The
Secret Life of Violet Grant, by Beatriz Williams, is
a riveting tale of two women who lead parallel lives within
different eras. It is a historical romantic mystery that is
both suspenseful and informative about the role of women during
the early 1900s and the early 1960s. The stories of two generations
of women, told in an alternating points of view, span over
50 years.
The plot has a double mystery: who killed Dr. Walter Grant,
and what happened to his wife Violet? Vivian Schuyler receives
a suitcase that belonged to her Aunt Violet over fifty years
ago. The blue-blooded Schuyler family has done its best to
bury and ignore Violet’s disgraceful past since she
was determined to pursue a career as a scientist. However,
Vivian in trying to get ahead professionally and to make a
name for herself, is determined to write an article for the
newspaper about the passionate, mysterious and scandalous
story of her Aunt Violet. The deeper Vivian digs, the more
invested she becomes in Violet’s story. Rumor has it
that Violet murdered her husband and mentor, Dr. Walter Grant,
before mysteriously disappearing with her lover on the eve
of WWI.
Williams explores the lifelong issue women have faced over
the ages: How to balance a professional life with a family
life. An even more important issue explored is how powerful
women can be manipulated into a relationship where they are
seen solely as objects and sex tools. It would not be a Williams’
book if she did not explore a love triangle. In this book
there is one involving Violet in 1914 and the other involving
Vivian in 1964. Williams intertwines the love triangles with
the backdrop of World War I and the feminist movement of the
1960’s.
She noted, “I wanted to explore how women must balance
the desire for a home and family against wanting a public
persona. This crosses eras and centuries. The other important
issue was the dynamics of power. Powerful men always seem
to abuse their position and take advantage of young women
in the workplace. Power always seems to find beauty and buys
what it wants.”
The author is becoming known for her strong character development.
In this novel she writes about two women of the Schuyler family
whose lives parallel each other with love, relationships,
and independent personality. Violet is a young twenty–two
year old that takes a scientific research position with Dr.
Walter Grant in 1914. She is ambitious, vulnerable, and falls
under the spell of Grant, who is a Textbook example of how
to gain control over an independent and intelligent woman.
Vivian, Violet’s niece, is her counterpart in 1964.
Besides sharing the same initial, she is more like her aunt
than she knows. Vivian learns from her research that she must
pursue an ambitious future but not ignore the true love she
desires. Vivian was also looking to balance her professional
life while sustaining a loving relationship. Both these powerful
women became entangled in controlling relationships with their
professors.
Each male character has different personality traits. Walter
is a cruel sex addict who uses his power to manipulate Violet.
Lionel, Violet’s lover and savior, early in the book
has a similar view of women to Walter but changes himself
to keep Violet’s love. Dr. Paul is Vivian’s love
interest who has a modern day attitude of being a soul mate
and a strong supporter.
Williams commented, “Violet was dependent on Walter,
because her ambition made her vulnerable. He was able to comprehend
what made her tick and use that to his advantage as he controlled
her. Where would she go if she walks away from him? How would
she find another job? She appears entrapped in this situation.
She saw in Professor Grant a father figure who she trusted.
It was as if she had to be super sexualized to feel worthwhile.
No matter what else she did and what else she accomplished
she still had to be irresistibly attractive to Grant.”
With a gripping plot and characters that appear to be talking
directly to the reader, The Secret Life of Violet Grant,
is a must read. There is something for everyone, including
a thrilling mystery with lots of twists and turns, espionage,
captivating romantic relationships, betrayal, and closely
guarded old family secrets.
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