A Sudden Light by Garth Stein

Released: September 30, 2014

A Sudden Light | Author: Garth Stein | Rating: 8/11 |

Though A Sudden Light is clearly a work of fiction, it reads more as equal parts fictionalized biography and campfire ghost story, with an enjoyable – yet ultimately predictable – ending.

Set in the 1990’s, A Sudden Light tells the story of the Riddell family throughout the preceding century through the eyes of young Trevor Riddell. Brought to his family’s ancestral estate by his father during his parent’s separation, Trevor discovers that there is more to Riddell House than meets the eye. From a questionably sane grandfather he’s never met, a deceptively insane aunt that inspires his adolescent lust and generations of secrets and betrayals, Trevor quickly learns that little is as it seems in the vast mansion thus discovering what he must do to redeem his family and ultimately save them all.

While parts of the plot are innately obvious, and some of the supernatural elements may lose a few readers along the way, the novel is a solid read and quite gratifying follow-up to Stein’s 2008 bestseller, The Art of Racing in the Rain, as the few twists A Sudden Light does provide will keep you reading until the end. Not to mention, what a gorgeous book cover!