This was inspired by The Five Year Lie by Sarina Bowen.
On the Page
There was something eerie about this story that just gripped my attention. I mentioned the premise to my older son one afternoon and he explained why he didn't think that it would actually work like that. Fine. So, suspend your disbelief and enjoy this book if it sounds interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed and read it late into the evenings until I was finished.
The book begins with a single mother - Ariel - receiving a text from the only man she's ever loved and the father of her child. The catch: Drew abandoned her and died shortly after that. Five. Year. Ago.
Soon she discovers that a cell tower was recently unearthed and messages from that day five years ago were all just delivered. That's the part that my son insists wouldn't work like that. He thinks that the messages would only send if the device itself were still active and had battery power. Regardless, it makes a compelling story.
The errant text sends Ariel on a path to discover what really happened to her beloved Drew...to find out if he really is dead. Her family owns a company called Chime - you know, like Ring - who manufactures, installs, and maintains the data for doorbell cameras. They have contracts with local law enforcement; that sets the stage for some corruption when someone at the company is in bed with the police by falsifying search warrants to release camera data for nefarious ends.
Drew discovered the corruption and flees for his life. He doesn't know that he and Ariel have a baby on the way.
That's all I am going to say about this book. I loved the twists and turns! If it sounds like your kind of read, pick up a copy.
There was plenty of food mentioned on the pages of this novel. We have food as currency: "I bribed Larri with food so she’d agree to drive me to Lowden. 'We’re having curried chicken salad with grapes on a croissant. Vinegar chips and a soda. You won’t regret this.' 'Dessert?' she presses. 'Whoopie pies and iced coffee with that caramel crap in it that you like'" (pg. 139).
And, perhaps, my favorite line: "That doesn’t explain why he leans in and kisses her right there. She tastes like strawberry ice cream and bad decisions" (pg. 102). I would have made strawberry ice cream, but it's solidly into Autumn temperature and I am not excited about ice cream at the moment.
On the Plate
Eventually, I opted to go with the catered dinner at the boss' house: "He can’t wait to leave, although the food is great. He’s already eaten a lobster roll, an avocado cheeseburger, and crab cakes. An endless supply of Maine craft beers is being offered in metal tubs full of ice. The catering must have cost a fortune" (pg. 174). I love crab cakes and I have already posted my Connecticut-Style Lobster Rolls.
Ingredients makes 6 mini crab cakes
2 cups crab meat
1 egg
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1/3 cup crushed crackers or breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
melted butter or olive oil
Also needed: lemon slices for serving
Procedure
Blend all of the ingredients together in a mixing bowl and place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Divide the crab into six portions and shape them into patties. Place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with melted butter or olive oil and place in the oven. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of your cakes. You want them firm and golden brown. Serve with lemon slices.
I am adding this to the November #FoodieReads Link-Up.
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