Painting by Numbers [Kindle Edition]

When you first start reading you think you are heading into a family sage like many other family sagas. At the heart of the book are the complex relationships between mothers and their daughters - Minnie and Ellie; Ellie and Juliet; Juliet and Mollie. Minnie and Ellie, to all intents and purposes, were single mothers bringing up their daughters alone and struggling financially, whereas Juliet has the advantage of a husband and financial security. All three mothers seem to struggle to communicate with their daughters and vice versa, with the pattern repeating itself every generation.

However, as the story unfolds it becomes much more than the typical family saga. One lie is told, out of good intentions, and two people swear never to reveal the truth to anyone, no matter what the consequences. It is this pact which has repercussions over the years, causing heartache and worry, with the story gradually developing more and more sinister undertones until the end of the book, which comes as an absolute shocker.

It was a fantastic read, all the characters are extremely well rounded and believable and by the end you are glued to it because you just have to know what happens next in their lives. It can be sad, funny and filled with suspense all within a few pages. Highly recommended.

Painting by Numbers

Having now read (and loved) the current three books from the pen of Sally Patricia Gardiner I was fully aware that the title of `Painting by Numbers' would give little away about the content. This was indeed the case.

This book is certainly one of those intelligent, adult and addictive novels that you simply cannot put down. It's a treat for the reader who will want to read `just another couple pf pages or another chapter' before returning to their lives. It tells the story of a family over three or four generations and one of the great tricks here is that the central character changes over the timeline involved. Their morals, standards and observations of the historical period they live in are certainly accurate for the time so that the reader finds him or herself fully integrated into the unfolding drama's which makes one question their own opinions.

The book very expertly tackles many of the social issues that families faced from the late 1940's to the present day. Sally honestly and professionally tackles difficult issues head on. Incest, sexuality, AIDS, financial struggle and prejudice and lack of commitment and honesty within the family demonstrate her precise observations. But wait - Sally also steers us along a rockier and turbulent path of murder, rape, greed, suicide and a central lie which becomes harder to dispel and correct as the years fall by.

I found the book and this troubled, dysfunctional but likeable family addictive and found myself shouting at them when they were not seeing the obvious. Sally led me into their world and I was happy to become a part of it.

This book is by far one of the best thrillers I have read in a long time and those that stand out are often few and far between. Sally will have her work cut out for future pieces because this raises the bar. However I predict the rise and the era of a new star is dawning.

A damned good read. It grips you from the start and doesn't let go till the end! A great read!