Su Miller pens another marvel

“Lost in the Forest” is the newest novel from Sue Miller, whose previous work, “While I Was Gone,” drew rave reviews from critics. “Lost” keeps in step with the high bar she has set for herself. From the very first page, Miller’s gentle and probing storytelling draws in the reader and doesn’t let go until the very last page.

Set in California wine country — a beautiful and somewhat exotic setting for many readers — Miller spins a tale of love, betrayal, loss and forgiveness. The story centers on one extended family: divorced parents Mark and Eva, their children Emily and Daisy, Eva’s second husband, John, and their son, Theo.

When John is killed in a freak accident, Mark must do something he was never much good at: be a father for his children. As Mark takes care of the children to help overwrought Eva, he discovers how much he’s missed not being in his children’s lives. He also realizes he is still in love with his ex-wife.

Regret, remorse and aching loss permeate the pages of this book. As the family copes with the despair of losing a loved one, Miller lets the reader peek into each character’s way of moving on. Mark tries to shed his playboy ways; Eva survives each day as it comes; Emily immerses into social life; Daisy begins a dangerous game with an older man; and Theo thinks he’ll get to see his father again when he gets a little bigger.

Sue Miller has constructed a beautiful portrait of a struggling family, and she shows that as the clouds of misfortune slowly disperse, the sun is able to shine once again.