Molly Greene (2)

In her debut novel Molly Greene introduces us to Madison Boone, real estate agent extraordinaire who also "flips" houses in her free time. Madison falls in love with a cottage that is being sold in unusual circumstances, and she is able to buy it with the assistance of her no-nonsense lawyer friend Gen. But as Madison embarks on yet another remodeling project, the past of the house begins to unfold piquing her curiosity. However she is not alone. A motley crew of characters in the neighborhood and beyond is also interested in what Madison finds and their interest grows as she unravels the mysteries behind her dwelling and its former owners. These mysteries are of course eventually resolved, but perhaps the most important mystery that Madison figures out is that about her own self.

The book sports a superb cover by Jan Marshall. It is very well written and formatted, and all the characters are believable-from the sleazy Levi Velasco to the flamboyant Genevieve Delacourt. I liked how the author weaves the symbolism of the ever present Loon into the story, and connects it to the past owners of the house and to Madison. I also liked her vivid descriptions of the cottage with its lush gardens set in California's Sonoma County. For example: "An English cottage right out of the Shire was set back in the midst of a clearing. Built of native stone, it looked as if it had been picked up by a tornado in the Cotswolds Judy Garland-style and plopped down here among the rainbow hues of the wild abandoned garden." Reading passages like these makes images appear in your mind as though you had taken a picture, and there are many more where this one came from.

Mark of the Loon has intrigue, romance, friendship, mystery, danger, and even a little touch of the supernatural thrown in for a very pleasing read, and I recommend you treat yourself to the experience!… (meer)