The Woman in the Photo

On Memorial Day 1889, the South Fork Dam broke and the great Johnstown Flood occurred. Over 2200 people died. The entire town was destroyed and countless homes and families never recovered. This is the story of Elizabeth Haberlin whose wealthy Pittsburgh family had spent all their summers at an exclusive resort along the Little Conemaugh River, directly above Johnstown. Elizabeth is a young precocious woman who is on the brink of making her debutante entrance to society. Her physician father and high society mother obsess with making a match while Elizabeth questions her lavish lifestyle and the many restrictions placed on women of her time. The coming of this event changes her world forever. Fast forward to present day Lee Parker’s life in sunny California. At 18, when she expected her life to be taking off, it is stalled by her father’s disappearance, mothers financial struggle and her personal search for information regarding her birth mother. Each chapter presents the world from the perspective of these dynamic women who have more in common than one would imagine. Highly recommend this fabulous work of historical fiction by author Mary Hogan. A little bit long drawn at the end but overall a great book club selection with an interesting discussion and bit of American history learned.