booktalkwithkarla 's review for:

What Could Be Saved by Liese O'Halloran Schwarz

5.0

mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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A trusted friend, then a podcast host I listen to, both said this book was outstanding and they were right. The Prestons each have their memories and secrets from their time in Bangkok in the 1970s. The mystery unfolds for us when a stranger contacts the youngest sister with an impossible claim. Alternating points of few help us piece together what happened and what will happen next when the truth is revealed. 

Liese O’Halloran Schwarz crafts a beautiful tale with perfect pace, characters, and details. I just wanted to underline beautiful sentences like this one. “Some grooves of siblinghood were cut so deep that no measure of good intentions could jump the needle free.” The questions raised in this book about choices, secrets, and healing are profound. 

I am so happy that this is a book I get to discuss with other readers in my irl book club. There is so much here and I want to have a deep discussion before shelving this book, close enough for a future reread. I recommend this for readers who like family dynamics, medium paced mysteries, and delicious writing.