Guest Book Review: Flight Patterns

By Caryn Strean

I am embarrassed to admit that this is the first book I've read by Karen White. After finishing it, I can guarantee it won't be the last. Karen's storytelling ability rivals one of my favorites, Kristin Hannah, and if you are a fan of hers, be sure to pick up this book.

Flight Patterns tells the tale of two sisters, Georgia and Maisy, their mother Birdie, grandfather Ned, and Maisy's daughter Becky. Each chapter begins with an excerpt from Ned's beekeeping journal with facts about bees and further relates to the story. You will quickly realize how fascinating the study of bees is, how their brains work in a way to ensure their survival and produce honey.

Georgia, an expert in fine china and antiques, is brought pieces from a new client's grandmother's collection after her passing and asked to research more about the unique pattern, that of bees. With limited resources, she is forced to head back to her hometown in Florida after a decade-long absence. Bringing along her client, her visit is not welcomed by Maisy, and the two women have to figure out how to tolerate each other while Georgia does her research.

If secrets were measured in pounds, this family would collapse under the weight. Aside from the reason Georgia and Maisy are no longer on speaking terms, Birdie has become mute in the 10 years Georgia has been gone and is dealing with her own haunting memories. Even Georgia's client is hiding some.

I have to say that my favorite part of this book was trying to relate the bee fact at the beginning of the chapter with how it folded so neatly into the story at hand. I can't imagine the research and time it took to set that up so perfectly. It added such a sophistication to the book.

Ultimately, the story is about coming home. Does your past affect who you become in the future? Can it be changed along the way?

Thanks to Berkley/NAL for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Caryn Strean is a mom by day and reader by night. Asking her to name her favorite book is like asking her to choose a favorite child. Her friends call her The Book Whisperer. Caryn can be reached on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

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