Praise for What Could Be Saved
“This brilliant portrayal of the lives of expats and their servants is also a suspenseful mystery with ever-darkening twists. For fans of A Little Life and The Goldfinch.” --People, Book of the Week
"A harrowing tale of the lies of omission and the lies of commission that can break a family apart, What Could Be Saved is a delicious hybrid of mystery, drama, and elegance: rich with detail, lush in language, and capable of keeping you on the edge of your seat. " —Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Spark of Light and The Book of Two Ways
“Superb . . . Schwarz is a remarkable storyteller. . . [This] stellar work is riveting.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"What Could Be Saved transported me. Liese O'Halloran Schwarz’s exquisite and memorable writing has me still thinking about the ways in which the past influences the present, the complexities of family life, and the ways we negotiate challenges, tragedies, and secrets." —Lisa See, New York Times bestselling author of The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane
“Wow. What a riveting read! Part family saga, part mystery, What Could Be Saved is just extraordinary. It is a moving, powerful story of loss and regret, loyalty and redemption. Schwarz’s crisp, lyrical prose lays bare the emotional journey of each member of this unforgettable family. These beautifully drawn, tragically flawed characters will remain with me long after turning the last page.”—Indie Next List, January 2021 (Anderson McKean, Page and Palette, Fairhope, AL)
“Gripping . . . A richly imagined page-turner that delivers twists alongside thought-provoking commentary.” - Kirkus Reviews
"Immersive, profoundly moving, and gorgeously told, What Could Be Saved tells the story of one family’s lost then rediscovered son, exploring both cause and consequence with insightful empathy. With a cast of vivid characters, a captivating story, and a fluid style, What Could Be Saved is an unforgettable reading experience, one to savor and then share with everyone you know." —Laura Sims, author of Looker
"A gripping story of a family unraveling and the sibling love that ultimately endures. A great read.” —Jessica Francis Kane, author of Rules for Visiting
“Readers of What Could Be Saved should budget a day for when they have finished reading, just to sit and process this incredible story. Liese O'Halloran Schwarz has given us a powerful and crushing novel about a little boy who disappears while his family is living in Bangkok only to resurface decades later. The slow build of the tangled characters rises to a soul-wringing end that will take some time to recover from.” —Libro.fm Bookseller pick (Mary, Skylark Bookshop)
“Schwarz reveals all in compelling, "can't put it down" prose while at the same time building masterfully developed characters.” —Booklist
“A rich, complex novel… just the kind of book you want to sink into on a winter’s day.” —Real Simple, “Best Books 2021: The Best New Books to Read in 2021”
“What Could Be Saved juggles a complex story and structure, creating believable characters in its portrait of a family shattered by loss.”— Bookpage
“[A]n absolutely gripping combination of mystery and family drama.” — Girlboss Picks
"WHAT COULD BE SAVED [is] a page-turner of the highest literary quality.... Its taut dialogue, multi-dimensional characters and emotional plotlines make it highly recommended for anyone who needs a good distraction from the daily grind of 2021 America or the pandemic in general.” —Bookreporter.com
“A message from Thailand and the draw of a decades’ old mystery is just the beginning of one of the most remarkable novels of the year.” — Book Passage, Elaine & Luisa's Picks for Winter 2021
“A lush depiction of expat Americans in 1970s Asia that moves seamlessly among decades and between continents.” —Shelf Awareness
“[A] heartbreakingly beautiful story… The perfect recommendation for readers who enjoy family stories like The Dutch House and The Last Romantics, I know for certain What Could Be Saved will be on my best of 2021 list.” — The Southern Bookseller Review (Beth Seufer Buss, Bookmarks)
“I really loved What Could Be Saved… The story that unfolds … is fascinating, as the mysteries of the past are resolved with ever-darkening twists.” Marion Winik, The Weekly Reader
“[W]ith measured precision, Schwarz’s memorable story unfolds. What Could Be Saved is a gem with a gut-punch at the end that’s brilliant.” - Neighborhood Reads
“A marvellous family story …of survival and strength, elegantly written, with a huge degree of mystery…. An enjoyable and absorbing read.“ Blue Wolf Reviews
“An insightful family portrait and thrilling mystery all in one.” — “Masterful Storytelling: 10 Novels Worth Savoring” Off the Shelf
“This engaging, multi-layered story is about families and the secrets that destroy them.” — Lee Woodruff, March 2021 Bookmarks
“[E]xquisitely written … an elegant blend of mystery and family drama… filled [with] warmth but beware its bite as Schwarz turns an unwavering eye on her characters, on white privilege, gender relations and power. A rich and rewarding page-turner.” —Meredith Jaffe, Storyfest 2021
“Aside from the beautiful language, What Could Be Saved is one of those novels that allows you to reconsider your own perspectives – especially how memory shapes us, how society boxes us in, and how difficult it sometimes is to show affection to the ones we love the most.”- Do South Magazine
“[F]ascinating and compelling…a family story, with a complex mystery at its core.” —Liz Soares, “The Power of Literature in Dark TImes”, Central Maine.com
“[P]acked with suspense…a complex story but O’Halloran Schwarz writes it masterfully.” — Kate Padilla, Writers & Readers Magazine
“…[A]n intriguing family story…I thoroughly enjoyed.” —Carolyn Statler, “Between the Covers”, The Shelbyville News
“{A] wonderful read.” [“…het boek heerlijk weg.”] — LeesKost
“The book is so good it’s hard to do it justice in a short review...Schwarz’s writing is superb, her development of the characters and plot masterful…. A wonderful read.” — “Book Picks” The Roundtable, WAMC ; reviewer Phil Lewis of The Bennington Bookshop
“Beautifully written… I couldn’t put it down.“ — Gayle Weisswasser, The Readerly Report, “End of Summer Catchup and Summer Reading Picks” 24 August , 2021
~~~~~~Lists~~~~~
What Should I Read Next? #258 : “Reading for Peace, Joy and Escapism”
Crime Reads: “5 Psychological Thrillers You Should Read This January”
Parade Magazine 1/10/2021: Books We Love
Betches: 27 Books to Read in 2021
Real Simple (January 2021): The Best New Books to Read in 2021 (So Far)
New York Post January 10, 2021 “The Best New Books to Read”
Parade “Best 2021 Releases to Read This Winter”
Celadon Books Most Anticipated Mysteries and Thrillers of 2021
The Modern Mrs. Darcy: “The New And the Notable”
Elaine and Luisa’s Picks for Winter 2021
Southern Bookseller’s Review: Read This Now!
Beach Bag Books 2021 - Novel Visits
The Roundtable Book Picks WAMC Northeast Public Radio 8/17/2021 chosen by Phil Lewis of The Bennington Bookshop
Barnes&Noble Monthly Fiction Pick - September 2021
~~~~~~Blog Reviews~~~~~
Asia By the Book - “[Schwarz] is a master of subtle horror, with an eye for beauty, a gift of gentle satire, and a disdain for subterfuge. In a time when readers most need hope, she extends it in a story that transcends a happy ending. …[A] novel that promises to be a literary highlight of 2021.”
bookstalkerblog “A riveting tale about one family’s descent into tragedy that changes their future forever. Yes, read it!”
Book Notes from the Cave “[M]y favorite book of the year…. [A] gripping, suspenseful story with surprises around every corner.”
Rae’s Reading Lounge “I cannot recommend adding this to your TBR enough. The story is beautifully told. It is haunting and heartbreaking. It’s a book that leaves an impression on you long after you’ve closed it.”
Books I Think You Should Read “a remarkable book, beautifully told….5 out of 5 stars…I would enthusiastically recommend it to those who enjoy literary fiction and stories about family relationships.”
Josh Book Reviews “The storyline is genius, it’s exceptional. The writing is outstanding. .. This is a must read Don’t Miss This One.”
Bookworming Tonight "Welcome to extraordinary storytelling.”
A Book Wanderer “[W]hat a story! … Go into this one prepared to step back in time and have your heart broken over a lost boy and the steadfast love of sisters.”
GentheBookworm “This story is just beautifully written, utterly absorbing and one I will never forget.”
The Secret Book Sleuth “Enthralling! Captivating! Historically Gripping! Deeply Engaging! I'm not sure what else I can say other than I was left speechless….this has everything enticing in one beautiful novel.”
Always With a Book “[W]hat a fantastic book it was! …This book takes you on quite an emotional journey and I could not have loved it more! It is heartbreaking at times, yet also full of redemption and hope, and I definitely recommend it!”
Reading Time at the Zoo “This book is alive, it is vibrant, it is utterly mesmerising. The writing is captivating … I just couldn’t put it down. I know it is only the beginning of the year but this is definitely going to be one of my absolute favourite books of the year, it is truly phenomenal!! An absolute must-read!!”
Every Free Chance “Beautifully written and unforgettable. What Could Be Saved is one of those books that grabs your attention from page one and won’t let go even after you finish the last page. …5 stars… A great read.”
Reading High “One of the best books I have read this year…an intriguing, fascinating story beautifully told…gripping, compelling and suspenseful…To read this book is to love it! 5 out of 5 at the very least.”
Shelf Life Book Reviews (video) “A very interesting tale…a book you should save in your Must Read file….”
The Book Whisperer “Anyone seeking a multi-layered story will find What Could Be Saved mesmerizing.”
Fictionophile “A…complex novel, with multiple narrative voices, yet it was so adeptly composed, so skillfully written, that the complexity fell to the wayside and I was enthralled….the kind of story that you can disappear into – and have a huge book hangover when its last pages are turned.”
EverEmmaReads “My first solid 5 star read of 2021. This novel does so many things so well. I cared very much about each of the characters and felt a spectrum of emotions as I followed them throughout their lives. The setting was established in such a way that I swear I felt the sticky, heat of Thailand. It's a hard read, emotionally speaking, but is also just so insightful. I cannot recommend this novel enough!”
Miss Readeroo “Intricate, poignant, and completely captivating, What Could Be Saved knocked me over…Every moment I wasn't reading, I was thinking about it and looking forward to the next time I could pick it up again.”
Patti’s Pages “In many ways this book is a de rigueur family saga with the usual jaw-dropping secrets about cowardice and betrayal. However, the author whips these elements into a delicious novel against an exotic backdrop.”
I’ve Read This “Perfect for book clubs, or a reader who’s ready for some family drama…literary fiction but incredibly suspenseful too.“
Recommended Reading “Exquisitely detailed, finely woven. It's a trap no reader will want to escape… Elegant and poetic.”
Deliberate Freelancer (podcast) “My 10 Best Books of 2021” (ranked #1)
Ask a Manager “Beautifully written and riveting.” (My 2021 Book Recommendations)
But Books Are Better “I loved every minute of this book! …You know that your audio book is a winner when you pull into the driveway after your long commute and then sit in the car for ages in the dark because you need to listen just a bit longer.”