Two women abduct and
hide out with their four-year-old granddaughter Avery, who they suspect
is being harmed. They both love Avery ... shame they can't stand each
other. A wise and witty novel for readers of Sophie Green and Brooke
Davis.
What would you do to protect a child?
Beth's
daughter Cleo and Shirley's son Daniel used to be married. Now Cleo is
in gaol for supposedly contravening a family violence order, and Daniel
has full-time care of their four-year-old daughter, Avery.
When
Shirley suspects that Daniel is harming Avery, she enlists Beth to
abduct their own granddaughter, even though the two women can't stand
each other. They are joined on the run across country Victoria by
Winnie, Shirley's own 89-year-old tech-savvy mother, and Harthacnut,
Beth's miniature schnauzer.
The abduction gives rise to crises
both personal and social, as Shirley's large and interfering family -
including her toxic son - struggle to come to terms with her actions,
amid a whirl of police investigation and media excitement. This
heartfelt, wise, witty and wholly original novel explores of the lengths
we may go to for those we love, and the unintended damage folded into
daily life.
ARC received from Harper Collins/Harlequin AU for an honest review
What a delight is The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer.
When I looked at the cover I thought it was going to be quite a light and humourous tale of grannies on the run.
And whilst yes, we did get that, we got so much more.
This story deals with abusive relationships, strained family dynamics, and those who come together to save those they love.
Shirley and Beth are so completely different, and even with the years of dislike and discontent with each other, they really were the perfect partners for this Thelma and Louise-esque adventure.
Add in a beautiful 4 year old girl and a great grandmother that reminded me of Yetta from The Nanny, this is one road trip that you won't quickly forget.
I did feel that there were a couple of POVs that we really didn't need, though this could just be a me thing.
Ms Evans has given a beautifully written story, with wonderfully nuanced relationships, and a different take on what we would call motherly love.
The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer is my first Ilsa Evans read, however I will definitely read more in the future.
That brings us to where I am now; living in a rambling old house in the Dandenongs which has just become, after many (many) years, officially an empty nest. My grand plan is to eventually downsize, preferably to a small, bookcase-lined, minimal-labour apartment in some cultural mecca. In the meantime, I shall continue what I’m doing now - squeezing public speaking around writing around working for Chisholm TAFE (in Melbourne's south-east). And thoroughly enjoying all of it