by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this review on how to enter to win a copy of Drawing Conclusions. There is also a link to purchase the book where a portion goes to help support KRL & indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy.

When we first meet Constance “CeCe” Prentice, she’s behind a restaurant, dumpster-diving for discarded eggs and produce. CeCe and her friends are neither poor nor homeless, though: she’s the daughter of one of the most powerful and wealthy families in Long Island, but CeCe has chosen the Freegan lifestyle of subsisting entirely off found materials, discarded food, and produce she’s organically grown herself.

After a night of successful foraging, CeCe and her housemate Charlie return home to discover the police waiting for them—but it’s not because of any recreational drug use or trespassing complaint. CeCe’s twin brother Teddy’s body has been found at his workplace, the Cold Spring Harbor Lab, and Detective Frank DeRosta has concerns, starting with Teddy’s fiancée’s apparent suicide. When CeCe and Charlie are abducted on the way to the funeral, their food poisoned, and their home invaded, DeRosta convinces CeCe to help him with his investigation.

CeCe is far more complex than she first appears: highly intelligent and educated, she paints portraits, which enables her to analyze faces and identify their emotions. Even more surprising is how her apparent rebelliousness hides a far more generous spirit.

The story forces the reader to reevaluate preconceptions concerning Freeganism and consumerism. It’s very easy to initially write off CeCe as an overly idealistic, liberal, spoiled brat who rebelliously and perhaps hypocritically pursued her hippy-dippy lifestyle because of her privileged upbringing. As the story progresses, however, the author slowly reveals aspects of CeCe that validate her choices. CeCe’s and Frank’s debates about Freeganism, DNA destiny, and families are some of the most compelling aspects of this novel.

What shouldn’t be lost in the philosophical deliberation over Freeganism and DNA is just how much sheer fun this novel is to read. There’s humor and intelligence in both the characters and the story, and readers will reconsider their own beliefs long after reaching the novel’s entirely entertaining conclusion.

To enter to win a copy of Drawing Conclusions, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “Drawing,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen February 21, 2015. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & short stories in our mystery section.

Click on this link to purchase this book and you will be supporting an indie bookstore & a portion goes to help support KRL.

Drawing Conclusions

Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).