The Lockhart Women, Mary Camarillo
The Lockhart Women, Mary Camarillo
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The Lockhart Women
A Novel

Author: Mary Camarillo

Narrator: Kirsten Potter

Unabridged: 9 hr 36 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 12/20/2022

Synopsis

Brenda Lockhart’s family has been living well beyond their means for too long when Brenda’s husband leaves them―for an older and less attractive woman than Brenda, no less.Brenda has never worked outside the home, and the family’s economic situation quickly declines. Oldest daughter Peggy is certain she’s heading off to a university, until her father offers her a job sorting mail while she attends community college instead. Younger daughter Allison, a high school senior, can’t believe her luck that California golden boy Kevin has fallen in love with her.Meanwhile, the chatter about the O. J. Simpson murder investigations is always on in the background, a media frenzy that underscores domestic violence against women and race and class divisions in Southern California.Brenda, increasingly obsessed with the case, is convinced O. J. is innocent and has been framed by the Los Angeles Police Department. Both daughters are more interested in their own lives―that is, until Peggy starts noticing bruises Allison can’t explain.For a while, it feels to everyone as if the family is falling apart, but in the end, things come together in unexpected ways.

About Mary Camarillo

Mary Camarillo went to work for the Postal Service after high school. It might be genetic; both her grandfathers were railway mail clerks. Her short stories and poems have been published in the Sonora Review, the Bookends Review, Lunch Ticket, and The Ear, among others. She lives in Huntington Beach, California, with her husband, who plays ukulele, and their terrorist cat, Riley, who has his own Instagram account.

About Kirsten Potter

Kirsten Potter has won several awards, including more than a dozen AudioFile Earphones Awards and been a three-time finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. Her work has been recognized by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts and by AudioFile magazine, among many others. She graduated with highest honors from Boston University and has performed on stage and in film and television, including roles on Medium, Bones, and Judging Amy.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Susan Z (webreakforbooks) on November 07, 2021

It's the mid 1990s in California, and Brenda's husband leaves her to be with a coworker. Brenda is left with her 2 teen girls. Fun times are ahead for Brenda as teen girls are not the easiest souls to get along with (I am lucky my girls are pretty wonderful, but we have had our share of hiccups) I l......more

Goodreads review by Nursebookie on November 18, 2021

Set in my hometown of Southern California in the 90’s, and the backdrop of the OJ Simpson trial, Camarillo’s riveting debut The Lockhart Women portrays an intimate look into the heart and soul of a middle class family coming undone. Well written Unputdownable Fast Paced Enough said, read this book!......more

Goodreads review by Gina on June 01, 2021

The Lockhart Women is the best novel I have read in a long, long while. This is a story so engaging and so well-written that at times I forgot I was actually reading. I lost myself in this book during the two days it took me to read it (I blew off my entire to-do list because I could not put it down......more

Goodreads review by Gail on November 12, 2021

A compelling, character driven novel, The Lockhart Women introduces mother Brenda and her two daughters. The women are very different and make remarkable personal journeys through the plot which fizzes with danger and excitement. Their stories juxtapose with the trial of OJ Simpson adding an intrigu......more

Goodreads review by Mary Jackson on November 05, 2021

Do you enjoy stories about dysfunctional families? Then you have go to read this one. Camarillo pulls you in with these true to life characters. This is a must read you will fly through this book. 4 stars and I recommend it. The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable......more

Quotes

“This is a gripping, sometimes funny, novel that will keep you turning the pages.” San Francisco Book Review

“The author uses the Simpson trial as an indicator for Brenda’s growth…Peggy and Allison aren’t always likable, either, but they also learn to make better decisions, and the novel’s ending is a satisfying one.” Kirkus Reviews

“Camarillo’s prose is lively, companionable, and quite satisfyingly observant in ways that surprise and delight.” Richard Bausch, author of Peace

“The Lockhart women make mistake after mistake in this delightful debut novel, but that’s part of their charm. Touching on themes of motherhood, fidelity, and responsibility, this is a coming-of-age tale for both Brenda and her daughters.” Julie Zuckerman, author of The Book of Jeremiah

Awards

  • WILLA Literary Award
  • ScreenCraft Cinematic Book Competition
  • California Indie Author Award
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