The high notes by Danielle Steel

Iris Cooper’s father, Chip, moves around a lot, finding casual work and drinking the money he makes. Iris’s mother, Violet left when Iris was two and rumour has it that she has died. At 12 years old Iris has a sweet voice and loves to sing, finding she can usually join church choirs in the small towns they visit. While Chip is drinking in bars Iris is left in the car listening to the radio singing along and making up songs, accompanying herself on a guitar. In Lake City Texas, Chip persuades the proprietor of Harry’s Bar to allow the talented youngster to perform at their live music nights and she is an instant success, hitting the high notes and signing off with “see y’all soon” p. 13. Her youthful looks, simple clothes and beautiful voice ensure her popularity, singing ballads and original songs in bars around Texas for the next 6 years, her father always keeping a close eye on her and the money she earns. Eventually Iris wins a performing contract but it turns out to be far from the lucky break and stardom she deserves.

The story will appeal to fans of Danielle Steele and heartfelt women’s fiction but the characters are stereotypes; Iris "a good woman with a heart of gold” p. 33, an exploitive alcoholic father, mean managers, supportive friend and older love interest. There is a lot of telling and repetitive re-telling with little dialogue to develop the characters. I expected a lightweight holiday read but this was disappointing on many levels.

Themes: Women's fiction, Showbusiness, Exploitation, Friendship.

Sue Speck