The House on Oyster Creek

Liza Gyllenhaal has charmed readers with her “gripping and deeply perceptive” (Ben Sherwood, Author of Charlie St. Cloud) novels. Now the author of A Place for Us brings us a captivating new story about a womans struggle to rebuild her life after scandal destroys her marriage....

After her accountant husband disappears with millions of dollars stolen from his companys clients, Alice Hyatt flees New York City and moves to her familys longtime summer home in a small town in western Massachusetts. There she begins to make a new start, reconnecting with old friends and finding peace—and a growing sense of pride—as a landscape architect.

When extremely wealthy newcomer Graham Mackenzie asks her to design an elaborate garden for him, she cant turn down the opportunity despite misgivings about Mackenzies energy company, which specializes in the controversial practice of fracking.

But just as the project nears completion, she learns Mackenzies offer is not all that it seems. Once again, Alice finds herself embroiled in someone elses crimes, this time putting her newfound success—and possibly her life—in jeopardy....

CONVERSATION GUIDE INCLUDED

 

Praise for Bleeding Heart

“The multilayered plot and deceptive characters makes this a strong crossover chick lit/mystery novel. Great for book club discussion groups.” —Library Journal

“Gardening thriller may seem an unlikely genre, but Gyllenhaal pulls it off. The novel deftly balances comforting descriptions of gardens and small-town life with the suspenseful unraveling of a mystery.  A compelling story of one womans attempt to find herself, build her business and solve a mystery.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Gyllenhaal nicely weaves environmental politics, financial shenanigans, and murder into Alices compelling story. Could get heated for book groups.”—Booklist

“A compelling, adroitly crafted novel of suspense about a womans second chance at happiness. Her lucid prose illuminates everyday life while shining a light on the darkest secrets and desires. The taut and evocative prose is psychologically astute and powerful.  Liza Gyllenhaal is one of our finest novelists of the heart writing today.”—Carol Goodman, author of The Lake of Dead Languages and the Blythewood novels

“In this tautly paced mystery set in the bucolic Berkshires, Liza Gyllenhaal delivers a tale of betrayal, greed, and murder with more twists than the paths through the gardens she describes so poetically along the way. Gyllenhaal also handily highlights a contemporary social issue sure to spark debates in every corner, as well as creating female characters with heart and ambition who have the courage to get their hands dirty, live by their convictions, and reinvent themselves. Fans of Jodi Picoult and Chris Bohjalian, this book's for you!”—Holly Robinson, author of The Wishing Hill and Beach Plum Island

“Full of intrigue and heart, Liza Gyllenhaals new novel is sure to leave you feeling as if youve taken a stroll through your favorite flower garden and found that strength was in full bloom.”—Jennifer Scott, author of The Sister Season

Praise for the novels of Liza Gyllenhaal

“Gyllenhaal has written a lyrical, psychologically astute, heart-stoppingly suspenseful novel about what it means to be part of a family.”—Ellen Feldman, author of Next to Love

“Gyllenhaals novel is a snapshot of a family and a community in crisis. It is a thought-provoking, all-too-familiar story of young people attempting to navigate the often treacherous road to adulthood and adults attempting to parent on an equally dangerous path.”—Booklist

“Unexpected, jarring and beautiful…Gyllenhaal demonstrates a deft hand at lyrical writing that subtly balances metaphors, philosophical realizations, and the realistic complexity of emotions.”—Berkshire Eagle

“This is a book to savor.”—Publishers Weekly

“Gripping and deeply perceptive...Small-town life and work are rendered in vivid detail, as are the memorable characters who come alive in the hands of a gifted new writer.”—Ben Sherwood, author of Charlie St. Cloud

 

Sensitive but practical, Charlotte Tradescome has come to accept the reticence of her older, work-obsessed husband Henry. Still, she hopes to create a life for their three-year-old daughter. So when Henry inherits a home on Cape Cod, she, Henry, and little Fiona move from their Manhattan apartment to this seaside community. Charlotte sells off part of Tradescome Point, inadvertently fueling the conflict between newcomers and locals. Many townspeople easily dismiss Charlotte as a "washashore." A rare exception is Darryl Stead, an oyster farmer with modest dreams and an open heart, with whom Charlotte feels the connection she's been missing. Ultimately he transforms the way she sees herself, the town, and the people she loves...

Liza Gyllenhaal is the author of A Place for Us, Local Knowledge, and So Near. She and her husband divide their time between New York City and the Berkshire Hills in Massachusetts.