Family Acts

by: Louise Shaffer

Published by: Ballantine Books

Reviewed by Jamie Driggers

When two seemingly unrelated, big-city women from opposite coasts jointly inherit the Venable Opera House in small-town Georgia, the questions are many. Who left it to them, and why? What would they do with it? And could these opposites get along for enough time to unload it?

As they search for their answers, they discover a rich history of the theatre. One of several generations of strong women who risked and sacrificed themselves and their families, and buried family secrets, to preserve the family legacy.

This book was fast-paced and lively with three dimensional characters. Author Shaffer is particularly adept at writing the scheming, conniving woman who will risk everything to get what she wants. While I don’t tend to like these types of characters, that the women ended up pretty miserable themselves because of their actions, made me almost want to root for them. And the fact that the two, present-day heiresses were likeable and appeared to not be such schemers helped a lot, also.

I enjoyed the transitions back and forth through history. The flow was easy and I could quickly adjust to the new setting in time. She didn’t dwell overly long in any time period. When the action was done, she wrapped it up and moved on. I enjoyed the history of theatre that was presented and her insight into the world of the Soap Opera.

The ending was a bit disappointing, though I can’t really say why. All the loose ends were resolved in a happy, tidy way. Maybe too tidy? But overall, this was an enjoyable read. As her Web site says, “Every Secret Has A Story,” and boy do these family secrets make one.

Armchair Interviews says: Ah, family secrets, fodder enough for many books.

Author’s Web site: http://www.LouiseShaffer.com