Ripples on the Lake
Book Review

Ripples on the Lake BOOK SYNOPSIS

Saffron Delaney has rotten luck, or so her father would say. Younger brother Billy has gone and stolen a set of coins from Tama's Rock. Local New Zealand folklore has it that warrior chief Tama Ariki, who lived a couple hundred years ago, claimed that particular rock as his mourning place for the women and children of his tribe that were so brutally murdered right on the brink of finding peace. Anyone who angers this powerful God, even centuries later, will feel his wrath.

From the first blood-red moment Saf touches the coins, life for the Delaney kids is never the same. Family members are hurt, some even die and all the while Saffron is trying to make a deal with the devil. Her unlikely friendship with sensational newspaper photographer Nick during all this is the final step in her path of no return. Her only choice is to pacify the angry God - before he destroys her whole family.

QUEENIE D SAYS

A Paranormal Book

Well this one kept me up late one night. I had to read it all in one sitting because it made me so nervous that I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep! Of course, I'm a total scaredy cat but still, definitely not for the weak or faint of heart!

As the book is set in New Zealand there were language nuances and customs that I wasn't familiar with. However, Rotarangi does an excellent job of bridging the cultural gap because the baseline of the story - love, death, and tragedy are universal. Without spoiling much I'll say that the author takes no prisoners and no character is safe!

Ripples on the Lake is very graphic, bordering on violent at times which, for the squeamish (like me), can be hard to read. I made it through those parts though and I can honestly say that without them the ending wouldn't have been so poignant or deserved by the main character, Saffron. And I really enjoyed Saf's character. I connected with her feeling of responsibility for her family members and her unwavering nerve to make things right so they could get on with their lives.

I have a feeling this may not be the last we see of the Delaney family. Of course I’m dying to know what's in store for Saffron and Nick but I hope the next time around they aren’t the ones targeted by an ancient, angry God's terrible curse!

Ripples on the Lake DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Was Billy's fate deserved based on what you found out about his character?
2. Did you like Mo's husband Steve? Why or why not?
3. Was Lucky Del Delaney a good father? Why do you think this?