I can?t for the life of me figure out why Diane Chamberlain's books aren?t regulars on the bestseller lists (she is the second author I think this about, the other being Emilie Richards). She is definitely on par with Kristin Hannah, Barbara Delinsky, et al.

HER MOTHER?S SHADOW concludes the ?Kiss River Trilogy? that began with KEEPER OF THE LIGHT in the early 90s (reissued last year) and continued with KISS RIVER last year. As much as I loved KOTL, I think I liked this one even more. For those of you unfamiliar with this series, KOTL has one of the most powerful opening chapters I have ever read where Olivia is called to the ER to try to save the life of a woman who has been shot. She is shocked to find that the woman is Annie O?Neill ? the woman her husband has been having an affair with; a woman who does so much good in the community she is referred to as ?Saint Anne.? So that is really Olivia?s story. When I heard Chamberlain was writing a sequel, I thought sure the second book would be Lacey?s story ? the daughter of Annie who witnessed her murder and began a downward spiral of self-destructive behavior told in KoTL. But KISS RIVER instead brought in a new character, Gina, who although new to Kiss River, had family ties there. I was thrilled to know though that the third book in the trilogy would indeed be Lacey?s book.

In HER MOTHER?S SHADOW, Lacey?s story is interwoven with the story of Faye Collier, a nurse in San Diego. Her connection with Lacey and Kiss River isn?t known right away but her story is very interesting as she helps a successful physician overcome the grief of losing his wife. Of course, Faye has a secret, one that is not revealed until much later in the book. There are two main story lines in HMS, one of Lacey?s mother?s killer coming up for parole, and the one of Lacey?s childhood best friend being killed in an auto accident and inexplicably putting in her will that Lacey is to be 11-year-old Mackenzie?s guardian.

I am trying so hard to avoid spoilers here! As in her other books, suffice to say there are rather shocking secrets, family relationships, and romance. We also have appearances by characters in the other two books of the trilogy. All of this combine for a book that is absolutely unputdownable!

5 of 5 found the following review helpful:


intriguing character study  Feb 01, 2004 By Harriet Klausner
On Christmas Eve 1990, Annie O?Neill and her thirteen year old daughter Lacey work at woman?s shelter on the Carolina Outer Banks. Suddenly, an angry man, Zachary Pointer breaks into the shelter with a gun. He fires apparently at his wife, but instead kills Annie. Lacey is traumatized and over the years heads down a destructive path of men and drugs.

Years later Lacey learns that her mother was not the perfect paragon as the woman had affairs. Feeling betrayed, Lacey vows no more men and no more volunteer work as she will do nothing that emulates her mother?s good and bad behavior. However, Lacey has a new problem to deal with and it is a very important one. Her deceased best friend named her as guardian to her troubled preadolescent Mackenzie. To help the traumatized child, Lacey will have to finally confront the ghost of Annie that haunts her every moment of her life.

HER MOTHER?S SHADOW is an intriguing character study that provides the audience with a deep look at how a tragedy can impact the survivor. The fine story line works quite well as Lacey copes poorly with her mother?s death and then with her mother crashing from the pedestal that she built for her. Mackenzie serves as an impetus to force Lacey to deal with her image of her mother and how that has stopped her from being all she can be. Sub-genre fans will find Diane Chamberlain?s latest Outer Banks tale quite fascinating even if at times it is a bit sentimental.

Harriet Klausner

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:


What An Amazing Journey: Read Trilogy in Order  Jun 25, 2010 By Clicia Tremblay
I just finished reading "In Her Mother's Shadow" - finishing the "Keeper of the Light" trilogy. Once again, I finished in one big swoop, staying up most of the night with it bt what a journey!! I loved the way Diane Chamberlain concluded the trilogy though I want more and feel that there are still quite a few books left. IMO, Diane did a great job with developing the characters. It was such a delight to see them all evolve and "grow up". I read all the 3 books within a day or so of each other and I am SOOO glad I read "Keeper of the Light" first and knew nothing about. Pl do yourself a favor and do that- start reading the trilogy in order and don't read reviews yet as not to spoil your experience. One can still get a lot out of reading the books apart and out of order, bt oh, you will be greatly rewarded by experiencing the storyline in order and without much knowledge of the secrets that bind the character together and set them apart, I can see how even well-intentioned reviewers tend to give tib-bits away, so resist the urge and then just plunge in. If like me, you read a lot, have a discerning eye for good fiction, appreciate characters studies and are attracted to storyline about families and all the secrets and ties that bind us together - the good/the bad/the ugly, then you will be rewarded with this trilogy.

1 of 1 found the following review helpful:


Fantastic characters and plot!  Jul 13, 2008 By Denise Gibbs "Denise"
After reading SECRET LIFE OF CEECEE WILKES, I went on to read BEFORE THE STORM and BAY AT MIDNIGHT. I loved these three novels so much that, based upon recommendations here and at Diane's blog, I purchased the KEEPER OF THE LIGHT trilogy. I am so glad I did. I love the characters and plots in these novels, and I especially love how there were always secrets to be learned in each book. HER MOTHER'S SHADOW was a real page-turner, and it is my greatest hope that Diane will continue this excellent series by eventually writing a fourth...


A Wonderful Read  Dec 04, 2011 By A. Brown
This book takes the story of Annie's daughter from Keeper of the Light and shows the after effects of secrets being exposed. It's always interesting how children turn out to be very much like the parent they don't want to be and Lacey mirrors her mother in so many ways. Am now reading Kiss River and wished I'd read it second instead of third in the story of the O'Neill family. The reading is easy and a wonderful diversion from a hectic life.

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