by Nina Bawden
First published 2006
At fifteen, Daisy learns a shocking truth about her friend Ruth. Ruth's father once imprisoned her in the old garden ice house during her childhood. This brutal punishment explains why Ruth retreats into fantasy and make believe. The shared secret bonds the two girls in a friendship built on protection and loyalty. Decades pass. Now middle aged, Daisy and Ruth live as neighbors on the same street. When Daisy's husband dies without warning, Ruth makes a disturbing discovery. The marriage she believed was happy was actually miserable. This revelation begins to destroy everything Ruth thought she knew about adult life. The novel examines friendship, love, and marriage as Ruth confronts uncomfortable truths. The story moves from the frightening world of suburban secrets to an unexpected ending among Egyptian pharaohs' tombs. Bawden explores how childhood trauma shapes adult relationships and how adultery burns through carefully constructed lives.
Genres: literary-fiction, friendship, contemporary, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Egypt, Garden Ice House
Period: Decades
Audio Cassette · G K Hall Audio Books
Content warnings: abuse, child-abuse