August 2023

THE CONNELLYS OF COUNTY DOWN is Tracey Lange’s second novel, and just as she did so well with WE ARE THE BRENNANS two years ago, she is bringing readers a family saga. When the book opens, Tara is getting out of jail after serving an 18-month sentence on drug charges. This conviction means that she now cannot return to her job as a schoolteacher, which she loved. In fact, the entire time she was in prison, she was drawing pictures for the other inmates and herself. She leaves jail with the oddest person driving her home --- the police officer who arrested her. He always has wondered what she really was doing the night she was arrested, and he thinks she knows more than she is saying.

Once home, Tara is living with her sister, Geraldine; her brother, Eddie; and Eddie’s son, Conor. Geraldine has ruled the roost for years; their mom was ill, and to keep the family together, she slid into the matriarch role and never left it. But they are all adults now, and Geraldine’s power over them is not quite what it used to be. Eddie had an accident years ago and suffers from headaches as a result; he works and has real talent but needs an opportunity. Conor is thrilled to have Tara home so she can spend time with him in a way that his dad and aunt cannot. Along the way, Geraldine begins to fall apart both at home and on the job, all the time pretending that “it’s all okay!” It’s not, and her behavior twirls in a way that I did not see coming. Tracey has a background in behavioral psychology, and she applies some of that insight into her characters.

Now about that police officer. He is like a dog with a bone when it comes to what actually went on with Tara. He’s not buying her story. And well, you have to read to find out what Tara really knows and what happens there. I am looking forward to seeing what Tracey writes next. I enjoyed interviewing her!

» Watch my "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Tracey Lange or listen to the podcast.