When a Kristina McMorris book is announced to come out, I get pretty excited. I have yet to be disappointed in any of her novels, and The Edge of Lost is no exception. It’s always wonderful when she thinks of you too and sends an advanced copy.
The Edge of Lost is an entirely different story from her other novels and I think that in itself shows how excellent she is at this, quite the masterful storyteller for certain! I still say she’s an underrated author and more attention should be given to her books. You sincerely should go out and grab any of her books and start reading. Each one offers vastly different stories, timelines, but she is the master at dual storylines!
In this book, I became immediately engrossed in this story that starts out in Ireland, about Shanley Keagen, or Shan for short. At a very young age, Shan has to scrape by with his uncle, working as a vaudevillian in the Irish pubs. His mum has recently died, and only after does he learn that his “real” dad was an American in the Navy. Shan dreams often of leaving behind this hardscrabble existence and maybe finding his dad in America.
His uncle finally gives in and they make the long and hard trip to America. Unfortunately, Shan’s uncle dies on the ship just as they are about to embark at Ellis Island. Remembering an Italian boy he helped on board, he quickly tracks down Nick Capello and implores him to help him land and get on his feet in New York.
The story moves forward and we hear about Nick Capello’s familly, and his brother Tommy. Tommy Capello is the one that opens this story. He is a prisoner working in the gardens on Alcatraz and knows about this missing little girl and the reason for her disappearance, and where she is hiding. The story moves from the past into this present time with how Tommy came to be in Alcatraz. And, by the end, we also hear of Shan’s return to Ireland, and what his life has been since he left his home so many years before.
It’s hard to give a really solid summary because it would mean giving so much away. I know I’m not doing a very good job of explaining this story, but it’s one where you just have to trust me in knowing that it’s an excellent one, and one I highly recommend. The pages turn effortlessly as we follow Tommy, Nick, and Shan through the years to one very touching and moving end. I didn’t want to stray too far from this one, and loved getting every chance possible to drive around and listen to it. Charlie Thurston does a wonderful job narrating this one, his Irish brogue is spot on and he reads with great drama and emotion. I’m sure you’ll fall in love with Shan’s story as instantly as I did!
And, like at the end of every McMorris book, I anxiously await when another one will arrive!
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