A vacation can highlight the
strain inside a marriage. The simple thing at home in the normal confines
becomes a bit more problematic out on the road. Throw in the stress of taking
two small children on the road and that strain is increased. Liz Daniels knew
that there were some issues in her marriage to Paul even if she never fully acknowledged
them. Minor control stuff and usually she could find a work around to deal with
it without anything turning into a major problem. Much harder to work around
when one is traveling on vacation.
It is a rare event to be on
vacation from their home in the mountains of Wedeskyull, New York. The reason
for the trip to the plains of western New York is even rarer as they are going
to see Paul's parents. The grandparents have seen the kids, eight year old Reid
and six year old Alley, only a couple of times and rarely speak to their own
son. This was Paul’s rather surprising idea, but one Liz went with and even
welcomed a bit. Though there have been moments, little flashes, as they
traveled down the road on a brutally hot day that have caused Liz to be a
little concerned about their trip. She has had second thoughts about the trip
and is a bit spooked. But, Liz counts on Paul to be what he has always been--a
rock and lifeline when she is buffeted by her own emotions and fears.
The day has taken a toll on
all of them as it has been so hot and exhausting that Paul suggests they stop
for the night at a hotel and allow everyone to rest up for the family reunion
the next day. They are only an hour out from his parents, but spending the night
will allow everyone to recover and will help tremendously with the kids. It is
a wonderful idea and before long the family is in a hotel suite and having a
good time.
That luxurious break turns
in a brutal nightmare when Liz wakes up the next morning and discovers the
children are missing. A frantic search begins in a tale that constantly
ratchets up the suspense while adding new characters and story lines. A mother
herself who has spent months and thousands of miles on the road, Jenny Milchman
weaves a tale of a mother’s frantic desperation far from home where there is
little support. Not a sequel to her incredibly good Cover of Snow this book
is a stand alone suspenseful tale and a very complicated read.
It is also very different not
just in terms of substance, but in style of writing. While the psychological
aspects certainly played a strong role in Cover
of Snow they are even more
present here in multiple ways which can’t be detailed beyond what has been
stated without creating spoilers. Those who want their books straightforward and
moving quickly will find plenty to fault here as the multiple storylines and
multiple points of view feature a high level of internal contemplation as
scenes and settings are explained in great detail. That results in a suspense
driven novel with occasional thriller type moments as the mystery is gradually
resolved. It’s also a good stand alone read.
Ruin
Falls: A Novel
Jenny
Milchman
Ballantine Books (Random House)
April 2014
ISBN# 978-0-345-54907-5
Hardcover (also currently available
as an e-book and audio book)
353 Pages (story is 333 pages)
$26.00
Material supplied by the publisher
in exchange for my objective review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2014
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2 comments:
Kevin, thanks so much for your read of Ruin Falls. As always, you see things I didn't, and convey them in ways I imagine will really speak to readers. I'm so glad you let me take you back to Wedeskyull, and hope you will be a frequent traveler there.
Don't think I am all that, but thank you. Maybe one of these days I will get back to writing my stuff and I can mess with your head.
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