Title: Home for the Summer
Author: Mariah Stewart
First published January 1, 2012
384 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780345531223 (ISBN10: 0345531221)
Rating: 4.09
Overview
In William Kent Krueger’s thrilling novel, Vermilion Drift, Corcoran O’Connor is haunted by a devastating dream of his father’s death. When the Department of Energy selects an underground iron mine as a potential nuclear waste storage site, protests erupt in Tamarack County, Minnesota.
To ensure security, Cork is hired and on his first day, he discovers a hidden room containing the remains of six murder victims. Two of the bodies were recently killed with Cork’s own gun, passed down from his father.
As Cork investigates the murders, he must confront the dark secrets of his family’s past. Time is of the essence as Cork unravels the clues and uncovers the truth before more lives are lost.
Filled with mystery and suspense, Vermilion Drift is a poignant portrayal of family complexities and a chilling reminder that even those closest to us can harbor deadly secrets.
About the Author
Mariah Stewart is a successful author who has written forty-one novels and three novellas. Her work has been recognized by the Wall Street Journal, and she has been a finalist for the RITA award in romantic suspense.
She has also received the Award of Excellence for contemporary romance, a RIO Award for excellence in women’s fiction, and a Reviewers Choice Award from Romantic Times Magazine.
Stewart’s achievements include winning the Golden Leaf Award three times, and she recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the New Jersey Romance Writers, which placed her in the Hall of Fame alongside Nora Roberts and Mary Jo Putney.
Although Stewart began her writing career with seven contemporary romance novels, she found her true passion in writing about murder and mayhem. She feels incredibly fortunate to have the best job in the world, where she gets paid to create stories from the comfort of her own home, dressed in sweats and J.
Crew flip flops. Life couldn’t be any sweeter for her.
Editoral Review
For fans of heartwarming contemporary romance, “Home for the Summer” by Mariah Stewart is a delightful summer read that captures the essence of family, belonging, and second chances. Published in 2012, this novel tells the story of two estranged sisters who reunite after years of living separate lives.
Mariah Stewart, a bestselling author of over forty novels, is known for her intricate characterization, vivid descriptions of settings, and themes of love, friendship, and forgiveness. In “Home for the Summer,” Stewart weaves a tale that is both heartwarming and realistic, exploring the complexities of family relationships, grief, and self-discovery.
At the center of the story are sisters Lauren and Jenna, who haven’t spoken in years, and their grandmother, who owned a beach house that holds a special place in their hearts. When their grandmother passes away, she leaves the house to Lauren, who reluctantly decides to spend the summer there with her teenage daughter and her new love interest, shot himself in the foot.
As the sisters navigate their past grievances and bond over their shared memories, they must also confront their individual struggles, including Jenna’s failing marriage and Lauren’s sense of restlessness and ennui. Stewart’s writing is easy to follow and is laced with a warm, conversational tone that makes it easy to care about the characters.
The plot moves at a steady pace, with well-timed moments of humor, tension, and romance. The setting of the beach house is beautifully described, and readers will enjoy the nostalgic feeling of summer vacations and ocean breezes.
The novel also touches on the theme of grief, a relatable topic for many readers that is handled with sensitivity and depth. However, “Home for the Summer” is not without its flaws.
The novel can be predictable at times, and the characters, although well-drawn, may not challenge readers to think deeply about themselves or the world around them. The romance subplot can feel rushed and lacks the passion and chemistry that readers may come to expect from the genre.
Overall, “Home for the Summer” is an enjoyable read that will satisfy fans of contemporary romance and family drama. Mariah Stewart’s writing is charming, and the story is engaging and emotionally resonant.
While it may not break new ground in terms of plot or character development, the novel is still a satisfying and comforting summer read.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Recommended for fans of: Susan Wiggs, Kristan Higgins, Elin Hilderbrand.
