What the Bayou Saw: A Novel

by Patti Lacy

Rising author Patti Lacy's second novel exposes the life of Sally, set amid the shadows of prejudice in Louisiana. Since leaving her home in the South, Sally Stevens has held the secrets of her past at bay, smothering them in a sunny disposition and sugar-coated lies. No one, not even her husband, has heard the truth about her childhood. But when one of her students is violently raped, Sally's memories quickly bubble to the surface unbidden, like a dead body in a bayou. As Sally's story comes to light, the lies she's told begin to catch up with her. And as her web of deceit unravels, she resolves to face the truth at last, whatever the consequences.

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian

336 pages, Paperback

First published March 24, 2009

About the author

Patti Lacy, a Baylor University graduate, taught community college humanities until God called her to span seas and secrets in her Kregel-published novels, An Irishwoman’s Tale and What the Bayou Saw.

2011 brings two new Patti Lacy novels to bookstore shelves. The Rhythm of Secrets will release with Kregel in January; Bethany House will publish Reclaiming Lily in October.

Patti has two grown children and a dog named Laura. She and her husband can be seen jog-walking the streets of Normal, an amazing place to live for a woman born in a car. Visit Patti’s website at www.pattilacy.com, her blog at www.pattilacy.com/blog, and her Facebook daily Artbites.

I love to hear from readers, manna for a writer's hungry soul!

Reviews

[African Americans on the Move Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patti Lacy has penned an unforgettable literary masterpiece in What the Bayou Saw. Laced with lyrics from African American spirituals, this tale eloquently illustrates the lives of three unlikely women. The story takes the reader on a ride down highway 55 north, from Louisiana to Illinois, to embark on a journey crowded with bigotry, hatred, and prejudice.
Sally Stevens is a Christian woman who is struggling daily to deal with the demons of her past. Through the years, Sally had done a good job of hiding her pain until one of her students, Shamika Williams, is attacked. Shamika is the only African American student in Sally’s American Music class. Afro-centric and regal in her appearance, it was well known that Shamika was poised to take on the world and this didn’t set right with several of her peers.
Because of who she is, Sally felt compelled to lend her support in any way that she could. Upon learning the details of what happened, Sally was forced to remember an event from years ago that forever changed her life. The only person who knew was Ella and Sally had sworn her to secrecy with a blood oath. Sally and Ella became childhood friends during a time when prejudice flowed as freely as running water.
It was amazing how well Sally had buried the pain and memories as the years elapsed. She found herself bearing it all when she went to visit Shamika at her aunt Ruby’s house. Sally had been telling lies so long that hearing the truth, from her own mouth, was somehow foreign to her. She had lied to her husband, her children, and even to herself. Sally soon realized that she would have to deal with the past in order to truly heal.
What the Bayou Saw is filled with real life injustices which bring about brutal understanding through spiritual reflection and forgiveness. It made me take a step back and reflect on the realities that were shoved to the forefront as the past replayed in front of my very own eyes. I experienced an array of emotions while reading this book. Patti Lacy did an awesome job with the scene descriptions. I could smell the musty fragrance of the Bayou, hear the calls of the creatures of the swamp, and see the moss covered trees. I highly recommend this book to all readers.

Unika Modlen
AAMBC Reviewer

[Joel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unbelievable dialogue. Inconsistent dialect. Poorly composed characters making uncharacteristic decisions. Direct communication from God used liberally as deus ex machina. And to make it all more fun, the protagonist is a dead ringer for Cathy of the comic pages. I only made it through the whole book in the hopes that something would happen to allow me to write a more positive review than this. Sadly, my sole reward for sticking it through to the end was a quadruple-dose of saccharine. Being neither a menopausal woman nor an evangelical Christian, I can't imagine I'm the target audience for this book; but to the extent that good literature has any sort of universal appeal, this ain't it.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best written fiction books I have read in a long time. Patti Lacy expertly interweaves the past into the present in this beauty from ashes story. This was a hard-to-put-down novel that I could not wait to get back to when I was forced to return to reality and do necessary things like eat and sleep. I highly recommend this book. Enjoy!!

[Christy Trever · Rating 4 out of 5]

What the Bayou Saw by Patti Lacy is a poignant story about the damage secrets and lies can wreak as they grow unhindered. Sally Stevens has built a life of secrets and lies she hides behind her smile and Southern drawl. She's learned how to avoid difficult situations by telling a lie that's more easily digested than the truth and seasoning it with wide eyes, smiles, and waving her hands, but it all starts coming to the surface when first she is confronted by three of her students who want her to stop teaching her college class with a Christian tone. Then her favorite student is raped and beaten and accuses those same young men. Her carefully constructed world begins to totter and fall and she is forced to face the secret she has held for over forty years. The lie that destroyed her best friendship, tainted her marriage, and has colored every aspect of her life since. Lacy describes the lies in Sally's life using several metaphors throughout the book; the best is kudzu, at first beautiful but then suffocating and causing death. The beginning of the book setting up the outer frame story is a bit clumsy at first, but Lacy does an awe-inspiring job of talking about the issues of racism that we all want to pretend don't exist anymore. The novel is a gritty, unflinching look at the sins of our nation's past and how they still haunt us today and will continue to do so until we finally face them head-on.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main themes of this quick and easy read are racism, prejudice, and the insidious way that secrets and lies will eventually catch up with you. The plot goes back and forth between 1960s Louisiana and a small town in Indiana in the present. My only real criticism is that the racism and sexism in the book in present day Indiana was so overt and extreme that it was almost silly. These days, racism is more insidious that that. It's often covert and systemic, making it very difficult to pinpoint, make concrete, or ultimately change.

I must apologize to Goodreads, to the author, and to the publisher. I won this book through Goodreads and did not realize when I entered the giveaway that it was a Christian book. I do not typically read Christian fiction and therefore cannot really evaluate the Christian aspects of this book. I do think that this would be an excellent book for a Christian book club. Lots to discuss.

[Cindi (Utah Mom’s Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book as a first reads. I really enjoyed it. Patti Lacy tells a contemporary story that handles topics such as racism, sexual abuse, middle age, marriage, Christianity, repentance and redemption with an honesty and integrity that is rare in literature today.

Lacy is a new writer and initially I found myself tripping over some of the extra words. But as the story gains momentum the writing improves and finally begins to disappear within the tale.

Excellent!

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed What The Bayou Saw. Although I am from a pretty liberal area, and due to my age, I do remember the racial issues riots, and struggles between "blacks" & "Whites". Without giving away too much of the plot,I can say the characters are memorable, and dealing with there own inner struggles and demons. I look forward to more books from Ms. Lacy

[Lillie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I occasionally found it hard to suspend disbelief because the story seemed far-fetched, I continued to be engrossed in the book. Rape, murder, racism, and secret sins make a compelling story.

[Wendy Plant · Rating 3 out of 5]

A hard book to rate. It’s a book that covers several topics. All important ones to discuss including rape, racism, lying, forgiveness. At times it was really hard to read because of the reality of what the world is. At other times I couldn’t believe the main character could be so completely dysfunctional, ( some people are yes, but I don’t think you could have a healthy family in a situation in which the main character has so many hidden secrets, hurts and lies) It is just my thoughts and how torn I was throughout the book. Resolution was also too simple or skimmed over and suddenly we get a happily ever after epilogue. Others may totally give this book 5 stars. But I could not relate to the main characters actions despite her past

[Stephanie Mccall · Rating 4 out of 5]

After loving An Irishwoman's Tale, I hungered for more from Patti Lacy. Specifically, I wanted Sally Stevens to have her own book. Thus, I was thrilled to discover What the Bayou Saw awaited me. It's not an exact sequel, in that you can read either book first, but knowing Mary's story certainly gave me insight into Sally. Conversely, seeing Sally's point of view gave me more insight into Mary. However, this story is Sally Stevens' and Ella Ward's, and it is another Lacy triumph.

Like An Irishwoman's Tale, I'm reviewing What the Bayou Saw after several rereads and years after my first go. What still sticks in my head is how simple this book looks, but how gently complex Patti made it. That is, the premise might make you think you're getting a straightforward story about a precious friendship that was destroyed because of segregation and bigotry. Those elements exist, but they are far from "the whole story." They're not even the underpinnings. Rather, they are the foundations on which something deep, generational, and potentially earth-shattering is built.

Patti does capture the mix of innocence and trepidation in Ella and Sally's friendship. Sally comes off sheltered, naive, and almost babyish at first, while Ella's maturity and prudence could be seen as a bit too expected of a girl from her era and background. To a point, they maintain these personalities as adults. Ella becomes the no-nonsense Black nurse, while Sally freely admits she'd rather indulge in chocolate and drawly talk than face her feelings and mistakes. The post-Katrina scenes drive this home like an actual gut punch, so much that Sally in particular almost becomes an unlikeable lead.

But drawls and sugar addiction denial aside, and tough shell aside, Sally and Ella are true sisters you can root for across the eras of the novel. From their first meeting across a chain-link fence to their post-Katrina reunion, it's clear they *chose* to connect over things like Motown and daisy chains, *chose* to hang onto their commonalities, despite the world trying to wrench those away. More importantly, the echoes of their choices to connect over more serious events, from Kennedy's assassination to a blood oath in the rotting bayou mud, drive forgiveness and reconciliation forward more than any simple lesson about overcoming prejudice ever could.

As for the framing device of Shamika Williams and Aunt Ruby, I admit some ambivalence. First, I'd have been absolutely fine if Patti made What the Bayou Saw a straightforward historical novel, or at least started the narrative in 1963 and written up to Sally's current life, with Shamika's travail and a reunion with Ella encapsulating the ending. I'm still unsure if Shamika's accusation was needed, considering Sally had already been through something similar and considering the twist with Shamika's version, which in my opinion worked a lot better.

That said, Shamika and Ruby are both brilliantly drawn characters. They, more than Ella, do a lot to help Sally finish growing up and facing what really happened, which she sorely needed (and I say that as a Southern woman who lost my accent years ago and never endured what Sally did, but can catch myself medicating with chocolate, and often sugarcoats "what really happened.") I particularly loved how blunt Shamika was willing to be with Sally, even in her head, and the scenes between Sally and Ruby. The book trailer has a great shot of these "characters" hugging, and that's how I still think of them, not because they "solved" race relations, but because they got honest, got their hands dirty, and came out better, cleaner, for it.

As noted, I did find some small character issues with What the Bayou Saw. Even now, I also find it slightly unbelievable that in decades of marriage, Ed never had one inkling of Sally's history, nor did they ever have one conversation that at least hinted at what she needed to deal with. Of course, as I said, I've never been through it, so that might just be me. And as always, feel free to ignore my critiques. Whatever your personal rating, this is another lovely Patti Lacy book. I'd recommend reading it as a sequel, but again, that's not necessary. And yes, feel free to share with your book club.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

What the Bayou Saw is a powerful book dealing with race relations within the context of a good story. All too often I find that books dealing with race have "good" characters who manage to be color-blind and "bad" characters who hate anyone who doesn't look like them. This book deals more in gray.

The main character is Sally, a community college humanities instructor who lives and works in Normal, IL. Sally isn't from Normal, she is from Texas and Louisiana where she grew up in the 50's-70's. She is about six years older than I am. As a four to five year old she lives in a college dorm at Baylor and hears college boys talking about Negroes (often using less flattering terms). She wonders who these mysterious people are and disobeys her parents to go off campus to "Colored Town". She meets one who seems really decent. When she is in sixth grade, the family moves to Monroe LA. On her way to school the first day, a white man exposes himself to her. The only person who is nice to her at school that day is the Negro cook. At home, she makes friends with the daughter of her next door neighbor's maid, and when they are discovered, no one wants them playing together. Tragedy strikes that changes both of their lives forever.

In 2005 Sally has a class that includes one very bright African-American student who obviously isn't from Normal, and three neo-Nazis who are. Those boys don't like the way Sally brings Christianity and African-American culture into her humanities class, and threaten her. That day, Shamika, the African-American student doesn't show up for class and it is learned she was raped in the school parking lot. She accuses the neo-Nazis of the crime. While tutoring Shamika while she is recovering, Sally tells, for the first time ever, the real story of what happened on that Bayou.

The book is Christian fiction. Starting when she was a young child, Sally lied to keep people happy. After what happened on the bayou, the lies increased, and had become a regular part of her life. Part of the resolution of the story is her resolve to quit lying--and the realization that to do so after all these years will be hard. Sally prays, she belongs to a Bible study and her husband talks to a preacher about problems they are having. Sally repents of her sins, particularly lying, but I wouldn't really call this an overly religious book. In other words, unless you are offended by religion/Christianity, I don't think you have to be a Christian to enjoy this book.

[Betania · Rating 4 out of 5]

I struggled whether to give this book 3 or 4 stars. My niceness won out, but I think I probably more belong with a solid 3.4ish.

I was excited when I won this book through the giveaway, because I'd read the synopsis and thought it sounded like an interesting premise. That said, when I read the first chapter or two, I was thoroughly disappointed. I remember telling my friend Coral as much, and most of it had to do with some of the ridiculous phrases used by the *Aryan-wannabes* or Sally's description of the black student in her class (really? her one black female student reminds her of the one black friend she ever had?). Also, as another side note, I don't really understand how an author will refuse to use the word "bullsh*t" in the text, but has no problem spelling out the "n" word. But maybe that's just me.

ALL THAT SAID, once I got into the book a little bit, I absolutely couldn't put it down. The story pulled me in, and as I got a little further into it, I realized that part of my frustration with the beginning was that somehow Sally's character wasn't portrayed very well in all its complexity at the beginning, but once you got a bit further in, you understood her better, which made the story itself make more sense. Overall, I really did like the book. And as I believe one of the other commenters made mention, she did a very good job (past the first couple chapters) of portraying some of the complexities of racism, especially in the context of a girl raised in the South. The author dealt a lot with the "gray areas," and shed some light on the internal struggles of a girl growing up in the '60s South who sees that racism is wrong, but that has it so ingrained in her she doesn't know how to deal with the juxtaposition, especially with such strong peer pressure from her friends, not to mention family.

Overall, I think it's a good book, and I have to commend the author for taking on some incredibly difficult topics: racism, sexual abuse, and the place for sex in marriage, none of which are easy to talk about, especially in Christian fiction. And not only that, she manages to do so while telling a good story, or rather, two good stories. If you're willing to wait until the story takes hold of you, it's definitely worth reading.

[Britni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every once in a while I get the chance to review a book that I love. What the Bayou Saw is one of those books. Lacy kept me interested from page one of the prologue until the final page of the book. This book was refreshingly well written and easy to follow but still complex in theme, plot, and character development.

Sally is a middle aged woman that grew up in the south during a time period when the other side of town was still called, "Colored Town." Sally sneaks around with her best friend, a colored girl, and together they face the alligators, snakes, and scary men in the bayou. But only the two of them know what really happened down in the bayou.

The book follows the life of Sally 25 years later as she deals with incidents in her past that she never came to terms with and realizes her entire life is a series of small and big lies that are culminating in her stable life falling apart. You really feel for this woman as she tries to find a way to share the secrets of the past that have been haunting her for so long.

Like I said before, this book was extremely well written. Each and every character is developed to the point where you can imagine their next move or next line. The plot is slightly predictable, but it's still a well thought out and defined plot that never slows down between flashbacks from Sally's childhood and her current circumstances. I would recommend this book to anyone really. It's a clean book laced with spiritual undertones of relying on the Lord and living truthful lives even when it may ruin your or someone else's life. 5 stars.

[Carla Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Patti Lacy on the run at the Minneapolis ACFW conference. In our five minute encounter, I knew I’d met a writer who sizzled with life, embracing it with joy and wonder. Soon after I read her debut novel, An Irishwoman’s Tale, and saw that same quality in her writing. She writes with abandon—exuberant prose with a magnetism aimed straight at the reader.

Patti’s second novel, What The Bayou Saw, is another compelling, page-turning read that recalls a tumultuous past, this time for Sally Stevens, a college professor. When one of her students, a gifted African-American girl, is brutally beaten, old memories that Sally has kept hidden for thirty years are stirred. As the layers are peeled back, Sally discovers not only the misdeeds of others, but also a blackness in her own soul that stemmed from an incident with her childhood friend, Ella.

Deeply honest, the prose sometimes stings with gritty reality about the prejudices of the South—from the swamps of Sally’s childhood to Katrina-ravaged New Orleans. Ultimately, it’s a story of faith, the sometimes twisty road to forgiveness, and God’s grace. The cost is great, but it is the sacrifice Sally must make if she is to preserve her marriage and her own integrity. I think you’ll be delighted with the detours in the scenery, as Sally and Ella wrap themselves around your heart.

Patti Lacy is a gifted storyteller, with a knack for drawing rich settings that linger long after the last page.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first page, I was drawn into the very midst of this story. This book is certainly not a gentle read. It covers topics most books would shy away from and doesn’t hesitate to delve into some of the most complicated emotions. Having an idea of what was coming from the back cover, I was in suspense and breathing shallow as each page kept increasing to the climax. And even after it reached the pinnacle moment, the conflict did not ease.

Sally has lived a lie. And from those first moments since meeting Ella and then the bayou, it has snowballed to effect more lives than just her own. Her constant deception can become tiresome, but what kept me reading, more than just a great story, was deep inside you could see she really wanted to change and by sharing her story with a hurting woman, so she wouldn’t make the same mistakes, is what makes her extremely likable.

Not only does this book pack a potent message on so many fronts, too many to name in a short review, but also paints word pictures that will give you chills. I literally felt the cold sweep through me by words on a page when Sally found the scarecrow in her garage. Don’t underestimate the power of this book!

This book digs deep into the human condition. Nothing is left untouched and the most sacred of emotions have their doors blown away. Haunting, gritty and powerful, this story will invade your thoughts and grab hold of your heart. Don’t miss it!

[Tamara Tilley · Rating 3 out of 5]

WHAT THE BAYOU SAW by Patti Lacy is a haunting story of a woman who has spent her whole life trying to forget her past.

We see through the eyes of a young Sally Stevens the ugliness of racism in the South in the 1960s. She keeps secret the friendship she has formed with Ella because she knows her parents would forbid her spending time with her because she is black. So, she and Ella share a secret relationship and a secret meeting place deep in the nearby bayou. When Sally is physically attacked there, Ella comes to her rescue. Now, it’s not only their friendship they swear to keep secret, but the actions that will change their lives forever.

WHAT THE BAYOU SAW jumps back and forth between the young Sally and the older Sally, and shows us how choices she’s made impacts her everyday life. As she counsels a young, embittered black girl, who’s been raped on the campus where Sally teaches, she is forced to delve again into her past and struggles with the lies she has kept her entire life, even from her husband.

WHAT THE BAYOU SAW is a multi-faceted story, dealing with very real issues. But, at times I felt the story moved at too slow of a pace which lessened the dramatic impact of the story. The end was a bit anti-climatic in that I felt the issue that Sally struggled with throughout the story was dealt with so quickly at the end. But, overall, WHAT THE BAYOU SAW made for good reading.

[Cyra Regina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rated 2 stars from me. There was racism, judgment, murder, unwanted memory in the past; dealing with friendship, family and career. The book was ok, a bit far from what I am expecting. Well, maybe because reading the back cover of the book and scans through it, which I usually do, interests me. I was expecting a heavy story, something very unimaginable. What I got was a regular story of racism and characters with lies. But I love the attacks of the flashbacks from Sally’s childhood experiences which connects and influence to Shamika’s present situation. There is my thought that the book is very Christian. Most of all, I do not like the “second voice” (I call it). To me, it was like someone is talking in a very negative manner (well, not all the time though). I will recommend this to people who deals the same way as the characters are dealing. This book may help you and comfort you in way to make things right, helps you become stronger and strengthens your faith; and primarily, never fail to pray because it really works.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

What the Bayou Saw has two storylines - one is set in the present in Normal, IL (I have a long time internet friend that lives there) and the other is in the past in the bayou in Louisiana. Despite the use of flashbacks and stories of the past, I was not confused. The author did an excellent job of making it easy to recognize the transitions.
Sally is a community college instructor whose tragic memories resurface when one of her students is raped in a parking lot on campus. She discusses her past with the victim and in doing so discovers the need to return to LA to make things right with her old friend Ella.
What the Bayou Saw is a story of race relations and segregation within the context of a great book. The author does a excellent job of showing the prejudices from both sides of the tracks. I look forward to reading more books by Patti Lacy.
I must say I was torn between 4 or 5 stars. I wish 1/2 a star were an option, I would give this 4.5 stars.

[Karen Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her second novel, Patty Lacy has taken on several difficult subjects and delivered a provocative and engaging story involving the reader emotionally with the complex characters she has created. The haunting cover art immediately hints that this will be a story that will stick with you long after the last words are devoured. While I didn't grow up in the South, I did experience the years of racial conflict from a Midwesterner's point of view. Lacy nails the attitudes of the era as she looks back on the complex relationships of the times. In her character, Sally, Lacy continues a haunting theme as she is affected emotionally and spiritually by what happened in the bayou.

For me this was a much anticipated read. I loved Patti Lacy's first book, An Irishwoman's Tale, and expected What The Bayou Saw to be another delicious foray into wonderful prose. I was not disappointed.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about Sally a teacher at a college who becomes involved with a student who is the victim of a violent crime. This leads Sally to confront her past of her own attack. The book started out slow, but picked up after a few chapters. The book bounces back and forth between post Katrina era and the past of the main character. I did like how the author illustrated how Sally's past encounters with racism and a violent sexually crime shaped her views and actions in the present day. Could of been five stars except for the end which all of a sudden has a wonderful happy ending in just a few chapters. Except for the Nazi skin heads who you never really hear about, a bit too much considering all of the hatred and racism in the preceding chapters. It was also weird how the author would blank out swear words but use racism words.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, I really did. I received a copy through Goodreads in late summer, unfortunately it took me three tries and several months to finish.

I found the constant religious references distracting, though I know now that Sally's relationship with God is an integral part of the story. If I had known this would be a religious book I wouldn't have requested a copy. It's more of a 'come to Jesus' story than the mystery novel I was expecting. My apologies to Patti Lacy for not enjoying the book more, but I do have several family members who may be interested & I'll pass the book onto them.

It is a very descriptive book with a suspenseful plot, hence the four stars for a book I personally found barely readable. This is a great book for a certain type of person, just not for me.

[Jo Notary]

336p The past can't stay buried forever
Rising author Patti Lacy's second novel exposes the life of Sally, set amid the shadows of prejudice in Louisiana. Since leaving her home in the South, Sally Stevens has held the secrets of her past at bay, smothering them in a sunny disposition and sugar-coated lies. No one, not even her husband, has heard the truth about her childhood. But when one of her students is violently raped, Sally's memories quickly bubble to the surface unbidden, like a dead body in a bayou. As Sally's story comes to light, the lies she's told begin to catch up with her. And as her web of deceit unravels, she resolves to face the truth at last, whatever the consequences.

[Iris · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me quite a long time to really get into this book. I found myself only reading a few pages a day and struggled through the first 100 pages or so. However, just when I was ready to put it back on the shelf and give up (which I rarely do) the story got a lot more interesting. If not for the beginning, I would give this one four stars. The character development was excellent, I could relate to most parts of the story, and the overall outcome was satisfying and heart-warming. The last 2/3 of the book only took me two days to read as I just didn't want to put this down.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

What the Bayou Saw is the most courageous book I have read in years. Patti Lacy's sensitive, but truthful, exploration of race relations is stunning and her examination of the life-long friendship between a Caucasian woman and an African American woman from childhood is lovely. Don't be afraid to delve into this book because of its topic. It is a beautiful portrait of friendship, grace and redemption that will make readers cheer.

[Alan Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is about time a Christian book handles real issues. Edgy things are not ignored by this author. Racism. Rape. Parents with their heads in the sand. Plus the cop dialogue seems realistic. Don't miss.

[Shoulanda August · Rating 3 out of 5]

really enjoyed this southern book about how times were

I liked that Sally and Eve developed a friendship despite racism in the south. These little girl overcame a deep secret that almost destroyed both of their lives

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What the Bayou Saw is one of my favorites I have read this year. I really felt connected with the characters and I love the mystery and suspense element of the story.
Looking forward to more by Patti Lacy.
Fabulous book!
5+ stars

[Andrea Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really intricate blending of the story of two women's friendship from childhood and their adulthood as they try to figure out the tragedy that binds them.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding! This will grab and hold.

[Karen Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book; had some hard issues to deal with at times - but it was very believable.