When a sharp cry wakes Jean in the middle of the night during a terrible tempest, she’s convinced it must have been a dream. But when the cry comes again, Jean ventures outside and is shocked by what she discovers—a young woman in labor, already drenched to the bone in the freezing cold and barely able to speak a word of English.
Although Jean is the only midwife in the village and for miles around, she’s at a loss as to who this woman is or where she’s from; Jean can only assume she must be the new wife of the neighbor up the road, Tobias. And when Tobias does indeed arrive at her cabin in search of his wife, Muirin, Jean’s questions continue to grow. Why has he kept his wife’s pregnancy a secret? And why does Muirin’s open demeanor change completely the moment she’s in his presence?
Though Jean learned long ago that she should stay out of other people’s business, her growing concern—and growing feelings—for Muirin mean she can’t simply set her worries aside. But when the answers she finds are more harrowing than she ever could have imagined, she fears she may have endangered herself, Muirin, and the baby. Will she be able to put things right and save the woman she loves before it’s too late, or will someone have to pay for Jean’s actions with their life?
My Review
A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this book so much. It was hard to put down, especially during those last chapters. They were packed with so much information and action. First as Muirin and Jean try to escape a pursuing Tobias. Then as Muirin tells the story of her life and how Tobias managed to steal her away from her family. Tobias became quite unhinged toward the end and I wondered how Muirin would get away from him.
I loved all of the other characters in the book except for Tobias and Mrs. Keddy. And I wanted to know more Dal.
Jean is the village midwife. The only one around for miles.
One stormy night a sharp cry awakens her in the middle of the night. At first, she was convinced it was a dream until the cry came again. She discovered a young woman in labor and drenched to the bone.
Communication is a little difficult, as the woman barely speaks English. So Jean is left to wonder where she came from. She can only assume that the woman is the new wife of her closest neighbor Tobias. When he arrives in the morning looking for his wife Muirin, Jean has even more questions regarding the couple, especially when Muirin's demeanor changes upon her husband's arrival.
When she shares her concerns about the couple with her mentor, she is reminded to keep a little distance from the couple, for fear that he will further isolate his wife and child.
When she sees the couple in town, Jean is glad to see Tobias has taken her advice, to get his wife out and about. When she spots her former best friend's mother whispering to Tobias, she knows exactly what gossip she is spreading.
When to tries to visit again, he warns her to stay away from his wife. And when she sneaks back later after he leaves, she finds her friend locked in the house. She has to help Muirin and her baby get away before things get worse.
Thanks so much to the author, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for this ARC to review.
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