Mean Low Water


Fiction - Southern
380 Pages
Reviewed on 07/28/2024
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Nino Lobiladze for Readers' Favorite

Mean Low Water by Stephanie Alexander will appeal to fans of drama, mystery, literary, and Southern fiction. Lisa Lightstone, or LeeLee, does her best to suppress her gift. LeeLee can read people's thoughts. Also, she gets "readings" of past and future events. Her best high school friend, Ginny Blankenship, has similar abilities. She keeps LeeLee's secret and cherishes their close friendship until the handsome Peace Smith stands between them. LeeLee works hard and, at thirty-five, can be considered successful with a family court attorney's career, a wealthy lawyer husband, Clay Moretz, three sons, and a beautiful house in Charleston. But Peace returns to South Carolina after years of absence. He tells LeeLee that Ginny is missing, and her mother, Cheryl, suspects he could do something bad to her. LeeLee knows that Ginny struggled with drug and alcohol addiction and doesn't believe that Peace is the one to blame. Torn between Peace and Clay, LeeLee starts her investigation.

In Mean Low Water, Stephanie Alexander explores the themes of belonging, friendship, love, loyalty, and duty. Alexander compares romantic first love to married life with its routines and predictability and nudges us to reach unexpected and eye-opening conclusions. The author creates a cast of profound characters. LeeLee and Ginny have much in common, yet they are different. LeeLee craves stability and rejects Ginny's way of life. But she is capable of a wonderful and surprising gesture, showing how much she values their friendship. Ginny proves that the prophetic gift borders on insanity and may be destructive. We respect her for her big heart and courage to stay true to herself. Peace's character is romantic and tragic at the same time. Alexander crafts a nail-biting mystery and keeps us guessing about LeeLee's life-changing decision until the last chapters. I appreciated the gentle touch of magical realism, vivid descriptions of Charleston, one of America's most beautiful cities, and the stirring scenes at the end.