Review ~ Tigers in Red Weather by Liza Klaussmann

My thanks to NetGalley and Little. Brown and Company for a pre publication e-galley edition of this book to read and  review.

Tigers in Red Weather by Liza Klaussmann

Tigers in Red Weather is a beautifully descriptive novel, which captures the very essence of family secrets, betrayal and intrigue. Told in a sequence of five separate narratives, by five very different narrators, the story of the family at Tiger House is gradually exposed.

Much of the story takes place at the family’s summer home, Tiger House, at Martha’s Vineyard on the East Coast of America. The languor of the post war era is beautifully captured, and yet it is the sharp observation of family intimacies, and guarded relationships which lie at the very heart of the novel. With clever manipulation the author has managed to get under the skin of her characters, Nick and Helena, both young brides at the end of WW2, are discontented and disappointed, whilst war veteran, Hughes, Nick’s husband, seems a genuinely nice man, but lacks passion. Moving forward in time, the children of Nick and Helena, Daisy and Ed, each with their own character flaws, attempt to make sense of complex family secrets.

Without doubt, this is an impressive debut novel. The lyrical quality of the writing is matched by skilful time management, and even though the story moves forwards and backwards in time, there is no loss of momentum. The interwoven narratives blend together flawlessly, and with great skill the author manages to convey a fascinating insight into complex family relationships.


I enjoyed it, and look forward to more books from this talented author.

Published 17 July 2012 Little, Brown and Company

To be published in the UK by Picador August 2 2012