Marcie

When Kate's mother, Marcie, dies mysteriously she is forever tormented by the many questions surrounding her mother's death. In Marcie's absence Kate clings to her mother's husbands, searching for solace.


As family secrets are revealed Kate works to build her own life and family, but the mystery of her mother's death sidetracks her until she finally gets the answer she's always hoped for.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Marcie, by Carly Duncan, shares the emotional aftermath of one mother's mysterious death from the viewpoint of her daughter, Kate. The story is told on a timeline that jumps from past to present, creating a timeline of struggle and Kate's attempt at understanding her mother.

Kate is an independent young woman. She's never had anyone to rely on, as all of her family members were emotionally and physically unavailable. All but her brother, that is. With a family history of being ignored or kept at a distance, the death of her mother doesn't sit well with Kate. She wishes for another chance for both herself and her mother. As she grows into a woman, becomes a wife, and starts a family of her own, Kate tries to understand her mother through memories, a forgotten journal, and the stories from other family members. Readers will connect with Kate's desires and her attempt to rekindle strained relationships. 

The plot of the novel follows both Marcie's death and Kate's struggle. Each chapter gives the reader bits of information so that they may draw their own conclusions. The end of the novel was a bit abrupt, with the cause of Marcie's death revealed. However, the question of why is left partly unanswered. Duncan writes of a medical complication with Marcie, but readers never find out what the complication was. In a way, Duncan leaves the readers in the exact same spot as Kate, wondering if she'll ever know the whole truth. 

Rating: 3/5 Cups