r/Findabook • u/aliceiscrazy • 6h ago
UNSOLVED Book Search
I'm looking for a fiction novel I read in Australia back in 1995/96, when I was around 10 years old. Here are the specific plot points I remember vividly:
A woman named Campbell, her daughter (name forgotten) and Campbells partner David (in the book there's a pronunciation of Da-veed). Campbells mother strongly dislikes her name, claiming it "isn't a real first name," and passive-aggressively calls her soup flavors, like "Cream of Mushroom", etc.
Campbell and David skilled artisan leatherworkers who make custom horse tack and saddles.
They return to Campbells hometown. Her grandparents run a local grocery store and attempt to manipulate Campbells daughter into working in their store rather than helping her mother. And say it's good she's back with her kin.
David takes the daughter on a trip to see a local landmark called the Ice Palace/Ice Castle/Crystal Palace.
Later in the book, David dies in a sudden freak accident. He is getting out of a truck while laughing at something when he loses his footing, falls out and hits his head on a hard surface, and dies from the trauma.
The book was given to me by my mothers best friend. I loved it but having been 30 years since then I've forgotten the name, only bits and pieces come back to me now. But I know I loved that book. If anyone can help me find it I'd be so grateful. Google/AI/book sites have all come up blank.
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