A gripping psychological thriller.
Rebecca Calhoun is a self-possessed woman who enjoys trudging through the mud of other people’s minds and souls in her psychology practice. At the very least, the problems of her clients keep her from looking too deeply at her own unresolved issues. When she meets Moremi, Rebecca feels a kinship right away. Living away from her homeland of Nigeria for a decade has taken a toll on Moremi. She struggles to balance her African heritage with her American home life, all while raising a son and trying to understand the growing chasm separating her from her husband. At first, the appointments benefit Moremi, but cathartic psychotherapy sessions turn into psychopathic action sequences as Moremi and Rebecca uncover a plot that runs deeper than buried family secrets. In the process, a power that Moremi had nearly snuffed out is rekindled.
Ancestors by Jan C. Thorpe is a gripping psychological thriller that is propped up by traditional Voudou customs and beliefs. Everything about this intelligently written novel is surprising and dynamic. The cover artwork and opening scene evoke images of Bourbon Street with the ceremonial artifacts and spiritual experiences, while Moremi’s husband seems like he could thrive in Washington DC with his power suits and dark secrets. The warmth and connection between Moremi and Rebecca feels like a thoughtful relationship penned in an easy chick-lit novel, but the plot quickly erupts into chaos. The prose is sophisticated enough to add class, but not so much as to weigh down this intriguing story. You might not always be able to predict the direction that Ancestors will take, but you’ll definitely want to hang on for the ride in this uncanny, international novel.
