The House on Olive Street ~ by Robyn Carr

The House on Olive Street ~ by Robyn Carr, 1999, fiction, 9/10

I borrowed this book from my friend Jane, and it was a good one.  Five women, all published writers, are in a writers group, even though their fields are vastly different.  Four of the women — bestselling author, academic, romance writer, mystery writer — spend a summer sorting through the personal effects of their other friend, who died suddenly.  For each one, it's an escape from something in their own lives.  One is hiding domestic violence; another is hiding her past.  One is afraid to admit she is tired of being alone; another has a large family "using" her without ever "helping" her with chores, even though she's working full-time as well as being a wife and mother.  On top of all that, they learn things about their deceased friend they never knew.  And for all of them, life changes that summer.

Highly recommended and rated 9/10, an excellent book.