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Before the Storm
 
 
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Before the Storm [Kindle Edition]

Diane Chamberlain (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
Kindle Price: £2.99 includes VAT* & free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet
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Product Description

Review

'Diane Chamberlain is the Southern Jodi Picoult.' --New York Times Bestselling Author Mary Alice Monroe

'This was an excellent book, well written and thoroughly gripping. Highly recommended -5 stars.' --New Books

'Diane Chamberlain is a marvellously gifted author! Every book she writes is a real gem.' --Literary Times

Product Description

What if your child was accused of mass murder?

When the local church is razed to the ground, dozens of trapped children manage to escape – many helped by fifteen-year-old Andy Lockwood. Born with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Andy is more like a little boy that a teenager, but in the eyes of the people he saved, he’s a hero. Laurel lost her son once through neglect and has spent the rest of her life determined to make up for her mistakes. Yet when suspicion of arson is cast upon Andy, Laurel must ask herself how well she really knows her son – and how far she’ll go to protect him.

For fans of JODI PICOULT, this is a must read.

“An excellent book, well written and thoroughly gripping. Highly recommended.” Newbooks on The Lost Daughter

“Diane Chamberlain is a marvellously gifted author. Every book she writes is a gem.” Literary Times

From the author of...


Breaking the Silence
The Lost Daughter
The Bay at Midnight
Secrets She Left Behind
The Lies We Told
The Midwife's Confession
The Shadow Wife
Keeper of the Light

See all Product Description

Product details

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 747 KB
  • Print Length: 496 pages
  • Publisher: MIRA (1 Jun 2010)
  • Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B003MZ0GRM
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray: Not Enabled
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #3,951 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

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More About the Author

› Visit Amazon's Diane Chamberlain Page
Diane Chamberlain
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Customer Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
61 reviews
4.4 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
51 of 51 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping Story 5 May 2010
By Nicola TOP 1000 REVIEWER VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
I loved this book! Diane Chamberlain writes so fluidly that I just found myself going with the flow of the book and reading it at every possible opportunity.

The story is about Laurel, a woman who drank when she was pregnant with her now 15 year old son, Andy. As a result he has Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, which has affected his growth and development. Laurel has always put all her energy into looking after Andy, giving the majority of her love and attention to him, rather than his older sister Maggie, who has always been able to look after herself. However, when a fire breaks out at the church where Andy is attending a lock-in with friends, after initially being the hero who got the other kids out, the suspicion of arson points to him. Laurel has to try to protect Andy, but realises that she also needs to protect Maggie too.

This book is a fabulous read. Diane Chamberlain is always likened to Jodi Picoult and I can see the similarities, but I find Diane Chamberlain's work a much easier read, although just as hard-hitting. In this book, she tells the story from various different perspectives, and I liked the way I could understand the events from the view of different characters. It worked very well, and was not at all confusing.

This is a real page turner - highly recommended.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Better than Jodi Picoult 16 May 2010
By Mrs. C. Colbert VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
Diane Chamberlain has been called the Southern Jodi Picoult and certainly there are similarities, for instance each chapter is narrated by a different character, and family relationships are explored in depth. However, while I have read and didn't particular warm to Jodi Picoult's books, I have to say that this story really captivated me.

The first chapter was narrated by Andy which I thought was inspiring as straight away we got a feel for his character and how he thinks and feels about his family and his circumstances. I instantly warmed to him as he joined all his 'friends' in the church for the evening and tried to talk to a girl he was attracted to by telling her that he loved her. The boy she was with talked down to Andy and he was confused as he thought everyone was his friend. Then the fire starts and panic sets in inside the church.

As the story continues we see through Andy and his family's eyes the police investigation into the arson attack and family secrets long buried start to surface. Laurel, Andy's widowed mother thinks that Maggie, Andy's sister, is happy and content but does she really know her as well as she thinks she does and why does Laurel blame her husband's brother, Marcus, for his death? All the while she is trying to protect Andy while her world turns upside down and people start to turn against her.

I thought the characters were well-defined, particularly Andy, and I would recommend this if you're looking for a read that's not too light, but thought-provoking.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Page-turner! 7 May 2010
By K. Wright VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
Beginning with the suspected arson of a local church during a teenagers lock-in, "Before the Storm," intertwines events before, during and after the event from multiple perspectives including suspect Andy (the 15 year old boy with Foetal Alcohol Syndrome), his mother Laurel, sister Maggie and uncle Marcus. I found all of the main characters to be well rounded and likeable the strands of the narrative flowed well between all of them. I also enjoyed the setting of Topsail island as Chamberlain's description really came to life. There are many twists and turns alogd the way, as more and more background to each character is revealed and I found myself wanting to keep reading to find out what would happen next.

"Before The Storm," is the first novel I have read from Diane Chamberlain but it certainly won't be the last. I highly recommended this to fans of Jodi Picoult.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Before the Storm.
Many of the members of one of the book groups I'm in on Face Book have read and recommended Diane Chamberlain's work. Read more
Published 2 days ago by Fragglebuster
5.0 out of 5 stars Another must read book!
Diane Chamberlain does it again! Full of twists & turns that keep you gripped form the first page! Again she writes from the view point of several characters, it delves into the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by mia
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
Another typical, enjoyable Diane chamberlain book that is thoroughly enjoyable! One of my favourite authors as her characters really come to life - like her stories.
Published 1 month ago by SDT
5.0 out of 5 stars Lost a whole Bank Holiday weekend to this book!
I have just lost a whole Bank Holiday to this book. I simply could not put it down. I am slowly working through all of Diane Chamberlain's books and this one again has not... Read more
Published 1 month ago by alex
5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling
Read 61% in a day! Beautifully engaging . Andy's FASD was written about in a way that only someone who has met with It could know-
Published 2 months ago by oddjobjan
3.0 out of 5 stars Not my favourite
Ive read a number of Diane's booksI thought this one was abit slow and predictable. Not my favourite but will still read more
Published 2 months ago by DM
5.0 out of 5 stars Complimentary reading
I find all of Diane Ch

amberlain books a pleasure to read and I have recommended to my friends who are now seeking them to read
Published 2 months ago by patricia
4.0 out of 5 stars Captivating can't put it down
Loved this. Second one I have read by this author confessions of a midwife was the last one. Brilliant books very addictive and emotional not sure they help you sleep well!!
Published 2 months ago by Anna
5.0 out of 5 stars Review
Before the Storm, this was a lovely book to read and I couldn't put it down. I like Diane Chamberlain's books
Published 3 months ago by Tilly
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant read.
Once again glued to the book until I finished it. Her books are fabulous and the stiries go from one life crisis to another. Keep them coming Diane!
Published 4 months ago by christine james
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