The Flying Cutterbucks, a novel by Kathleen M. Rodgers, is a story of courage and female solidarity that takes place in the fictitious town of Pardon, New Mexico.

The story briefly begins on election day, 2020, but then reverts back to 2016 when Trudy returns to her home town to help her mother organize the family home of a lifetime of mementos.

The family has had more than its share of tragedy. Trudy’s father, a fighter-jet pilot, was shot down in North Vietnam in 1972. Major Cutterbuck is still considered Missing in Action, since his remains have never been found. Later, Trudy’s younger brother died of a brain tumor.

Soon after Trudy’s brother died, her Aunt Star came to take care of the family while Trudy’s mother[ was briefly hospitalized, overwhelmed with the death of her son and the lingering grief over the loss of her husband. During that time, the three—Trudy, her younger sister Georgia, and Aunt Star—were terrorized by an abusive man. As the result of this invasion and its ramifications, the three women formed a code of silence to protect each other.

With the 2016 election of a president who brags about groping women without their consent, the Cutterbuck women are reminded of the terrifying incident that took place many years before. They struggle to come to terms with the past, realizing it will pave the way toward a feeling of freedom and a more courageous future, yet afraid of the consequences revealing the secret might bring.

I loved The Flying Cutterbucks. It features a cast of strong women, each with their own secret burdens. With skill and sensitivity, the author tells a story of grief and terror, but also of strength and humor. The flavors of small-town New Mexico come alive with its spicy food and colorful people of various ethnic backgrounds. It’s a moving story about a loving family, the power of forgiveness, and the gifts friendships offer.