Title: What Mom & Dad Never Told Us
Author: Mic Lowther
Publisher: BookBaby
ISBN: 0970441142
Pages: 184
Genre: Family & Relationship
Reviewed by: Subhrajit Saha
Hollywood Book Reviews
“Either get busy living or get busy dying,” the famous quotation from the 1994 Hollywood movie The Shawshank Redemption defines author Mic Lowther’s Family and Relationship novel What Mom & Dad Never Told Us. This book is the third installment of the author’s Moorhouse trilogy including, Seventeen Parcels, the first, and The Unlikely Redemption of the Thief Sydney Bridgewater the second part. Caroline, David, and Juliana Moorhouse, three siblings bound by blood and mystery, set off on an adventure to uncover a shocking family secret at the age of fifty. Their father, Xander Moorhouse, was unpredictable throughout his life. Rather than simply bequeathing his property, he divided it into countless hidden portions across the USA, leaving his children with only cryptic clues to piece together in a high-stakes treasure hunt. But years after their mother, Janis Louise, a passionate artist and craftsperson, passed away, they discovered that she was an even greater enigma. Her life, shrouded in secrecy, held hidden depths, and her death itself turned out to be an unsolved riddle. As the Moorhouse siblings dig deeper into their mother’s true identity, they find themselves on an increasingly riveting path, one that grows more complex with each step, testing their resolve in ways that even Xandar’s challenges never could. The journey unfolds like a plot straight out of Lowther’s book.
Xander and Janis Moorhouse stand as the novel’s focal points, each shrouded in mystery and complexity. At first, Xander seems like an eccentric troublemaker, taking absurd risks which appear destined for failure. But as the layers of his psyche peel away, the reader uncovers the vibrant and misunderstood depths of Xander Moorhouse – a character far more nuanced than he first appears. In contrast, Janis initially comes across as the quintessential socialite mother. Yet, as her story unravels, she effortlessly steals the spotlight, eclipsing every other member of the Moorhouse family with a past that’s as enigmatic as it is captivating. Bravery, wit, vision, leadership, trustworthiness, and countless other qualities make Mrs. Moorhouse a character to truly cherish in the novel. Furthermore, the principles and ethics upheld by the Moorhouse parents, encouraging their children to embrace independence despite their wealth, leave a lasting impression on the reader’s mind.
The author’s thematic exploration shines through Xander’s journey – from his ambitious yet ultimately failed attempt at creating a hockey team to the harsh critiques he faced from his children, who later encountered setbacks despite managing a 40 million-dollar business. This arc delivers a poignant message: time is a relentless teacher, and the future is beyond anyone’s grasp. The intricacies of the Moorhouse siblings’ business ventures, from casino startups to money lending, add depth and insight to the text. Overall, ‘What Mom & Dad Never Told Us’ provides a thoughtful look at family and relationships, with each character embodying the notion that you either make life meaningful or risk fading away as if you’d never existed.
For readers seeking a heartfelt story about family, growth, and resilience, What Mom & Dad Never Told Us offers a poignant and memorable ending to The Moorhouse Trilogy.