SOURCE: “A Healing House Swap after Tragedy,” in Christian Science Monitor, March 11, 1999, p. 19.

In the following review, Campbell offers a mixed assessment of Tara Road, calling the novel “an uncomplicated tale.”

Diet Coke is a herald of new literature, it seems.

An excerpt from Maeve Binchy's latest novel, Tara Road, has been included with 12-packs in recent weeks. The palm-sized insert intends to lure readers into the world of two women who decide to swap houses after tragedies in their lives.

But the book, a fast read ideal for the beach or a ski lodge, doesn't cut to the chase as quickly as its soda-can teaser. Like an easy-paced conversation, Binchy takes her time getting readers to the “extraordinary consequences” of the house swap promised on the dust jacket.

The novel's early focus is the marriage of Ria and Danny Lynch. They appear to lead a “charmed” life...