Sunnyside Blues

by Mary Carter

Book Overview

Twenty-five-year-old Andes Lane has spent nine years moving restlessly from place to place as she searches for somewhere that feels right. In the little blue houseboat bobbing on a Seattle lake, she thinks she's found it. But Andes has barely had a chance to settle in before her new life is upended by her landlord, Jay, and his ten-year-old son, Chase. Smart, secretive, and precocious, Chase touches a chord with Andes even as he plays on her last...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0758229194
• ISBN13: 9780758229199
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
• Length: 331 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.4" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Deserves wide readership

Ms. Carter has produced a group of memorable characters while skillfully avoiding stereotyping. In the creation of 'Chase' she gives us a complex character who we don't know whether to love or hate - until the finale. As in her first two outings, Ms. Carter demonstrates her ability to use humor in her storytelling - both 'funny' funny and excruciatingly funny - some excellent 'oh no' moments. The lead character's background is supportive of the plot and, to me, interesting in its own right as I had never heard of the Religious movements depicted. Descriptions of surroundings were convincing, comfortable and evocative - from Seattle to Sunnyside. Moreover, I loved the way the plot was propelled by 'outrageous' almost Dickensian coincidences. Deserves wide readership.

Great Story!

Twenty-five-year-old Andes Lane has spent nine years moving restlessly from place to place as she searches for somewhere that feels right. In the little blue houseboat bobbing on a Seattle lake, she thinks she's found it. But Andes has barely had a chance to settle in before her new life is upended by her landlord, Jay, and his ten-year-old son, Chase. Smart, secretive, and precocious, Chase touches a chord with Andes even as he plays on her last nerve. When Jay needs someone to take care of Chase temporarily, Andes agrees to accompany the boy to Sunnyside, Queens, on a quest she's sure will prove fruitless. But in this new, strange, unexpectedly welcoming city, Andes will confront the secrets she tried to leave behind and the lies that have kept her running. And against all odds, she'll discover a place, a man, and a newfound peace of mind that feel very much like home. First off, just let me say that I adored this book! From the very first chapter where Andes is getting interrogated about the "kidnapping" of Chase, I was drawn in. The author does a beautiful job of inserting pieces of Andes past throughout the book and really helps you connect w/ her character and understand why she is the way she is. There are several little side stories that keep you interested and guessing throughout the whole book. (Such as whom is starting all the fires, the identity of Chase's father and what is so important about Andes matchbook collection?) This is the first book I have ever read by Mary Carter and I was truly sad to have it end. I look forward to other books by her in the future!

terrific coming of age tale

For almost a decade Andes Lane has moved from one location to another like a rolling stone gathering no moss. Now twenty-five years old she decides she would like to stay put at least for now. She rents a house barge "Luna" from Jay in Seattle When her landlord Jay needs someone to baby sit his ten years old son Chase, she reluctantly volunteers since it is only temporarily. Andes accompanies the child to Sunnyside in Queens, New York on what she expects to be a waste of time. However as she watches over the tweener, her own past arises forcing her to confront what sent her on the road nine plus years ago. This is a terrific coming of age tale; with the spin that the adult Andes (due to her positive relationship with Chase after a very poor start) is the one changing the most. The cast is strong as each of the trio and another couple in West Virginia confronts their past. With some back story of what happened years ago, Mary Carter provides a refreshing unique road tale where the final destination is Sunnyside hopefully discarding the blues. Harriet Klausner