Remember the last book you picked up and then couldn't put down? For me, that book is The Violets of March, by Sarah Jio. As Jio's debut novel, it is an amazingly well written and captivating tale of a young New York woman who has ties to Bainbridge Island in the Puget Sound near Seattle, WA. Living close to the area, the setting was a principal draw for me but also the hints on the cover intrigued me . . . "discovers a red velvet diary," "startling connections to her own life," "intriguing dual story line."
Any author who can write a dual story line and keep the reader's interest without the necessity of flipping back 10 or so pages is a stellar plot artist and writer. Jio does just that. Her main character, Emily, also an author, comes to Bainbridge Island to regroup following a divorce. Emily, however, is also curious about some perceived family secrets and she hopes that perhaps her next book is waiting for her on the island.
It is difficult to review The Violets of March without giving too much of the story away and thereby robbing you of the enjoyment of the read. Just trust my instinct that if you love a story from the past woven by tiny threads to the present, you are going to love The Violets of March.
Thank you for pointing out this book. It sounds very good and I've been on the lookout for something good to curl up with on a rainy weekend. Here in the Puget Sound we have many of them this time of year!
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