Lacy Eye by Jessica Treadway

Three years ago, Hanna had a wonderful life.  A loving husband, two girls and a job she loved.  Then things went awry.  The older daughter, Iris, was doing fine, married with Hanna's first grandchild.  Dawn, the younger daughter, had always been awkward.  But Hanna was optimistic when she went off to college that she would finally find herself and make new friends in her new environment.  When Dawn comes home, her parents are thrilled.  That is, until they meet the boyfriend she is bringing home with her.  Rud is good-looking but there is something sketchy about him and they definitely don't like the way Dawn idolizes him.

After a heated argument, the couple stalk off.  Hanna and Joe, her husband, agree that he is not the right man for Dawn.  But that is their last agreement.  That night, they are savagely attacked in their bedroom.  Joe is killed and Hanna survives, although she is left for dead.  The police quickly hone in on Rud and he is found guilty and sent to jail.  Town sentiment is that Dawn was also involved but Hanna will hear nothing of it.

Three years later, Hanna has put her life back together as best she can.  After several operations, she is back at work although still damaged so that strangers stare at her.  She still doesn't remember much about the night of the attack but she is fine with that.  She has a good relationship with Iris, although Iris believes the talk that Dawn was involved and refuses to have anything to do with her.  Dawn moved away and has been living out west.

Then another nightmare.  Rud has won the right to an appeal and his case will be retried.  At the same time, Dawn calls Hanna and asks if she can come home. Hanna agrees immediately as she still believes in Dawn even though Dawn still believes that Rud was innocent of the charges and hopes to reunite with him.  But as Dawn moves in, Hanna starts to remember more and more about that night.  Will she survive her memories?

Jessica Treadway has written a haunting tale about parents and their children.  We all want the best for our children and hesitate to identify characteristics and deficits that may cause them trouble.  Those who say anything negative about a child are quickly cut off so that the parent can remain in denial and hope that things will turn around.  This book is recommended for suspense readers and those who wonder about someone close to them.