Book Review: The Revenge of the Radioactive Lady

Though I always love quirky books, I tend to shy away from them. That is what happened to me with this book at first. I kept seeing it on bookshelves and library carts and while I was attracted to the cover I never picked it up. By the seventh time I saw it, I felt that the book was following me and that I had to read it. I am so glad that I did because it is the perfect combination of quirky characters, compassionate story, and deep drama. I found myself laughing out loud on one page only to turn the page and be crying. It was a roller coaster of emotion without any gimmicks or cliches.

At first, it seems that the story centers around Marylou Ahearn, an older lady who moved to Florida to get revenge on a doctor who ruined her life decades before. She rents out her house and buys another under the name Nancy Acher where she stalks Dr. Wilson. Of course Dr. Wilson has aged since she saw him last and he is now suffering from some memory loss and living with his family. Wilson’s family is the epitome of quirky which includes his work-aholic brother-in-law, his burnt out daughter, his gorgeous granddaughter who suffers from Asperger’s, his genius grandson who also suffers from Asperger’s, and his silent and forgotten granddaughter who suffers from lack of her parents’ attention. Such a family is not what Nancy had bargained for and so she decides to destroy the family as Wilson had destroyed her own. Yet as she gets closer to each family member, she begins to wonder if she had been wrong all along.

The chapters of the novel alternate between each main character. While this technique can come off as annoying or disjointed when used by other authors, Elizabeth Stuckey-French is a master at her craft. Each character was completely unique and just as bit enchanting as each of the others. I found myself rocketing through the novel, unable to put it down. My only complaint was the ending. I felt that the final chapter or so when from being quirky to completely unrealistic and slightly mind-boggling. However, it did not ruin the rest of the story that I completely recommend!

-DLP