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'The Life You Left' is a charming, compelling book with a distinctive ethos. Full of memorable characters, you don't want to say goodbye to. This multi layered story melds mystery, romance, paranormal and suspense together beautifully.

Paul abandons Sarah and her three small children after ten years of marriage. His communication method is cowardly and she believes he is ill but this is only the tip of the iceberg. The problems Sarah faces are realistic and her courage in facing up to her crumbling world makes her a heroine worthy of your support.

The emotional trauma Paul's leaving engenders forces Sarah to accept she has an unusual gift which she uses to help those around her. She also reacquaints with two important people from her past who are instrumental in her future survival.

A distinct Irish culture defines this story, which I loved. Beautifully drawn, believable characters ensure your empathy or ire depending on their role. Intricately woven with mystery and suspense providing poignant plot twists 'The Life You Left' delivers much more than you can imagine from the title or blurb and is well worth reading.

I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review. ( )

I received this book from Netgalley and I am so glad I did!!

Absolutely brilliant. This story starts with Sarah, a 30-something mom of 3 young children, receives an email from her husband that he is going through a mental breakdown and needs to get away for a while. She is beside herself, she only works a part-time job at a boutique and is busy with the kids at all times. But her husband Paul is the sole provider and since she's been married with him for 10 years, she cannot imagine a life where he is not in it. And then the energy changes…and her old friend Edward shows up. Edward is Sarah's guardian angel and hasn't shown his face since Sarah was 10 years-old. It's pretty apparent he's there to help her get through this, and luckily Sarah has her twin and best friend, James to help her with the kids, as well as her mother-in-law Rita who is a huge support. Ashamed of her son, Rita takes care of the kids when Sarah has things she needs to do. But the money is running out. Edward levels Sarah out and tells her it is time to accept her gift, which as it happens, she is psychic. This leads her to be-friend her neighbor Birdie, her post-man Joey, and Edward has Sarah reconnect with her long-lost best friend Ruby. All these lives interconnect and beautiful things happen. But this book isn't all roses and sunshine and I LOVE that it had a dark side as well. Sarah receives visions of a woman getting bludgeoned to death and not too long later, her kid's school teacher, the very woman in the dream shows up dead. it's up to Sarah and her investigator brother James to put the clues together and find the killer. And even with all that going on, Sarah must confront her husband Paul and craziness comes from that. This book had so much going on, it didn't lose my attention for a second. It was such a happy read, the sad parts were more bearable and I just adored this book. An easy 5 stars for me and I don't give 5 stars easily! I must read more of Carmel's work!! ( )