A Lovely Indecent Departure by Steven Lee Gilbert

Paperback: 274 pages
Genre: Literary Thriller
Publisher:   Published March 23rd 2012 by Steven Lee Gilbert 
Source:  From the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
First Sentences: Look, there comes the girl. She is treading alone up the sidewalk.
Review Quote:   “Riveting…perfect for any kind of literary escape.”—The Wake Weekly 
 My Opinion:  A satisfying but poignant read.

A début novel from Steven Lee Gilbert who could be a literary thriller writer whose name may well become  more familiar in the future. I had never heard of him until he approached me to review his book. As some of you will know thrillers are not my favourite genre but I was tempted by this one. I was glad I was as it turned out to be a satisfying but poignant read of a young woman's love for her son and her fear for his well being. There was a big bonus for me in that part of the story is set in Italy and the author's use of Italian and the descriptions added to my enjoyment. 

Anna Miller is desperate for her son Oliver to live with her rather than with his father Evan so she flees to her native Italy. The novel tells the story from every viewpoint, from the parents, extended family, friends and of course the law enforcement angle as after all a crime has been committed. All the characters are extremely well portrayed and it is possible to empathise with each and every one of them. As the story unfolds one begins to understand what motivated Anna to do such a thing, as everyone tries to decide exactly what should happen if it is going to be for Oliver's best interest. Thinking about the outcome will keep you engrossed until the last page. 

You will undoubtedly know from my comments above if this is the sort of storyline that appeals to you. If it does and you decide to read the novel I doubt you will be disappointed.

Author Profile

Steven Lee Gilbert was born on November 17, 1964 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA. He considers his childhood home the green rolling foothills of East Tennessee and the southern Appalachia mountains, settlement to all sorts of interesting people, composites of which can be found throughout his writing. Most of his adulthood life has  spent in the Sandhills and Piedmont of central North Carolina, where he now lives with his wife and family. 

He has B.A. in English from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, after which he was commissioned and served four years as an officer and paratrooper in the U.S. Army. In 2008 he was awarded a Durham Arts Council Emerging Artist Grant for Literature. In addition to fiction, he writes a blog called Without Envy: which is about raising a child with Type 1 Diabetes, it details his family's triumphs, struggles and achievements in managing this incurable disease. 

The biographical information and photo used in this post are with thanks to the following websites, where you can also find more information about the author and his writing.

Goodreads Author Profile   Steven Lee Gilbert - Official Website      Amazon Author Profile  

Facebook Page - Steven Lee Gilbert