Woman in Red

Alice Kessler is the only witness to her son's death by a drunk driver, Owen White, who fled the scene of the accident. The son of a prominent local icon, his word is believed above hers, and he gets off apparently scott-free. Enraged by the injustice, knowing that his wealth and social status protected him from being punished for the crime, she is so overwrought that she impulsively runs him down on the day of his acquittal, not giving a thought to how this one act will alter her life or that of her other young son, a passenger in her car at the time. This act leaves Owen White in a wheel chair, but not dead. The novel opens nine years later, when Alice is released from prison after serving 9 years for the attempt on his life, and finds that Owen White is now the mayor of her home town. Alice has come home to Gray's Island in order to pick up the pieces of her life and mend the breach between her and the 6 year old son she'd left behind, who has some problems of his own. How does she help him? Does he even want her help? An affectionate border collie brings her together with his master, Colin McGinty, an ex-Manhattan prosecutor, who has returned to the island as well to claim his inheritance from his recently deceased grandfather, a house and a valuable painting of a Woman in Red. Colin, a recovering alcoholic who lost his wife in the New York tragedy of 9/11, has his own life challenges, but once he realizes that the Woman in Red was Alice's grandmother, he wants to know more. The opportunity to help Alice with the legal problem that her son is involved in, brings them together and what they discover about their grandparents captivates us all. The novel goes from present day to the past. The past being the era of WWII and the love story of the artist and the model (Alice's Grandmother) who sat for the portrait of Woman in Red. Eileen Goudge has intermingled the past and present very well here, and it is hard to decide which is the more captivating story. I personally was more intrigued by the past and hated to see it end. This was an excellent and original read, one I hated to put down, and one of this year's best. Don't miss it.

Eileen Goudge never disappoints. The characters are so well-defined that the reader has no trouble imagining physical characteristics to match the personalities of each. The story has the main plot, as well as sub-plots, going back and forth in time. There is mystery, romance, alienation, suspense, and a surprise ending. This is a "must read"!

Seeing the drunk driver who had killed her 8 year old son walk free Alice Kessler, the devastated mother attempted to run him down. Nine years later after being released from prison, Alice has come home to Gray's Island in order to pick up the pieces of her life and mend the breach between her and the 6 year old son she'd left behind. At the same time Colin McGinty, a 9/11 widower and recovering alcoholic, has come to the island to claim his inheritance left by his famous artist grandfather best known for his masterpiece portrait of "Woman in Red", which is a portrait of Alice's grandmother. Alice's son Jeremy is an angry teenager, wrongly accused of rape and Alice will do anything to save her son including convincing Colin, a one-time hot shot lawyer, to help her prove his innocence. As Alice and Colin engage in the battle to save Jeremy, both are drawn into a subtle love affair. Along their journey of redemption old secrets are uncovered as well as an old adversary who would like nothing better than to see Alice gone, no matter who got hurt. This is a heart wrenching beautiful story of one woman's efforts to rebuild a life for herself after losing just about everything that matters because of justice gone wrong. It reverts back and forth from the present to WWII telling the story of William McGinty and Eleanor Styles, of their love affair and their sacrifices of a constant true love for honor. The author does a brilliant job of weaving the past and present together and reveals a story of loss, heartache, and secrets that were hidden behind the fifty year old portrait of the "Woman in Red". Along the way it shows how history has a way of repeating itself when Alice and Colin engage in a battle with the grandson of the man whose fifty year old disappearance is finally uncovered. But more than that, the author shows us a masterfully told story of salvation, endurance and recovery. This is a compelling story with great characterizations along with a terrific drama that will keep you turning the pages way into the wee hours of the morning and leave you with a deeply satisfying ending. This is one truly exceptional story that I highly recommend. Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization

This is one of those books that you start reading and drop everything that you're doing to continue reading it until the last page. It was beautifully written and kept my interest in the characters until the very end. I enjoy all of her books, but this one is the best by far.

Fellow Readers, You are in for a treat. I have read all of Eileen's books; each one gets better and better. This one takes the cake! The characters reach right into your heart and stay there throughout the entire journey. I found myself speaking to Alice, her son Jeremy, and Colin while they lived through every twist and turn in this page-turner. This book will keep you wanting more until finally you reach the conclusion. Happy REading! Lois Goetz