Before She Was a Finley: A Novel - by Carol Hoenig (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In Carol Hoenig's previous novel, Without Grace, it is believed that Grace Finley walked out on her husband and two young children to fulfill a selfish dream of becoming a famous singer, leaving behind rumors and questions among her family and townsfolk in the mountains of Upstate New York.

Now in Before She Was a Finley, it is years later when Adele, a reluctant young journalism student is assigned to "get" a story from a local nursing home where she comes across elderly Grace Finley. Over time, Grace slowly takes Adele back to the 1930s and subsequent years that follow as she provides bits and pieces that eventually reveal the dark truth as to why she walked out on her family carrying only a guitar and suitcase. Adele knows that the class assignment was simply to write about a local person, and even though journalists aren't supposed to be a part of the story, she cannot shake what she discovered and wants to do more to set the record straight. But is there anyone still alive who would care?

In reviewing Without Grace, North Country Public Radio said, "We need more North Country novels like Without Grace, novels with a keen sense of place. Before She was a Finley answers that call.

Review Quotes

"I so completely enjoyed your novel. Got completely hooked on it, loved Vicky especially-of course with my food obsessions, of course I would--but got very involved with her journey. She's a wonderful heroine and the ultimate encounter with her mother is powerful. Congratulations to you for writing such a moving book."--Delia Ephron, author of Siracusa

"Without Grace is the story of a girl's search for her mother, a subject that cannot help but make the reader, and this reader, wonder what is going to happen next."-Rona Jaffe, author of The Best of Everything