The Memory Garden by Mary Rickert

Author: Mary Rickert
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Date of publication: May 2014

Bay Singer has bigger secrets than most. She doesn't know about them, though. Her mother, Nan, has made sure of that. But one phone call from the sheriff makes Nan realize that the past is catching up. Nan decides that she has to make things right, and invites over the two estranged friends who know the truth. Ruthie and Mavis arrive in a whirlwind of painful memories, offering Nan little hope of protecting Bay. But even the most ruined garden is resilient, and their curious reunion has powerful effects that none of them could imagine, least of all Bay.

I was intrigued by the synopsis for The Memory Garden.  And I really wanted to like it.  Sadly, I struggled to get into the story.  The story felt disjointed to me.  I got about a third of the way through and wasn't exactly sure what was going on.  The characters failed to engage me and I found myself skimming until I flipped to the end to see what happened to Eve years before.  Even that failed to excite me.  

There was one interesting thing about that book that I did like.  Each chapter begins with a description of an herb or vegetable and what it can be use for healing wise.  I did think that was interesting.  The book has received good reviews, so try it out for yourself.  It just wasn't for me.