Let Sleeping Dogs Lie (Paperback)

by Patricia Haley (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Bestselling author Patricia Haley is back with an evocative and powerful novel that features a family hiding dormant, long-forgotten secrets, and a daughter who is compelled to address those painful issues regardless of the consequences.

Angela has reunited with Reese after a recent separation and is struggling with the adjustments necessary to restore the marriage. Letting the dust settle isn't easy, but she's taking the right step given her faith. Choosing to ignore the drama swirling around her immediate household, she also sits in a place of denial regarding the rest of the Reynolds family, whom she holds in high regard. That is until shocking rumors involving her father surface, and her world comes crashing down. The unity blanket and bliss once covering the family are in jeopardy and the ugliness is threatening to erupt. Gossip and accusations of guilt spiral out of control when an issue of paternity arises. Perhaps the weight of pretending could be bearable, but the new rumors about Sylvia crossing the line drives a wedge in their already not-so-sisterly bond, stretching Angela's faith to the breaking point.

Sylvia is nursing her own wounds and refuses to suffer in silence any longer. The day of reckoning has arrived and Sylvia is wielding the ax of judgment. In the past she has masked her hurt and anger, determined to go along with the farce. Convinced that Angela is blind to the truth, Sylvia is bent on giving her sister a view of the real world, even if it requires extreme measures. She plans to expose a slew of devastating truths at the upcoming family event and punish those responsible for her torment. Sylvia is determined to set the record straight, regardless of the lives that are sure to be impacted, including her own.

Relationships appear permanently destroyed, but Aunt Ida Mae, the voice of reason rooted in faith and trust in God, facilitated reconciliation in a family that seems unfixable. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie tugs at the heart of human frailty and family dysfunction, begging the question, Can faith in God's promises and a pinch of unconditional love enable the unforgiveable to be forgiven and the painful sting forgotten?

About the Author
PATRICIA HALEY is the award-winning, Essence bestselling author of Nobody's Perfect, Blind Faith, Still Waters, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie, and No Regrets. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and a graduate of Stanford University and the University of Chicago.  She lives is in Pennsylvania with her husband and daughter.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Kimani Press (September 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583146245
• ISBN-13: 978-1583146248
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #949,247 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Family Ties, October 31, 2006

By	J.C. Wallington "jnettefrommi" (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews

Patricia Haley writes about two sisters who are as different as night and day. Angela is the oldest and the church girl. She prides herself on being a Christian and can quote scriptures, however it seems they have little meaning. She has just reunited with her husband after a brief separation due to his infidelity. She says she forgives him, but her actions and words say otherwise. While her husband is trying to fix their marriage, Angela is more concerned with other family matters. Her younger sister, Sylvia, is everything Angela is not. She is an award winning psychologist and living the lifestyle of the rich and famous. She is also "daddy's girl". However, Sylvia is harboring some secrets of her own, secrets that can shatter the perfect Reynolds family. The girls rally together and stand strong with her mother when their father, a middle school principal is accused of molesting one of his students. The accusations against Mr. Reynolds starts a landslide and as the extended family gathers together more and more secrets come to light. It takes the voice and wisdom of Aunt Ida Mae to keep the family from falling apart as she admonishes them to Let Sleeping Dogs Lie.

I am not sure what all Ms Haley was trying to convey in this novel. The storyline seemed all over the place. There were too many sub-plots and the main story got lost in the shuffle. I thought the characters LaToya and Tony were important to the story, but their characters were not developed at all. In fact, LaToya seemed to be forgotten and only one other chapter beside the first one was devoted to her. Mr. Reynolds`, the accused, voice was weak. Angela, Sylvia and their mother were not very likeable people and just got on my nerves. I have been a fan of Ms Haley since she published her first novel Though I was disappointed in this offering I will be anxiously awaiting her next book.

Jeanette
APOOO BookClub

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good and Realistic, February 18, 2007

By	Trinice Moses "Trinice Speight-Moses" (Mount Holly, NJ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Patricia Haley was an unknown at least to me in the literary world. A recent book club selection required that I read her book, Let Sleepng Dogs Lie. I found the book to be very well written and descriptive. What I liked most is that each character was well developed, almost to a fault as they were not perfect and closely resembled many in my very own family. There were many twists and turns and while I became frustrated at times, this was central to the overall theme of the book and again points to the realistic nature. I thought it was a very good read and most of my book club members voiced the same same sentiments during our book discussion. I would like to read more from Patricia Haley and I am certain I will in the very near future.

Trinice Speight Moses
SWAP Book Club
New Jersey

4.0 out of 5 stars Family Drama, June 14, 2007

By	Lost in Reading "Lost in Reading" (Fort Worth, TX) - See all my reviews

This was a really good book. It kept you wanting to know what would happen next. This family if full of drama. Many of us have people in our family that are just this same way. There is also always that one or two who don't particularly get along and someone who has to keep peace in the family. I would highly suggest reading this book for an interesting story with a little bit of a twist. You definitely learn how to trust God and he will take care of whatever it is. Hold strong to your faith even when the physical looks impossible.