Mystery Daughter

Mystery Daughter didn't exactly jump out of the gate as a must-read page turner.  In fact, it started off rather wordy, and a wee bit immature in setting up characters and their motivations.  A number of the initial conversations seemed, well, scripted and trite.

However, one I settled into the writing style, I was treated to a story of fabulous family dysfunction and strength.  Gleason has apparently spent time in my home state of Ohio and it was lovely to read about the familiar Denison campus, and despite Brad and Laurie spending some time in the "state up north," I thoroughly enjoyed reading a story set around familiar places.

Gleason also apparently did his homework on family law, business management, and the concept of the closely held company.  He gave thoughtful attention to the plight of a woman long oppressed by a corporate climbing husband.  Although Brad and Laurie would be better suited to living in a magical fairy world, their story was still sweet and compelling, and honored the legacy of parents (and grandparents) who intentionally raise and educate their children to become capable adults.

Mystery Daughter is a great afternoon away kind of a book, where you can get lost in a great family drama and walk away with a happy ending.

This is a good book with lots of surprises throughout.  The main characters were very well drawn and the story was truly believable.  Laurie is a college girl who comes from a very rich family who meets Brad who has had the opposite type of up bringing.  She dates him for about three months before he even knows her last name or even where she is from.  Her father has always told her that any boy who showed interest in her was only after his money so she wanted to make sure Brad was around for the right reason.  The father told her that people in their family chose a mate with their head, not their heart.  I do not want to give anything away but there are a lot more surprising circumstances and situations that will keep you from putting this book down untill the end.