NOVEL PUBLICITY presents
THE ANGRY WOMAN SUITE
DISCOVERY AWARD 2012, FICTION
"Secrets and lies suffuse generations of one Pennsylvania family, creating a vicious cycle of cruelty in this historical novel that spans the early 1900s to the 1960s. Raised in a crumbling New England mansion by four women with personalities as split as a cracked mirror, young Francis Grayson has an obsessive need to fix them all. There's his mother, distant and beautiful Magdalene; his disfigured, suffocating Aunt Stella; his odious grandmother; and the bane of his existence, his abusive and delusional Aunt Lothian. For years, Francis plays a tricky game of duck and cover with the women, turning to music to stay sane. He finds a friend and mentor in Aidan Madsen, schoolmaster, local Revolutionary War historian, musician and keeper of the Grayson women's darkest secrets. In a skillful move by Fullbright, those secrets are revealed through the viewpoints of three different people-Aidan, Francis and Francis'stepdaughter, Elyse-adding layers of eloquent complexity to a story as powerful as it is troubling. While Francis realizes his dream of forming his own big band in the 1940s, his success is tempered by the inner monster of his childhood, one that roars to life when he marries Elyse's mother. Elyse becomes her stepfather's favorite target, and her bitterness becomes entwined with a desire to know the real Francis Grayson. For Aidan's part, his involvement with the Grayson family only deepens, and secrets carried for a lifetime begin to coalesce as he seeks to enlighten Francis-and subsequently Elyse-of why the events of so many years ago matter now. The ugliness of deceit. betrayal and resentment permeates the narrative, yet there are shining moments of hope, especially in the relationship between Elyse and her grandfather. Ultimately, as more of the past filters into the present, the question becomes: What is the truth, and whose version of the truth is correct? Fullbright never untangles this conundrum, and it only adds to the richness of this exemplary novel. A superb debut that exposes the consequences of the choices we make and legacy's sometimes excruciating embrace."-Kirkus Reviews"The Angry Woman Suite is an unsettling and engrossing read, filled with dark twists and heartbreaking moments."-IndieReader
"There is something fascinating in labyrinthine plot twists, which is what we have here, and I must applaud Fullbright for her keen and magical ability to pull it off with such aplomb."- Norm Goldman, Montreal Books Examiner and Bookpleasures.com
"A very human story, 'The Angry Woman Suite' is a fine read focusing on the long lasting dysfunction of family."-Midwest Book Review
5 Stars ***** Reviewed by Joana James for Readers Favorite: "The Angry Woman Suite is quite a ride . . . very cleverly written . . . an outstanding novel. I recommend it with no reservations.
A_TiffyFit's Review:
I thought, after the first chapter, that I had a handle on the title and what it meant. I was totally and completely wrong! This mystery is told from three viewpoints: Elyse, Francis, and Aidan's. Aidan is the central figure and shows up in both Elyse's and Francis's viewpoints as well.
This historical fiction novel addresses the mystery of a celebrity double murder, that of a painter and his wife. It follows a family that is just dysfunction breeding dysfunction for generations. Highlighting some of the worst facets of humanity, you also get the glimmer of the best of humanity: hope and forgiveness.
It is hard to write a review on a book that was so thoroughly engrossing and compelling when all I want to do is bash a character. It wasn't that the character was poorly written; in fact, it was the opposite. He leaps off the page, often strangling me with disgust. I also despised Diana, Elyse's mother, but Francis was just appalling. The characters are SO vivid: Magdalene, Lothian, Aidan, Elyse, Francis, Papa, Aunt Rose, all of them. And you will find yourself engrossed in their twisted, interlaced stories, all tied to The Angry Woman Suite.
I thought, after the first chapter, that I had a handle on the title and what it meant. I was totally and completely wrong! This mystery is told from three viewpoints: Elyse, Francis, and Aidan's. Aidan is the central figure and shows up in both Elyse's and Francis's viewpoints as well.
This historical fiction novel addresses the mystery of a celebrity double murder, that of a painter and his wife. It follows a family that is just dysfunction breeding dysfunction for generations. Highlighting some of the worst facets of humanity, you also get the glimmer of the best of humanity: hope and forgiveness.
It is hard to write a review on a book that was so thoroughly engrossing and compelling when all I want to do is bash a character. It wasn't that the character was poorly written; in fact, it was the opposite. He leaps off the page, often strangling me with disgust. I also despised Diana, Elyse's mother, but Francis was just appalling. The characters are SO vivid: Magdalene, Lothian, Aidan, Elyse, Francis, Papa, Aunt Rose, all of them. And you will find yourself engrossed in their twisted, interlaced stories, all tied to The Angry Woman Suite.
About the author: Lee Fullbright, a lifelong San Diegan, lives on beautiful Point Loma with her Australian cattle dog, Baby Rae (owner of her heart). Her literary mystery, The Angry Woman Suite, was a Kirkus Critics’ Pick, and won a Discovery Award (for literary fiction), as well as a Royal Dragonfly HM, and the award for “Best Mystery” at the 2013 San Diego Book Awards. Lee Fullbright is also the recipient of the 2013 Geisel Award, for “best of the best” at the SDBA. Connect with Lee on her website, Facebook, Twitter, or GoodReads.
About the prizes: Who doesn't love prizes? You could win one of two $50 Amazon gift cards or an autographed copy of The Angry Woman Suite! Here's what you need to do...
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