Kaleidoscope: A Carla McCarthy Adventure

By Gretchen Stone

"Strong writing and fine characterizations make this first novel, Kaleidoscope, a great pick for a winter read by the fire, or a summer read on the back porch. Gretchen Stone is a writer to keep your eye on " -Ellen Hart, Author of the Jane Lawless Mysteries

"Appealing characters-well executed. A unique story line makes this a compelling page-turner."- Fran Blatnik, Co-founder Detroit Women's Book Club, 1994

"Enjoyed.Down-to-earth, sincere prose."-Elizabeth Sims, Author of the Lillian Byrd Crime Series

In 1950s Detroit, six-year-old Mimi Siegel and eight-year-old Barbara Jane Brown become fast friends when the Brown family arrives in the Motor City from Missouri. For years, the girls are inseparable; but the friendship changes when Mimi marries Barbara's brother, RJ. When RJ goes to Vietnam soon after the wedding, Mimi turns to Barbara for consolation-and gets more than she could have imagined.

Their resulting torrid affair abruptly ends when RJ is killed in action. Barbara's guilt leads her to enlist as a nurse in the U.S. Army, and the ensuing years are filled with remorse for both women.

When Mimi and Barbara Jane meet again years later, they discover that their childhood bonds of loyalty are still intact. But a dangerous chain of events is set into motion when they rekindle their romance, and their community is rocked when an innocent woman is murdered.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B000VYX6OW
• ISBN13: 9780595387458
• Release Date: April 2006
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 200 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Kaleidoscope, A Carla McCarthy Adventure

Wow, this book was a page turner for me. It has many characters living interesting intricate lives. As the story unfolds I felt like I knew the people and wanted to find out what was going to happen next. Very enjoyable. I'm looking forward to Gretchen Stone's next book. I don't want to miss it.

Kaleidoscope is a fitting title

Great lesbian characters and lots of them - cast of participants provided helps remind. I enjoyed reading this mystery (and I don't usually read mysteries). The plot thickens gradually then is mostly resolved (good to save some unknowns for the next adventure to start from) quite quickly. If you grew up in the fifties and sixties you'll recognize some touchstones from that era. The resolution even includes a political slant. While I'm not a professional book reviewer I do read extensively and feel that this is a most enjoyable first book. I look forward to more.