Review: There Was an Old Woman: A Novel of Suspense by Hallie Ephron

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (April 2 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062117602
• ISBN-13: 978-0062117601

Book Description

 There Was An Old Woman by Hallie Ephron is a compelling novel of psychological suspense in which a young woman becomes entangled in a terrifying web of deception and madness involving an elderly neighbor.
When Evie Ferrante learns that her mother has been hospitalized, she finds her mother's house in chaos. Sorting through her mother's belongings, Evie discovers objects that don't quite belong there, and begins to raise questions.

Evie renews a friendship with Mina, an elderly neighbor who might know more about her mother's recent activities, but Mina is having her own set of problems: Her nephew Brian is trying to persuade her to move to a senior care community. As Evie investigates her mother's actions, a darker story of deception and madness involving Mina emerges.

In There Was an Old Woman, award-winning mystery author Hallie Ephron delivers another work of domestic noir with truly unforgettable characters that will keep you riveted.


About the Author

 An award-winning mystery reviewer, Hallie Ephron is the author of Never Tell a Lie (a Mary Higgins Clark Award finalist that was also made into the Lifetime Movie Network film And Baby Will Fall) and the Edgar- and Anthony Award-nominated Writing and Selling Your Mystery. Ephron lives near Boston.

My Review

 Coincidentally, I just read an interview by Hallie Ephron in Oprah, where she discusses how Evie's mother in the book There Was An Old Woman, is a portrayal of her own mother had she been in similar circumstances.  Very interesting.

Hallie Ephron is a compelling storyteller.  I could not put There Was An Old Woman down.  I had to find out what was going to happen next because I was so invested in the characters of Evie and Mina.  This book gives the reader plenty to think about.  Who is looking out for the elders in our community.  Are they able to look after themselves properly.  And what can we do to ensure that no one is taking advantage of them.

This novel sent chills through me because of the subject matter.  The historic back story added to the tale.  I really felt like I had been transported to Higgs Point in The Bronx.  There was a wonderful sense of place.  I highly recommend this wonderful novel by Hallie Ephron.