What Could Be Saved

(Paperback)

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'A harrowing tale of the lies of omission and the lies of commission that can break a family apart, What Could Be Saved is a delicious hybrid of mystery, drama, and elegance: rich with detail, lush in language, and capable of keeping you on the edge of your seat.' - Jodi Picoult

Rich with mystery and family drama, this compelling novel delves into the extraordinary power of sibling love, rivalry and loyalty.

Laura Preston is a reclusive artist at odds with her older sister Bea as their elegant, formidable mother slowly slides into dementia. When a stranger contacts Laura claiming to be her brother who disappeared forty years earlier when the family lived in Bangkok, Laura ignores Bea's warnings of a scam and flies to Thailand to see if it can be true. But meeting him in person leads to more questions than answers.

Alternating between past and present as all of the secrets are revealed, What Could Be Saved is an unforgettable novel about a family shattered by loss and betrayal, and the beauty that can exist even in the midst of brokenness.

'...a remarkable storyteller, juggling many characters, and the seamless alternating chapters narrated by Laura and a servant from the Preston's house in Bangkok gradually deepen the reader's understanding of the past and present. Schwarz's stellar work is riveting.' - Publisher's Weekly, starred review

'Exquisite and memorable writing' - Lisa See, New York Times bestselling author of The Island of Sea Women


'A suspenseful mystery with ever-darkening twists for fans of A Little Life and The Goldfinch.' - People Magazine

Reviews

'What Could Be Saved transported me. Liese O'Halloran Schwarz's exquisite and memorable writing has me still thinking about the ways in which the past influences the present, the complexities of family life, and the ways we negotiate challenges, tragedies, and secrets.' - Lisa See, New York Times bestselling author of The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane

'Immersive, profoundly moving, and gorgeously told, What Could Be Saved tells the story of one family's lost then rediscovered son, exploring both cause and consequence with insightful empathy. With a cast of vivid characters, a captivating story, and a fluid style, What Could Be Saved is an unforgettable reading experience, one to savor and then share with everyone you know.' - Laura Sims, author of Looker

'A gripping story of a family unraveling and the sibling love that ultimately endures. A great read."' - Jessica Francis Kane, author of Rules for Visiting

Author Bio

Liese O'Halloran Schwarz currently lives in North Carolina, USA. She grew up in Washington DC after an early childhood lived overseas. She is an emergency medicine doctor and is also a much-praised author of two previous novels, Near Canaan and The Possible World.