Miracle Creek
Carrie: I learned something new in this book: the practice of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBOT). “HBOT involves breathing oxygen in a pressurized chamber in which the atmospheric pressure is raised up to three times higher than normal.” (according to the FDA website). According to this novel, it is used as alternative treatment for brain damage, autism, infertility and other controversial, unproven purposes. For Elizabeth and her 8-year-old autistic son, Henry, it has been a lifesaver, allowing him to move to mainstream classes. She has been using HBOT at Miracle Submarine, run by Korean immigrant Pak Yoo and his family. The group that regularly “dives” together includes other moms and kids and also the husband of the investor in Pak’s business. When a tragic fire takes the lives of Henry and another Mom, Elizabeth is the main suspect, but all have motive and something to hide. Not necessarily a mystery, the narrative does try to disprove Elizabeth’s guilt, but also looks at topics like helicopter parenting, healthy (or not) marriage, immigration, and the ways we all judge each other on what little we know of others’ lives.
WINNER OF THE EDGAR AWARD FOR BEST FIRST NOVEL
The "gripping... page-turner" (Time) hitting all the best of summer reading lists, Miracle Creek is perfect for book clubs and fans of Liane Moriarty and Celeste Ng