Let's start this by quoting myself on twitter a few minutes after I finished this one: ”Finally finished reading The Pieces We Keep. I don't know what I'm supposed to do with myself or what this wet stuff on my face is.”
I think it's fair to say that the ending – or the last many pages, really – made me tear up. I had a lot of emotions related especially to Audra – I did throughout the book – but the ending just did it for me.

I won't put this down as a mystery, although it really is; Jack's night-terrors, their relation to people living (and dying) a good 60-65 years before his birth, clues sprinkled graciously across chapters.. it would make a great mystery.

But, as I said, I won't call it a mystery – rather, I'd call it historical fiction with a twist. The narrators, Vivian, a young woman living a romantic roller-coaster in the years shortly before and during WWII, and Audra, the mother of Jack, who needs to start a new life in a new place after the death of her beloved husband, are both engaging and interesting. As characters, they are both independent in their own loving ways, and coupled with McMorris' lovely writing, they both get to shine. And it's marvelous.

I'm aware of how little sense this makes. To sum up, if you enjoy historical fiction that requires a bit of thinking and stitching together paired with gripping characters and a wonderful narrating, I suggest you pick up a copy of The Pieces We Keep.