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A review by anotsowickedwhich
The Second Mother by Jenny Milchman
3.0
Julie Weathers, grieving over the loss of a child and an impending divorce, is looking for a new start. Opportunity comes in the form of a job opening teaching a one room schoolhouse on an island in Maine. Upon arriving, it is almost idyllic—this could be just what she needs in order to move forward in her life; new friends, a wonderful new home. But there is something not quite right about Mercy Island.
The isolation of the island plays a very big part in the plot this book. Insular, holding tight to ‘the old ways’, in many ways Mercy Island was its own character. It helped cultivate the residents about as much as lobstering does. Mercy keeps certain kinds of people. It thrives on the disparity of the haves and the have-nots. This is something that becomes apparent very early on in the book. In a location so self contained, what exactly can you get away with? When you are holding the power, what ways can you get others to twist to get what you want?
Where this book excelled was the author’s description of the environment. It helps paint a picture of the nearness of the island locales. The mounting dread that Julie starts to experience as things start to go amiss began to stress me out. I enjoy that sort of thing in a thriller.
However, as much as I can appreciate a slow burn, this book ended up feeling long. It took me much longer to get through this than I had hoped because at some point along the way it started to drag along. On top of that, when I reached the end it felt abrupt and almost sudden. This left me feeling very middle of the road in the end.
Thank you to Books Forward Friends, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The isolation of the island plays a very big part in the plot this book. Insular, holding tight to ‘the old ways’, in many ways Mercy Island was its own character. It helped cultivate the residents about as much as lobstering does. Mercy keeps certain kinds of people. It thrives on the disparity of the haves and the have-nots. This is something that becomes apparent very early on in the book. In a location so self contained, what exactly can you get away with? When you are holding the power, what ways can you get others to twist to get what you want?
Where this book excelled was the author’s description of the environment. It helps paint a picture of the nearness of the island locales. The mounting dread that Julie starts to experience as things start to go amiss began to stress me out. I enjoy that sort of thing in a thriller.
However, as much as I can appreciate a slow burn, this book ended up feeling long. It took me much longer to get through this than I had hoped because at some point along the way it started to drag along. On top of that, when I reached the end it felt abrupt and almost sudden. This left me feeling very middle of the road in the end.
Thank you to Books Forward Friends, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for a copy in exchange for an honest review.