Today I am reviewing The Girls in the Garden by Lisa Jewell for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in return for my honest review.
About the book (from the publisher): Imagine that you live on a picturesque communal garden square, an oasis in urban London where your children run free, in and out of other people’s houses. You’ve known your neighbors for years and you trust them implicitly. You think your children are safe. But are they really?
One midsummer night, as a festive neighborhood party is taking place, preteen Pip discovers her thirteen-year-old sister, Grace, lying unconscious and bloody in a hidden corner of a lush rose garden. What really happened to her? And who is responsible?
Dark secrets, a devastating mystery, and the games both children and adults play all swirl together in this gripping love, packed with utterly believable characters and page-turning suspense.
My review: I’ve not read any of Lisa Jewell’s books before, though she is a bestselling author of thirteen novels. One of the many reasons I love reviewing books is that I am introduced to authors I might not know of otherwise. Such is Lisa Jewell.
The novel centers on the lives of the occupants of the houses and apartments that border the communal garden: Adele and Leo and their three daughters who are living in a huge flat along with Leo’s father – a temporary resident; Clare and her two daughters, who have sought refuge in a flat after losing their house (I won’t tell you how, you will discover that soon enough); and the children that roam the garden in packs, making the garden their refuge, their place to hang out.
Yes, it’s a mystery; after all, when Pip discovers her sister’s unconscious body there is a natural need to know who was responsible for injuring her. Since Grace is unconscious, it falls to Clare, to Adele, and to Pip to find out the truth. But more importantly, this novel is a rich character study. Jewell creates complex and very real characters. She understands kids who are on the precipice of their teenage years and the way they think. She also understands adults and the way they think; the complexities of raising children, the complexity of simply being an adult. Much of the story is told from three points-of-view: Adele’s, Clare’s and Pip’s.
The novel starts with the discovery of Grace’s body, then backs up to an earlier time when Clare has just moved into the neighborhood. We learn the back story of all the characters, how their lives intertwine, how they interact, and how the appearance of Pip and Grace on the scene changes everything.
Think Rear Window, where there is a slice of life that can be seen only by those inhabitants who look out on the interior courtyard.
Beautifully written, the novel explores relationships and the assumptions we hold about those we think we know and love. When Grace is injured, everything changes. What secrets might be uncovered – secrets about those we love, about what we hold dear?
This is a lovely novel, written with a compassionate heart. You’ll find it compelling and, ultimately, life-affirming.
About the author: Lisa Jewell was born and raised in North London, where she lives with her husband and two daughters. She is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of thirteen novels, including The House We Grew Up In and The Third Wife.
Though not the usual way we do a book giveaway on this blog, there is indeed a giveaway, this time through Rafflecopter. Information below:
But hey, leave a comment anyway! I love to hear from you.
Happy Monday.
Wrote down her name to check her out at the library. Thanks.
You’re welcome, Doris!
This sounds like a good story and an author I would enjoy reading. I’ll enter the giveaway!! Enjoy your Monday!
hugs,
Linda
She’s a really wonderful writer, Linda. Thanks!
I entered Claudia…I am definitely interested in this one!
Good!
Well, I love your reviews; you make most every book sound tantalizing. Funny, I was just watching ‘Notting Hill’ with Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts for like the third time…can you believe I’d never watched it (I’m on a Hugh Grant kick)…and they feature a garden square in the film. I went to London a long, LONG time ago and I don’t remember them; I guess I wasn’t on foot enough and you do need to get out and walk the neighborhoods.
I’ve seen them, though this garden in the book is totally enclosed and the back of buildings face the garden.
Thanks for your review, Claudia! The book sounds interesting and I love the cover ♥
summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com
You’re welcome, Summer!
You know me and new authors! ;)
I do indeed, Donna!
Sounds like another good one. Your porch looks lovely!
Thank you so much, Shanna!
Your review made me think I would like to read this. Thank you.
You’re very welcome, Christy!
Claudia, this sounds right up my alley. I just entered for the giveaway! In keeping with the fact that you and I really have so much in common, I can’t believe you mentioned Rear Window in your post. Two girlfriends and I are going to a local movie theater tonight that shows “Summer Classics” on Monday nights. Rear Window is tonight’s showing! Not only that, a few days before you shared the lovely baby sprouting in your Mom & Dad’s Mother-In-Law’s tongue plant, I took an almost identical photo of the baby growing in my Snake Plant (same basic plant?) and shared it on my Facebook! Too funny! Add to that our identical dog beds, shower curtains, Fairy Soap plaques, etc., etc. and the list goes on and on I’m sure! LOL
It’s spooky at times, isn’t it? xo
I love Rear Window – it’s one of my favorite movies. Have a great time!
I read this book a couple weeks ago! The author was new to me as well. Great story , excellent author.
I thought so, too!
This is a book for me! :-) Thank you for your review. Regula
You’re welcome, Regula.
Thank you for the review; it’s going on my TBR list right away.
You’re most welcome, Nancy.
Great review! There are so many new books around so a good review can make a difference! I will put it on my list!
Thank you, Sydney.
Thanks for being a part of the tour!
Well, I just finished reading this book, Claudia. It was a page-turner, that’s for sure. I wish I knew someone locally who has read it, so we could discuss it and compare notes. To avoid spoilers for others, I won’t say anything else.
So glad you enjoyed it, Nancy!