The Abortionist's Daughter (2007) - Plot & Excerpts
I wasn't sure what to expect when I began reading 'The Abortionist's Daughter' by Elisabeth Hyde. Clearly, the topic of abortion is always controversial. In this novel, however,the fact that one of the characters, Diane Duprey, was a doctor who performed abortions and founded her very own Center for Reproductive Choice, was a sort of secondary theme to the story that unfolded. 'The Abortionist's Daughter' is a mystery... a classic whodunit. The story begins with the murder of Dr. Duprey in a swimming pool at her home which she shared with her husband, District Attorney Frank Thompson and their college-aged daughter Megan. The pool of suspects is potentially rather large when Dr. Duprey's occupation is figured in ; but we soon discover that there are several people who had serious arguments with her on the day of her death and the story quickly focuses solely on those suspects.As we learn about the suspects, we also learn about Dr. Duprey... as a doctor, a mother, a wife.... and like most people, she had secrets. We learn that she and her husband , Frank, argued violently on the day of her death and the argument was about their daughter Megan. And it becomes clear that violent arguments between the spouses is not at all unusual. We also discover a heated argument between Dr. Duprey and her daughter Megan... who appears self-centered and spoiled and without much self-discipline. Dr. Duprey was also seen with Reverend Stephen O'Connell, the founder of the town's anti-abortion coalition; and the entire town knew of the many conflicts between the two.The story plods on with a number of sub-plots being revealed, which may or may not have anything to do with Dr. Duprey's murder.... an ill conceived romantic relationship between the lead detective investigating the murder, Huck Berlin and Megan Thompson, daughter of the victim and potential suspect; an investigation of internet child pornography by Frank Thompson; and a creepy 'stalking' of Megan Thompson by her ex-boyfriend, Bill Branson.Ultimately, when the murderer is revealed , it feels like an anti-climactic moment. Clues to the murderer's identity were dropped along the way and I had figured it out. But honestly, by that point in the story, I really did not care much. These characters were, for the most part, very unlikable and although my enjoyment and appreciation of a story is not dependent on character likability, I DO need to develop some sort of understanding of them and their actions. I was unable to connect with these characters and I didn't care much about what happened to them. I'm not really sure what happened with this story... perhaps there were too many subplots; perhaps the author really didn't want to delve too deeply into the inflammatory nature of the topic of abortion... regardless, the story fell flat for me and I'm disappointed that I cannot find a reason to recommend this book.
I started off listening to the audio version, which I thought was excellent. But once I was just a short way to the end, I grabbed my paperback copy off my bookshelf and finished it.I thought it was very good. Briefly, it's about the murder of a local doctor who runs an abortion clinic and the investigation. There's the mystery of who could have murdered her - the local Pro-Life minister? The husband? Someone else?And then there are the issues that the daughter, Megan, must deal with - not only with losing her mother but forging a new kind of relationship with her father. Maybe it's not the most complex mystery, but I don't think it's supposed to be. I think it's more a character study, dealing with obsessions, convictions, fears, and uncertainties that we all deal with at some point. And a woman whose marriage is flailing and whose relationship with her daughter is rocky. Who has approached middle-age and is re-evaluating her choices and her goals (and unfortunately, her life ends before she comes to any conclusions). Just as Megan finds that with her mother's death, she loses the chance for reconciliation (her last conversation with her mother was an argument).There's not a lot of resolution, but there is some, and as the book ends, we feel that Megan, her father, and Huck just might be ok.
What do You think about The Abortionist's Daughter (2007)?
Megan Duprey's mother is found dead in her own swimming pool. With a number of possible suspects, this book is of the journey leading up to the murder and how it affects her family's life.I like this type of book. A good murder mystery. I'm not sure about bringing the whole debate about abortion into the novel- but I guess it expanded on the possible suspects. I guessed early on in the book who had murdered her- so it was a bit pointless carrying on but I did anyway. Megan was an interesting protagonist, she wasn't too sweet and innocent like alot of female book characters are. But there was just something missing from this book- I felt like it could of been alot better.
—Annabel
One of the most predictable, boring, "who-done-it?" books I have ever read in the history of ever. The writing isn't bad, but the characters are more like caricatures, unbelievable and very convenient. The title is misleading, as well. It's not about the abortionist's daughter at all. The only character worth paying attention to is the murdered abortionist. She had some intrigue and some interesting depths that were only explored at the end of the book, when we get to see the day she was murdere
—Tiff Miller
So lately I've noticed that these hype books fall into three categories: those I read and hated (and felt justified hating because I hate the hype), those I read and surprsingly liked (and sometimes resented myself a bit for liking because, again, I hate the hype) and those that I will never read. (Yes, I can be a book snob. I am dealing with it.) The Abortionists Daughter falls into the first group, although now that I'm done I wish I'd had the sense to put it in the third group.It was recommen
—Amy
