A Star to Sail by

In Delaney's debut novel, young, widowed mystery writer Peggy Millwright discovers Owen Sinclair, a sailor who washes up on the beach near her Jersey Shore home--claiming to have fallen overboard in 1853. She doesn't believe his story but nonetheless feels compelled to help him adjust to the 20th century. As she gets to know him, his gentleness gradually warms her. While the plot meanders (an entire segment is devoted to Peggy's remembrance of her honeymoon in Czechoslovakia), Delaney's depiction of Owen's experiences as he discovers the wonders of post-1853 life and grows closer to Peggy are captivating. Delaney has written a moving story, especially in her description of Peggy's withdrawal from the world after the death of her husband and her struggle to learn to love again. (Nov.)