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Losing Clementine    by Ashley Ream Amazon.com order for
Losing Clementine
by Ashley Ream
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William Morrow, 2012 (2012)
Softcover, e-Book

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* * *   Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth

Clementine has decided she's had enough of the life she's been living and wants to end it. Her dilemma is that she feels she must plan her suicide down to the last breath so as to leave nothing behind for anyone else to clean up.

A successful artist, she plans her demise for the end of the new month. There is a painting she plans to finish. She must find a home for her cat. Sell off her household possessions. Fire her assistant Jenny. Clementine must reassure her ex-husband that he did the right thing in leaving her. Her father had left her mother and sister and herself. That turned into a heartrending tragedy. She must find the man and confront him.

So much to do and the month is slowly running out. Spend the last of her days with her and marvel at her preparations for the final moments of her life. Understand her reasoning. Is she doing the right thing for herself? Will she leave broken hearts behind? See how she handles a shock she never would have expected. Did you see it coming?

Cleverly plotted and fascinating, Clementine's story of kept me enthralled. It's truly hard to put down. Clementine's characterization presents her as a possibly irrational but highly troubled woman who has hit upon the solution to a life she can no longer abide. The meticulousness of her planning and her care for those she leaves behind makes the reader wonder whether if she had a slightly different frame of mind she might be able to save herself.

Losing Clementine is a debut novel for author Ashley Ream, who was formerly in the newspaper field. Fortunately for us, she has given up the news world to provide a very good read. Let's hope for more.

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