Unexpected gem!

The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley     

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I must admit that first up I wasn’t sure if I’d actually continue with this. What a mistake that would have been! The road not travelled would have missed out on a delightful, quirky tale with serious undertones.

Anders Caldwell, a journalist who dreams of being Clark Kent (as in super newsman) gets to cover the social activities of the community of Frick Island, in Chesapeake Bay. In that role he goes to the island for their annual Frick Island Cake Walk festival. The island is a place that does not ‘do internet.’ There’s a gaggle of interesting characters that kept me entertained, including of course Anders. This is where he meets Piper Parrish. Piper is a widow who doesn’t seem to realize she is. In fact she takes walks with her husband Tom, talks to him, cooks for him and the whole town says hello to him when they’re out together.

Anders is fascinated by the island and includes it in his podcast. His reader numbers are low, even lower if you take out his dad! When a stranger posts that Anders has “missed the biggest story out here. For a reporter you’re not very observant,” Anders is hooked. He returns to the island over the coming weeks. He becomes further interested in that the island is disappearing due to climate change. He starts a new serial in his podcast “WHAT THE FRICK? It garnishes major attention. He continues to pursue the “biggest” story. Piper becomes his draw card.

There’s some hilarious moments as Anders embeds himself into the community. He’s always missing that ferry! And those insects!

Heartwarming and heartbreaking this was one road I’m glad I travelled down.

Warm, empathetic, expressing communal love and acceptance in trying times.

A Berkley Publishing Group ARC via NetGalley 

Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change