Water Music: A Cape Cod Story by Marcia Peck is a fascinating coming-of-age novel set in a Cape Cod summer in 1956. The story is told by the twelve-year-old Lily Grainger, whose voice is laced with humor and whose unusual perception of the world around her will pull readers in irresistibly as she offers them a front-row seat to the tumultuous dynamics within her family. The narrative starts with the Sagamore Bridge's closure, marking the beginning of a summer that brings unexpected challenges for the Grainger family. Lily's father, Weston, wants to build a house he can hardly afford, setting the stage for financial strain and familial tension. The author, Marcia Peck, offers a powerful portrait of the intricate relationships within the Grainger family, highlighting the contrasting personalities of Weston and his wife, Lydia.

Lydia, born into a traditional New England family, is portrayed as a humorless and often insensitive mother. In contrast, Weston, a scholarly and engaged individual, attempts to bridge the gap between his wife's rigidity and his enthusiasm for life. As Lily navigates the complex dynamics with her sister, cousins, and, most significantly, her mother, readers witness a tender exploration of familial bonds and betrayals beyond the comprehension of a twelve-year-old. The novel is emotionally and psychologically rich, and Lily's attempts to secure her mother's love and attention become a central theme. Peck skillfully weaves in elements of music and Lily's love for Cape Cod, offering a symbolic journey from the confined world of a salt marsh to the vastness of the open ocean. Water Music: A Cape Cod Story features lyrical prose, intriguing characters, and a setting that is so finely drawn that readers will feel as though they were part of it.