The discovery of human remains at the old Starlite Drive-In theatre brings up in razor-sharp detail the events of the summer of 1956 for Callie Anne Benton. The drive-in bounded her world and that of her parents—her father managed the place, out in the country several miles from the nearest town, and her mother, suffering from agoraphobia, never left their house, situated on the property. Callie Anne occupies herself with catching frogs at the nearby creek and watching movies in the soundbooth with her father until she has them memorized. But, the summer that she is nearly 13, everything changes.
The arrival of a drifter named Charlie Memphis, hired to help her crippled father with maintenance, throws a stone into the placid waters of their lives. He’s handsome, a stranger, and treats Callie’s mother, Teal, with appreciation—something she doesn’t get from her husband. You can feel the attraction cracking between them, and it’s a wonder that Callie’s father doesn’t start worrying sooner. Callie is also growing up, in that awkward stage between tomboy and young woman. She’s got a crush on Virgil, the high school boy spending his summer working at the drive-in, and a crush on Charlie Memphis too.
One thing I loved about The Starlite Drive-in
And although the discovery of just whose bones they were won’t be a total shock, the joy of this novel lies not in the revelation of a mystery, but in the journey to get there—a path filled with sun-splashed afternoons, first love and painful revelations, and a woman who made an unexpected choice and had the backbone to keep on with it.
Highly recommended. The Starlite Drive-in
We have a copy to give away to one of you, thanks to the publisher! Just leave a comment here, and we’ll announce the winner in our giveaway column on February 1. This is open to U.S. and Canadian addresses.
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Elizabeth is glad she never has to be 12 again, but she still enjoys reading of other’s travails. Learn more at her blog Planet Nomad.
Please count me in for the giveaway. Thanks!
Margaret
singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com
I love a good character-driven book and I remember there was an old Starlite Drive-In in my hometown when I was a young girl.
Count me in!
Please enter my name. Thanks.
this book would be a wonderful experience. The story, era and characters. Many thanks.
Sounds good! Sign me up!
Sounds like a good read – count me in as well!
What a wonderful setting for a murder mystery!!!
We had a a Starlite Drive in our town too. I think that drive-ins have a mystique of their own so I would really love to read this book!!!
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I was born in 1952 so the drive-in was the Saturday night entertainment! Would love to read it!
This sounds like a very interesting book that I would love to read. Please include me in the giveaway. Thanks so much, Mich
What a cast of interesting characters and
an interesting plot…
Many thanks, Cindi
love to win!
Sounds like a great story – thanks 🙂
Hiya, sounds like an interesting story with great characters – fab review!
Jessica from Booked Up!
http://bookedupbloggers.blogspot.com/
🙂 xxx
Looks like a great book!
Oh, how I do remember the good olde days in the 50 and 60’s going to the drive-in.
I would love to read this book.
You got it! Congrats on winning! Please reply by sending us your address.
I also remember the drive-in theatres! This looks like a very good book. Thanks!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
It sounds really interesting. Would love to read it!
Please enter me.
I would like to win this book.
Enter me in this giveaway cause I would love to read this. Thank you for this giveaway. 🙂 Jeanne
Please enter me. Love your book reviews!
The Starlite Drive-In strikes a nostalgic cord with me and I love a mystery!
our local drive-in is also the Starlight and we love it. Of course it does not offer dead bodies…
I would love to read this book.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
This sounds like a good story & mystery.
I would love to read it!
Love good mysteries and would like to read this.
Sounds very interesting.
This sounds like a book I would really enjoy! Thank you for the giveaway!
This book sounds amazing, and I’d love to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!
I love a good mystery.
I’ve always found a suspense in a good mystery.
This sounds like a winner to me!
Please count me in for the giveaway. I’m eager to read this one not just for the nostalgic setting but also for the complexity of the characters. As you point out, people are a mix of good and bad and I enjoy that sort of realism in my reading. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Thanks for the giveaway