Diane B. Saxton

Winter Peregrine lives on an isolated private island with her daughter Elsie and granddaughter Peda off the coast of Connecticut. Winter and Elsie’s relationship is strained as they do not share personal information with each other. Elsie has never revealed the identity of Peda’s father and why he is not a part of their lives. They are all very different people who have gotten used to living separate lives in the same house.

This story is centered around a painting that has been in the family's possession by a famous artist. All her life, Winter has been drawn to the painting and the people portrayed in it. The Getty Museum shows an interest in buying the piece and sends a team of experts to their home for an appraisal. The experts include the painter’s grandson and tensions build as they begin to question its’ authenticity. Many legitimate questions arise about the artist regarding his different styles and his untimely death. As this quiet appraisal turns into an investigation, the plot thickens. The motives of the appraisers are questioned and the Peregrine family members begin to unveil secrets about their past.

This is a beautifully written debut novel by Diane B. Saxton. The chapters alternate in the voices of each of the Peregrine family members. It is an intriguing book filled with elements of family dysfunction, romance, and mystery.… (plus d'informations)

Diane B. Saxton's debut novel, Peregrine Island, tells the story about a dysfunctional family, a mysterious painting, and the intriguing island where it all takes place. As I was reading this book I couldn't help but fantasize what it would be like to live on my own personal island. For some people it might be too isolated, but for me and my introverted self, I think I might like it. For a little bit at least. Because as much good as some solitude would do me, I think there might be a danger in cutting oneself off from the rest of the world. And even though the characters in this novel aren't really cut off from the rest of the world, they're all using the island as an escape, a hiding place.

The story revolves around a painting. A painting that has hung above Winter Peregrine's fireplace for many years. Winter lives in her family's ancestral home with her daughter, Elsie, and Elsie's daughter, Peda on Peregrine Island. Winter gets a call one day, supposedly from the people at Getty, who want to examine the painting. But when three men show up, Elsie can tell from the get-go that they might not be exactly who they say they are and questions their motives. When the gentlemen closely examine the painting they find out more than they bargained for, and that's when the mystery really begins.

The plot of this story is really fascinating. The mystery behind the painting and the circumstances surround it was intriguing. The characters in this novel, however, I didn't care for so much. Winter holds on to the ideals of yesteryear. There's a giant wedge between Winter and Elsie. There are moments of almost tenderness between the two, but they're fleeting. Even though Peda is a small child, Elsie seems to care little for her. In fact, there are some disturbing scenes between these two. Even though Winter is standoffish, she seems to have an okay relationship with her granddaughter. These characters are all so different from each other, it's hard to imagine they come from the same family. But families are like that, I suppose.

If I was going on just the plot alone, I would rate this book four stars. But the characters in this novel left me wanting. I tried to empathize with the characters. I wanted to understand their motives, their choices, but I just couldn't. In the end, I felt nothing for them. And for me, it's important to find a connection to the characters in order to really enjoy the book.
Read more at http://www.toreadornottoread.net/2016/08/review-peregrine-island.html#dkhMSLCkAS...… (plus d'informations)