Reviewed by Robert A. Groves for Readers' Favorite

Things are not always as they appear. In Susan Poole’s Out of the Crash, there are many things in both the Beasley and Shawver families that are hidden from the eyes of their community. The families become subjects of community gossip and speculation when Amy Shawver is killed in a hit-and-run accident. The tragedy pits neighbor against neighbor. Everyone has an opinion and thinks they know what happened. Kyle Beasley’s mother, a former attorney turned cancer survivor and public speaker, faces her greatest challenge yet as she furiously defends her son’s reputation. As the legal process moves forward, Amy Shawver’s autopsy reveals something shocking that places the families and their community into a tailspin. The outcome everyone expected is quite different. This is most true for the Shawver family. And off to the side of the legal drama, the families confront their own truths behind closed doors. The Beasleys’ marriage is not the public-facing perfection that many see. Caroline has her own problems, including her relationship with her daughter, Grace. In the Shawver household, father and son have a difference of opinion on what justice for Amy’s death looks like. To top it all off, an unlikely friendship blossoms into romance. Every page is a new surprise.

Out of the Crash by Susan Poole is a well-written novel that excels in its portrayal of grief, guilt, and forgiveness. From the beginning, her writing style places readers into the middle of two families whose lives are forever changed by a tragedy. She has created characters who are very human. You experience their flaws, strengths, and potential throughout the tale. Most readers will relate to the plot. They will either have been a community member who passed judgment on a situation before all the facts were known, or they will have been the recipient of that scrutiny. Surprisingly, I found myself right there with Mindy Grace, Sammy Wells, and others calling for severe punishment for what Kyle had done. Then, I felt a degree of shame when the truths were disclosed. I also found myself wondering how I would react if this happened to my family. Would I be tactical like Caroline Beasley, or would I more closely emulate Amy Shawver's example? I think readers will find themselves with these same feelings and questions. There are no easy answers here. I still felt conflicted when I turned the last page, but I also felt moved by the fact that compassion can follow significant loss. You will not be disappointed if you add Out of the Crash to your reading list. You might even find some personal healing along the way.