I received a free copy of this book for an honest review. Jack Girard has spent the last few years estranged from his family. He has his own life as a bar owner of “Jack’s Hideaway,” and has found his place in the world – as best he can. When Jack receives a call from “the Duke” his father, who is oppressive, domineering, and manipulative, Jack drops everything and heads back home. His mother has just committed suicide. A few years before this, Jack’s older brother Bobby had committed suicide too, only his father covered his death up as an accidental death. When Jack arrives home to deal with his mother’s suicide, his father is there to persuade him that maybe his mother didn’t really commit suicide but maybe someone killed her instead. The mystery begins.

This story grips you from the start and doesn’t let go until the end. Compelling and heartfelt, the dysfunction of the Donovan/Girard family is something many people will relate to. Each character struggles with their own demons – addiction, alcoholism, and dysfunction. But what really happened to Jack’s mom and did she really end her own life? She had been doing better, her life was hers – she was divorcing her husband and had another lover, she was back to painting, happy.

Follow Jack’s journey back through his past, into his future, and in the present. This will be a hard book to put down and one that will stick with you. This story begs to be discussed. I'll be buying the book, I hope you will be too. May 16, 2023!

4 stars. #LiquidShadesofBlue #NetGalley