Set on Nantucket, this novel takes a look at the Carlisle family's dark past. Lynette Carlisle, the "baby" of the family is now an adult, and she's the only one left at the family home, taking care of Dad, who is showing signs of dementia.
Her older siblings have all gone their own ways; an attorney, an overseas missionary, a musician with addiction problems, and one currently unemployed. Lynette is left trying to maintain the large house that's falling apart, and she begins to wonder if it's time to sell. Only Mom's will stipulates that all the siblings must return home and agree to the sale in order for one to take place.
Each of the siblings comes back with their own adult baggage and experiences, plus the shadow of the uncertainty surrounding their mother's death.
The Things We Knew is the story of siblings learning to forgive each other, starting to work together toward a common goal, and finally, discovering the truth about what happened to their mom.
An underlying thread through the book is the romance between Lynette and Nick, the boy next door, who left for several years, but has come back to pick up the family business now that his dad has cancer.
I enjoyed this book. It was a little dark in parts, but I like the idea of art as self-therapy, and I found the story compelling. The characters are human and compelling. And the family is very accepting of the surprise African child that brother Ryan brings home with him. I always love a story with adoption in it.
Author Catherine West has a winner with The Things We Knew. She currently has 4 other books available on Amazon, as well. I'll be keeping an eye out for more of her works.
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