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Kay Smith-Blum is a former business owner and Seattle School Board President. A lover of the natural world and an avid gardener, Smith-Blum founded Environmental Endeavors, the first greenhouse program in Seattle Public Schools. A fan of mid-20th-century history, Smith-Blum has penned two other manuscripts set in Texas, but the recent upheaval over leaking waste tanks at the Hanford site drew her in. A meticulous researcher, Smith-Blum felt compelled to write the Hanford story in a way that would educate and entertain readers. The result is her debut novel, TANGLES, coming December 3, 2024. Smith-Blum’s published short works may be found in multiple literary journals. A companion short story to TANGLES is included in the 2024 anthology (a compilation that Smith-Blum co-edited), Feisty Deeds: Historical Fictions of Daring Women. Named the Western WA Woman Business Owner in 2013, Smith-Blum has lived in Washington State for four decades. She works out her writer’s block in her sons’ gardens and the nearest lap pool. For more info see https://www.kaysmith-blum.com
Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite
In Tangles, Kay Smith-Blum takes readers into the heart of America's Cold War secrecy with the same poignant clarity reminiscent of E. Annie Proulx. Set against the backdrop of the Hanford plant, Smith-Blum weaves a dual narrative that resonates with individuals’ history and enduring courage. The novel unfolds through the lives of two protagonists; Luke, whose narrative begins in 1963, and Mary, whose narrative begins in 1944. Through their eyes, Smith-Blum explores the devastating impact of the nuclear age on ordinary lives, highlighting the plight of wronged women and fatherless sons whose resilience becomes a testament to the human spirit.
Kay Smith-Blum’s prose is haunting and hopeful, capturing the complexity of emotions that go with loss, love, and the quest for justice. She effortlessly shifts between narratives and the fear-filled decades of the Cold War. The characters are well-developed, and I was especially drawn to Luke’s mother—a typical 1960s mom who ensured her son made it home safely after a hospital stay and watched him until he went inside his clean home with well-stocked food cupboards. This authenticity and nostalgia are what make this an unforgettable story with a cast of relatable characters and captivating plots and subplots. Tangles is a compelling novel that navigates the complexities of history with grace and insight. The story has a surprise ending, which is a nice payoff for readers. Smith-Blum added a “Tangle Playlist” with links to each song with the noted chapters and book club questions. Readers who grew up during the Cold War, especially the Confrontation and Détente years, and anyone interested in those years will enjoy this book.
