Today I am reviewing June by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
About the book (from the publisher): Twenty-five year old Cassie Danvers is holed up in her family’s crumbling mansion in rural St. Jude, Ohio, mourning the loss of the woman who raised her – her grandmother, June. But a knock on the door forces her out of isolation. Cassie has been named the sole heir to legendary matinee idol Jack Montgomery’s vast fortune. How did Jack Montgomery know her name? Could he have crossed paths with her grandmother all those years ago? What other shocking secrets could June’s once-stately mansion hold?
Soon Jack’s famous daughters come knocking, determined to wrestle Cassie away from the inheritance they feel is her due. Together, they all come to discover the true reasons for June’s silence about that long ago summer, when Hollywood came to town, and June and Jack’s lives were forever altered by murder, blackmail, and betrayal. As this page-turner shifts deftly between the past and present, Cassie and her guests will be forced to reexamine their legacies, their definition of family, and what it truly means to love someone, steadfastly, across the ages.
My review: This type of book, I suppose I would call it a romantic mystery, isn’t my usual sort of read. However, the opportunities I get to review books often open up reading possibilities to me that I would normally avoid and I’m happy to say I enjoyed this sweeping novel.
The story moves back and forth between the past, when June was a young woman and a movie was being filmed in St. Jude, and the present, where Cassie is dealing with the death of her grandmother, the news that she is an heiress, and the search to find the reason behind the inheritance. Beverly-Whittemore handles this moving back and forth in time adroitly, and the story has a lovely flow. There is a very real mystery that has to be solved; did Jack Montgomery know June? What was their relationship? Is Cassie related to Jack? What happened all those years ago? The author unveils that mystery slowly, bit by bit, until the reader finally puts the pieces together.
So, while we’re reading the here-and-now story of Cassie, we are also reading the story of June as it happened long ago, as told by June’s friend Lindie. And while Cassie and Jack’s daughters are searching for the truth, we are in on the mystery as it happened. It’s quite well done.
It’s a great summer read and you’ll most likely happily lose yourself in the pages of the book. The characters are well drawn. St. Jude and the family’s mansion – each a character in itself – are written with great detail, the images so rich that you’ll feel like you’re there.
A very good, lose-yourself-in-the-story, read.
About the author: Miranda Beverly-Whittemore is the author of three other novels: New York Times bestseller Bittersweet; Set Me Free, which won the Janet Heidinger Kafka Prize, given annually for the best book of fiction by an American woman; and The Effects of Light. A recipient of the Crazyhorse Prize in Fiction, she lives and writes in Brooklyn.
One of you will be the lucky winner of a copy of June. Just leave a comment on this post and I will pick a winner on Sunday evening. Good luck!
Happy Friday.
this book sounds good , thanks for the chance to win it. Enjoy your day in Hartford!
Would love a summer read! And a new-to-me author. Thanks for the chance!
I am getting ready to see if my library has a copy.
This sounds like a good summer read for sure. Thanks for always doing such good reviews!
hugs,
Linda
Comment, comment, comment! I love your book reviews, Claudia.
Hi Claudia, sounds like the perfect summer read. Thanks for the opportunity.
Hoping you and Don have a fabulous time in Hartford and enjoy the long, holiday weekend!
Sounds like an interesting summer read.
Sometimes we all need a summer read…it is summer after all! Thanks for the opportunity! Have fun tonight in Hartford! ;)
Sounds fantastic, Claudia!
Thank you for the great review and for the opportunity to win a copy.
Hi, Claudia. This sounds like an enjoyable read, so count me in!
I recently read “Stars Over Sunset Boulevard” by Susan Meissner, and this sounds to be in that vein. A good read is always fun!!
Safe travels to Hartford this evening and have a wonderful time!!
Hi Claudia. I’ve been switching back and forth between Michael Connely and David Baldacci. I’m ready for a change and this book sounds like fun.
I always enjoy your honest reviews.
Looks like a good summer read!
This sounds like a book that would be a good diversion from my summer
activities in the yard as we are already experiencing heavy heat and humidity.
To have something like this mystery to draw me into another world and time
following my shower would be the best kind of accompaniment to a tall cool glass of lemonade.
Oh, this book is right up my reading alley. I love a good romance and a good mystery. Put them together and I am in heaven. Please pick me.
This book sounds really good. I always enjoy your reviews.
Claudia, I really enjoyed this post and review. I like how you analyze the book in terms of ‘flow’ because I lose interest quickly (who doesn’t?!) in a story, even if it’s a good one, where the continuity is ragged. If I ever wrote a book myself, my two biggest challenges would be how to reduce my words when trying to get a thought or idea across…just nice, neat, concise sentences…and how to have good flow, seamlessly blending chapter to chapter. Now THAT’s talent!
Although I don’t know you personally, I feel we have like minds on quite a few things; however, when it comes to fave reads that are mysteries, they’re not on top with me…maybe because I’ve picked all the wrong ones! But this book sounds like it’s got it all, with a good story, layers of past and present, a romantic angle and, yes, mystery. I’ll look forward to adding it to my list.
Thanks for bringing the book to our awareness. There are so, so many books out there and I don’t have bookstores near me to browse. I often enjoy a paper catalog that came my way in the mail…and, of course, they’re also an online seller…called Bas Bleu (bluestocking…the literary woman). I still love a good ‘ol paper catalog for my leisure away from the web. Theirs is just the right size to thumb through and they as well have interesting book reviews like yours. I have to control myself and not send off for ten books each time I get a catalog from them. They’ve been around for awhile; I’ve gotten their little catalogs for years.
This sounds like a good summer read. Thanks for the opportunity to enter the giveaway!
This sounds like a great read on the patio this summer.
Sounds like a great read! We are opening the pool tonight so hopefully in the next few days I will have time to sit there and read. I do already have a stack tho. I don’t usually do romance so this would be a change for me. I belonged to a book club for a while and was able to broaden my scope. Thank you for all your reviews. Pam
Hi Claudia
Sounds like a lovely summer read, please enter my name in your Sunday drawing…thank you and have a wonderful weekend!
Stephanie
Sounds like a great read! Thanks for everything, Claudia. Kate
I always enjoy your book reviews. You’ve introduced me to many new authors.
I enjoy stories that shift between the present and the past Claudia! Thanks for the chance to win..
hi Claudia i need a good book to read so i hope i win!
dq
This sounds like the best fiction to read this summer. I love any kind of good mystery and have never heard of this writer. Would be good to find a new writer other than reading Stuart Woods. I need to branch out……….
Oh, and by the way; can’t wait for Don’s reaction to his TSP birthday present .
Hi Claudia, almost finished reading The Nightingale, ready for a new book!
xxoo
From your review, Claudia, this book sounds interesting and unique. I think I’d like it, and thank you for this chance to win it!
This sounds like a very interesting book! I am reading the Susan Hill series you recommended and enjoying them! So nice to have your reviews and recommendations, no more wandering about the library, hoping to find a good read!
This sounds like a book I would really enjoy reading. I like the switching back and forth between past and present. Pick me, please. ☺
Hi Claudia,
This sounds like a good summer read! Pick me!
Susan
I really enjoy stories that alternate between the present and the past. This sounds like a good one.
Would love to win a copy but I will buy one if I don’t!
Thanks for this great giveaway and wonderful review. This novel would be an escape and provide me with enjoyment and entertainment.
Thanks for being a part of the tour!