Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Summer People-Elin Hilderbrand

Summer People
Elin Hilderbrand
St. Martin’s Griffin, Apr 27 2010, $14.99
ISBN: 9780312628277

Attorney Arch Newton died in a plane crash. His grief-stricken widow Beth decides to go ahead with their summer plans leaving Manhattan for Nantucket accompanied by their twin children Garrett and Winnie. Also joining the Newton trio is seventeen year old Marcus; the son of a client accused of killing her sister-in-law and niece Arch was defending before he died; Arch invited Marcus.

Grieving Garrett is angry with Marcus being with them as he blames the latter’s mom for his dad’s death. Nantucket native David, separated from his wife, wants a second chance with Beth who seems receptive foe a fling with her first love, but hides something from her wannabe lover and her offspring. Garrett and David's older daughter form a relationship as does Winnie with Marcus.

The third Nantucket family drama (see The Beach Club and Nantucket Nights) is an enjoyable tale starring a grieving family in crisis. The cast is solid just not as deep as should be with each one dealing with the summer of his or her discontent. Although not profound, Summer People is a fine tale of three interlocking families struggling to move on.

Harriet Klausner

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