When She Flew by Jennie Shortridge
Release date: 2009 / 322 pages
Synopsis (from front cover): Police officer Jessica Villareal has always played by the book and tried to do the right thing: She’s worked hard at her job and even harder at her family. Despite all that, she finds herself approaching midlife divorced, estranged from her daughter, alone… and completely unhappy. And she’s wondering if she ever made a right choice in her life. But then Jess discovers an Iraq vet and his young daughter living off the radar in the Oregon woods, avoiding the comforts — and curses — of modern life…
First line: “The baby clothes drew Jess first, even though her grandson was now turning three.”
Review:
When I finish a novel and my first thought is “What else has this person written and how soon can I get my hands on it?” I know I’ve found a winner…
As always, I avoided reading the plot summary before I began this latest gift from TLC Tours, so my first impressions were based on this quote on the cover from Marisa de los Santos (who I love): “Taut, beautifully rendered.” I focused on those two words as clues: taut… rendered. Knowing that de los Santos is truly a poet at heart, I loved that she chose the word “rendered” — meaning intentionally well-crafted. “Taut” made me a bit nervous — murder mystery perhaps? Psychological thriller maybe? Well, When She Flew is both taut (even without a murder) and rendered in such a way that I knew I would be reading Shortridge’s other works… soon.
The plot of the novel is based on a true event of a father and daughter found living in the woods near Portland in 2004. The father was a Vietnam veteran, raising his daughter outside the normalcy of society; when discovered, the daughter was quite “well-adjusted” despite her unusual living arrangements. From this news story, Shortridge creates a narrative that alternates between the perspective of the “fugitive” teenager and the 38 year-old police officer who, in finding and eventually helping the father and daughter, finds a certain redemption from her own parenting mistakes. Alternating points of view can be tricky — we’ve all read stories where we’ve impatiently wanted to return to one character or another — yet Shortridge creates (renders) such three-dimensional characters that I never regretted leaving one for the other.
Jess’s pain resonated deeply — what woman hasn’t questioned her choices, particularly where relationships are concerned? And after spending 15 years with adolescents, I can confidently state that Lindy’s young voice rings true as well. In addition, I loved peeking into the life of a police officer, especially a female officer. Any time an author can humanize a segment of society that is frequently stereotyped or misunderstood — like “vagrants,” “police officers,” or “veterans” — I’m interested. Beyond the masterful characterization, the plot is very fast-paced and this novel will make short work of an afternoon, since the prose is so effortless and the story gripping and suspenseful.
So, if you are interested in a “taut, beautifully rendered” story about relationships, society, and identity, leave me a comment! Graciously, Shortridge has offered an additional copy — so I’ll be choosing two winners this week!
Curious about what others thought? Here’s the full list of tour stops!
First, past reviews…
- Thursday, December 3rd: The 3 R’s Blog: Reading, ‘Riting, and Randomness
- Monday, December 7th: Linus’ Blanket
- Tuesday, December 8th: Book, Line, and Sinker
- Wednesday, December 9th: Luxury Reading
- Thursday, December 10th: The Literate Housewife Review
- Friday, December 11th: Redlady’s Reading Room
- Monday, December 14th: Book Addiction
- Tuesday, December 15th: Hey, Lady! What’cha Readin’?
- Wednesday, December 16th: A Novel Menagerie
and upcoming reviews, too!
- Monday, December 21st: Entertainment Realm
- Tuesday, December 22nd: Dolce Bellezza
- Monday, December 28th: Book Chatter
- Tuesday, December 29th: Caribousmom
- Wednesday, December 30th: Presenting Lenore
- Monday, January 4th: The Brain Lair
If Marisa de los Santos and you both loved this book, I know I will too! Please enter my name into the drawing this week!
By beginning your review by saying, “When I finish a novel and my first thought is ‘What else has this person written and how soon can I get my hands on it?’ I know I’ve found a winner…” you certainly got my attention because that’s how I feel about my favorite authors. I would love to read this book.
This sounds like a wonderful book1 i’d love to try for it!!
Please count me in! Happy Holidays Kristen!
Always,
Renee
Sounds great – count me in!
I would love to win this book! What a great Christmas present this would be. Thanks so much for the opportunity.
Theresa
Great review. Like Kate, above, I really liked the way you began.. That to me is the first sign that I’ve found a new favorite author.. when I can’t wait to read something else by them. May I suggest Eating Heaven as a place to start?
Thanks so much for all the time and effort that went into reading and reviewing When She Flew! It is very much appreciated!
PS Please enter me in the drawing. I didn’t put myself on the tour so I don’t have the book but after all the reviews I am dying to read it! Thanks!
Sounds wonderful. Please, also include me in the drawing. Thanks!
Wow sounds like a terrific holiday vacation read! Count me in!
I would love to try this book. I love Maria de los Santos and love a book that has me searching the library or bookstore for more.
Thank you for the recommendation!! I will request it from my library ASAP!!
Thank you for the opportunity to get to know this wonderful author, too!
I’d like to read this one. Thanks for the giveaway.
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You write such awesome reviews. I would love to win this one! It sounds like a great book.
Thank you, Cynthia!! I”ve already given away this one, but I hope you’ll check it out anyway!
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