Island Life
Michael W. Sherer
Five Star, an imprint of the Gale Group
Hardcover, 385 pages
ISBN-10: 1-59414-6330
ISBN-13: 978-1-59414-633-6
Reviewed by Marlene Pyle
Having a lousy week? Here’s what you do: Make no plans for Saturday. Turn down all invitations. Tell everyone you’re busy. Saturday morning, stay in your pajamas. Go out to the kitchen for coffee, then get back in bed with Island Life, by Michael W. Sherer, and stay there. If you’ve never read Sherer’s work, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. He’s good.
The story centers on Jack Holm, an average guy who works in marketing, married, two kids. When his wife disappears, Jack isn’t too worried at first. Their marriage has hit a rocky patch and he thinks maybe she has gone off to spend a few days alone. Besides, Mary’s a flight attendant, often out of town for days at a time, so this doesn’t seem too unusual. But when there is still no sign of her after three days, Jack goes to the police and quickly becomes the prime suspect in Mary’s murder. With the police convinced of his guilt, Jack is forced to investigate the crime in order to exonerate himself.
The story that evolves is deeply engrossing. Sometimes I read a book and think I could have written it better or at least as well. With Sherer’s novel, I found myself wishing I could write like that, and very jealous of his talent. Luckily, that didn’t keep me from enjoying his work.
Copyright ©2009 Marlene Pyle