February 1, 2016
Rachel Whalen and Ariel Alexander bonded as grieving widows and single moms. Rachel owned a hair salon in Timbergrove, OR, and Ariel gave voice lessons while she tried to revive her TV acting career. Rachel even took in Ariel's children for several weeks at a time. As the kids enter college and senior year in high school, Ariel doesn't have as much time for friendship. But her secrets don't rip the friends apart; an unforgiveable act of violence by Rachel's son does. The two families face terrible loss and scandal. Noonan (And Then She Was Gone) examines families, motherhood, and obsession. While Rachel worried over her sons, Ariel was interested only in herself, her faded career, and her sex life. Ariel's oldest daughter, Cassie, was forced to take her mother's place, even in the worst possible times. Obsession may have triggered the violence, but the story questions whether anyone can actually understand what's in another's mind, whether it's a friend, a child, or a parent. VERDICT Noonan's troubling novel of contemporary issues is recommended for readers wanting stories of dysfunctional families, scandal, and violence that involve entire communities. Recommend to readers of Jodi Picoult.--Lesa Holstine, Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN
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