A Real Daughter, Lynne McKelvey
A Real Daughter, Lynne McKelvey
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A Real Daughter
A Novel

Author: Lynne McKelvey

Narrator: Emily O'Brien

Unabridged: 6 hr 9 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Lynne McKelvey

Published: 10/01/2019

Synopsis

A REAL DAUGHTER is a horror novel that offers a frightening take on step-parenting and a disturbing testament to the unknown in all of us.When her infant daughter Sarah unexpectedly dies, Claire moves to Los Angeles and reinvents herself as a landscape gardener. Meanwhile, Claire imagines Sarah alive, marking the child’s birthdays, Christmas, first day of school—almost as if Sarah never died.Remarrying, Claire acquires a step-daughter about the same age Sarah would have been. But eight-year-old Mandy – part vamp, part jealous and troubled child – is nothing like Sarah, who still lives on in Claire's imagination.As Claire lives two lives—one real, one imagined—the clash between the two daughters threatens to destroy her, releasing her demons and forcing her to choose between a new life and a haunted past.“A morbidly eerie and artistically crafted psychological thriller” — Kirkus Reviews"A REAL DAUGHTER is the real thing: a compelling, psychologically astute inquiry into the seismic shifts of one, uneasily blending California family haunted by the past."  — Cristina Garcia, National Book Award Finalist for Dreaming in Cuban"The writing is luscious and chilling. Expect to be afraid--and then horrified." — Mary Morrissy, Lannan Fiction Award Winner“Harbors thorns that can pierce both the skin and the heart.” — Joe Kilgore, US Review of Books “Un-put-downable” — Jim Krusoe, Novelist, Founder, Santa Monica Review

Reviews

Goodreads review by Carlos

A brilliant first novel, that segues from the bland to the insightful, then to the thrilling and on to the frightening. A skillful blending of opposites: A landscape gardener, equally at home with plants that beautify and plants that kill. The mother of a daughter that is loved, but no longer lives,......more

Goodreads review by Bianca Basak

I love it when a book unfolds subtly, giving hair-raising clues here and there, then more, and more, everything working in cohesion, building up fear, suspicion and anticipation and then indulging your curiosity in very satisfying bursts just at the right time. I also love the feeling of uncovering......more

Goodreads review by Jeneva

The title of this novel suggests it's women's fiction--it's not at all! It's a well-plotted psychological thriller! While shorter and more streamlined than Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train, McKelvey will keep you guessing with multiple plot twists, and the ending will leave you wanting a sequel (w......more

Goodreads review by Sari

A Real Daughter is a gripping story, beautifully written, psychologically challenging. It begs many questions about the nature/depth/honesty of relationships, and how we humans are so adept at ruining them. Not just that, it’s a story about the lies we tell ourselves. Perfect choice for a book club.......more

Goodreads review by Marietta

A Real Daughter brings elements of thriller and romance to the story of a grieving mother. Set in southern California, the author makes full use of her knowledge of landscape and plantlife as background to this page-turner.......more

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