The Martha's Vineyard beach and book club A novel

Kelly (Lilac Girls) delivers a transporting tale of a grieving 30-something woman who uncovers family secrets during a visit to Martha's Vineyard. After Mari Starwood's mother dies of an aneurysm in Los Angeles, she finds the name and address of famous painter Elizabeth Devereaux among her mother's belongings. Wondering what her mother's connection was to the painter, Mari travels across the country to meet the elderly woman on Martha's Vineyard. There, Elizabeth tells Mari the story of two sisters on the island during WWII--19-year-old aspiring writer Cadence Smith and her 16-year-old sister, Briar, who is obsessed with looking for German U-boats off the New England coast. Kelly adds plenty of intrigue to the plot, as Elizabeth reveals how Briar's interest in the enemy's activities gets her into serious trouble. Meanwhile, a tragic subplot follows the Smith girls' older brother, Tom, who ships out with the Navy just after getting his blue-blooded girlfriend pregnant. The connections between the story lines come into focus as Mari grapples with a newfound understanding of her relationship to the island. This twisty tale is not to be missed. (May)

Devastated after the death of her mother, Mari Starwood travels from California to Martha's Vineyard to meet the famously reclusive painter Elizabeth Devereaux, who has agreed to teach her, though Mari doesn't know why. She soon realizes that this trip is about more than painting; Elizabeth may hold the key to Mari's family history. Elizabeth shares the story of the Smith sisters, Briar and Cadence. Following their brother Tom's enlistment, the sisters help run the family farm. Tensions rise as World War II rages, and threats of German U-boats offshore spying on the military base has everyone on high alert. The sisters form a book club to keep their spirits up. Upon receiving happy, then devastating news, the family questions whom they can trust when a German soldier washes ashore and claims to have knowledge of Tom's whereabouts. VERDICT Inspired by true events, Kelly's (The Golden Doves) new novel explores friendship, family dynamics, and the power of books to unite communities. Recommended for historical fiction readers who enjoy the work of Kristin Hannah, Marie Benedict, and Kate Quinn.--Linsey Milillo