The Last Bridge by Teri Coyne
Release date: 2009 / 225 pages
Synopsis (from Amazon.com): For ten years, Alexandra “Cat” Rucker has been on the run from her past. With an endless supply of bourbon and a series of meaningless jobs, Cat is struggling to forget her Ohio hometown and the rural farmhouse she once called home. But a sudden call from an old neighbor forces Cat to return to the home and family she never intended to see again. It seems that Cat’s mother is dead.
First line: “Two days after my father had a massive stroke my mother shot herself in the head.”
Review: This is the last novel from the big box of books I received earlier in the summer. Although I had only requested The Late, Lamented Molly Marx, the publisher included a few other works she thought I might like since I do not mind reading works that are a bit dark. Well, I really started to wonder what she meant by “dark” after I read one sunny book after another (Everyone is Beautiful, The Possbility of Everything). Then I read The Last Bridge.
Whew… “dark” doesn’t even come close. I cannot reveal plot details since part of the horror — and strength — of this novel is the slow revealing of past secrets. However, I can reveal that the ending is very rewarding and that I am not sorry I read this. And I can share that the first sentence (printed above) does not even come close to hinting at the horror of Cat’s life.
Fortunately, Coyne is a compelling writer and I truly could not put the novel down unless forced. I quickly read it in two days — which is about right since I did not want to live with Cat’s past much beyond that. However, I will be bound to Cat herself forever, I imagine, and this I do not regret.
Let me share two short passages to demonstrate Coyne’s style: “‘Hey, Cat,’ he said, walking with a policeman’s swagger, as if the gun were between his legs and not at his side.” This observation describes Cat’s quick, dark wit pretty well.
The next passage reveals Coyne’s ability to bring to life physical, visceral details:
The room was alive. The clock above the pantry sink ticked, the radiator on the back wall hissed, and the floorboards creaked. Water dripping from the faucet into the sink clopped like horses walking on pavement. The sounds pressed against me like one heart resting on another, syncopating.
I do recommend this novel, but would be amiss if I didn’t send out a clear warning that it is not for the faint of heart. However, no matter what the conditions of your life currently are, this novel will surely make you embrace with gratitude that your life is not Cat’s.
Any takers? If so, simply leave me a comment! Or, if you just cannot wait…
Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)Verizon.net
The review sounds great, please include me
in the giveaway.
Good Morning:
Sounds like a very interesting read. Please enter me.
Have a great day & Thanks!!
sharon54220@gmail.com
Kristen,
I’m game for this new book…you’ve made it sound intriguing! Please enter my name into the giveaway.
Linda
I really think I would like this book! Thank you for the chance to win it!
mittens0831 AT aol DOT com
I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com
Wow – good review! Really makes me want to read this book.
Hi there:)
Please enter me on this giveaway. Thanks again for giving us this opportunity for a new read.
Talk to you soon,
Renee
Sounds like an intriguing book! Thanks!
Dark novels… sounds like my kind of books. Thanks!
Well, although i generally don’t gravitate to books this dark, i have found them to really make me think (Bastard out of Carolina being one such book). So, I’d like to be stretched out of my comfort zone, which i always appreciate, and have my name put in for the drawing. Thanks so much for what you’re doing. I just love this!
Theresa
We don’t have this author in our public library. I would love to read a book by her.
Sounds like a great book. Thanks for sharing it.
smickelson1993 at yahoo dot com
Please include me also in your free giveaway. I love to read all types of books. Thanks!
I’d love this!!
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
I’d love to try for this one:) Count me in!
Sounds very intriguing. Please count me in for the give away.
Ahh. Dark books. Another addiction. I keep trying to back away, but . . . what can I say? I’m hooked! This sounds particularly good. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com
I’d love the chance to win.
Thanks!
info (at) mybookbuds (dot) come
I’d like to give it a try, even if it is a somewhat dark novel. Thanks for the giveaway.
Purchased this book for our library and also read it. It is wonderful. Already emailed Teri and shared my comments with her. Can’t wait for her next novel. Would also love to have this book for my personal library so please include me in the giveaway.
This book really sounds amazing. Thanks for the review.