Book Review: Sins Of The Mother: A Novel
by Victoria Christopher Murray
Publication Date: Jun 01, 2010
List Price: $24.99
Format: Paperback, 400 pages
Classification: Fiction
ISBN13: 9781416589181
Imprint: Touchstone
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Parent Company: KKR & Co. Inc.
Read a Description of Sins Of The Mother: A Novel
Book Reviewed by Idrissa Uqdah
KARMA????
Victoria Christopher Murray is the best selling author of several
contemporary novels that touch on hot topics that church people
aren't too eager to disclose. Her infamous character, Jasmine Larson has
been featured in three of those novels and she is certainly the character I
have loved to hate. What else can Jasmine be up to this time? You would
never guess.
A former stripper who has spent many years lying, stealing and sleeping with
married men; she has finally settled down. She is now married to Rev. Hosea
Bush, pastor of one of the largest churches in New York City. She is also
the mother of two wonderful children; four-year-old Jacqueline and baby
Zaya.
Jasmine seems to have finally found some peace in her life and she has grown
spiritually as a person. She loves her husband and her children and life for
Jasmine has come full circle.
Then comes that fateful day just when she has given her life to God.
Jasmine's young daughter Jacqueline is kidnapped in from a crowded mall in
New York City at the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. Jasmine is
horrified. When the days turn into weeks and the child is not found Jasmine
is beside herself. Why would God let this happen to her? Her faith wanes
under the pressure. As usual, Jasmine thinks it is all about her.
She completely falls apart especially when the police look into her
background after someone sends an anonymous e-mail accusing her of having
something to do with he child's abduction. She and her husband submit to a
lie-detector test. He is cleared but Jasmine's results come up questionable.
By the second chapter; I began to wonder too, if maybe someone finally had
sought revenge for some of Jasmine's dirty deeds. Would her child become the
victim of her mother's past. Of course having read several of the author's
novels; I was sure it was just not that easy but where was this child? Who
had taken her and why?
Murray gives us a story full of complex questions. She gives us characters
that are just as complex. Kidnapping and child abuse make for a difficult
read. How does the mother of a missing child hold on and what if the child
is never found? How do the parents move on with their lives? The author took
a risk to assign these emotions to a character like Jasmine. But Murray's
work is known to be risky. She makes you think about the themes that she
writes about.
As a Christian author; she knows how to stretch a Christian's faith. And
this storyline bent poor Jasmine out of shape. She turned into herself in
grief. I was beginning to feel sorry for her myself. But as usual, Jasmine
showed she was still Jasmine. Her husband; Rev. Hosea Bush was doing all he
could to comfort Jasmine and to search for Jacqui but she turns away from
him. She blames him for not caring enough. She becomes as mean and as
hateful as the Jasmine of her past.
The back story concerning Jasmine and Jacqueline's biological father, Dr.
Brian Lewis added the fire to fuel the storyline even further. His affair
with Jasmine had ended his marriage. After years of having no contact with
Jasmine or the child; Brian learns of his daughter's kidnapping. Loaded down
with his own emotional baggage, he takes a leave from his medical practice
in California and comes to New York to help in the search. His presence
added even more conflict to the story.
SINS OF THE MOTHER is a compelling read. I kept reading from chapter to
chapter anxious to know how the story would end. I really think that this
book is the author's best "Jasmine" story. The plot thickens even as the
story comes to an end. The ending is climatic. I never would have guessed
the spectacular finale. This novel is a very well written drama full of
intense scenes and snappy dialog. Readers of Christian fiction will not be
disappointed.