I gave "Looking For Peyton Place" by Barbara Delinsky 2 stars. But before I talk about this book we need to back up. In 1956 Grace Metalious published "Peyton Place". Set in a small town on the east coast, it followed three women as they came to accept their sexuality. The book was a huge success, but Grace didn't deal well with it. She lost most of her money and drank herself to death before she was 40.
If you're familiar with the song "Harper Valley PTA" (which was made into a movie) the singer refers to the book, "This is just a little Peyton Place, and you're all Harper Valley hypocrites!" Just thought I'd throw that little flashback from my childhood in!
"Looking For Peyton Place" takes place in the mid-2000s. The main character is much like Grace--who is a hero in the small town this book is set in--and is a writer who couldn't wait to get out of Middle River. She comes back after her mom dies. Mom falls down stairs while battling Parkinson's-like symptoms. Her daughter thinks it's mercury poisoning from the local paper mill. The story follows her quest to find the answers and save one of her sisters, who has developed symptoms similar to mom's. There are many referrals to "Peyton Place". The author does a good job of tying the two books together. You do not need to read "Peyton Place" to follow this book.
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