A Map to Paradise

Name: A Map to Paradise
Brand: Penguin Random House
Availability: InStock
Author: Susan Meissner
ISBN: 9798217015443

Author: Susan Meissner

Narrator: Lisa Flanagan

Unabridged: 9 hr 26 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Published: 03/18/2025

Categories: Fiction, Friendship, Historical Fiction

Synopsis

1956, Malibu, California: Something is not right on Paradise Circle.

With her name on the Hollywood blacklist and her life on hold, starlet Melanie Cole has little choice in company. There is her next-door neighbor, Elwood, but the screenwriter’s agoraphobia allows for just short chats through open windows. He’s her sole confidante, though, as she and her housekeeper, Eva, an immigrant from war-torn Europe, rarely make conversation.

Then one early morning Melanie and Eva spot Elwood’s sister-in-law and caretaker, June, digging in his beloved rose garden. After that they don’t see Elwood at all anymore. Where could a man who never leaves the house possibly have gone?

As they try to find out if something has happened to him, unexpected secrets are revealed among all three women, leading to an alliance that seems the only way for any of them to hold on to what they can still call their own. But it’s a fragile pact and one little spark could send it all up in smoke…

About The Author

Susan Meissner is a former managing editor of a weekly newspaper and an award-winning columnist. She is the award-winning author of The Nature of Fragile Things, The Last Year of the War, As Bright as Heaven, A Bridge Across the Ocean, Secrets of a Charmed Life, A Fall of Marigolds, and Stars over Sunset Boulevard, among other novels.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Debra on March 14, 2025

1956, Malibu, Paradise Circle Secrets, connections, longing, love, loss, labels, friendships, and survival are all themes that come into play during this character driven gripping book. It is a little on the slow side and while I struggle with slow moving books, I did not mind the pacing in this book......more

Goodreads review by Maren’s Reads on March 23, 2025

3.5-4⭐️ 1956 Malibu, California - Paradise Circle is home to black-listed actress Melanie Cole and her friend, agoraphobic screenwriter Elwood, who lives with his sister-in-law, June, as she helps to take care of him. Elwood is Melanie’s sole confidant, often speaking to her every day through his wi......more

Goodreads review by Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews on March 18, 2025

Set during the McCarthy era, we meet three women. Melanie has been blacklisted because she was seen with a producer that they think is a communist. Eva is a Polish housekeeper for Melanie. June lives next door to Melanie and is taking care of her brother-in-law who won’t come out of his house because o......more

Goodreads review by Meagan on March 22, 2025

Sooooo slow. The story wasn’t enough to hook me and the second half unfolded in a very predictable way. Love Susan’s storytelling, but this one just wasn’t enough for me.......more

Quotes

Praise for Susan Meissner's A Map to Paradise:

“A beautiful journey that explores the price of choices made in the heat of the moment, the importance of second chances, and the power of finding a place to belong.” – Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Friends

" A tale both tender and touching, about three complex and damaged women who despite their outward differences are all searching for that elusive thing called a home." – Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Briar Club