On Folly Beach by Karen WhitePublication date: May 4, 2010
Publisher: NAL Trade
ISBN: 9780451229212
Price: $15.00
Pages: 416
Karen White's website here
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
In 1942, Margaret owns a bookshop/general store called Folly's Finds on Folly Beach. She takes care of her 9-year old sister Lulu, and because of a deathbed promise, her beautiful cousin Cat, recently widowed from the war, also lives with her. Because of its proximity to Charleston, naval men are often in Folly Beach on weekends, and dances are held on the pier. Usually men are drawn to Cat, but one night Margaret meets Peter, a civilian from Iowa and he appears to have eyes only for her.
In 2009, Emmy awakens in the night with the sure realization that her husband serving in Afghanistan has been killed. Her mom, a native of Folly Beach, encourages Emmy to purchase Folly's Finds and move from Indiana to South Carolina. The change is difficult for Emmy, but when she finds love letters written in the margins of old books from Folly's Finds, she finds purpose in unraveling the mystery of the old lovers from WWII.
This book is my favorite work by this author so far. I loved the setting on a barrier island near Charleston, I loved the mystery element, and I loved the bookish references. I found myself so immersed in this book I even dreamed about it at night. I liked how the book switched perspectives between the two time periods, and I enjoyed how the stories overlapped. This would make a great beach read this summer.
Also reviewed by: Bermudaonion's Weblog ~ Savvy Verse & Wit ~ write meg! ~ Peeking Between the Pages ~ Diary of an Eccentric ~ Linus's Blanket ~ Your link here?
Book 58 of 100 for the 100+ Reading Challenge
Book 45 of 55 for the Countdown Challenge (2010)
Source: Publicist Joy Strazza - Thank you!
8 comments:
The only other books that I have read by Karen White are the Tradd Street novels and I have to say that I much prefer this one. I have to look into some more of her standalones. I loved Folly Beach
I really enjoyed this book too - I've wanted to go to Folly Beach ever since I read it. Thanks for linking my review.
Nicole - I totally agree. I thought this was much stronger than her Tradd books.
Kathy - Me too! Now I want to go and check it out!
I have heard good things about this one. I really should go get it!
This was definitely a great read! White is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Her novels are always so atmospheric, and I loved the building mystery in this one!
Isn't it interesting how our books find their way into our dreams! Glad you enjoyed it, too, and thanks for the link love. The URL of my post has changed, though, to:
http://diaryofaneccentric.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=23&action=edit
I'll link to your review on War Through the Generations.
Okay, that's not the right URL. Here it is:
http://diaryofaneccentric.wordpress.com/2010/05/10/review-on-folly-beach-by-karen-white/
Sorry about that!
I really want to read this one!
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