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Reviewed by Lorraine Cobcroft for Readers' Favorite
Lizzie Qnert's thriller, Crackshell: Rock Narrows Suspense Series, relates the story of the Swann family and their interaction with the manipulative and somewhat psycho novelist, Sydney Long. “Swannee” Swann shot his mother in cold blood. Raised to be strong and loyal and keep family business secret, Swannee’s brother, Jake, and sister, Maggie, struggle to deal with their grief and their fear for their brother’s fate. Meanwhile, Sydney is in town from Pennsylvania, seeking to learn enough about the Swanns to write her next novel. She wins Jake's heart when she moves into the house next door. She even wins over the hard-as-nails Maggie, who comes to value Sydney’s friendship. But things go horribly wrong when the Swanns discover Sydney’s real purpose.
Lizzie Qnert takes readers into the heart of a small town on the eastern shores of the mid-Atlantic, USA. Her imagery is evocative, bringing the scene to life in a way that makes us feel as if we are right there, watching the scene play out in 3D technicolor, but with the added dimension of smell and feel. We learn about crabbing as though we accompany Maggie on the bateau. The townsfolk are as real as our own neighbors and workmates. We weep for Maggie, and we cheer her on as she struggles to shed her tough persona and allow herself to feel. And while we shake our heads at Jake’s self-destructive behavior, we can’t help wanting him to find peace and happiness. Not only does the author remain consistent in her use of the characters' dialect when they speak, but she maintains this consistency in their thoughts as well. I loved the themes and the messages offered through Sydney’s tuition and Maggie’s growth in the story. As a psychological thriller, the work is a little unusual. Qnert seemed to be more focused on exposing the dangers of secrecy and on strong themes than on keeping readers desperate for a resolution. Yet Crackshell is a page-turner. I found myself fascinated by each of the main characters and keen to see them resolve their various dilemmas and find peace. Lizzie Qnert is an amazingly talented writer and Crackshell is a fantastic read.
