For Georgia grandmother Meg Gregory, the past comes clashing with the present in THE SINS OF SUMMER DAUGHTERS by Lo Patrick. 

Meg is living with her daughter, Nina, and her granddaughter, Lucy, in Tuskin, a small town that holds haunting memories for Meg. Why she returned is anyone’s guess. Her childhood wasn’t especially happy, and bad things happened there. Meg’s mom never paid much attention to her as she was always more interested in the current man in her life, and Meg didn’t have a close relationship with her sister either. Meg had a habit of running off but always came back to Tuskin. 
 
Now Lucy’s boyfriend has been murdered, and word is that Lucy is somehow involved in his death. Meg swears up and down that can’t be true. Lucy simply doesn’t have it in her to do something like that. But the evidence says otherwise. 

"Aside from being the star of an exceptionally well-crafted mystery, [Meg Gregory] is simply a unique narrator who makes the unfolding of the story ever more fun. It is so refreshing."

As the case moves forward, Meg’s mind travels back to 1974 and the day her best friend, Tyler, died. They had some fun times, at least until a girl named Larisa showed up. Then Larisa seemed to take over and began orchestrating their activities. Meg didn’t feel totally comfortable with Larisa and thought her claim of having the “sight” was suspect. Could that have led to the tragedy that day? Everything happened so fast, and Meg was so young. Later, she would have trouble recalling exactly how it all went down. What she does recall is that she should have done something. Ever since that day, she has carried a suffocating burden of guilt.
 
Many years later, Meg is now Lucy’s guardian in the legal case against her granddaughter. But can she do the job effectively, especially with the baggage she has? Sometimes it feels like maybe she can’t. Meg’s demons torture her constantly, making it difficult for her to think straight. She needs absolution in order to move on. But how can she get that at this late date?
 
The book bounces between present day and 1974, giving readers insightful peeks into Meg’s thoughts and emotions as she narrates the story. And she tells her tale in a uniquely fresh voice. Meg is not what you’d call a backwoods type, but she certainly lacks sophistication. Part of her simpleness derives from how she acts on impulse. She won’t stop to change out of her robe, put on makeup --- or even shoes --- before heading out in what she perceives to be an emergency. 

Meg is a force to be reckoned with for sure. Even she will tell you that. The woman does not mince words. That’s a fact that Lucy’s lawyer bemoans. If only she had a far less outspoken guardian for her client. But Meg bulls her way through the legal battle the best way she knows how --- as a fierce advocate with an abiding love for her granddaughter. Still, thoughts of Tyler and Larisa continue to sneak in, blurring the lines between what’s real now and what she remembers from way back.
 
Much of the pleasure of reading THE SINS OF SUMMER DAUGHTERS comes from getting to know Meg Gregory and how she approaches family and life. Aside from being the star of an exceptionally well-crafted mystery, she is simply a unique narrator who makes the unfolding of the story ever more fun. It is so refreshing.