The Sound of Glass by Karen White

One thing I really like about Karen White novels is that I care about her characters. Some are dysfunctional and some appear unkind or downright mean at times, but they are flawed for a reason. And there are always kind characters, to help soften the rough edges of the others. Karen White also attaches a mystery to her stories and leads the reader, along with the main characters, to the resolution. Lastly, I love the setting of each of her novels. All of them involve beaches/oceans/water and a southern environment.

This story demonstrates the vicious cycle of domestic abuse from generation to generation. This particular story focuses on the genetic component over the environment component since in the third generation, one brother is an abuser like his father and grandfather and the other is a gentle and caring doctor. It goes without saying that I adored Gibbes. ;)

I didn't quite understand Merritt and Cal's love for each other. Part of it is not understanding how a person can abuse a woman he truly loves. Secondly, Merritt doesn't really act like she has lost someone she loved. She certainly felt guilt, since she told Cal to walk into the fire and he did, but it was difficult to see her loving him. But, maybe Cal walking into that fire did in fact show how much he loved Merritt. He stopped the cycle of abuse in his family.

I absolutely loved Loralee! She was such a kind soul - and wonderful to Merritt who initially didn't want to give her the time of day. I bawled like a baby at her passing. How brave of her to move to Beaufort, SC and move into her step-daughter's inherited house without an invitation - all for the sake of her son.

I was fascinated by the details of Edith's crime scene boxes. The time and patience those must have taken!  It was hard to know how it was going to connect in the end, but when it did, it made sense. I couldn't figure out why Edith would bury the suitcase - and why she was so confused by the suitcase missing the dopp kit - but all of those details were explained in the end.

I really enjoyed this novel. I am making my way through all Karen White novels because I have liked every one a lot.

Wendy's Rating: ****