Drawing Home

An apparent conflict of interest melts into the comfort of chosen community in this warmhearted, personal story with Hamptons ambience. Emma Mapson, desk clerk at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor, N.Y., is as shocked as anyone when artist Henry Wyatt leaves his valuable estate, Windsong—and all of the art in it—to Emma’s daughter, Penny, who had recently become his friend and informal student. Wyatt’s old friend and business partner, Bea Winstead, arrives from Manhattan and refuses to leave Windsong while she attempts to dispute the will. Bea soon becomes involved in a quest to understand Henry’s choices by tracking down drawings, some of which show scenes from their past together, that he has hidden all over town. Brenner sits too long in Emma’s discomfort with the estate’s value and Bea’s entitled meanness before allowing them to interact in a more human way. Penny’s father is a caricature of villainy, and Brenner engages Penny’s mental illness mostly as a plot point. Nevertheless, sentimental readers will enjoy her commitment to showing how caring for others wins in the end. Agent: Adam Chromy, Movable Type Management. (May)