The Newcomer

Product Information

If you enjoy being at the beach, finding new friends and a new home, seeing a character blossom, and seeing how things turn out for characters, this book will be for you. If anything happens to me, Evan did it. Take Maya and run." Tanya always warned her sister that Evan was dangerous. She made Lettie promise to protect four year old Maya. Just run. Run away as fast as you can.

I was surprised that my biggest struggle was with the romance. I expected it to be the most fleshed out part, but it was unbelievable to me. It felt rushed and forced. I would have liked to have seen the relationship develop more. After Tanya’s death, Letty immediately went on the run. Do you agree, or disagree, with her actions? What would you have done? The Newcomer asks the reader to look uncomfortably close to home, and to ask ourselves what atrocities we overlook by turning a blind eye. The violence that Paulina endures at the hands of herself and multiple men is difficult to read and won’t be for everyone, particularly as some of the more extreme examples fail to meet any satisfying justice. But despite the book’s unsettling provocations, Woollett also has a lot of fun with the genre, and crime lovers will appreciate the fresh perspective to the traditional whodunnit. It casts aside the central detective figure and instead focuses on the various women in the novel. Judy is devastatingly relatable, and her presence is the heart of the novel. As anyone who knows me knows, I absolutely LOVE Mary Kay Andrews and have faithfully read every book she's ever written since the early 90s! MKA never fails to write the perfect summer/beach read and The Newcomer is no exception. This is the perfect blend of mystery, murder, secrets, family drama, and a little romance, all set in a perfect southern summer setting. Mary Kay Andrews is a beloved author because she is a master at writing an engaging beach read that her audience will love. This book is not a thriller, nor is it meant to be. MKA is more about the character development and the light, easy read feel needed for beach reads. I thought this book ranked as one of her top reads.

FINKA

Angela Whitetorn is the newly ordained vicar who will look after the parish of Pendruggan for a year. Robert her dashing husband and Faith her teenage daughter accompany her. Angela’s Aunt Marnie joins the family and adds fun and eccentricity to the family. Angela is determined to leave her mark on the village but finds this a struggle with lots of obstacles being put in her way. Tanya Carnahan warned her sister Letty that if anything happened to her to take her daughter Maya, a go bag containing a bunch of cash, diamond "push" ring and leave New York. She was worried that her ex boyfriend Evan was planning to get rid of her. When Letty found her sister dead inside her plush brownstone and Maya crying nearby, she grabbed what they needed along with the bag and left town. She has to get away from not only Evan but the police who will want to question her about Tanya's death and her taking Maya. Inside the bag was an old Southern Living ad for motel in Treasure Island, Florida, near St. Pete. Not sure about the significance of the ad, that is where they headed. The old motel is for long term residents who stay for the winter but she is able to talk the owner Ava into letting them stay there. She actually works for Ava and settles in, gets to know Ava's son Joe, a cop, her daughter Isabelle and residents. This story is long as it develops with Letty's story eventually unraveling to Isabelle and then to Joe and an FBI agent from New York investigating Evan. It is a complicated story with connections from years ago with Tanya and others in Treasure Island. Tanya had lots of secrets that are finally revealed. Maya is the star at the motel among the residents but it is obvious that Letty is a good person. I enjoyed the mystery in the story although slow moving at times. The setting is great with some likable characters. I felt there is far more language than needed for the story but that is my opinion. She hesitated. Zoey had been her first real friend in the city. She had to trust somebody, didn’t she? No, she decided, shaking her head. Nobody could be trusted. Not after everything that had happened. The less Zoey knew, the better off they’d all be.

But as soon as Vikki arrives at the motel, the woman Evan hired to find her, things get more complicated. Letty has to come clean and instead of running away, she has to face with her demons and find the killer of her sister!The world of modern journalism, small town politics and relationships are brought to vibrant life by Mary Kay Andrews’ deft touch.” -- Authorlink Writers & Readers Magazine