Elizabeth Black makes her debut with a novel set in Galveston, Texas featuring protagonist Clare Porterfield. Porterfield, a photographer, returns to her roots in Galveston to direct an art show — and in an effort to escape the loss of her only child and her subsequent crumbling marriage. The basic premise of the story: two mysteries disrupt her exhibit research — the tale of the drowning of a young woman in the island’s historic Carrady house in 1900 during the Great Hurricane, and an unresolved incident from Clare’s teen years and her “boyfriend’s” exile from the island.
When I first picked this book up, I thought I would love it. The book summary provided enough to entice me with what I thought was going to be a very dynamic storyline. It took me several weeks to get through this story. While Black’s writing style was intriguing, many of her characters and her storylines were underdeveloped, making this less than a page turner.
With so much packed in this work, the conclusion leaves many strings hanging and questions unanswered. Porterfield’s teenage relationship is often discussed, however, readers aren’t introduced to the character until nearly the end of the book — and it’s a bit of a letdown. The other major mystery the novel is centered around also finds a seemingly unsatisfying conclusion.
While the end of the novel may have been a bit disappointing, perhaps that was Black’s point? Regardless, I enjoyed the tone and style of the book and will be curious to read whatever she may have up her sleeve next. Check it out if you can!
Life & Love 