Martin Hewitt, Investigator Book

This novel begins on Mother's Day, 2004, in Mount Ephraim, New York.

Gwen Eaton, 56 year old widow - didn't want her daughters Nikki or Clare to take her out for a meal. She insisted on doing the cooking herself. Mom's a skillful cook, and a loyal volunteer.

Opening this story on Mother's Day....was the perfect beginning. We get a fast and interesting understanding of the characters basic make-up... their personalities- their moral compass - their baggage - resentments & judgements.

Nikki is the youngest sister - and the books narrator.
She's 31 years old - single - involved with a married man. She's earned the 'black sheep' reputation in her family. She shows up with maroon colored hair... and dresses flamboyantly.

Claire is the older sister - married with children. She's been the more responsible daughter... in contact with her mother regularly.

But... it's Nikki who finds her mother dead two days after Mother's Day.
Gwen was brutally murdered. That visual and emotional shock destroyed Nikki. It would anyone.

This is a long story- a 'few' lagging spots in the middle of the novel ( but not awful).
There are the dealings with the mystery crime - family secrets - and neighbors.
The sisters connection after their mother's death was complex - with trials and tribulations- and very real.

Nikki is not particularly the most likable character - but I felt for as she grappled with her mother's death.
She's the sister who carried the most regret - remorse - guilt- and confusion.
Both sisters felt the loss and grief.

Joyce Carol Oats is incredibly observant of people- emotions and thoughts. Her writing is lucid... and she's a master storyteller.
She captures a mood brilliantly.

My mother died in 2005 -
I still remember the shocking phone call like yesterday.... and details after details weeks after.
My older sister and I worked beautiful together. Our love is strong. We were a great comfort team... and split all the after-death doings right down the middle. We never argued.
We didn't and don't have baggage and regrets with each other. I'm very grateful.
And 'mostly' we were complete in our mother- healing years prior. I was totally complete and loved my mother fully.
My sister had some big struggles to heal. She did years of work - and did great.

For me - I got to see how much 'more' painful it is to lose a parent if there is a lot of incomplete history. It's sad period!! But having regret is a different type of sore.

You can't force or rush healing - even in storytelling. Oats takes her time unfolding this story - and by the end - I understood why.

I'm definitely glad I read this...( $1.99 kindle deal).....still taking in messages.

The sadness of this tale is raw and honest. We feel the bruises ... but it's also a bright eye-opener... and moving to see some healing.

I hope my friends here on Goodreads had a lovely Mother's Day ...
And special blessings to those who have loss their mother's.