The Lucky Ones

As a girl, Allison Lamarque, the 25-year-old heroine of this solid romantic thriller from Rita-winner Reisz (Her Naughty Holiday), was one of seven needy children whom philanthropist and renowned neurosurgeon Vincent Capello took into his house in Clark Beach, Ore., where he lavished love on them. Allison was part of Dr. Capello’s community for five years, until she was pushed down a flight of stairs and wound up in the hospital unable to remember anything about the incident. Her elderly aunt removed Allison from Clark Beach, and in the 13 years since she has had no contact with either Dr. Capello or the other children he fostered. Now Allison receives a letter from Roland Capello, Dr. Capello’s adopted son, who requests that she come back to Clark Beach because his father is dying and is asking for her. Back in Oregon, as Allison tries to reconstruct who pushed her down the stairs and why, she begins uncovering sinister secrets. Well-drawn characters and a satisfying resolution of the mystery make up for the straightforward plot and some clumsy dialogue. (Feb.)