Woman in Red

by: Eileen Goudge

Published by: Vanguard Press

Reviewed by Diane A. Brown

No matter how hard you try, people hold the past against you. When Alice Kessler stepped off the ferry, she could feel the ill will. It penetrated her skin, like the chilling fingers of the relentless wind.

Grays Island, located in Puget Sound, Washington, held many wonderful recollections for Alice. But they were overshadowed by dark, vivid memories, full of pain, anger, and injustice. One desperate act had left her young son, Jeremy, without his mother. That was nine years ago. The complete emptiness she felt was devastating, like the fear now pumping through her heart. Slowly she climbed the hill, seeking refuge from the cold and her fears. Questions assaulted her mind. Will Jeremy, now a teenager, even talk to her? Could they start over? Where should she begin?

Being open and honest with her family was a hard choice for Alice. A few relatives attempted to hide their feelings, some pretend it never happened, others honestly want to help. Can she regain a place of belonging, or will she be labeled an outcast forever?

It was bad enough to have the whole town against her, but when son Jeremy is swept into the drama, it is overwhelming. Falsely charged with a criminal offence, the powers of the past swoop down like a vulture, threatening his future. In the midst of her struggles she finds support in unlikely persons, but dare she trust a stranger? Offers of help sound innocent enough, but are there underlying agendas?

Sometimes, there are just no breaks. Unlikely chances often become the threads, on which the future hangs. Will Alice seize the moment, or will she play it safe? Does she have enough confidence to rise against the town's powers, or will they pull her down?

When the past and the present entwine, forbidden secrets are revealed. Will they transform the future or just add to the pain?

Woman in Red is truly a 5-star read--a sensitive yet harsh look into the lives of those who have struck out--but are back at the plate once again, and it is still the top of the ninth.

Armchair Interviews says: This woman's past remains her present and, maybe her future.

Author's Web site: http://www.EileenGoudge.com