There aren’t many novels that celebrate menopause, but this one sure does! Recently, more books have older women as main characters, but they seem to be mostly about woman trying to fight for recognition despite their age, or a few that use age as an indicator of wisdom and experience that they can impart. But this book takes it to a whole new level and on top of that these women kick ass, solve a crime and get even! What’s not to love about that?!

In the small ocean front community of Mattauk, Long Island three women are going through the change and for each one it manifested itself in different ways. For Nessa, who after her husband died and her twin daughters left for college, the house seemed so empty, until she began hearing voices of women crying out to her.

For Harriet Osbourne, who at the peak of her career confronted her cheating husband and partner in public, thus ending both, it was a strange passion for gardening. Her once clipped and manicured yard became a veritable jungle, full of beautiful, exotic and somewhat deadly plants.

For Jo Levison, a body trainer who turned her exercise obsession into a women’s only gym, it was the hot flashes that seemed to unleash a deep rage and power that she must somehow learn to channel.

Brought together unexpectedly when Nessa, discovers the dead body of a young girl, the trio begins to investigate the deaths of several young women and in the process they find evidence of a deadly sex trafficking ring operating right in their own community, corruption at the highest levels of the police department and their own strength and unique powers.

This was such a fun read. It is both serious and a bit campy. It raises important issues and yet is not strident. The women are unique and quirky without being bizarre. Ok, Harriet might be a bit on the bizzare side, but she has her good side, too! All in all, a very unexpected, lively, women affirming and enjoyable read!

Brenda’s Rating: **** (4 Out of 5 Stars)

Recommend this book to: Sharon and Marian

Book Study Worthy? Yes!

Read in ebook format!