Susan’s Book Talk: Out of the Shadows

We interrupt our irregular programming today ’cause I read a book that I just LOVED, and I NEED to tell you guys about it.

It’s Joanne Rendell’s third book, Out of the Shadows, and let me tell you… Joanne’s hit her writerly stride with this one. Okay, I haven’t read her second book, Washington’s Crossing, yet so maybe it happened there. And that’s not to say her debut, The Professor’s Wives Club wasn’t a good book, either. It’s that Out of the Shadows is an incredible read.

This is the story of Clara, a woman who was raised believing she’s got some of Mary Shelley’s blood in her background. It’s the story of her fiance (of a number of years), Anthony. We don’t see much of him, but his story is pivotal. So is Mary Shelley’s, even though she’s long dead. (This is not a ghost story.)

I don’t want to say too much, other than this was a great read. Go get it. Joanne, who has become a friend of mine via Win a Book (see what you’re missing out on over there?), has penned a great tale. She gets her characters into jams and then back out again with a style and grace — and some very, very creative thinking. You may *think* you know what’s going to happen… but you don’t!

Just… go. Pick this one up. It’s a keeper.