Saving Grace

Grace Chapman knows better than most how a perfect-looking life can be anything but. Married to the temperamental author Ted Chapman, she is adept at appearing serene at public events and avoiding his rages as much as possible, owing in part to the efforts of his competent assistant. When that assistant leaves, Grace truly wonders how they'll cope. Enter Beth; she seems like the perfect aide and blossoms in the role while Grace withers. When Grace's life begins to come apart, she wonders if Beth is pulling the strings. One explosive night, Ted takes sides and Grace must decide if her mental health, her marriage, and her happiness are worth fighting for, and, if so, how. Fans of Green (Tempting Fate; Family Pictures) get everything they have come to expect and love in this psychological domestic drama: it's fast paced and emotionally satisfying if a little rushed and downbeat in the conclusion. The addition of recipes at the end of chapters in which they're mentioned (cooking is one of Grace's great pleasures) is a little disjointed but will be appreciated by any reader motivated to try one based on Green's affectionate descriptions.