Book Review: Single Wife

Reviewed By: Woodstock - RAM

Single Wife     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Nina Solomon
Class/Genre:   Fiction   Mystery   Romance   Woman Main Character

Grace Brookman is a fairly typical young wife in a rather stereotypical New York model. Her husband Laz is a traveling reporter, with several controversial articles about the conflict in Kosovo to his credit. He manages their finances, pays all the bills, treats her to romantic getaways, and evenings sampling the best Manhattan has to offer. He also disappears on occasion. The first time he melted into thin air Grace was frantic, calling hospitals, the police department, and urging friends and family to keep watch with her. When Laz walked into their apartment to the worried cries of the gathered crowd, he was not pleased and made it clear to Grace that he needed the freedom to be on his own on occasion.

Grace begins to accomodate herself to his times away, and to avoid constant explanations, she creates his presence even when he is gone. Damp umbrellas in the entry way, rumpled bed clothes, shirts left careless on a chair, a dirty knife in the kitchen. Their maid takes his strange comings and goings in stride, assuming that he comes and goes at odd hours. Grace invents meetings, conferences, and trips to cover the truth.

But as the book opens, Laz is gone again, and this time he doesn't return for several months. During his absence, Grace's health is in question, her father becomes seriously ill, strange people phone her, follow her, send her Email.

This short novel has one of the most unusual plot lines I have ever encountered. What kept me engrossed was the realization that several other characters in the book are on to Laz, and like the reader, waiting for Grace to perceive the truth about his cruelty. Because even though there is no obvert physical act of violence, Laz is a cruel man and as the book moves along we are convinced that Grace is much better off without him.

Recommended!

Woodstock - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Woodstock - RAM