Shades of Darkness, Shades of Grace
Book Club Reading Lists

Book Club Reading Lists: Shades of Darkness

When Pamela Schaeffer is the one woman to bring Paul Pierson "back to life" after the tragic death of his first wife, everyone who knows Paul is thrilled and thankful. Little did they know what was in store.

Pamela's facade as blushing bride quickly drops into that of conniving, gold-digging, thoughtless, monster. As the story progresses and Paul becomes saddled with a large mortgage and a wife who won't even sit in the same room as his family, it seems as if the fairy tale wedding was simply that - a fairy tale.

Once a child enters the picture, things deteriorate into total chaos as Paul and the Pierson's try to regain control of their lives and figure out a way to rid themselves of Pamela - forever.

Book Club Reading Lists: Shades of Darkness Opinion

I really struggled through this story, but not in the way you might think. Let me explain.

The novel is so well-written and the story so engulfing that I completely forgot about everything around me. My one thought for about four straight hours was only, "will Pamela ever quit?" So when I say I struggled, what I mean is that I really felt the toll this woman took on the lives of not just her husband, but everyone around him. About three-quarters of the way through I was so hopeless that I wasn't sure I could keep reading. The one thing that kept me going was the thought that justice would eventually have to reign.

The writing style is very unique. It reminded me much of Emily Bronte's style in Wuthering Heights - somewhat formal but at the same time very engaging. The fact that this book is based on a true story makes the tale that much more chilling. A definite read for anyone who has ever been gravely deceived by another person's true nature.

Book Club Reading Lists: Shades of Darkness Discussion Questions

1. Is the Pierson's family relationship strange or normal for small-town family in the Midwest?
2. What would you do to rid your life of Pamela?
3. Paul falls in love again rather quickly. Is he a dependent person, first on his family then his wives?

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