Uniquely Constructed
Beyond The Smiles by Minnie Lewis is a compelling contemporary novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.
The novel is cleverly constructed. Much of the tale is seen through lead character Laura’s eyes but we also have the same action seen through the eyes of others. We see the various motivations as we realise that sometimes trust is misplaced.
Families are complex. We cannot choose them. Some members are kind and caring, others are manipulative and evil. They protect certain members whilst casting out others.
The love of money is a dreadful master. It ensures that people do unscrupulous deeds in the pursuit of it.
The past intrudes on the present as a character inherits from a father who was unknown. A whole can of worms opens up.
An eclectic mix of characters were well drawn. They elicited a variety of emotional responses from me. Some were likable, others were not. Responses to characters were guided by the author’s pen.
Beyond The Smiles was a unique novel that I thoroughly enjoyed and can highly recommend. It was extremely entertaining with its’ cast of characters.
I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
JULIA WILSON
Beyond The Smiles
When Laura Eastwood receives a call from Father Mallory, a priest in the remote Suffolk seaside town of Blythwold, the news he delivers is of little interest to her. And why should it be? Her birth father never wanted to be a part of her life, so why should her feelings towards him suddenly shift, just because he’s died?
Nevertheless, the passing of Billy McKenna changes everything for Laura, drawing her into the sinister world of the sleepy Suffolk town; with its assortment of outlandish characters, the most peculiar being her estranged grandmother, Mary.
As Laura delves deeper into the past, almost everything in her life comes into question; her parent’s honesty, her best friend’s loyalty, the support of her boss and mentor, even the motives of her apparently loving boyfriend, Kieran, may not be as they once appeared.
Will Laura get answers to the mysteries she finds lurking in the seemingly dull, tired, coastal town?
Purchase Links
Author Bio –
Originally from North London, Minnie Lewis now spends most of her time in rural East Anglia, surrounded by nature. With her children having all fledged, Minnie at last feels able to focus her mind on her main passions – gardening, sewing and, with the support of chocolate and the odd glass of rosé, writing novels. Somewhere too in her life’s equation are her husband, a dab hand in the kitchen, and a dachshund called Archie, who loves well-cooked sausages.
