A Bend of Light

Set in 1950, this intriguing novel from Jordan-Lake (Under a Gilded Moon) opens with unemployed Amie Stillwell, who served as a WAC in England during WWII, driving to Cape Wabanaki, Maine, her childhood home. Amie plans first to visit 60-something Shibby Travis, who essentially raised her, but on her way to Shibby’s place, she spots a car parked on railroad tracks in the path of an approaching train. Aime rams the car off the tracks just in time, but she’s surprised to see the car’s occupant run off. Amie hopes to find this person and offer help. Near Shibby’s home, she discovers a six-year-old boy, Chester, sitting in the cold, a note pinned to his jacket asking Shibby to take care of him. Amie and Shibby set out to search for Chester’s mother, a quest that leads Amie to confront old nemeses and her fraught past connected to her deceased mother and absentee father. The stakes rise with an attempted murder and the murder of a beautiful young stranger. The well-rounded characters include a diverse group of suspects, and Jordan-Lake keeps the reader guessing the culprit’s identity right up to the surprise ending. This tale of betrayal, deceit, and redemption satisfies. Agent: Elisabeth Weed, Book Group. (Sept.)