Review of IN ANOTHER LIGHT by A.J. Banner

This is one of those books that entertains, teaches a life lesson (or several of them) and makes me think, all at the same time. Phoebe is a widow who also lost her young daughter in a horrible car accident. Still having difficulty dealing with her loss, she is startled by the appearance of Pauline Steele at the mortuary where she works, especially because Pauline is like a mirror image of herself. Thus her quest for the truth begins, taking her along a path that she never wanted to travel and one which will take her to the brink of insanity. Along the way, Phoebe is pulled back from the edge by friends like Renee and Mike, but she is also determined to find out the truth about her husband Logan and his possible relationship with Pauline. This book, with all of its complexities and hidden truths, was an engrossing read, one that I had to pause as I read in order to think about applications to my own life and the things that we take for granted. I enjoyed discovering about Phoebe’s strengths and weaknesses just as she was discovering them herself. My favorite parts of the book were her realization about the truth and the ending, a very satisfactory one, I might add. This is a book that should be savored, just as you savor a fine wine or a good meal. It sits there with you for a while, you think about it and then you move on to the next part of the story. The action was somewhat slow-paced, but I found that this technique worked for me with this book because I needed the pauses in order to reflect on what was really happening. The reality is there, just hidden beneath layers of self-deception and a psychosis that can destroy if not handled well. Fans of domestic drama with some suspense added in will enjoy this book and look forward to more from this author.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”