Hello, Welcome to Book Club Reporter - Book Review Podcast This is Episode 3, dated September 1, 2019. And I’m your host, Laura Jay.
Today I am bringing you my book club reporter book review of All the Lovely Pieces written by author, J.M. Winchester (and you may already be familiar with this author, as she also writes romance novels as Jennifer Snow). But, All the Lovely pieces is not a ‘happy-ever-after” romance novel. All the Lovely Pieces is a chilling and an unputdownable, psychological thriller suspense novel.
All the Lovely Pieces is the intensely gripping story of Drew Baker. Drew has been badly beaten by her husband, Adam. And that fateful night was not the first time. As it turns out, Adam is a serial abuser and his form of abuse knows no bounds. But Adam is also a powerful billionaire business man. I would go so far to say that Adam “takes no prisoners,” but, actually, that wouldn’t be true. In fact, Adam is holding his pregnant wife, Drew, prisoner at home. With no explanation, Adam seizes the newborn baby boy from Drew, as soon as she gives birth to him. He takes the baby down the hall and places him in the nanny’s arms. The nanny, Catherine, understands that Adam expects her to take care of the baby, because according to Adam, Drew is mentally disturbed. And that is exactly what Adam tells everyone who comes into or around his palatial home. As a powerful billionaire, it seems that no one questions his words. Drew is shocked that her baby was taken from her. Desolate and bewildered, Drew remains a prisoner locked in her room. There are no words to describe the desperation and emotional state of this battered, imprisoned mother who isn't allowed to bond with her baby. Nearly anything and everything Drew says to Adam earns her another battering. Finally, when an opportunity presents itself, Drew seizes the moment and escapes with her baby. But her escape isn't pretty...and it isn't without violence. Drew's memory of how she escaped on that frantic day is blurry. But, now Drew is on the run as not just as a kidnapper but as a murderer too. And although her recollection of that struggle over her baby is as clear as mud, Drew believes she may well have committed murder during her escape. With the belief that Adam will never stop searching for her and his son, Drew is living life on the run with her son Michael. She moves them frequently, afraid to stay anywhere for too long. After nine years of running, Drew moves them to the small town of Liberty. I couldn’t help wondering if the town, Liberty, might hold a more positive future for Drew and Michael. And things do start out pretty well for them. Drew finds herself almost ready to believe that she and Michael actually have friends, yet she continues to live her life consumed with fear. Drew is determined that once she accomplishes what she believes she needs to do in Liberty, she and Michael will once again move on. It becomes crystal clear that Drew lives an anxiety-filled life with little hope for a better future.All the Lovely Pieces is told from the viewpoints of Drew, Michael and Catherine (the nanny). And we begin to put the pieces of the past together mostly through the viewpoints of Drew and Catherine. While Michael's viewpoint contributions are brief, we learn enough to be concerned for him. Drew has kept all the terrible details of the past from Michael. She told him his father passed away. But as Michael gets older, he has more questions in his mind about why they are on the run. And he wants to know more about his father. All the Lovely Pieces propels us through the story on an intense, unstoppable and emotional rollercoaster ride. It’s impossible to actually want to put down this all-consuming story. But, be ready as this story does involve the serious subject matter of physical and e
Support the show
