Isla Dewar (1946–2021)

When Iris Chisholm's husband dies in a car accident she finds that his life the past 3 years have been a lie, losing his job and gambling their money and home away. She sells everything and takes a rural teaching job that provides a house. Needless to say her 2 teenage children are not thrilled and rebel in different ways. The town knows everything she does and her kids do and gossip about things they see and misinterpret. I liked the tales with the children at the school, particularly Colin. I was often frustrated with Iris for being misled by the men she dates and not paying attention to what her own children are up to. I didn't like the intro chapter that was 30 years after the bulk of the story. Like reading the last chapter first, no suspense. So it was OK not great.… (more)

A slice of life set in a Scottish fishing village. It's the stuff of everyday, with characters you get to know as if they were your neighbors, warts and all. Feistier and bawdier than Miss Marple or Agatha Raisin ever were, but more real as well. Interestingly enough, this is the third book in a row that has illiteracy (and dyslexia) as a plot element.

This book was sent by a BookCrosser for our book exchange here in the building and I decided to read it first, as I was unfamiliar with the author, who appears to have a loyal following.… (more)