A Reliable Wife

I stayed up late a few nights reading this beautifully written book; it was hard to put down. The story is intense and Goolrick's writing style is powerful; a dynamic combination that will seriously hook you. His descriptions of the remote, cold and snowed in Wisconsin country are vivid with just the right amount of detail; enabling you to empathize with it's residents and their isolated life.

The story flows beautifully and as the plot deepens the characters become more complex, you just want to keep reading to discover the outcome. There is a touch of mystery but the tension the author builds is what keeps you turning the pages. Throughout the novel, the author delves into many facets of human nature; lust, loneliness, evilness, greed, madness, love, hatred and forgiveness to name just a few. These will make for great discussions topics if you are a book club. It's a little dark, but a bold first novel by this author that you'll want to recommend to your friends.