THE MARTHA'S VINEYARD BEACH AND BOOK CLUB, by Martha Hall Kelly, opens in 2016 where we meet grieving Mari Starwood who travels from her home in California to Martha's Vineyard. Why? Among her dead mother's possessions, she found a piece of paper with a famous artist's name. That of Elizabeth Deveraux who resides on Martha's Vineyard. She planned to sign up for a painting class but ended up telling her the truth. She wants to know why her mother had her name. In response, Mrs. Deveraux tells her the story of the Smith sisters who had once lived on the property Mrs. Deveraux is now the caretaker of. As the story progresses, a shocking secret and truth is revealed. The narrative switches to 1942 where we meet the Smith sisters, their brother Tom and his girlfriend Bess and their grandmother who are all trying to eke out a living on their farm. As if life isn't difficult enough, Tom enters the service, sixteen-year-old Briar finds a stranger washed up on the beach and nineteen-year-old Cadence, an aspiring writer, unexpectedly falls in love. What to do? Cadence and Bess start a book club which leads to surprising events.
Based on true events, this story is a tribute to the power of family and the strength and resilience that comes from it. Added to the mix, the family and the community come to grips with American troops near their homes, U-boats in their waters and a German spy in their midst. The well-drawn and highly individualistic characters are a formidable group and most are to be admired.
As Mrs. Deveraux's story approaches its end, Mari is eager and impatient to have her questions answered. And they are and come with a life-changing surprise.
This book is a mesmerizing, memorable and powerful story. Highly recommended.
No excerpt available.
© 2003-2026