Jane always felt that she had the perfect life, happily married to David
with two daughters, Mary and Betsy. Until the one day when her whole
world changes. Mary goes missing, and the last time anyone saw her
was Betsy when they were up on a cliff talking. Betsy has no idea what
happened, but her sister was suddenly gone and presumed dead.
A year later, Jane is almost back to her normal self. With the
anniversary of Mary's disappearance coming up, David has arranged a
memorial service, and two days after that, Betsy is graduating from
high school. Jane is busy, but she is stunned to find out that David has
bought a new home. She thinks it's for them, but Jane then discovers
that David has been having an affair. Meanwhile, Betsy appears to be
out of school dating an older man. Now that Jane is trying to bounce
back after the loss of Mary, her family is falling apart. As Jane tries to
piece things back together, she starts to wonder if everyone has been
telling the truth since Mary's death...
THE FAVORITE DAUGHTER by
Kaira Rouda is a very powerful book. As much as most families stick up
for each other that is not always the case. Rouda lets you into the mind
of a very disturbed person, and I at first I felt sorry for her and then
started to wonder if she was really nuts. This is what a good author
does.
Rouda did have me going at least for a while. Every time I really thought
I had it figured out, Rouda throws in some kind of weird twist. Rouda
also shows how, no matter what, people just can't deal with the way
their lives have turned out. I highly recommend this book to anyone
who loves a great who really done it.
From the author of Best Day Ever, another gripping
novel of psychological suspense set in an upscale Southern
California community, for fans of B.A. Paris and Shari Lapena.
The perfect home. The perfect family. The perfect
lie.
Jane Harris lives in a sparkling home in an oceanfront gated
community in Orange County. It’s a place that seems too
beautiful to be touched by sadness. But exactly one year
ago, Jane’s oldest daughter, Mary, died in a tragic accident
and Jane has been grief-stricken ever since. Lost in a haze
of anti-depressants, she’s barely even left the house. Now
that’s all about to change.
It’s time for Jane to reclaim her life and her family.
Jane’s husband, David, has planned a memorial service for
Mary and three days later, their youngest daughter, Betsy,
graduates high school. Yet as Jane reemerges into the world,
it’s clear her family has changed without her. Her husband
has been working long days—and nights—at the office. Her
daughter seems distant, even secretive. And her beloved Mary
was always such a good girl—dutiful and loving. But does
someone know more about Mary, and about her last day, than
they’ve revealed?
The bonds between mothers and daughters, and husbands and
wives should never be broken. But you never know how far
someone will go to keep a family together…