No family is perfect, no matter how it appears, and a picket fence can conceal more about what goes on inside a home than it reveals. This premise forms the basis for Susan Meissner’s latest novel, White Picket Fences, in which we meet Neil and Amanda Janvier, a couple who seems to have it all—a beautiful home, fulfilling jobs, two great kids. Not until Amanda’s niece Tally comes to stay does the weave begin to unravel, when she and Chase, the Janvier’s seventeen-year-old son, partner together on a school sociology project. As they interview two Holocaust survivors at an assisted living facility, the men’s recollections fuel Chase’s growing interest–and increasingly disturbing memories–of a long-ago house fire. Chase’s quest to understand the truth of the tragedy threatens the very fabric of his family, who must answer for themselves a question: is it better to let the unpleasantness of the past stay in the past–or face it head-on and deal with the consequences?

This novel showcases Meissner’s smooth prose, which is, as usual, flawless. But beyond that, I found the characters lacking depth, their dialogue banal, and their problems over-hyped. I felt, in fact, as if I were watching a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie: a pleasant story, but without deep roots to resonate with my soul. Even the inclusion of the Holocaust-survivor subplot seemed an attempt to beef up a thin tale.

I admire Susan Meissner’s clear style and her inspirational stories that appeal to both mainstream and Christian readers. When I picked up White Picket Fences, I’d hoped it would measure up to A Seahorse in the Thames, my favorite of her novels—but in this I was disappointed. Even so, I’ll still look forward to her next offering. Meissner’s proven track record is enough–for now–to keep me coming back for more.