What Mae Brings

Secrets & forgiveness well-told

ââ?¬Å"What Mae Brings: A Novelââ?¬Â? by Melissa L. Berger, is an award-winning mystery thriller about a young woman named Mae, who wants a fresh start in a new place but finds herself involved in the disappearance of a girl named Genevieve. This character-driven suspense novel centers on Mae, an artistic soul who is shy but not necessarily gullible. All she wants is some time to herself to pursue creativity in an arts college, find work, and live independently. Things seem just right when she locates a guesthouse she can afford, but then the duffel bag she finds leads to something darker. She must find out more about the missing girl, Genevieve. After the police are involved, Mae too goes missing. This story heats up and just gets hotter from here, and you canââ?¬â?¢t predict what will happen next, which is one of the most appealing aspects of this novel.

Berger�s novel has a cinematic feel in many ways, with an intriguing mystery, a lean but evocative story, and lots of twists and turns. It�s an emotional ride that you hope never ends. It has all the elements of a great suspense story, and you wonder how this will turn out for Mae. The search for justice is a major theme here, but there is a very personal feel to the mystery too, as Mae is a well-drawn character you can relate to. You feel as if you know her and find yourself asking what you would do if you were in her shoes.

I like how the suspense and danger build slowly, from meeting the odd owner of the guest house to the duffel bag to her own disappearance. The first-person point of view helps personalize the story and takes you closer to the characters. The dynamic between Mae and Genevieve seems real and emotional, which allows the reader to experience strong emotions too, like fear, heartache, confusion, forgiveness, etc.

Mae is a well-rounded character, flawed but human. She has ups and downs, she isnââ?¬â?¢t always perfect. The pace of this novel is just right, the characters are memorable, and the conclusion is satisfying but leaves you wanting more. Though dark in some places, it is balanced with humanity and depth. The theme of secrets and forgiveness lends a haunting quality to the work. Readers of mystery thrillers and crime dramas will become instant fans of ââ?¬Å"What Mae Bringsââ?¬Â? by Melissa L. Berger.