Thorns of Truth (Garden of Lies, Book 2)

This book was most wonderful and interesting. It is the sequel to "Garden of Lies" which is a top-of-the-line book. This book is also awesome. Especially since I already knew the characters. The Baby Switch finally comes to the truth of what actually happened and why it happened. I definitely recommend this book, but read "Garden of Lies" first. I think these 2 books are Eileen's best adult novels. (By the way, I think her best teen novels are the series of 4 "Who Killed Peggy Sue?" which is a mystery.) This book was not boring at all.

It was a long time to wait for the sequel to Garden of Lies (one of my personal favorites), but well worth it. Thorns of Truth picks up the story of Rose and Rachel many years later in their professional and personal lives frought with problems, decisions, joys and triumphs. It was interesting how the author wove their history into the story; a reader wouldn't have to read "Garden" necessarily to enjoy this book, but he/she would miss the wonderfully written introduction to this strange yet endearing family. The character of Sylvie throughout is just amazing - she continued to keep her SECRET until death is imminent and finally eased her conscience by devulging her past and acknowledging her child and ultimately breaking the hearts of her other child and her grandchildren. How they came to grips with the revelation and how they became stronger persons for it was interesting. Sylvie touched them all. I was sorry when I finished reading it, but I don't see it as final. The relationships of Drew and Iris, Eric and Rose, Brian and Rachel, Mandy and Robert and the ensuing problems in their lives could lead to a third book and I certainly hope this happens. Are you listening Eileen?

Well worth the wait. I just finished reading Thorns of Truth. I hated to put the book down. I didn't want to let go of the characters -- they seem so real. I am going to go back and reread Garden of Lies. I live in the same area in Brooklyn that she writes about which makes it even more enjoyable. I've read all of Eileen's books and they were all great. Eileen, keep up the good work.

Over four decades have passed since that hospital fire led to the switching of two newborns. Now forty-six, one of the switched babies, Rose Santini Griffin, is deeply grieving the loss of her husband by burying herself in her work. Her oldest son, Drew, is engaged to Iris, the daughter of Rachel MacClanahan. Rachel is the other switched baby during that fire. A guilt-laden Sylvie is dying. She is the biological mother to Rose who switched the infants, and raised Rachel as her own. She has hidden her transgression from everyone, including her spouse. Outside of Sylvie, only Rose knows what happened during the confusing hospital fire. She has vowed not to reveal what she knows because she does not want to hurt her friend Rachel. However, knowing that she is dying, Sylvie feels compelled to reveal the truth, but hesitates for fear of what it will do to everyone she holds dear. The sequel to GARDEN OF LIES, THORNS OF TRUTH, holds up to the quality level of the first novel. The continuation into middle age of the two criss-crossed women is brilliantly described due to the strong characterizations, including the secondary players. The story line is a classical tear jerker that requires a fresh towel for every fifteen pages (a handkerchief is not big enough for all the weeping). Readers will gouge on Eileen Goudge's gut wrenching, heart warming tale. Harriet Klausner

Over four decades have passed since that hospital fire led to the switching of two newborns. Now forty-six, one of the switched babies, Rose Santini Griffin, is deeply grieving the loss of her husband by burying herself in her work. Her oldest son, Drew, is engaged to Iris, the daughter of Rachel MacClanahan. Rachel is the other switched baby during that fire. A guilt-laden Sylvie is dying. She is the biological mother to Rose who switched the infants, and raised Rachel as her own. She has hidden her transgression from everyone, including her spouse. Outside of Sylvie, only Rose knows what happened during the confusing hospital fire. She has vowed not to reveal what she knows because she does not want to hurt her friend Rachel. However, knowing that she is dying, Sylvie feels compelled to reveal the truth, but hesitates for fear of what it will do to everyone she holds dear. The sequel to GARDEN OF LIES, THORNS OF TRUTH, holds up to the quality level of the first novel. The continuation into middle age of the two criss-crossed women is brilliantly described due to the strong characterizations, including the secondary players. The story line is a classical tear jerker that requires a fresh towel for every fifteen pages (a handkerchief is not big enough for all the weeping). Readers will gouge on Eileen Goudge's gut wrenching, heart warming tale. Harriet Klausner