Lila is devastated when she discovers that her twin brother, Billy, has been killed by police ("death by suicide") after he is found with a gun aimed from a hotel window at a nearby school. Lila has always had a very close relationship with her twin, almost unnaturally so, and as their families try to untangle the events and reasons behind Billy's ultimate death, family secrets are gradually uncovered, and Lila's husband Patrick wonders if he ever really knew his wife at all.

Stories with family secrets are right up my wheelhouse, and this started out promising. However, the family dysfunction in this story was more than even I could take. There was just too much going on in this novel, a lot of which was never resolved, with lots of questions left unanswered. The story had, more or less, a big build-up, and I was waiting for the big reveal or the big climax, which never really came. I've read a few novels by Lisa Tucker and I have a few more on my shelf, and overall she's been a very hit-or-miss author for me. This one was a little too "out there" for me to really enjoy. It had potential, but didn't quite live up to it. ( )

Lisa Tucker originally from MO and now PA has written five novels.
This is the first one I have read, but not the last, as this lady can tell a story. She has a brilliant way of pacing the story. Only after the main theme and characters have been ensconced does she switch and lets each character speak from their point of view.
The story starts with twins; Billy and Lila are brainy orphaned adults. Lila has married Patrick but has not wanted children and Billy marries a showgirl, Ashley and has three children. With these facts, the real story starts With Billy committing suicide by cop.
If anyone has ever had a doubt about a childhood memory, this story will be a fascinating, psychological look at the secrets hidden by Billy so his sister may have the Promised World.
My Book Club of 15 talked longer about this book than many of the ones that went before. It was without the usual life stories as we are all of an age that barely remember our childhood. Everyone liked it is another unusual fact. It will be my pick for my other book club which is a younger bunch. ( )

Jennifer Donovan grabbed me (as apparently Lisa Tucker grabbed her) with this line: "As much as I love to read a second or third novel by an author I know I'll enjoy, there's something about that first seduction of words and characters and literary devices the first time around." Read Jennifer's review at 5 Minutes for Books.

The Promised World starts with the news of Billy's "suicide by police". Billy's twin sister, Lila, had an unusually close bond with Billy, and struggles to cope with his death. Lila's memories of her childhood may not accurate, and her assessment of current relationships may also be flawed. As Lila works to clarify her memories, her views of more current situations must also change.

This novel is told in multiple perspectives. Though Lila is the primary character, we also view the situation through the eyes of Ashley (Billy's wife), and William (Billy's son). The multiple perspectives really worked well in this novel, as the characters are so different. It was difficult at times to determine which narrator was the "reliable" one; this added a lot of interest to the story.

I enjoyed this book and wouldn't hesitate to loan it to a friend. It was engrossing and entertaining, even if it doesn't make my "all time favorites" list. ( )

Not her best. Not sure if the childhood is believable.