Lovely book with good characters and wonderful storytelling, This one tugs at the heartstrings. A good read.

A vibrant book that will captivate readers, Owl Song At Dawn is a gripping piece of women's fiction.

Heartwarming, insightful, and poignant, this story is based on the author's own experience with a sibling with autism and cerebral palsy. The character of Maeve, who runs her boarding house for challenged guests and their caregivers, is one you will never forget. Recommended reading.

4 stars

Maeve Maloney is an elderly lady of eighty who runs Sea View Lodge. Most of her guests are those who live there permanently who are disabled to one degree or another. Up her driveway comes a man from her past named Vincent. She asks her maid to tell him she is out. Vincent kindles all kinds of feelings from Maeve’s past; feelings that she does not want to think of or speak about.

Maeve had a twin sister named Edie who was differently abled. Edie was a shining star to what Maeve perceived as her own dullness. Vincent is the only man alive who knew Edie.

This book goes back and forth between the present and the past when Edie was alive. Maeve converses with her during her reminiscences.

Maeve’s parents decide to raise Edie at home after being told by doctors to institutionalize her. It seems beyond cruel to them to lock their wonderful daughter away. Edie was outgoing and outrageous. She loved to sing and was very active. Vince and Maeve shared a love for Edie.

It is sad to be once again reminded of how awful the treatment of persons like Edie was back in the 1930’s. We know so much more now and for that I am grateful.

This is a wonderful book, remarkably sensitive and well thought out. It is beautifully and well written. This is my first Emma Claire Sweeney novel and I look very much forward to reading more of her work.

I want to thank Netgalley and Trafalgar Square Publishing/Legend Times Group for forwarding to me a copy of this wonderful book to read.

Inspired by the author’s own life, this is the story of twin girls, Edie and Maeve. Edie was born with CP and other handicaps, but Maeve and the rest of the family love her desperately and don’t see her as handicapped. The family runs Sea View Lodge, and when Maeve is old enough she takes the reins and creates a beautiful retreat popular with handicapped visitors. Now 80, Maeve reminisces about her childhood with Edie and the book moves back and forth from the past to the present, highlighting both the positive changes that have occurred since then, and some of the drawbacks. A sweet, sad story about the strength of love