Melanie Finn Away From You

Away From You

Melanie Finn

St. Martin's, Nov 2005, $12.95

ISBN: 0312341466

Ellie Cameron lives in Santa Fe in the house of her lover Peter, whose attitude makes it clear that this is his abode, not theirs. When she learns that her father recently died in Nairobi leaving her with a fortune, Ellie thinks back to when her mom took her when she was twelve, from Africa to America to flee her abusive husband John. Ellie decides to return to Africa, as she has nothing to tie her to the Land of Enchantment; so she flies to Kenya her preadolescent home.

Upon arriving in Nairobi, Ellie learns you can't go home, as she finds her former home is gone though Mrs. McMullen's house next door remains standing; besides the British colonial system that she was part of is history. She reflects back to the late Mrs. McMullen, who was strangled to death with her bathrobe tie; John was suspected of killing her, but ultimately the police ruled her death a suicide. Ellie believes her dad did the homicide as the servants insisted, and he physically abused her and her mom. Ellie investigates her father's life while coming to understand her aloof emotional detachment, even to a lover.

This engaging character study with a touch of a mystery and a sense of history, is a fine tale, as the heroine tracks her father's life to better understand his demons (and ultimately hers). Through Ellie's memories and interviews, the audience obtains a taste of the final vestiges of the British rule and system in Kenya; yet much of the plot focuses on her growing awareness of her emotional lack of purpose. Melanie Finn's debut tale is a fabulous story of a woman in search of more than just her roots; she seeks her soul.

Harriet Klausner