The Golden Peacock by Lauren B Grossman was a wonderful surprise.
I looked at the cover and couldn’t resist the girl looking at me. I thought I knew what it would be about, but it is so much more and I want to thank Lauren for offering me a copy.
Cover: Evan Jaroslow
MY REVIEW
The Golden Peacock by Lauren B Grossman is so much more than I expected and the surprise ending is one I could never have foreseen.
The story bounces between Nazi Germany in the late 30s, early 40s and 1997. Running from Nazi Germany to Amsterdam, Holland to London, England, Rainee is always hiding, in some fashion.
Rainee will meet Jana and her life will be changed forever. Secrets will be exposed.
The combination of the Holocaust, adoption, Alzheimer and dementia, nursing homes, rape…Lauren B Grossman handles these subjects with grace…And when Rainee shares a little something with Mr Wickam…well, I loved it and even managed to smile.
I read along thinking I knew what the book was offering, and I love that Lauren surprised me with a couple tricks she pulled out of her bag. I was left with bittersweet thoughts of a well crafted novel that will make me more open to checking out books that I would normally pass by.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Golden Peacock by Lauren B Grossman.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Combine a mystery, the Holocaust, a love story, an unexpected kinship between women of two generations, and the result is this poignant novel, THE GOLDEN PEACOCK.
Successful author, Rainee Allen, is experiencing writer’s block. Rummaging through her desk, she comes across a souvenir she had received years before at the U.S. Holocaust Museum; an identification/passport of a survivor. Rainee had kept the souvenir because the survivor’s birthday shared her birthday (though 30 years apart). She decides to try to find out more information on this German girl named Jana Lutken.
Realizing she may have an idea for her next novel, she travels to London to begin that research. Eventually, she does find Jana, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. Rainee develops a relationship with her and finds out more about her past. As she uncovers long-held secrets, Rainee becomes entangled in events that put her in danger and leads her to relationships with two men; the handsome director of Jana’s nursing facility, and the visiting doctor, who mysteriously serves as a trigger causing Jana to relive the horrors of the Holocaust.
Rainee embarks on a dangerous road involving Nazi hunters and Nazi sympathizers. Unsure which ones are following her, Rainee enters a world of mystery and suspense in the back alleys of London.
The juxtaposition of past and present makes for an interesting blend of two stories which seamlessly meld.
The reader will be surprised with the shocking twist that occurs in THE GOLDEN PEACOCK. They’ll never see it coming.
ABOUT LAUREN B GROSSMAN
An official bio (from Lauren’s website)
Award-winning author Lauren B. Grossman is originally from Massachusetts but now resides in Southern Arizona with her husband, two children, two dogs, and a desert tortoise.
Lauren earned a degree in theatre and has performed in, designed sets, directed and produced numerous productions.
She co-founded, co-published, and co-edited a performing arts newspaper. Because of the success of that newspaper, she and her co-publisher created a weekly radio talk show. She has had articles published and has earned awards for her short stories.
An unofficial bio:
I am a wife/mother/business manager/writer/poet/artist/past vice-president on a non-profit organization board/past actress/past producer/past set designer/and past publisher (I tend to live in the past).
I enjoy my family. I live vicariously through my children, now in their twenties. I love reading, writing, and horseback riding (though not at the same time). I love the challenge of a NY Times Sunday crossword puzzle and have set a personal best of finishing the puzzle 5 times in my life. I am often found playing Sudoku in my spare times, so I can keep my brain alert (or rather, what is left of my brain alert).
This sounds fascinating and you have me curious. I love when a book gets me to read outside the box:)
Me too. Ya just never know where that hidden gem will be.
I would enjoy this one Sherry. The time period is one that fascinates me.