Providence Island

In Robinson's overwrought second novel, Ray Carrier comes face to face with his troubled past when he returns to his hometown of Ontario to bury his father. The use of a present-day investigation into his father's dealings with the wealthy, powerful, and possibly corrupt Miller family finds Carrier flashing back to his teenage years when a brief tryst with Quentin Miller made a lasting impact on him. Though the two spent little time together, Carrier became close to the Millers, particularly Quentin's brother Jack, whose damaged moral compass and interest in an underage local girl threaten the political future his family have carved out for him. Now back at Providence Island after more than two decades, and carrying guilt about his own past indiscretions, Carrier uncovers long-buried secrets about the Millers that will shed new light on not only their family but his own. Robinson's hyperbolic style quickly grows tiresome, while the melodramatic torment, decades-long struggles, and dramatic revelations amount to little without well-drawn characters for readers to care about. (Mar.)