The Moon's an Illusion: The Ripple Effect by Edwina Thomas

From Goodreads

Every family has a story to tell - some more interesting than others...

Based on true events surrounding one family, The Moon’s an Illusion focuses on how life can go terribly wrong on the basis of one bad choice and one single mistake. Set in the strait-laced 1920s, the story revolves around one affluent family and how each member’s choices tear the family apart. More than just the scandals, this is a story of a family in crisis, with many strong characters with stories to tell.

One daughter brings the family’s name into disrepute by claiming to have been raped. This claim sets events into motion that pits family against family, with revenge taken by the accused. His people are violent, unpredictable and will draw no line to take their so-called justice on the daughter and everyone she loves.

Another daughter finds happiness, only to lose it, and as a result is committed to a mental asylum. Later she remarries one of the most eligible and handsome men in town - but disaster strikes again when it’s revealed she had a brief affair with an Egyptian man who claimed to have psychic powers. The affair results in catastrophic consequences for everyone. Scandal and shock surround the family yet again, estranging the daughter from the people she loves. The once close-knit family breaks apart - all because of a few decisions that ripple down to affect everyone.

This emotionally-driven story has various twists and turns, and the pace is relentless as it drives towards the inevitable conclusion, with skeletons falling out of many cupboards along the way. Its general appeal and the breadth of the subjects it covers will appeal to readers who enjoy both character-based stories and general fiction.

My thoughts

This was a book that I borrowed from my local Library through it's ebook lending known as BorrowBox. I have no idea what initially drew me to it at all. I am so glad that I was drawn to it though.

I gave this an 8/10 or 4 stars. I found it well written and enjoyed immersing myself in the lives of the characters. 

This is an unusual story, at times it's sad and other times it's quite heart warming. It's certainly very much of the time that it's set in and the Author has captured it quite well in my opinion. Based on true events the Author has written a story featuring the family involved in those events.

Life in the 1920's wasn't easy for many. Ladies in that era certainly didn't have the freedoms that most of us have nowadays. Choices that we make, often have far reaching repercussions on others that we don't always realise will affect them. Like the ripples on a pond, the repercussions flow outwards until they diminish and disappear.  

I believe that there may be a sequel to this, if there is I will definitely be interested in reading it. I feel that this would make a great reading group read.