The Sweet Taste of Muscadines A Novel by Pamela Terry

 Book Excerpt:

"A woman returns to her small southern hometown in the wake of her mother’s sudden death—only to find the past upended by stunning family secrets—in this intimate debut novel, written with deep compassion and sharp wit.

“A deeply moving work of Southern fiction that will appeal to fans of Where the Crawdads Sing . . . a story to remember long after the last page is turned.”—Susan Wiggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lost and Found Bookshop 

Lila Bruce Breedlove never quite felt at home in Wesleyan, Georgia, especially after her father’s untimely demise when she was a child. Both Lila and her brother, Henry, fled north after high school, establishing fulfilling lives of their own. In contrast, their younger sister, Abigail, opted to remain behind to dote on their domineering, larger-than-life mother, Geneva. Despite their independence, Lila and Henry know deep down that they’ve never quite reckoned with their upbringing.

When their elderly mother dies suddenly and suspiciously in the muscadine arbor behind the family estate, Lila and Henry return to the town that essentially raised them. But as they uncover more about Geneva’s death, shocking truths are revealed that overturn the family’s history as they know it, sending the pair on an extraordinary journey to chase a truth that will dramatically alter the course of their lives. The Sweet Taste of Muscadines reminds us all that true love never dies."

Title:  The Sweet Taste of Muscadines

Author:  Pamela Terry

Publisher:  Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine    

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"The Sweet Taste of Muscadines" by Pamela Terry

My Opinion:  

'The Sweet Taste of Muscadines' was indeed a delightful, good family mystery read that will keep you turning the pages in this southern drama.  I enjoyed how Lia finally found answers that would give her the peace she so needed.  The story really turned from an unexpected death that would lead Lila and Henry to Scotland to get all of the answers needed to complete this well-told story.  One thing to get out of this story was that one never knows about one's kinfolk and when the secrets come rolling out!  I will say that 'The Sweet Taste Of Muscadines' will pull one 'in just like the taste of sweet tea and southern charm.'  So be prepared for a read about a 'family, their history, drama, and oh yes, dysfunction' in one way or another.

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.