At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen

This new novel is written by Sara Gruen, of Water for Elephants fame. She has written several other books including Ape House, Riding Lesson and Flying Changess.  I have read three of her titles and I'd have to say I like her style of writing.  Her stories are easy to follow and interesting.

This latest entry takes place in Scotland, primarily.  The main character is Madeline Hyde who is a member of high society.  She and her husband Ellis attend a New Year's eve celebration and their behavior at said party is less than acceptable.  As a result Maddie and Ellis are asked to leave the home of Ellis' parents and find themselves in financial decline.

In an effort to get back in his father' good graces, Ellis and his friend Hank decide to go to Scotland to take pictures of The Lockness Monster.  Ellis' father has been preoccupied with the animal for many years and Ellis is bent on proving the monster's existence. Maddie, Ellis, and Hank embark on a precarious trip.

However, this novel has an undercurrent theme which focuses on Maddie and the emotional abuse she has endured for most of her life.  While in Scotland, she begins to realize the exxtent of her suffering and eventually garners the strength to do something about it.

The epilogue discusses some of the real events on which this story was based.  All in all, this novel was good-but not great.  I would point out that it reveals some of the elitist attitudes that present themselves among those who have real difficulty empathizing with others less fortunate.

Ladybookbug!