Welcome! Today I am featuring Karen White's latest novel The Night the Lights Went Out. I just love the cover with its pops of red (my favorite color). You can follow Karen White on Amazon and Facebook. This will allow you to get notifications when she releases a new book, book tour information, and much more. You should also check out her website.
The Night the Lights Went Out is
the newest novel by Karen White. Merilee
Talbot Dunlap has been married for eleven years to Michael, but after
discovering his affair, she quickly divorces him. Michael was having an affair with her
daughter, Lily’s math teacher. Merilee
is moving along with her two children to Sweet Apple, Georgia where her
children will be attending Windwood Academy. Merilee has little to move to
since she would not accept any of the furniture nor her fancy SUV in the
divorce settlement. The three of them
are moving into a cute Craftsman cottage behind Summer Prescott’s
farmhouse. Summer is ninety-three years
old and projects a gruff demeanor.
Merilee was hoping to escape the gossip in her new community, but there
is an anonymous blogger that likes to spread local gossip. The Playing Fields Blog is signed by “The
Neighbor”. The anonymous blogger gives a different take
on the rumors and provides definitions to Southern expressions (it is not mean
spirited). Merilee finds a friend in
Heather Blackford, the head mom of the school.
Heather takes Merilee under her wing and assists her with adjusting to
her new life. For some reason, when Summer
is with Merilee, she feels compelled to tell her the stories of her past. Just
when things begin to look up for Merilee, she finds the body of Daniel
Blackford in the lake at the benefit gala. The police soon narrow their suspect list down
to Merilee and arrest her for Daniel’s murder.
Merilee cannot believe she is suspected of the crime. With the help of Summer and Wade Kimball,
local handyman (and love interest), Merilee sets out to find the person who set
her up for this crime and Daniel’s real killer.
The Night the Lights Went Out is
well-written and an engaging novel. I
found myself slowly drawn into the story, and I loved the various Southern
expressions and their explanations. The
story is told from Merilee and Summer’s point-of-views. In this novel, it worked. The book has good characters that are well
developed and relatable. I am sure many
woman will relate to the mom group at the school and their manipulations,
motivations, gossip and attitudes. I was
particularly interested in Sugar’s story.
Sugar’s history shaped her life and her disposition before she met the
Dunlap family. I give The Night the Lights Went Out 4 out of 5 stars. I
believe many readers will figure out what is going to happen to Merilee and who
is responsible (the phrase “leading a lamb to slaughter” came to mind). But I was curious to see how it would play
out. I am sure that many people will
also be able to identify the anonymous blogger.
There are two major clues that give away the identity of the blogger
(pay close attention). It was
entertaining, though, when it was revealed.
Merilee’s naïve routine got on my nerves after a while. I cannot see how a woman in her thirties can
be that clueless. That is the one thing
that I found unrealistic (and a little unappealing). I do
wish that the author had provided more details about what happened to the
killer at the end of the book (it felt incomplete). The Night the Lights Went Out reminds me of
Fannie Flagg’s novels. The Night the Lights Went Out is a compelling novel with many layers to it. Of the Karen
White novels that I have read, The Night the Lights Went Out is my
favorite. Another novel of Karen's to check out is Flight Patterns. It has recently been released in paperback (also available as an ebook, hardback, and audible)!
I appreciate you visiting today and reading my book review. I will be back tomorrow to review Gone Without a Trace by Mary Torjussen. I hope all of you have a delightful Tuesday. Take care and Happy Reading!
Kris
The Avid Reader
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