Sunsets on Catfish Bar: A Pendulum Novel

by Mary Strand

The Pendulum when life gives you second chances

"Emotionally complex and deeply involving, this is the story of a woman dealing with impossible challenges—and finding grace and humanity in the journey." —SUSAN WIGGS, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

Liz Tanner has spent her life escaping her traumatic childhood and trying to forget David Carruthers, the first boy she’d ever loved. After learning that her dad is dying, she returns to Wisconsin, planning to spend the summer at her family’s house on the St. Croix River and, at long last, to confront her old demons. As she takes a hiatus from her troubled marriage and unsatisfying career, she realizes that coming home might give her one last shot at happiness.

Or it might destroy her.

After nearly twenty years away, Liz discovers that the old demons are still alive and well. But her young daughter blossoms in the sun and water, and Liz throws herself into repairs—to the summer house and to her spirit. Maybe here, in this place that holds so many memories, both good and bad, she will truly find a home.

386 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 6, 2022

About the author

Mary Strand practiced law in a large Minneapolis firm until the day she set aside her pointy-toed shoes (or most of them) and escaped the world of mergers and acquisitions to write novels. The first manuscript she wrote, Cooper’s Folly, a romantic comedy, won RWA’s Golden Heart award and was her debut novel. Her love of Jane Austen prompted her four-book YA series, The Bennet Sisters.

Seemingly Perfect is her third novel in The Pendulum Trilogy of women's fiction novels.

Mary lives on a lake in Minneapolis with her family, too many Converse Chucks, and a stuffed monkey named Philip. When not writing books or songs, she lives for sports, travel, rocking out on guitar, dancing (badly), and ill-advised adventures (including dancing) that offer a high probability of injury to herself and others.

Mary writes YA, romantic comedy, women’s fiction, and children's sports novels. You can find her at www.marystrand.com, follow her on Twitter or Instagram (@Mary_Strand), or “like” her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marystrandauthor).

Reviews

[Will Tinkham · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a good summer read, well ... let's just say the Mary Strand does eveything she can to ruin the summer for her characters in SUNSETS ON CATFISH BAR, but she certainly won't ruin yours.

Think your family is screwed up? Walk a novel in Liz's shoes. After thirty years away from 'the River”, where her widowed father had remarried—turning her high school crush into her step-brother—Liz returns to her now near-comatose dad who had been the reason for her leaving in the first place. What could go right?

A wonderful—sometimes uncomfortable—novel, SUNSETS ON CATFISH BAR seems doomed to fail like the marriages it chronicles but ultimately succeeds in weathering the storm.

[Sandee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good novel about marriage, family and romance. Liz experienced fear and pain as a child. Although it ended she carries the memories and emotional scars forward into her life as a wife and mother. David married his high-school sweetheart. When Liz rejoins her family at their summer home for the first time in many years, everything starts to change. I love the perspectives of the characters, their flaws and strengths and their growth. I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Msb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Strand introduces us to her new trilogy in this novel filled laughs, tension, strong emotion, and celebration. This novel is woven together with multiple points of view and backstories and features plenty of unexpected twists and turns. Set at the picturesque River, it has made me long for those early summer days of warm weather and lakefront beaches. A quick read, with characters who are relatable and dynamic, it’s the perfect beach day read.