Custody

If I'd been writing this book, I wouldn't have started with the teaser scene Thayer chose (and it was extremely confusing that the date at the top of the first chapter was an error--it should have read September 2000 rather than August 2000--who did the line edit, anyway?). After reading that first scene, I didn't want to go back a month and read what led up to it. I suspect that's why some readers found the beginning slow going. If Thayer had just started the story earlier and told it chronologically, it would have been a more satisfying read. Frankly, I didn't want to know what she revealed in that first scene. I'd have preferred to find out who the man in the custody case was on my own. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Thayer's strength is characterization, and these characters were three-dimensional and compelling. Ann was particularly fascinating, and Tessa was wonderful. I was a bit disappointed with the end of the book, though. Thayer wrapped things up a little too quickly, I felt. We never did get to see Ann's turnaround. I just couldn't buy into the idea that a woman so driven and obsessed would so quickly acquiesce to the changes wrought by the judge's decision. I also wanted to see more of how Tessa felt afterwards. Still, I would recommend this book and anything else Thayer writes.

Kelly McLeod, newly appointed family court judge, has been defending clients for years, but now on the other side of the bench she feels even more responsibility to do the right thing. She has seen many families ripped apart by divorce and ugly custody battles. She is engaged to marry rich, handsome Jason, but is delaying setting a date for their marriage. During one of her weekly visits to her mother?s graveside, Kelly meets a mysterious stranger who is also visiting his mother?s grave. They have a frank and startling conversation, and during the following week she can?t stop thinking about him. They meet again the following weekend, and she becomes even more intrigued by this handsome, earnest, charismatic man.The story also involves Anne Madison, political activist running for state representative on a health care platform. Anne is battling for full custody of her 12-year-old daughter, Tessa. Randall Madison, successful physician, also wants custody of Tessa, and feels that he would provide a better home because of Anne?s many neuroses and her obsessive-compulsive behavior. Tessa is caught in the middle of wanting to please both of her parents.Kelly, Anne and Randall must all learn to deal with past sorrows, and put aside anger to move on and do what is best for Tessa as well as for themselves. The book is an interesting and moving exploration of the damage that can be done to children and families as a result of divorce and custody battles.