Drawing on the little-known true story of one tragic night at an Ozarks dance hall in the author’s Missouri hometown, this beautifully written, endearingly nostalgic novel picks up 50 years later for a folksy, character-driven portrayal of small-town life, split second decisions, and the ways family secrets reverberate through generations. From the new Fannie Flagg of the Ozarks, a richly-woven story of family, forgiveness, and reinvention for readers of Kristy Woodson Harvey, Donna Everhart, Sue Monk Kidd, Jeannette Walls, and Rita Mae Brown… "Anderson weaves a rich and poignant tale of a small Ozarks town's factual tragedy, its generational secrets and the juxtapose of searching and belonging. Vivid and evocative, this is a debut to savor." —Kim Michele Richardson, New York Times bestselling author of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek series Daisy Flowers is fifteen in 1978 when her free-spirited mother dumps her in Possum Flats, Missouri. It’s a town that sounds like roadkill and, in Daisy’s eyes, is every bit as dead. Sentenced to spend the summer living with her grandmother, the wry and irreverent town mortician, Daisy draws the line at working for the family business, Flowers Funeral Home. Instead, she maneuvers her way into an internship at the local newspaper where, sorting through the basement archives, she learns of a mysterious tragedy from fifty years earlier… On a sweltering, terrible night in 1928, an explosion at the local dance hall left dozens of young people dead, shocking and scarring a town that still doesn’t know how or why it happened. Listed among the victims is a name that’s surprisingly familiar to Daisy, revealing an irresistible family connection to this long-ago accident. Obsessed with investigating the horrors and heroes of that night, Daisy soon discovers Possum Flats holds a multitude of secrets for a small town. And hardly anyone who remembers the tragedy is happy to have some teenaged hippie asking questions about it – not the fire-and-brimstone preacher who found his calling that tragic night; not the fed-up police chief; not the mayor’s widow or his mistress; not even Daisy’s own grandmother, a woman who’s never been afraid to raise eyebrows in the past, whether it’s for something she’s worn, sworn, or done for a living. Some secrets are guarded by the living, while others are kept by the dead, but as buried truths gradually come into the light, they’ll force a reckoning at last. Inspired by the true story of the Bond Dance Hall explosion, a tragedy that took place in the author’s hometown of West Plains, Missouri on April 13, 1928. The cause of the blast has never been determined. “A vivid blend of sensorial writing, historical detail, and memorable characters await in this compelling, surprising, insightful story of the weight of long-held secrets and the resulting hunger for truth.” —Susan Meissner, USA Today bestselling author of Only the Beautiful
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Book Review: The Flower Sisters by Michelle Collins Anderson
Rating: 5 Stars
I recently had the pleasure of reviewing “The Flower Sisters by Michelle Collins Anderson”, and wow, this debut novel had me hooked from the very first page and left me feeling all sorts of emotions. Seriously, I haven't cried over a book in ages, but this one really got to me.
Summary
Set against the backdrop of a tragic event in the author's hometown, the story unfolds in two timelines: one in 1928 and another fifty years later. At its heart are twin sisters Violet and Rose Flowers, who couldn't be more different despite their identical appearances—Violet is the wild spirit, while Rose is more reserved. Their lives take a devastating turn after a catastrophic explosion at Lamb's Dance Hall in Possum Flats, Missouri, claiming one sister's life and altering the other's forever.
Fast forward fifty years, and we meet Daisy Flowers, Rose's curious and determined 15-year-old granddaughter. When Daisy is sent to stay with her grandmother for the summer, she stumbles upon the haunting history of her family and the small town. As she digs deeper into the past, Rose becomes increasingly uneasy about Daisy's quest for truth, especially as buried secrets and old ghosts begin to resurface.
My Thoughts
I absolutely loved every minute of this book! The writing was beautifully crafted and flowed so well that I found myself completely immersed in Possum Flats. The pacing was spot on; just when I thought I knew where the story was headed, Anderson threw in some surprises that kept me on my toes.
The setting itself was enchanting, with the Ozarks providing a perfect backdrop for this tale of tragedy and resilience. I truly appreciated how the author intertwined the historical event with her fictional narrative—it added depth and authenticity that made it all the more powerful. Speaking of powerful, the characters were so vividly drawn that I felt like I was right there with them, experiencing their joys, sorrows, and everything in between.
And can we talk about the twist? I won't spoil it for you, but let's just say that it took my breath away! It's hard to believe this is a debut novel; Anderson has a remarkable talent for storytelling.
In conclusion, The Flower Sisters is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a blend of history, emotional depth, and compelling characters. I can't recommend it enough and will definitely be keeping an eye out for more from this talented author in the future!
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️