Unravelling (182)

by Josephine Boxwell

Told in alternating chapters that go back and forth between the 1990s and the present, Unravelling uncovers a story of corruption that connects the two small-town British Columbia protagonists whose worlds are irreparably damaged. Ruthless octogenarian Vivian Lennox fights her deteriorating mind as she defends the catastrophic decisions she made decades earlier. Armed only with her curiosity, 10-year-old Elena Reid is dangerously unaware of who or what she is about to expose as she searches for answers to her father's disappearance, following an explosion at the sawmill. The parallel stories come to a head with the arrival of a newcomer who is determined to find out exactly what happened to the town more than 20 years earlier, and how deeply Vivian herself was involved.

200 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2020

Reviews

[Susan Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

The two main protagonists in this story, young Elana and elder Vivian have much in common if you look under the surface. Both defy convention, follow their own star and unknowingly are kindred enemies. There is an intelligence to this plot that bolsters you, and enough twists that keep you glued to the pages. I had to reread sections a number of times as I was reading too fast to know what was going to happen next that I lost track of some details. It captures small town lives and relationships well and weaves in truths about gender and the tyranny of whiteness without ever being obvious. A book that is hard to classify, is it a mystery, a suspense novel or just good fiction? I don't know except I recommend it to everyone.

[Kindree Draper · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent read! For anyone who’s lived the small town experience this book will resonate. The writing is crisp and authentic. The plot line keeps you there and it’s hard to put down. I’m mindful of Miss Marple’s description of village archetypes in the genuine quality Boxwell has offered for each intriguing contribution they make to the story.

Every community does have its secrets, some worse than others and this story makes the reader want to find out what will be revealed next in this one with each turning page. Well done!

[Harold Walters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best B. C. novel I have read so far (Jan 17) in 2021.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small town is bullied by a rich family who have struggles of their own