FICTION

Scarlet in Blue

by Jennifer Murphy
Dutton. Mar. 2022. 384p. ed. by . ISBN 9780593183465. $27. F
COPY ISBN
Running from HIM, Scarlet Lake has relocated and uprooted herself and her teenage daughter Blue many times. Each time they move, they draw a crayon from the box for their new names. When she spots HIM again, Scarlet rushes them to a new town, South Haven, MI. Blue does not know it, but Scarlet has a plan to rid herself of HIM and the plan includes help from local psychoanalyst Henry Williams. In South Haven, Blue, a talented pianist, takes lessons, makes friends, and lives the life of a normal teenager. Soon she realizes that Scarlet is struggling with mental health issues and begins to wonder if HIM is a real person or a delusion on her mother’s part. Rotating points of views from Blue, Scarlet, and Henry in 1968 to Blue in 2014, Murphy slowly unveils the tangled threads among them.
VERDICT While the twists at the end are not needed and somewhat spoil what comes before it, this novel from Murphy (I Love You More) is ultimately a love story between a mother and a daughter as well as an examination of how trauma shapes our lives and choices. Recommended for larger fiction collections.
Reviewed by Lynnanne Pearson , Mar 01, 2022
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

FICTION

Secret Fling with the Billionaire
by Douglas, Michelle
FICTION

Holiday Under Wraps
by Mettner, Katie
FICTION

Tracking Down the Lawman’s Son
by Fossen, Delores
FICTION

Cold Case Protection
by Helm, Nicole
FICTION

One Waltz with the Viscount
by Martin, Laura
FICTION

When Cinderella Met the Duke
by Williams, Sophia
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?