Three Story House

Santo (The Roots of the Olive Tree) turns home improvement into a metaphor for self-discovery in this well-crafted novel. Cousins Lizzie, Elyse, and Isobel have been inseparable since childhood, when their family dubbed them the “Triplins”—a cross between cousins and triplets. Lizzie, under pressure by her estranged mother, reluctantly agrees to help save her late grandmother’s Memphis home from demolition. After all, she’s an elite soccer player who has just destroyed her ACL and has nothing but time on her hands. Hearing of Lizzie’s state of affairs, Elyse, whose sister is about to marry the man of Elyse’s dreams, and Isobel, a former child star at loose ends, join her. While slogging through the renovations, each woman must confront her own insecurities as well as a few surprising family secrets, including the truth of Lizzie’s parentage. Told in three parts, each from a different triplin’s point of view, the novel skillfully draws readers into its fictional world. Fans of historic homes will appreciate Santo’s focus on the number of repairs beloved old houses often require. Agent: Alexandra Machinist, ICM Partners. (Aug.)