just finished the book; "The Sausage Maker's Daughters" by AGS Johnson which I enjoyed very much. Wow, what a dysfunctional family and in some ways reminded me of mine growing up as a child!If we all look closely there are bits of this story in all our childhoods...

It took me awhile to like or have any sympathy at all for Kip but when I realized how much childhood crap she was toting around, I could understand all the anger just bubbling away on
the surface of her personality and all through her life. It seems in every family we all have a roll to play and we take that "role" with us throughout our life and Kip sure wore hers well.

I found the pure hate of Sybel really, really sad and obviously something she would never get over.

Just like when the kids were little the father just gave up way too easily on Kip at the end and walked away from her when this was the time to finally "man up"...

I loved Philomena, the feminist Phil who was able to see from the outside the dysfunction of this decimated family and put Kip on the road to healing herself and letting the rest of the family "chips" as it were, take care of themselves.

Wonderful read and looking forward to the next book ( )

The title really doesn't do this book justice, although it and the family reputation have a great deal to do with the novel. This book was pure entertainment. Kip, the youngest of four daughters, the only one not blonde, and the daughter of her small Wisconsin town's largest employer, has always been the family misfit. The family is basically considered small town royalty so how does she find herself on trial for the murder of her brother in law? As the trail unfolds and during her interviews with her lawyers, the author seamlessly blends past with present, covering the Vietnam War and the anit-war protests on campus. Kip is a truly wonderful character, she is a turns needy, humorous and questioning. Loved the characters of Phil and William, her lawyers as well. The small town setting, where everyone knows everyone and one has a hard time living down their past, is one I can identify with as I live in one such small town. As the trial progresses the author slowly unravels exactly what made Kip the way she is and what actually happened on the night of the murder. Alternately humorous and though provoking this was a very enjoyable read. ( )

ARC Giveaway & Review: The Sausage Maker’s Daughters is pure mystery and courtroom drama but underneath, it is the story of a family, its dynamics and its unwritten rules. It’s about feeling like an outsider in your town and your family, and about going home again when you swore you never would. It’s a universal story that will appeal to a lot of people who don’t normally read mysteries or courtroom dramas. Read the rest of my review and enter our giveaway at http://popcornreads.com/?p=2958 ( )