A Seahorse in the Thames

Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (1/07) "A Seahorse in the Thames" is the contemporary story of Alexa Poole who is spending her week of vacation at home, recovering from minor surgery. Stephan Moran is the handyman who has been hired to do repairs to Alexa's roof. Alexa soon realizes her attraction to Stephan when he falls from the roof and finds himself injured and inches from the hard ground, hanging from a Hawthorn bush. Alexa helps to get Stephan to the hospital and does all she can to see him through his recovery. After some tests, the doctors learn that Stephan has a more serious medical condition that has returned from his past. Alexa has an older sister Rebecca, who has been living at the Faulkman Residential Center for the past 17 years, after injuries from an auto accident left her mentally challenged. Suddenly, Rebecca is missing and Alexa, fearing the worst, takes it upon herself to search for Rebecca. To share her concerns, Alexa contacts her twin sister Priscilla, who is living in England. Surprisingly, Priscilla decides to come immediately to help Alexa in her efforts to find Rebecca, even though Priscilla has been estranged from the rest of the family for some time. Priscilla also tells Alexa she has important news to share with her when she arrives, but it is too important to tell over the phone. Alexa is quite surprised when Priscilla disembarks from the plane with a new family member. And the mystery of the disappearance of Rebecca is further complicated when a check for $50,000 is found hidden away in a box in Rebecca's room at the Faulkman Center, dated shortly before Rebecca's unfortunate accident and signed by the father of Rebecca's good friend Leanna, who was the driver in the auto accident and who was killed. I found "A Seahorse in the Thames" to be quite exciting, fast paced, and enjoyable. It is a story of faith, love, and taking chances. Alexa helps Stephan in his recovery and her family in resolving past discrepancies, but both help Alexa in her recovery too. I highly recommend "A Seahorse in the Thames" to adult readers who enjoy a contemporary romance with an added element of mystery along with an underlying Godly message. "A Seahorse in the Thames" is about finding beauty and hope in unexpected places. I found Susan Meissner's writing enjoyable and meaningful.

A Seahorse on the Thames, by Susan Meissner, is a beautiful story of love, forgiveness, memory, and hope. Meissner's characters are so real, I can hear their voices as I read. She paints folks as flawed, yet yearning--needy, yet strong. I wanted her protagonist, Alexa Poole, to grow, risk, and untangle the story of her past. Expertly plotted, warmly written, Meissner once again proves she's one of the best CBA novelists.

Once again Susan Meissner has brought her readers a captivating novel peopled with real characters. Seahorse is about new relationships built on truth and trust, and old ones mended by confession, forgiveness, and acceptance. She has a real sensitivity for her characters and their lives. I look forward to her next novel.

This gentle love story/mystery times two involves twin sisters and family reactions since the accident that transformed their older sister's personality and capabilities. As one who works with individuals with developmental disabilities, I applaud Susan's realistic depiction of Rebecca's desire for independence and happiness that we all want. Set in California and told from Alexa's viewpoint, I found England a minor feature; the title is where a modern parable comes in. To discover the thread at its start, read the newsclip before the first chapter. The twists and surprises kept me on a roller coaster of suspense, while the peaceful touches soothed my soul; a dichotomy of style that I appreciate. To quote her twin, Priscilla: "There are worse things than loving a sick man." Look for a dash of Italy near the end. Meissner's unique characters are fleshed out, imperfect people from various economic/ethnic backgrounds with plausible relationships. Her subject matter, vocabulary, and dialog prove her a wordsmith worthy of a second read or a discussion group. Susan describes situations like she read my diary (i.e., feelings about having an unusual name; no TV or dishwasher, rather than no phone); I identified with many experiences,circumstances, struggles, flaws and hopes, earmarking 40 of the 275 pages. Two down, three to go in reading Meissner's compassionate, realistic Christian fiction. Another for our town library so readers can enjoy a new favorite author who could draw a friend, teenage niece or grandmother closer to God without scripture or preaching, only several prayers and a thought-provoking parable. I suggest you read Meissner's novel to develop or deepen your faith and gift some to relatives, neighbors, colleagues or an enemy. As you delve into the parable, may you find hope, love, forgiveness and peace. Armchair Interviews says: Good, fleshed-out characters with a strong message we can all learn from.

Susan Meissner has written an intriguing and inspiring story that was impossible to put down. Alexa Poole has spent a good part of her life finding meaning in supporting her older sister, Rebecca who has an aquired brain injury, resulting from a car accident. The Poole family has been torn apart following the accident, emotionally and physically, dividing the family. When Rebecca goes missing from her residential centre, Alexa's search for her uncovers more than she ever imagined of past hurts, personal frailty and rediscovered hope. As the mystery of Rebecca's disappearance unfolds so does Alexa's budding relationship with Stephen, a man whose life expresses the healing power of hope. This is a beautiful story, reminding us that a glimpse of hope and the generosity of forgiveness can bring joy to many a shattered heart.