In Water Music: A Cape Cod Story by Marcia Peck, the salt-kissed air of Cape Cod becomes a canvas upon which the intricate strokes of family dynamics are painted. Set in 1956, this coming-of-age tale invites us into the world of the Grainger family, whose annual pilgrimage from sweltering New Jersey to the Cape marks not just a change in scenery but also a shift in their familial tides. Lily is a perceptive 11-year-old narrator whose keen observations and youthful innocence instantly win readers. Her parents, Weston and Lydia, are as contrasting as the Cape's tranquil waves and its tempestuous storms. Weston, the scholarly and enthusiastic father, strives to connect with his daughters, especially the studious Dodie, while Lydia, an heir to New England tradition, carries the weight of her family's expectations.

The Cape itself is a character in the narrative, its waves and winds echoing the emotional turmoil within the Grainger clan. The house Weston is building across the bay from his overbearing brother, George, becomes a symbol of sibling rivalry, while the hurricane Carolyn looming on the horizon mirrors the gathering storm within the family. Peck's storytelling mimics the approaching tempest, gradually building tension and anticipation as readers journey through the Grainger's summer. As they watch the family grapple with pride, privilege, and buried secrets, the impending hurricane acts as a metaphorical reckoning, forcing them to confront the storms in their own lives.

Water Music: A Cape Cod Story is a symphony of emotions and relationships, with the ocean's rhythms serving as a melodic backdrop. Peck's musical background infuses her prose with a lyrical quality, creating an evocative atmosphere that envelops readers like the Cape’s breeze. The strong imagery, the author’s wonderful sense of family dynamics, and the deft handling of character are a few of the elements that set this story apart. It is interesting to notice the relationship between this family and nature: “The Atlantic was our ocean, and so we watched the heavens rise, not set.” Water Music: A Cape Cod Story is a spellbinding story; the lyrical writing moves the story in ways that are wonderful and the author’s ability to create fascinating dialogues will have readers enthralled.