Could a lifetime of memories…be a lifetime of lies? All her life Ryan Gracey watched her perfect older sister from afar. Knowing she could never top Wendy’s achievements, she didn’t even try. Instead Ryan forged her own path while her family barely seemed to notice. Now Wendy shares two little girls with her perfect husband while Ryan mourns the man she lost after a nearly fatal mistake in judgment. The sisters’ choices have taken them in different directions, which is why Ryan is stunned when Wendy calls, begging for her help. There’s been a murder—and Wendy believes she’ll be wrongfully accused. While Wendy lies low, Ryan moves back to their hometown to care for the nieces she hardly knows. The sleuthing skills she’s refined as a true-crime podcaster quickly rise to the surface as she digs for answers with the help of an unexpected ally. Yet the trail of clues Wendy’s left behind lead to nothing but questions. Blood may be thicker than water, but what does Ryan owe a sister who, with every revelation, becomes more and more a stranger? Is Wendy, who always seemed so perfect, just a perfect liar—or worse?
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Remember when Emilie Richards used to write feel-good novels about women making quilts and helping each other through hard times? Someone must have told her that darker is in fashion now, because A Family of Strangers goes to some pretty bleak places. Still, it has Richards' characteristically thoughtful portrayal of family dynamics, and although the plot takes a while to hit its stride, it's ultimately a rewarding read.True crime podcast journalist Ryan Gracey receives a shocking phone call from her much older sister Wendy, who claims she has to disappear to avoid being framed for a murder she didn't commit. Wendy is by all appearances the loving mother of two adorable daughters and the loyal heir apparent to their father's real estate development company, so Ryan has no choice but to temporarily move back to her hometown, become her nieces' caretaker, and shield the truth from her parents, especially her father who is recovering from heart surgery. The Gracey family has never been close, and they especially don't talk about their feelings. Ryan always felt like an underachieving afterthought who never held her parents' full attention. But as Ryan puts her professional skills into finding out the truth about Wendy's disappearance, she realizes that everything is about to change, including her relationships with her parents, nieces, and especially the sister she never really knew. The story starts a little slowly, especially while the focus remains on Ryan's initially unrewarding forays into parenting the nieces she barely knows. But once the suspense/mystery plot kicks in things move more quickly. The appearance of Ryan's ex-lover Teo and his talented dog Bismarck provide some welcome additional layers to the story and give our heroine someone to strike sparks off. Their relationship ended badly, and even as they tentatively reconcile, Teo has definite opinions about Ryan potentially putting herself in danger through her investigations. Ryan's podcast partner Sophie and her fan network of true crime podcast sleuths also provide more richness and make it feel more realistic that Ryan would have the tools and knowledge necessary to solve the mystery of Wendy's disappearance. Although the novel ended strongly, I couldn't help thinking that this wasn't Richards at her most genuine. She seemed to be channeling Gillian Flynn, Lisa Jewell or any one of those bestselling authors who create dark stories about troubled women. In these challenging times, I need a reliable author like Richards to reassure me that the world is full of strong, compassionate women who will stand up for each other, like the characters in her [b:Goddesses Anonymous 40768439 Goddesses Anonymous (4 Book Series) Emilie Richards https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1553557766s/40768439.jpg 63450985] or Shenandoah Album series. There are plenty of authors who can make me uneasy; I need Richards to make me feel better. ARC received from Net Galley.
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