***NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER***
“Will grab your heart on page one and won’t let go until the end.”
–Sara Gruen, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Water for Elephants
On a cold night in October 1937, searchlights cut through the darkness around Alcatraz. A prison guard’s only daughter–one of the youngest civilians who lives on the island–has gone missing. … searchlights cut through the darkness around Alcatraz. A prison guard’s only daughter–one of the youngest civilians who lives on the island–has gone missing. Tending the warden’s greenhouse, convicted bank robber Tommy Capello waits anxiously. Only he knows the truth about the little girl’s whereabouts, and that both of their lives depend on the search’s outcome.
Almost two decades earlier and thousands of miles away, a young boy named Shanley Keagan ekes out a living as an aspiring vaudevillian in Dublin pubs. Talented and shrewd, Shan dreams of shedding his dingy existence and finding his real father in America. The chance finally comes to cross the Atlantic, but when tragedy strikes, Shan must summon all his ingenuity to forge a new life in a volatile and foreign world.
Skillfully weaving these two stories, Kristina McMorris delivers a compelling novel that moves from Ireland to New York to San Francisco Bay. As her finely crafted characters discover the true nature of loyalty, sacrifice, and betrayal, they are forced to confront the lies we tell–and believe–in order to survive.
more
I enjoyed this story because of the unusual challenges that the main character faced. The story was unique and I would recommend it as a great book club selection
Best book ive read in a long time!
I was almost afraid to keep reading and turning the pages, afraid of something worse to happen, but I loved the ending
One of my favorite books. Loved everything, wish it didn’t end.
Believable. Well researched.
I really enjoyed this book. My family and I visited Alcatraz. We met people who lived and worked there. It nice to know things can change.
Great story
Very well written. This story has a lot of twists and turns in it. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
This story touched my heart and kept my attention. It’s a book I would read again.
Good historical fiction, if a bit of a stretch sometimes. Truly enjoyed it.
McMorris’ work is always riveting and this one’s no exception (especially for those of us who’ve always had a fascination with Alcatraz). Gorgeous and dark and unpredictable. If you discovered McMorris through her recent smash Sold on a Monday, you’ll love her other books.
This book grabbed me from the start. It was a real page turner. I highly recommend adding it to your list of books to read.
I liked this book. The main character, Shan Is a good person who keeps making bad decisions. I kept hoping that something good would happen for him, something that would help him to straighten out his life. It took a long time before he got a break. I enjoyed the character development and the historical aspects of the book.
I look forward to reading the next book by Kristin’s McMorris. I truly enjoyed this book and literally could not put it down. Don’t know that I’ve read a better one!
I loved this book although I had never had the experiences this young boy had and what a difficult time he had.
It kept me engaged and curious.
This book held my attention from start to finish. Written from the male point of view in three different time periods, 1919, 1923 and 1935, the history seems as accurate as I would know. It’s a compelling read, that for me was escape fiction. I took it everyplace, so I could get in fifteen minutes here, ten minutes there, not willing to wait to read more. The only thing I don’t like is the book cover that features a rendering of Alcatraz; it’s a spoiler for the first three-fourths of the book. I found myself rooting for the main character, and . . . well, I’ll say no more so you can read it with the same anticipation I did.
The Edge of Lost by Kristina McMorris is a historical fiction novel that starts out in October 1937 on Alcatraz as a search for a prison guard’s missing daughter is underway. Then it jumps back in time to 1919 to Dublin, Ireland and eleven year old orphan Shanley “Shan” Keagan. Shan lives with an abusive uncle and makes a living doing a vaudeville act in pubs. Shan and Uncle Will decide to come to America, but tragedy strikes.
Shan was a character that you could root for as he fights for survival. However, the secondary characters are not nearly as well developed.
The story line kept me interested, despite the somewhat unrealistic ending and a surprise along the way. It is heartbreaking at times and uplifting at other times. The author gave a strong sense of place and time as well as conditions and hardships faced by many immigrants. The reading experience was immersive. 3.5 stars rounded down to 3 stars. I am in the minority on this rating. There are many readers who loved this novel, including readers whose opinion I respect.
Overall, this book had a great concept, but the pace was too slow and the secondary character depth didn’t work well for me. Despite this, I liked it, but it didn’t escalate to the next level for me.
I received a digital copy of this book in a Goodreads Discussion Group Giveaway. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
I’m only half way through this book, but already love how honest and genuine the characters are that you can actually feel what they’re thinking before anything is said. It captures immigrants arriving on an over-crowded ship to Ellis Island and the harsh realities a young Irish boy had to deal with before a Sicilian family claimed him as their son to help protect his American entrance after the death of his guardian uncle on board. The fate which brought about this quick unexpected kindness, changes their lives. So far, I especially admire Mrs. Capello, whose quiet motherly compassion and quick wit comes through louder and stronger than words. This story is very well written which makes so enjoyable to read and I would highly recommend it.
I enjoyed reading this book very much. I think the search of an orphan for his father was very realistic. There were many Irish who immigrated to the US in the early 20th century. These were rough time for the new people to cope with. It is ironic that the main character (who was Irish) could find help from Italians an be part of their family. Good book.