On to the Next Book: The Butterfly Sister or a Meatier Meal?

I'm finishing up The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison as I write. I think the last 27 pages will be powerful, but I will let you know. As of right now, it has been entertaining, with a smidgin more serious action relating to discussions about Adlerian psychology. That was a plus. Jodi, the protagonist, is a psychotherapist, after all. Her therapy with Gerald, years before the novel's action, is a minor subplot, but it's cleverly done. The main action dwells on Jodi, her estranged soon to be ex-husband Todd, and his impending nuptials to the young pregnant daughter (early-to-mid twenties) of one of Todd's and Jodi's friends. (Well, of course, Todd is going to be a father for the first time.) Actually, much of the novel presents two points of view--each chapter about Jodi is followed by a chapter about Todd and so on. The novel is set in Chicago but this is not, not a book that emphasizes setting. If you like Chicago, you will be disappointed. Would I have read it if I had known what I know today? Absolutely.

So for my next book I want more candy. I think this is because of the anxiety-producing chaos that descends upon my life each year in mid-August. On my Nook I have The Butterfly Sister by Amy Gail Hansen, which has just been published (August 6). I caved for the hype; excuse me, I fell for the blurbish synopsis and the reviews from PW, Booklist, Library Journal, Kirkus. It's gothic, a mystery, and suspense, with lots of links to women writers of the past.

But in my other hand, I tell myself, I should have a book I promised myself I would read this summer. One of the big four: Bel Canto, The Sweet Tooth, Flight Behavior, and how could I have forgotten the fourth? Oh, well, I'll let you know where I stand.