The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly is an historical fiction novel. The book contains parts of actual events from WWII, however they are so intertwined with the story that it reads like a fiction novel. The story is told in two time periods (2016 and 1942). Martha’s Vineyard is described with such detail and warmth that it almost becomes one of the characters.
Mari Starwood comes from California to Martha’s Vineyard to see a painter. Elizabeth Devereaux is a famous but reclusive Vineyard painter. Mari finds a scrap piece of paper with Elizabeth’s name on it and asks for a private session with her. Instead what Mari gets is the story of the Smith sisters from WWII.
The Smith sisters work their family’s farm with help from others (Tom and Bess). Their farm is located near the cliffs where they can see out over the ocean. Cadence writes columns for the local paper and Briar becomes obsessed with German U-boats in the coastal waters. Not that anyone believes her! Both Cadence and Briar start a book club (hence the great cover).
The WWII story is intertwined with a spy on the island, the army troops and the practice of a beach invasion, and the Armed Services Editions (Books in Action). All the events are slowly revealed by Elizabeth to Mari instead of a painting class and as the story progresses more information comes out.
I enjoyed the book The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly tremendously and would strongly suggest others would enjoy it!
The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly came out May 27th.
