YES, MY DARLING DAUGHTER

YES, MY DARLING DAUGHTER by Margaret Leroy, New York Times Notable Book novelist, brilliantly straddles the genres of paranormal murder mystery and psychological suspense. The story is gripping and elegantly written.

Leroy's stunning literary grace enables her to write on the most dramatic of subjects without resorting to a melodramatic style or losing the goodwill of her readers, and she brings her characters to life with her depth of perception and creativity. Truly, the characters are most compelling and vivid.

YES, MY DARLING DAUGHTER chronicles the life of Grace, a struggling single mother who is unable to help her adored yet emotionally distressed four-year-old daughter, when she begins to have severe tantrums, develops a phobia of water, and has nightmares from which she wakes sobbing and inconsolable. Grace is still in love with Sylvie's father and is trying to move on for both of their sakes, but her daughter's erratic behavior is threatening their fragile way of life, and Grace fears that Sylvie may be remembering a previous life. In fact, she seems to be possessed by the ghost of a murdered girl. To save her child, Grace embarks on a journey to Coldharbour, a coastal town in Ireland that Sylvie declares to be her old home. The professor that aids them in their journey adds a deliciously subtle romantic tinge to the book. We also hear the story of Sylvie's conception, of Grace's job at a flower shop, her life as a constantly broke single mother, and, of course, the story of the murdered girl. Put together, this book is spellbinding, and I think it is her breakout book.
Margaret Leroy studied music at Oxford and has worked as a music therapist, play leader, shop assistant, and social worker. For fifteen years she has worked as a social worker and counselor, specializing in marital therapy and child protection. Her books have been published in nine languages, and her first novel TRUST has been translated into five languages and was broadcast in February 2003 as a Granada TV drama. She's received wide admiration for all her work, specifically from Fay Weldon and Helen Dunmore.