Inheriting Edith

When housekeeper and single mother Maggie Sheets inherits a house in present day Sag Harbor, N.Y., from her former friend Liza, a famous author, she must decide whether moving in is worth the price of what comes with the bequest: Liza’s 82-year-old mother, Edith. Edith is struggling to deal with her daughter’s death along with increasing symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and she must begrudgingly rely on Maggie in more ways than one. As Maggie and Edith’s relationship develops, Maggie offers to write down Edith’s memories before it’s too late. As secrets are revealed, both women confront issues they thought they had left behind. Fishman (Saving Ruth) combines relatable circumstances and delightful dialogue in this character-driven tale about forgiveness and acceptance, making it a quick read that’s hard to put down. Curmudgeonly yet lovable Edith is a snappy force to be reckoned with, and she demonstrates that even when things don’t go as planned, challenges are not necessarily bad, and a good life can be forged out of bleak situations. (Sept.)