The Night the Lights Went Out
From the New York Times bestselling author of the Tradd Street series comes a stunning novel about a young single mother who discovers that the nature of friendship is never what it seems....
Recently divorced, Merilee Talbot Dunlap moves with her two children to the Atlanta suburb of Sweet Apple, Georgia. It’s not her first time starting over, but her efforts at a new beginning aren’t helped by an anonymous local blog that dishes about the scandalous events that caused her marriage to fail.
Merilee finds some measure of peace in the cottage she is renting from town matriarch Sugar Prescott. Though stubborn and irascible, Sugar sees something of herself in Merilee—something that allows her to open up about her own colorful past.
Sugar’s stories give Merilee a different perspective on the town and its wealthy school moms in their tennis whites and shiny SUVs, and even on her new friendship with Heather Blackford. Merilee is charmed by the glamorous young mother’s seemingly perfect life and finds herself drawn into Heather's world.
In a town like Sweet Apple, where sins and secrets are as likely to be found behind the walls of gated mansions as in the dark woods surrounding Merilee’s house, appearance is everything. But just how dangerous that deception can be will shock all three women....
Recently divorced, Merilee Talbot Dunlap moves with her two children to the Atlanta suburb of Sweet Apple, Georgia. It’s not her first time starting over, but her efforts at a new beginning aren’t helped by an anonymous local blog that dishes about the scandalous events that caused her marriage to fail.
Merilee finds some measure of peace in the cottage she is renting from town matriarch Sugar Prescott. Though stubborn and irascible, Sugar sees something of herself in Merilee—something that allows her to open up about her own colorful past.
Sugar’s stories give Merilee a different perspective on the town and its wealthy school moms in their tennis whites and shiny SUVs, and even on her new friendship with Heather Blackford. Merilee is charmed by the glamorous young mother’s seemingly perfect life and finds herself drawn into Heather's world.
In a town like Sweet Apple, where sins and secrets are as likely to be found behind the walls of gated mansions as in the dark woods surrounding Merilee’s house, appearance is everything. But just how dangerous that deception can be will shock all three women....
BUY THE BOOK
Community Reviews
Karen White never disappoints and The Night the Lights Went Out is no exception. The story focuses on two women, Merilee and Sugar, and their unlikely friendship. Merilee is in the midst of a scandalous divorce. She rents a cottage from 93-year-old Sugar, a solitary soul who is the last survivor of her family. Sugar immediately senses that there is something mysterious about Merilee. Merilee becomes drawn into the politics and demands of the Room Mother at her chilrdren's school, Heather.
Like Sugar's instinct about Merilee, White's taut construction of the story keeps readers on edge. Something is not quite right about the friendship between Merilee and Heather. White inserts clues at expertly timed intervals. The story's charm, however, is the way Sugar and Merilee reluctantly grow closer in spite of Sugar's sometimes sharp criticisms of Merilee's choices and parenting, and tough love ("Sometimes you're the bug, and sometimes you'r the windshield, and that will never change, no matter how old you get.") Sugar finds that, despite her resolve to remain the solitary individual she has been for so many years, every time she is with Merilee is "like being confronted with a younger version of herself. " Sugar's revelations about the losses she has sustained over the years resonate with Merilee because of her own losses. She understands and appreciates why Sugar has developed a tough persona that belies her tender and supportive heart, and can't help but feel affection and respect for the old woman. Their tenuous friendship ultimately stands in stark contrast to the type of friendship offered Merilee by Heather.
As always in White's writing, the setting is a major character. The characteristics of Sweet Apple, Georgia are as integral to the story as those of its residents. The book is a study of three strong, determined women, each driven by her own demons, regrets, and sadness, and motivated by events in her past about which she has not yet fully achieved reconciliation. White layers complex, nuanced characters with observations about societal expectations and a craftily plotted mystery. Sugar and Merilee are as endearing as Heather is tragically infuriating, making The Night the Lights Went Out an entertaining exploration of the power and impact of friendship.
Like Sugar's instinct about Merilee, White's taut construction of the story keeps readers on edge. Something is not quite right about the friendship between Merilee and Heather. White inserts clues at expertly timed intervals. The story's charm, however, is the way Sugar and Merilee reluctantly grow closer in spite of Sugar's sometimes sharp criticisms of Merilee's choices and parenting, and tough love ("Sometimes you're the bug, and sometimes you'r the windshield, and that will never change, no matter how old you get.") Sugar finds that, despite her resolve to remain the solitary individual she has been for so many years, every time she is with Merilee is "like being confronted with a younger version of herself. " Sugar's revelations about the losses she has sustained over the years resonate with Merilee because of her own losses. She understands and appreciates why Sugar has developed a tough persona that belies her tender and supportive heart, and can't help but feel affection and respect for the old woman. Their tenuous friendship ultimately stands in stark contrast to the type of friendship offered Merilee by Heather.
As always in White's writing, the setting is a major character. The characteristics of Sweet Apple, Georgia are as integral to the story as those of its residents. The book is a study of three strong, determined women, each driven by her own demons, regrets, and sadness, and motivated by events in her past about which she has not yet fully achieved reconciliation. White layers complex, nuanced characters with observations about societal expectations and a craftily plotted mystery. Sugar and Merilee are as endearing as Heather is tragically infuriating, making The Night the Lights Went Out an entertaining exploration of the power and impact of friendship.
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.