Sophie Whalen is residing in a dumpy New York tenement when she spots an intriguing advertisement for a job. It’s not just any job, either, but is an advertisement by a San Francisco widower seeking a bride who will also be the stepmother to his child. Sophie jumps on the opportunity and marries Martin Hocking the very same day she meets him in person. She’s thrilled with the opportunity to be a mom to Kat, and Martin is a sufficient albeit somewhat distant and often absent provider. However, things are about to turn upside down when a stranger arrives at her doorstep and an earthquake rocks San Francisco.

THE NATURE OF FRAGILE THINGS begins immediately with a transcript between Sophie and US Marshal Ambrose Logan, so we know Susan Meissner has some secrets in store for us. And oh, what secrets do we learn! The story unfolds somewhat leisurely at first, as we get a sense of who Sophie is and her travels from her homeland of Ireland to New York and now to San Francisco. Martin is a much more enigmatic figure, as he offers scant information of himself. And then there is Kat… an almost completely silent 5-year-old girl who tugs at both Sophie and the reader’s heartstrings. All of this leaves the reader with more questions than answers initially, as there is the sense that something is amiss… but what exactly is it?

April 18, 1906 arrives and along with it a massive earthquake rocks San Francisco. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book depicting an earthquake and its aftereffects but wow, Susan Meissner does a superb job at showing the chaos, hysteria, and sense of loss that ensues in the wake of one! I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough as I could easily visualize the crumbled buildings, masses of people without homes, and the raging fires and smoke that followed. Sophie is torn between the damage of the earthquake and another bombshell that has been dropped on her just before the earthquake. No spoilers, but the rest of the tale is a fast paced, emotionally charged adventure full of surprises!

THE NATURE OF FRAGILE THINGS is a historical fiction full of emotion, drama, and some unexpected mysteries. Susan Meissner delves into the bonds of family, love, and the ties that can both bind and free us. THE NATURE OF FRAGILE THINGS isn’t my typical genre, but the strength of writing and story line will have me reading more by Susan Meissner in the future. The devastation and aftermath of the earthquake alone makes THE NATURE OF FRAGILE THINGS a compelling read, but the additional secrets and mysteries make it a top notch read!