The Waking Place by Emerald O’Brien

Published: March 18, 2021
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Emerald O’Brien was born and raised just east of Toronto, Ontario. She graduated from her Television Broadcasting and Communications Media program at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario. As the author of unpredictable stories packed with suspense, Emerald enjoys connecting with her readers, who are passionate about joining characters as they solve mysteries and take exciting adventures between the pages of great books.

“So, hold your pieces close, or you’ll have none.”
Lane has an artistic and in real able bond with her great uncle. And now that he has dementia, there is no one else who could care for him more. When CeCe, Lane’s sister, comes to stay with them in Donnie’s art-filled home, more than memories come flooding back. With so many secrets, will anyone indeed be okay?
Wowza. This was a beautifully dark, twisted tale about the bond of family, the power of choice, and the beauty in all things broken. I loved the characters in this. Selfless Lane, who never hesitated to abandon her wants and desires to care for those she loved, appeasing CeCe, who didn’t want to let anyone down but also refused to be anyone’s victim. Artistic and sensitive Donnie, who adorned his great-niece more than art. Roger the loyal and brave. Seever, the selfish and entitled.
The elements represented in this book were so well played. And the way this story unfolded was genuinely dark and so well executed. Like a fire, the build-up for this story started slow, but as things intensified and as the slow burn quickly became a raging inferno, all I could do is keep reading.
This book is addictive, and I found myself unable to find a suitable place to stop reading. The deeper involved I became with these characters, the more their stories intertwined, and the truth started seeping out- the faster I flipped the pages.
The twists in this book are delivered so smoothly and so intricately that you almost don’t realize what just happened. In a cunning game of whodunnit and brutal truths, a pair of sisters realize just how badly they need each other, especially with so much at stake.
With an ending that will leave you staring at the words and a plot that will make your heart race, this is a thriller you will never see coming.