I've written several reviews since starting my blog on the work of author Jane Green because of the sheer joy reading her books brings me. Her most recent book, Saving Grace, has been calling to me for the past few months since its release and it was nice to curl up with a book by my favourite author again.
This book from its description seemed to take a slightly darker tone than her normal books. Green has become a bit of a master at writing about affluent couples in small town Connecticut as they approach middle age. This book started out very similar in that respect as we are introduced to Grace, a woman nearing menopause who lives with her very successful husband, author Ted Chapman. She spends her days helping out by cooking at a local women's shelter and attending social events that are required of the wife of a successful author. Grace however struggles to manage the ever changing moods of her husband which have been made worse by the departure of his assistant Ellen. She finds herself tiptoeing around the man she loves, trying to appease him and keep the peace.
At a literary event their daughter introduces them to Beth, a newcomer to the area, who is looking for a new job and who fits the vacancy as Ted's assistant perfectly. She is literally perfect and Grace hires her a few days later. Very slowly though Grace begins to feel uneasy and small things begin to happen in her home which cause her to question her own mental health. Linked to her past are reasons why she believes she may be becoming unwell. Things begin to spiral out of control and Grace begins to fear her past is returning to haunt her.
As I stated earlier this book did have a darker tone from the outset than Green's normal writing, we are strong in our belief in Grace as a reader and so know something more sinister is at play. It wasn't a groundbreaking story by any stretch of the imagination, it didn't bring anything new to the formula these types of stories tend to follow. What redeemed the book was the likeability of Grace's character, she is someone you want to root for. You want to read on just to ensure things work out for her.
I wanted to love this but I felt it was a little less strong than the previous 2 books by Green and also I know this is probably a minor niggle but I found her over use of the work discombobulate a little annoying. This is not an everyday word by any stretch of the imagination, it stands out and it seemed to keep popping up in this book. It was like she'd been challenged by an author friend to see how many times she could use it and it may be my endearing memory of this book.
I am very much looking forward to Jane Green's next book, which I know may be delayed due to recent illness but I would like to see a return to terra firma and a subject matter more akin to her normal fare.
