Spring Melt by Lori Duffy Foster
- Merissa
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
@loriduffyfosterauthor
@lori.duffy.foster
As a doctor’s wife in a thriving Adirondack village in the 1920s, Ella Devine seems to have an ideal life. Her husband grew rich catering to New York City socialites who wanted to hide their TB diagnoses from their friends. Their marriage is devoid of emotion, but so is she, having learned long ago to quietly accept whatever life offers. But all that changes when three men are charged with a nineteen-year-old murder, and the long-buried crime that shaped Ella’s childhood is exposed.
Spring Melt draws on the rich and fascinating history of the Adirondacks, where hikers who see only low hills and lush vegetation fail to perceive the hidden dangers and lose their lives by stepping two feet off the trail. Since the late 1800s, the wilderness that is the Adirondacks has been both a frontier to be conquered only by the hardiest of humans and a playland for the wealthy. When these two worlds collide, the resulting explosion can be fatal.
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5 out of 5 (exceptional)
SPRING MELT is a standalone historical crime story that tells you about Ella and the horrific act forced upon her at 9-years-old. Nineteen years later, three men are being held accountable for the murder of her r@pist. Was it really planned, or did fate play a part?
This was an amazing story that drew me in and kept my attention from the very first chapter. Normally, I wouldn't say anything about being happy with a divorce/separation in the first few pages, but this one I celebrated! Not only that, but I was with Ella every step of the way as she found herself and the peace needed to move on with her life.
The glimpse into the 1920s social system, the job of a lumberjack, plus how if you had money, you could even buy a Not Guilty verdict (if it even got that far!) was so incredibly written, I was completely engrossed.
Ella is surrounded by an amazing supporting cast of characters, including but not limited to the wonderful Will. Hooper, although not around too much, was also a firm favourite. I thoroughly enjoyed the scenes with Maddox, as he made me question what was right and wrong, both morally and legally. The epilogue at the end made my eyes leak in the best way.
Told from multiple perspectives, this was outstanding in every way. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book, and although I have no personal knowledge of the Adirondacks, I can honestly say I feel as though I've now been there.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Tell us a little about yourself beyond your writing life.
It’s tough to make a living writing novels, especially with two of our four kids still in college. So, I spend part of my days managing and moderating online communities for people with chronic illnesses and cancer. It’s sobering work, for sure. But I love my job for a few reasons: it’s part time, it’s flexible and it feels deeply meaningful. More money would be nice though!
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working on a book?
When I’m not working or writing, I’m usually enjoying our land in the middle of nowhere with my husband. We tap trees for maple syrup in the spring; garden, hike and swim in the summer; hike in the fall and cross-country ski when the weather allows in the winter. I used to be an avid runner (six marathons in all), but foot surgery and a “few” extra pounds changed that. That’s my excuse anyway.
When did you know you wanted to turn writing into a career?
I grew up in a family of eight kids with very little money, so I was determined not to pursue writing in college, even though I’d always had the urge. I wanted financial stability. That lasted a year. I traded a geochemistry major for degrees in communications and English and got a full-time reporting job immediately after I graduated. That was my compromise. It was a “real” job with a regular paycheck and benefits that involved writing. I loved it!
I earned a master’s degree in creative writing while working full-time and, when we moved from Syracuse, NY, to Phoenix, AZ, for my husband’s job, I decided it was time to commit to my real passion, writing fiction. Of course, then came kids, which meant pitching in financially with part-time jobs. So, it took me nine years to complete my first novel, revisions and all. But, when I finished it and then completed another two years later, I knew there was no going back. I signed my first contract and I was an author.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Margaret Atwood is my hero—still writing best-sellers at 86 years old. I won’t be 86 in ten years, but I’ll be beyond the average retirement age, and that’s how I want to live my life. I never want to retire from writing. I want to hone this craft more with each passing year, get more savvy about this business and create novels that stay with people years after they’ve finished the book.
What advice would you give aspiring writers?
This is a business and, if you want to succeed, you need to learn the business. Take your time. Don’t write a novel and then jump right into self-publishing or give up entirely because you didn’t immediately get a contract with one of the big five publishers. Go to conferences. Join critique groups. Join writing organizations. Study and network. Seek out criticism and use it wisely. Learn about marketing and promotion. Learn about all the different publishing paths and the pros and cons of each before you choose one. Shelve that first novel for a while and write another one. I promise you won’t regret it. The best writers are always learning and always improving. Be that person.
A former crime reporter, Lori Duffy Foster was born and raised in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State, where a piece of her heart remains and her latest novel, SPRING MELT, is set. SPRING MELT, her first historical-suspense novel, releases March 10. Her previous novels include NEVER LET GO, a thriller, and the Lisa Jamison Mystery Series. Her books have been nominees or finalists for Agatha, Silver Falchion and Shamus awards. Lori is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, The Historical Novel Society, International Thriller Writers, The Finger Lakes Authors & Readers Experience and Pennwriters. After several moves about the country with her family, Lori now lives and writes in the hills of Northern Pennsylvania. Look out for NO STRANGER HERE, a thriller, releasing from Speaking Volumes in 2027.
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