Rachel Reviews: Tigers in Red Weather by Liza Klaussmann

I am guilty of judging a book by its cover, I will admit. And what a cover this book has with its beautiful women and its vintage feel and its art deco lettering, and of course the bright, bright red which ties in with the book's title.

When I first started reading it, I wasn't sure that it was going to be that good a read. But it soon warmed up. It began with Nick and Helena, cousins, who share holidays on Martha's Vineyard with their grandparents at their home, the Tiger House. Klaussmann shows them as young women, the war having altered their lives as Hughes, Nick's husband has been away at war and Helena is already a widow and looking to marry again.

Klaussman scatters her narrative between the characters and so, you get their versions of key events as she decides to show them through her chosen character's perspective. Not only do you have Nick and Helena, but the book also centres on Hughes; Daisy, Hughes and Nick's daughter; and Ed, Helena's son with her second husband, Avery.

Daisy is 12 when we first meet her and her viewpoint is one of the most engaging of the book. She is just starting to discover boys and we learn about the rivalry that she has with other girls for the affection of Tyler, the jock in the story. She also loves her cousin, Ed, who is odd in many ways but with whom Daisy has been able to establish a connection which is maintained throughout the book.

When a body is discovered near to Tiger House, questions are asked about the murder and it upsets the veil of decency and propriety that is believed to exist in the tight community on Martha's Vineyard.

This book reminded me in some ways of The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller and yet, it had a different atmosphere, as well as differing plots. However, they both centre on family and obligation and the ties that bind; Klaussmann's book differs in that it is more macabre.

This was a good book; tense and intense at times, following the difficulties that people find themselves in with their choice of partner and what they do to survive as well as the temptations that need to be resisted in order for relationships to endure and people to remain unhurt.

A good read.

Rachel Rating: 4/5 stars

This review was first published on Reedsy Discovery:

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