Letters for Emily by Camron Wright

This year, I've read two other Camron Wright book, the Rent Collector and the Orphan Keeper. I loved one and was on the fence about the other, so I decided to read his other book, Letters for Emily.

It is about a family; a separated couple (Laura and Bob) and their young daughter (Emily), and his aging dad (Harry).

The son and aging dad have a strained relationship. The daughter-in-law and granddaughter visit the aging grandfather often. He's slowly losing his mind, has constant care, and has a mental illness.

Suddenly, Harry passes away. Soon in going through Harry's things, they find books of riddles. They are homemade books made with great craftsmanship. Soon they find that the riddle's answers open up files on Harry's computer. The stories all tell more about Harry's life. His wife died when their kids were growing up. Harry wasn't a loving father. Through his letter's his kids learn of his love story with their mother.

Meanwhile, as Bob and Laura are separated, he moves across the country to work in pharmaceutical sales in San Diego. The distance doesn't help his relationship with Laura. The book of riddles and the game of it all helps bring them together.

Bob is starting to see a lady that works at one of the doctor's offices that he visits. Laura busies herself taking care of Emily and with the riddles.

They find out that Harry left his house to Emily. Bob's sister, Michelle and her husband are sent the book of riddles. Her husband is convinced it leads to lots of money.

Through the book and files, they learn that Bob and Michelle's mom was coming to reconcile with her husband when she died in a car accident.

Bob, Laura, Michelle, and her husband meet up to search the house and solve more riddles to read more files. They find a safe, but it's empty.

Through the stories, Laura decides to drive across the country to try to renew her relationship with Bob. Bob realizes that he may lose Laura, so he calls her, but can't get a hold of her. He thinks of what happened to his mom and fears for Laura. He realizes she must of driven to see him despite winter storms along the way. Is it too late for them? Meanwhile, after a long journey, Laura's car breaks down not far from Bob's apartment. He decides to go out to find Laura and Emily and there they are! They walked to his place. Somehow everything they've been through brings them together. They're a family again and have a second chance, which is more than Bob's father could ever have asked for.

What was interesting about this story was that it was based off the story of the author, Camron Wright's grandfather, who like Harry had mental issues.

I was hoping I'd love this book, but I was kind of on the fence about it.