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A review by jhbandcats
Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Very entertaining tale of family discord when the domineering grandmother moves into the home of her daughter and granddaughter while undergoing cancer treatment. The grandmother pushed away her daughter when she was most vulnerable and desperate, and now, fifteen years later, their relationship is still prickly.
The three main characters are distinct from one another, the mom and grandmom hiding behind facades because they’ve each been hurt so much by the other. The teenage granddaughter is smart and intrepid, passionate about nature. They live on a slough off Monterey Bay, surrounded by seals, otters, egrets, and gulls.
The descriptions of the slough and its inhabitants are vivid. I can practically smell the salt air and the seaweed, and see the schools of sardines trying to stay out of reach of hungry pelicans. I can picture the kayakers quietly moving through the marshland, marveling at all the creatures.
I thought the grandmother was a bit too flamboyant and unrealistic. (The first thing anyone should do when questioned by the police is get a lawyer!) But I thought the mother and granddaughter were perfect, caring for people and nature, and valuing family most of all.
The three main characters are distinct from one another, the mom and grandmom hiding behind facades because they’ve each been hurt so much by the other. The teenage granddaughter is smart and intrepid, passionate about nature. They live on a slough off Monterey Bay, surrounded by seals, otters, egrets, and gulls.
The descriptions of the slough and its inhabitants are vivid. I can practically smell the salt air and the seaweed, and see the schools of sardines trying to stay out of reach of hungry pelicans. I can picture the kayakers quietly moving through the marshland, marveling at all the creatures.
I thought the grandmother was a bit too flamboyant and unrealistic. (The first thing anyone should do when questioned by the police is get a lawyer!) But I thought the mother and granddaughter were perfect, caring for people and nature, and valuing family most of all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury