The Carousel: A Novel

About this book

In public Oliver Grey is a devoted father prominent public figure humanitarian and respected businessman. But in private theres a much darker side to Oliver Grey; a side so dark that someone is driven to kill him... Though the Greys appear to be an enviable upper class family they are not without problems. Ian the older son is a womanizer and compulsive gambler; Clive the younger son is an odd man barely five feet tall with no life outside his work as an accountant; and Amanda Olivers niece whom he raised after her parents died in a plane crash has been twice divorced and has had a difficult life. Dan Amandas brother is the only Grey who appears to have no problemsexcept with his six-year-old daughter Caroline whose behavior reminds him more and more of his troubled sister Amanda. The trouble had started with Oliver Greys decision to divide his nationally known business Greys Food among Ian Clive and Dan. Amanda bitter about being left out of the business arrives from California to straighten out her financial holdings in the company. On a visit to Ellen Dans wife Amanda sees a silver carousel much like the one Oliver gave her when she was a child. Ellen says the carousel was a gift to Caroline from Oliver. Amanda breaks down and tells Ellen that Oliver had given her the carousel to keep her from telling the truth about the unspeakable things he had done to her. Ellen horrified by this revelation finally understands why her daughter has been acting so strangely and why a therapist had raised the possibility that Caroline may have been sexually abused. Ellen goes to Oliver Greys home that evening to confront him. And when she leaves he is dead. Belva Plain breaks new ground in this stunning new novel. A family drama with a strong strain of mystery The Carousel confirms her standing as one of todays most compelling and popular writers.