Alison Sawyer Current’s debut novel “No Urn for the Ashes” is a compelling story of heartbreak and adventure. The story begins with the brilliant scientist, Tennyson, pondering his latest creation. His invention is so powerful it will wipe out the need for fossil fuels.
But his excitement isn’t meant to last. Taylor, Tennyson’s wife, is left to fend for herself when a murder occurs, and a fire takes the life of the couple’s little girl.
Taylor learns that she now possesses the greatest product known to man, courtesy of her husband’s expertise. Throughout all this turmoil, Taylor reconnects with her estranged father who’s been keeping a powerful secret, and goes on a search to find her daughter — news comes that she may actually be alive. In her quest, Taylor finds that Tennyson’s legacy still haunts her life and she is caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse.
An intriguing and suspense novel, I truly enjoyed this book. Some say that first novels are like children, hard to deliver, yet beautiful after they are born. Current’s work leaves you on the edge, and her clever twists make for great storytelling.
Although, Current’s piece was a page-turner, the climactic scenes could have been less predictable and more engaging. This was a safe piece of fiction — it pushed the envelope only so far and had resolutions that weren’t all that surprising. Still, despite some slow pacing, this book has the potential to grip your heart.
Once readers start “No Urn for the Ashes” they will want to solve the mystery just as much as the characters. For such a satisfying piece of literature, that’s time well spent.
