Publisher: Viking Adult
Publication Date: July 2010
Reviewed by Lori Twichell
Rose Daley ran off to England and married that good for nothing Frank Mackey. She was never heard from again. At least that’s what everyone thought. Everyone except Frank Mackey. He knew that Rose Daley hadn’t married him. When she never showed up on the night they were supposed to run away, he figured that she’d finally realized he wasn’t the right man for her and that she’d left. No one knew any different until her suitcase was discovered over twenty years later. Then everyone wondered what happened to Rose Daley.
Frank Mackey, now a detective, walks the razor’s edge as he tries to figure out how to juggle a completely dysfunctional family that he left behind twenty years ago and his current position as a cop. He needs to stay out of the case at the same time he’s pretty much the core of the entire thing.
Mackey’s family is more than dysfunctional. It’s painful, agonizing and yet, because we see them through Mackey’s eyes, completely ordinary. Someone who has grown up in an abusive home knows nothing other than that abuse and French captures this idea with painful clarity. Mackey doesn’t spend hours bemoaning his circumstances or seeking counseling. It’s what is and there’s nothing that can be done about it but move through the day. One day at a time.
The world created by French is three dimensional, colorful and brilliant. At times, the difference between living in Ireland and living in the U.S. made it feel like I was reading a sci-fi novel about a completely different world. Then again, the shifts back to the 80’s may feel alien to readers who didn’t get to experience them as a teenager. I, for one, really enjoyed remembering the teased hair and jean jackets. (And no matter what my mother says, I was not responsible for any ozone deficiency issues. Even with all that Aqua Net I used. I’m sure of it.) The moment we find out about Rose’s suitcase, French grabs our hearts like a train’s engine that’s just been snapped on to a transportation car. From that point on, it’s all we can do to hold on tight and keep up with her amazing twists, turns and gut wrenching realizations.
The language used by French in description and creating these characters is absolutely gorgeous. When reading this book, it’s like standing in a museum and getting lost in the finest painting by your favorite artist. Layers upon layers, rich and deep, fill this book and these characters. French writes from the perspective of someone who understands the gritty harsh realities on the street and knows what it takes to survive. As the story unfolds, these layers peel away and show that it’s never just something on the surface or as simple as it appears. The story remains vibrant and almost a living breathing entity itself. The plot twists take your breath away and at times you think to yourself “Why didn’t I see that one coming?” And that’s when you know that there’s so much more below the surface that you have yet to discover.
This book may not be for everyone. It is gritty and there’s some language and descriptions that may not sit well with sensitive readers. All in all, French’s tour through tough Irish neighborhoods and dysfunctional families is a breathtaking ride that is sure to keep you engaged, interested and entertained.
Review copy provided by Viking Adult.
































Genre: Mystery, Suspense
Genre: Mystery
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Genre: Mystery, Suspense
Genre: Young Adult, Mystery
Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
Genre: Mystery, Thriller


