Family Secrets Shadow the Lives of Three Generations of Women

With the death of Frank Collier’s father, he takes on the responsibility for management of the family’s steel company in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Frank’s extended trips leave Joanna alone with the two children. This situation is putting strain on their marriage, so Joanna agrees to move to the estate owned by Frank’s family.

The house is already occupied by Frank’s mother, Susannah, and his grandmother. Although the women are friendly, Joanna feels increasingly out of place. The mansion reeks of tragedy. Although Joanna thought the move would bring her closer to Frank, she finds that her loneliness is driving them further apart.

If you enjoy books with haunting mansions, family secrets, and romance, this is a well done book. The opening is a little hard to get through. Many characters are introduced all with both nicknames and given names which are used throughout the text. However, the characters are compelling. The stories of Joanna and Susannah are told in the time periods of the 1920’s and the 1960’s. I found Susannah’s story more dramatic, but Joanna’s story of trying repair her marriage is also interesting.

The background is mostly about the family, but we get glimpses of the steel industry particularly in the 1820. The ending is the part that makes the book. It’s surprising and thoroughly satisfying.

I received this book from St. Martin’s Press for this review.