After Her

After Her

by Joyce Maynard

Genre: Fiction: Mystery/Thriller

New release!

Review:  After Her is a mystery about two sisters' coming of age in Marin County, with the "Sunset Strangler" haunting the mountain in their backyard. After admiring this well-written novel with compelling characters, a mix of sadness, humor, and tension, I had to read Maynard's other books. 

Rachel is navigating adolescence and changing relationships while trying to help her father, the detective on the case, who is deteriorating from the stress and publicity. The setting on Mt. Tamalpais, stark and beautiful, is almost a character in the novel. Overall, a bit disturbing, but highly recommended. 

Note: It has been awhile since I read much of an author's ouevre all together, and this is a satisfying experience, especially for writers who are interested in how an author's work changes throughout the life and work/life balance. See reviews for The Good Daughters and At Home in the World. 

At Home in the World

At Home in the World

by Joyce Maynard

Readers of her novels will enjoy learning about her  personal journey!

Genre: Memoir

Review: Follow Maynard's journey from eager daughter to precocious young writer to her affair J.D. Salinger. As a college student, she published a piece in New York Times magazine. Salinger approached her through letters, and eventually she lived with him in New Hampshire. Even more compelling than the story of her affair--the struggle Maynard faces as she balances acting as the "voice of her generation" with finding her true voice as a writer and later, as a mother.  Through the process, readers witness Maynard coming-of-age as a person and as a writer.