KIRKUS REVIEWS – October 2019

Early 20th-century history informs a fictional family tale about racial prejudice and identity.

In this novel, Georgia O’Brien believes that her ancestors are white and Irish until her mother suffers a medical crisis. Her mother’s cancer diagnosis leads doctors to investigate the family’s genetic background in search of a cell donor. Georgia’s family is shocked to learn that an African American donor would be the best match. Unfortunately, Georgia’s mother does not recover after the treatment. Following her death, the hospital connects Georgia with the donor, a distant cousin named Lawrence McKenny. He explains that their family was descended from siblings born on Malaga Island, Maine. After the Civil War, the island was populated by a mix of white, African American, and East Indian denizens whose intermarriage resulted in a spectrum of complexions. The islanders lived in poverty as “a heathen mix of races” deemed undesirable by authorities and a burden on society. When the islanders were threatened with eviction in 1912, they fled. Those who could pass as white usually did. Intermittent flashbacks peppered throughout the narrative tell the story of the Malagaites in the decade before leaving the island, largely through the eyes of wealthy patrons who bring education to the island. Unfortunately, ingrained views about race and eugenics prevail (“Something had to be done to correct the blight that this degenerate community of half-breeds was casting”), ending with the community disbanding. The revelation of this surprising background blesses Georgia with a new family through her cousins. Ultimately, a greater understanding of the harrowing past causes her to redefine the present. In this illuminating and lucid novel, Merrill (Magic, Mystery & Murder, 2019, etc.) deftly fictionalizes a shameful episode in American history that recently received limited exposure through research projects and public radio broadcasts. Her impressive dedication to thoroughly researching the subject is demonstrated by her inclusion of 50 pages of reproduced original source articles that are intriguing ancillary material. The author’s powerful generational story skillfully questions whether people in modern times have become more enlightened in their views on race and identity. This is a valuable look at an American tragedy. Few books on the Malaga Island calamity exist. Hemingway’s The Malaga Chronicles tells a tale that’s more metaphysical than historical.

An eloquent historical novel that explores race and heritage.

Shadows In Our Bones tells the true story of the O’Brien’s. It explores the residual effects of eugenics and racism in their family, and the consequences the atrocious events and attitudes that occurred in Maine have on society today.
The characters are real. Through my research, I learned the stories of the people of Malaga and read, often in their own words, about life on Malaga Island.  I used that research to give voice to the Malagaites, and the other historical figures.
I interviewed descendants and have used their stories to tell the modern day story of the O’Brien Family.
Humanity has always had many sides, good, bad, ugly. I hope that you will enjoy the book but also gain insight into the prejudices and actions of both past and present generations.

Shadows in our Bones is a true story. recounting the atrocious events, that occurred in the early 1900s, on Malaga Island, Maine. This work of historical fiction discovers generations of pain and suffering and addresses the impact these events have on current descendants.
In the early 1900’s racial prejudice, eugenics, and religion influenced the beliefs of most Americans. On the island of Malaga, off the coast of Maine, greed and these societal forces came together in a shameful and shocking way. The good citizens of Maine looked down upon the mixed race families inhabiting Malaga Island and turned their energy toward removing the “degenerate half-breeds” from the land in the hopes that a fine resort could be built and that tourist dollars would flow into the city coffers.
In this retelling of documented historical events, Cora Lane, and her missionary parents, establish a school on Malaga but are unable to stop the prejudice. The residents are forced from their homes, some go into hiding, some are labeled imbeciles and committed to state hospitals. All carry the stigma of the past into present day America.
A modern family’s story is juxtaposed with the story of the Malagaites. The O’Brien’s, secure in their beliefs of “who they are”, are confronted with knowledge that causes the entire family to reevaluate and struggle with today’s prejudices as they discover the past.

In the early 1900’s racial prejudice, eugenics, and religioninfluenced the beliefs of most Americans. On the island of Malaga, off thecoast of Maine, greed and these societal forces came together in a shameful andshocking way.Inthis work of historical fiction generations of pain and suffering arediscovered and addressed.

Tamara Merrill is a left brain/right brain woman. Her skills extend from writing fiction, to writing computer programs, and to tackling any DIY project. Tamara admits to reading excessively (she has what she calls “a book a day habit”). Tamara published her first short story at the age of nine in the official Girl Scout magazine; AMERICAN GIRL. She continues to love the short story format and reads and writes them often. Tamara is the author of the popular Augustus Family Trilogy; FAMILY LIES, FAMILY MATTERS and FAMILY MYTHS. She has published multiple short stories in the popular women’s magazines and in anthologies. In addition to reading Tamara often teaches in the adult education system and enjoys walking on the beach, crafts, painting, dining with friends, and travel. She is available to speak at book clubs; in person or via SKYPE. Tamara currently resides in Coronado, CA. You can contact her through Email: Tamara@TamaraMerrill.com. or Facebook: @TamaraMerrillAuthor or her Website: TamaraMerrill.com

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