she investigates for her cause, you not only meet the townspeople but you actually feel like you know them. The residents' lives are intertwined through history, and the subplots surrounding the story are so carefully written it's difficult to put the book down. But what's most impressive is that the main plot line is not lost in the midst of the characters and details; it's enhanced. Delinsky is a storyteller in every sense of the word as she takes you on the tale of looking for Peyton Place.
May 10, 2010
Writer Annie Barnes returnes to her hometown of Middle River after her mothers funeral looking for answers about her mothers death. Annie is working against time to solve the mystery of her mothers death to save her sister who has the same symptoms along with other people in town. Peyton Place and Middle River are much alike in there small town life as secrets come out. Wonderful story that drew me into the life of Middle River and kept me turning the pages when I should have been turning out the lights.
April 11, 2010
Author Grace Metalious is Annie Barnes' imaginery friend and mentor as she grows up in Middle River, NH. Interesting parallels are revealed as Annie becomes a best-selling novelist and begins to question the practices of the local paper mill. Annie begins an investigation into the causes of mercury poisoning in her family and other townpeople, stirring up a hornets' nest. A love, story, a family saga, and expert story-telling makes this a wonderful read.
July 8, 2011
I remember as a kid watching Peyton Place on TV. I read this book and really enjoyed the story. It was a great read with the main character going "home" to her small town life. Delinsky did a great job of combining the actual Peyton Place story with the people living in the town. Sparked my interest in reading the original Peyton Place. Don't have on the Nook so bought the book. Can't wait to read.
September 16, 2018
I'll read anything Peyton place , so picked up this Delinsky and was disappointed .
Main character is supposed to be the real life Allison ' s daughter as mentioned in the prologue , a thread never picked up again .
Odd, because every other thing that happened happened multiple times. We get it, she's not writing a book about the townspeople . except she is!
Seemed dated. Pick up the original for a (re) read instead .
Main character is supposed to be the real life Allison ' s daughter as mentioned in the prologue , a thread never picked up again .
Odd, because every other thing that happened happened multiple times. We get it, she's not writing a book about the townspeople . except she is!
Seemed dated. Pick up the original for a (re) read instead .
May 11, 2022
While the book was obviously well-researched, and well-written, it didn’t hold my attention like most of Delinsky’s novels. Perhaps it was the relationship between Annie Barnes, the protagonist and the long-dead author of the novel Peyton Place. While it provided a bit of whimsy, I found it unrealistic. Ultimately Annie makes peace with her past, and in doing so, makes peace with herself so that she can forge a future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2011
I didn't finish this book, but read enough to know I'd rather spend my time with other, better books. Technically it was fine. I just didn't care about the characters at all and the storyline didn't interest me.
February 6, 2020
At times I thought this book was a little too long, but I really enjoyed the story line and the character development. This was not a typical romance novel. I really enjoyed the depth of the controversy the author explored and developed.
March 18, 2010
Too slow. Just couldn't get into the characters.
September 29, 2016
I didn't actually finish this book. I normally love books by Delinsky, but I just couldn't get into this one. Finally said forget it, lives short, and quit.
January 8, 2018
Wasn't expecting to learn a lot when I read this book, but I did, about mercury poisoning.
September 25, 2023
Looking for Peyton Place by Barbara Delinsky is a 2005 Scribner publication.
Everyone has probably heard of 'Peyton Place' even if they have never read the book, watched the movie, or the television series- which is the category I fall into.
That said, I know exactly what someone means when they invoke a Peyton Place type comparison.
In this novel, Middle River, New Hampshire was the basis for Grace Metalious’s shockingly scandalous novel published back in the 1950s. Grace was also a kind of imaginary friend for Annie Barnes who grew up in Middle River and left as one of its least popular citizens. The joke was on Middle River and its citizens, though, when Annie went on to become a famous author in her own right.
Annie has a fabulous life in Washington, but when her mother dies, she feels compelled to ask a few questions about her cause of death, which had been attributed to Parkinson’s. When she arrives back in Middle River for a month- long stay, the town is in uproar, convinced she is there to right a book about them…
Annie’s not interested in writing another “Peyton Place”- she just wants to know what ailed her mother and is causing her sister to exhibit the same symptoms. When the local doctor suggests a possible connection between the symptoms and the local Mill, Annie is determined to find out if the powerful family who owns the mill have anything to hide…
Oh, my goodness- the name Barbara Delinksy brings back memories- there was a time when I devoured Judith Krantz, Danielle Steel, and Jackie Collins novels- and Delinsky was also one of those female authors I couldn’t get enough of back in the mid to late eighties.
Unfortunately, I lost track of her, and the other authors I mentioned, over the years, as my taste and range changed, evolved and expanded. But when I saw this book listed in the KU library, I immediately checked it out and couldn’t wait to reacquaint myself with this author.
I enjoyed the story- it was high on drama, family tensions, and filled with dark, small-town secrets and scandals- which is right up my alley. The story is a little bit too long, though, and could have been trimmed up a bit for the sake of pacing and to increase the suspense, but other than that, I like the way it all played out, with family coming together to support a common cause, under enormous pressure, the nice romantic elements, and the satisfying conclusion- with the good guys coming out on top, against all odds.
This book is about eighteen years old-but holds up well. I love a good David versus Goliath story, and exploring the underbelly of small-town life with is often surprisingly sinister. I also came away with an interest in reading Grace’s original version of small-town maliciousness someday- and maybe try to catch the movie version as well.
Overall, a solid work of contemporary fiction from this seasoned author. It was nice to touch base with this old friend after many years- and since I’ve missed out on many of her more recent publications, I think we should stay in touch more often!
3.5 rounded up.
Everyone has probably heard of 'Peyton Place' even if they have never read the book, watched the movie, or the television series- which is the category I fall into.
That said, I know exactly what someone means when they invoke a Peyton Place type comparison.
In this novel, Middle River, New Hampshire was the basis for Grace Metalious’s shockingly scandalous novel published back in the 1950s. Grace was also a kind of imaginary friend for Annie Barnes who grew up in Middle River and left as one of its least popular citizens. The joke was on Middle River and its citizens, though, when Annie went on to become a famous author in her own right.
Annie has a fabulous life in Washington, but when her mother dies, she feels compelled to ask a few questions about her cause of death, which had been attributed to Parkinson’s. When she arrives back in Middle River for a month- long stay, the town is in uproar, convinced she is there to right a book about them…
Annie’s not interested in writing another “Peyton Place”- she just wants to know what ailed her mother and is causing her sister to exhibit the same symptoms. When the local doctor suggests a possible connection between the symptoms and the local Mill, Annie is determined to find out if the powerful family who owns the mill have anything to hide…
Oh, my goodness- the name Barbara Delinksy brings back memories- there was a time when I devoured Judith Krantz, Danielle Steel, and Jackie Collins novels- and Delinsky was also one of those female authors I couldn’t get enough of back in the mid to late eighties.
Unfortunately, I lost track of her, and the other authors I mentioned, over the years, as my taste and range changed, evolved and expanded. But when I saw this book listed in the KU library, I immediately checked it out and couldn’t wait to reacquaint myself with this author.
I enjoyed the story- it was high on drama, family tensions, and filled with dark, small-town secrets and scandals- which is right up my alley. The story is a little bit too long, though, and could have been trimmed up a bit for the sake of pacing and to increase the suspense, but other than that, I like the way it all played out, with family coming together to support a common cause, under enormous pressure, the nice romantic elements, and the satisfying conclusion- with the good guys coming out on top, against all odds.
This book is about eighteen years old-but holds up well. I love a good David versus Goliath story, and exploring the underbelly of small-town life with is often surprisingly sinister. I also came away with an interest in reading Grace’s original version of small-town maliciousness someday- and maybe try to catch the movie version as well.
Overall, a solid work of contemporary fiction from this seasoned author. It was nice to touch base with this old friend after many years- and since I’ve missed out on many of her more recent publications, I think we should stay in touch more often!
3.5 rounded up.
June 25, 2019
This book was okay. Easy to read writing style that flowed well (as most Delinskys do) but I thought the plot was just meh and the characters weren’t strong enough to sell me on the story. Try it if you’re a fan of Barbara Delinsky but if you’ve never read her, don’t start here.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
This book is about a woman who returns to her hometown in order to visit her sisters and sees that one sister is very sick. She seems to have the same affliction that their mother had and died from which presents itself as a Parkinson’s like disease. However her sister is very young and the main character thinks there’s more to the story that she doesn’t know. She starts investigating a local big time paper producer because she thinks that they have given people mercury poisoning. There’s a high incidence of illnesses and miscarriages etc in the community and she thinks it can’t be simply coincidence. It doesn’t hurt that the family that owns the Papermill are a lot of arrogant people and she has sort of a personal vendetta against them because the brother (Aiden Mead) was a jerk to her in high school. A lot of the book is her trying to help her sister get well and find a way to prove that the Papermill is responsible for all the sicknesses in the community. Another dimension to the story is the fact that she’s a writer so many people in her small town or not trusting of her because they think she’s writing an expose or a tell all book about the community. They have been burned once before by a woman named Grace who wrote such a story. Grace is dead but the main character keeps having conversations with her and I gathered that they had a strange competitive type relationship even though they are very different women. Long story short she falls in love with the older brother of the jerk (James Mead) but he’s a good guy. He was the one who was helping her discover what was going on because he felt bad for all the people who had been hurt and he was previously paying them privately and he wanted it all corrected and out in the open. They end up together and she does prove that it was mercury poisoning and everything is happily ever after. I liked the doctor (Tom) and was glad she was able to patch up her strained relationship with her sisters. She and the other healthy sister really banned together for a purpose in a way they never had before and I liked how it showed that sisters may not like each other all the time but they always have each other’s backs.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
This book is about a woman who returns to her hometown in order to visit her sisters and sees that one sister is very sick. She seems to have the same affliction that their mother had and died from which presents itself as a Parkinson’s like disease. However her sister is very young and the main character thinks there’s more to the story that she doesn’t know. She starts investigating a local big time paper producer because she thinks that they have given people mercury poisoning. There’s a high incidence of illnesses and miscarriages etc in the community and she thinks it can’t be simply coincidence. It doesn’t hurt that the family that owns the Papermill are a lot of arrogant people and she has sort of a personal vendetta against them because the brother (Aiden Mead) was a jerk to her in high school. A lot of the book is her trying to help her sister get well and find a way to prove that the Papermill is responsible for all the sicknesses in the community. Another dimension to the story is the fact that she’s a writer so many people in her small town or not trusting of her because they think she’s writing an expose or a tell all book about the community. They have been burned once before by a woman named Grace who wrote such a story. Grace is dead but the main character keeps having conversations with her and I gathered that they had a strange competitive type relationship even though they are very different women. Long story short she falls in love with the older brother of the jerk (James Mead) but he’s a good guy. He was the one who was helping her discover what was going on because he felt bad for all the people who had been hurt and he was previously paying them privately and he wanted it all corrected and out in the open. They end up together and she does prove that it was mercury poisoning and everything is happily ever after. I liked the doctor (Tom) and was glad she was able to patch up her strained relationship with her sisters. She and the other healthy sister really banned together for a purpose in a way they never had before and I liked how it showed that sisters may not like each other all the time but they always have each other’s backs.
May 15, 2021
If you're a fan of the original Peyton Place book and are looking for something similar to a sequel, you are bound to be disappointed as the characters and the plot of this book are a full 180 from the original. Though there are certain similarities that tie into the original lore, there isn't much for you Peyton Place fans out there. The plot itself is pretty good though I felt that there was certain information that the author gave that wasn't very relevant and would be considered as useless filler as some.
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Spoilers Ahead
All characters are very lovable and quite relatable especially Annie Barnes. The only character that I actually hated was James Meade. Although, he played a pivotal role in the story and was supposed to be the 'good guy', he seemed very cliche to me. Also, his romance with Annie felt quite forced and unnatural and seemingly came out of nowhere.
I feel like the story could have taken a turn for the better if TrueBlue turned out to be someone else (like Sabina's husband) and the James Meade arc could have been avoided altogether but that's probably not what the author had in mind.
Personally, I really enjoy it when novels have sub-plots and side stories in general. Which was definitely a plus point with the whole DePuis drama.
Again, the characters and the community aspect of Middle River were what made this story truly special. Definitely worth a read!
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Spoilers Ahead
All characters are very lovable and quite relatable especially Annie Barnes. The only character that I actually hated was James Meade. Although, he played a pivotal role in the story and was supposed to be the 'good guy', he seemed very cliche to me. Also, his romance with Annie felt quite forced and unnatural and seemingly came out of nowhere.
I feel like the story could have taken a turn for the better if TrueBlue turned out to be someone else (like Sabina's husband) and the James Meade arc could have been avoided altogether but that's probably not what the author had in mind.
Personally, I really enjoy it when novels have sub-plots and side stories in general. Which was definitely a plus point with the whole DePuis drama.
Again, the characters and the community aspect of Middle River were what made this story truly special. Definitely worth a read!
April 14, 2023
why only 3stars?
I can’t really find a lot to criticize in this book. I simply didn’t enjoy it. May because I have never read Peyton Place. I know about Peyton Place. It’s an icon of society. This story seemed to undermine that story. All little towns are Peyton Place. They all have evil and secrets and too many churches. Everyone knows everyone’s business, gossip is a way of life , and there is always that one family with all the Mo Et that rules and judges. I say this with confidence because I have lived in small towns in Southeast Mo my entire life. I know how it works. Maybe that’s why it took me 10 days to read this book. It didn’t interest me. I live it daily.
I can’t really find a lot to criticize in this book. I simply didn’t enjoy it. May because I have never read Peyton Place. I know about Peyton Place. It’s an icon of society. This story seemed to undermine that story. All little towns are Peyton Place. They all have evil and secrets and too many churches. Everyone knows everyone’s business, gossip is a way of life , and there is always that one family with all the Mo Et that rules and judges. I say this with confidence because I have lived in small towns in Southeast Mo my entire life. I know how it works. Maybe that’s why it took me 10 days to read this book. It didn’t interest me. I live it daily.
May 5, 2025
I have like some of Delinsky's books in the past but I HATED this one. In fact I only got half way through it before throwing it down in disgust.
Mean and snobbish applies not only to the main character of the book but to the overall tone of the book itself. Every character seemed to be a stereotype except for the main character, a successful writer, who visits her hometown and finds it as dislikable and detestable as she found it in her childhood. The main plot -- a suspected inadvertent poisoning of the town by the town's main source of income, the local mill -- took "forever" to develop and the ending was entirely predictable. (After I decided to not finish the books, I read the last couple of chapters to see if I was mistaken -- and no surprise here, I wasn't.)
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Mean and snobbish applies not only to the main character of the book but to the overall tone of the book itself. Every character seemed to be a stereotype except for the main character, a successful writer, who visits her hometown and finds it as dislikable and detestable as she found it in her childhood. The main plot -- a suspected inadvertent poisoning of the town by the town's main source of income, the local mill -- took "forever" to develop and the ending was entirely predictable. (After I decided to not finish the books, I read the last couple of chapters to see if I was mistaken -- and no surprise here, I wasn't.)
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March 19, 2023
3.5 Read it to learn about the original writer. There was quite a bit of research done to write this. Romance and family issues, somewhat predictable. Interesting parallels between narrator of this story and the Grace Metalious.
~ One thing for sure, the copy I started reading was well read, falling apart. I found another used copy, same format, and it seems to be coming apart. The taller (comfort fit) paperbacks don't stay together very well. I like trade paper backs, but not a lot of this genre is printed in that format. ~
~ One thing for sure, the copy I started reading was well read, falling apart. I found another used copy, same format, and it seems to be coming apart. The taller (comfort fit) paperbacks don't stay together very well. I like trade paper backs, but not a lot of this genre is printed in that format. ~
November 20, 2016
I never read Peyton Place. This book took place in the same northeastern small town as Peyton Place, maybe 20 years later. While the citizens were stunned at the allegations of the original novel, 20 years later the similar activities (extramarital affairs, business dealings and gossip) was occurring. The book was about a woman who returned to town, the way the town's elders related to and tried to make other believe about her, and the underlying reason she returned. Good read!
August 17, 2021
I have heard of the mini series Peyton Place but did not know anything about the story or author of the book. This book gives a bit of information about her and made me want to read that story as well, so I think it did it's job! I do always enjoy a "coming home, healing" story. And as our heroine investigates her mother's death she uncovers some important truths about her family and her home town.
October 5, 2022
I enjoy Delinsky’s books, partly because they end predictably happy and I can see what is coming. I know, I know, that is not very academically sound, but with my vision in my only eye slowly being undermined, I need some comfort. Found the conversations with Grace a bit intrusive and hard to accept, but I understand the purpose. Otherwise, a good one. Actually a three and a half star, but will upgrade for today.
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