"It occurred to Abby that the idea of focusing on a vintage Alfa Romeo rather than the impending dialysis did have a certain appeal. Maybe it was merely another form of running, but at least it was running with a purpose. And what harm would there be in asking around?"
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To Live and Die in Arizona by Elizabeth Bruening Lewis Trafford Publishing
book review by Wendy Strain
Delightfully complex, Lewis provides a story that will keep readers engaged from the first chapter, skillfully weaving a number of important concerns into her fiction. Essentially a mild detective story, the main character Abby attempts to flee from her kidney disease by renting a small home in Flagstaff, two hours away from anyone she knows, for the summer. However, her beloved sister and her family are in trouble as a ruthless rich man seeks to hold Abby's brother-in-law responsible for the disappearance of a priceless collectable car. At the same time, strange events are taking place inside the nearby national forest where Abby and her friend Bob enjoy taking walks. With nowhere left to run, Abby finds herself unwittingly in the very center of the action.
While successfully entertaining with a lively story of mystery and a bit of romance, Lewis also manages to weave in important information regarding environmental protection and legal exploitation. Her treatment of the subject is central to the plot and thus does not come across as evangelical, yet is highly informative. At the same time, she sheds light on a relatively common and potentially fatal kidney condition that receives very little public attention, again making it a central element of the plot. Although Abby must depend upon dialysis for her very survival, Lewis provides a story of hope for the future and engagement in the present—not only for Abby, but also for the damaged environment and the roughly 500,000 people in the US who suffer from her ailment.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review