The River Child by Jo Tuscano
Image: book cover from Odyssey Books
Review by Irina Dunn
On the tenth day of Christmas, our reviewer sent to us a review of this exceptional work by
Jo Tuscano.
Jo has a particular gift for understanding the psychology of women and creating dramatic
tension out of the circumstances in which her heroines find – or place – themselves.
After a twenty-eight-year absence, Siobhan Montrell returns to Rachley Island in order to sell
the family home, which she has inherited from her aunt. While she is there, she wishes to
visit the grave of Elise Boatman, the three-year-old sister of Siobhan’s best friend who went
missing while she was under Siobhan and her mother’s watch when Siobhan was 10 years
old.
For decades, Siobhan has carried a heavy burden of guilt over Elise’s death, always believing
she was at fault because she had picked what she considered to be ‘the perfect moment’ to
ask her mother about her father. It was during this moment, when Siobhan distracts her
mother, that Elise disappeared.
On the island, Siobhan discovers the drawing book belonging to her aunt Esther, who was
demented and mute. As Siobhan relives the events of 1971, the information she discovers
about herself, her aunt and the family finally helps her to understand how things went so
wrong.
Siobhan’s return to the family home throws up memories she has long tried to suppress. She
recalls that she accused an innocent man, Walter Heather, of having a hand in Elise’s
disappearance, that she lied to the police, and lied to her mother.
She tells the story of finding “the Hovel” when she was eleven years old, a safe hiding place
where unbeknown to her, she was being followed and watched by three people whose paths
would eventually cross.
Only after viewing the events from afar and with the help of the writings of the long-dead
Esther, can Siobhan finally let go of the guilt she has carried all her life regarding Elise’s
death. She realises that she was part of a larger set of circumstances beyond her control.
Finally, she is able to say goodbye to Elise and put the tragedy of all those years behind her.
Jo’s writing style sensitively portrays the nuances of her characters’ personalities and moods
and their interactions with the people around them, while her vivid presentation of the other
characters that populate her stories provides the social – and emotional – context for her main characters.
The River Child by Jo Tuscano
Odyssey Books 2021
