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canopy_'s review against another edition
3.0
It wasn't terrible but I just felt like it dragged on FOREVER
outoftheblue14's review against another edition
3.0
E-galley received from Netgalley for review
Kirsten Hammarstrom is coming back to her hometown after many years of absence. She was just a nine-year-old girl when Stacy Lemke, her older brother's girlfriend, went missing. Johnny, Kirsten's brother and the school wrestling champion, was the last person to see her alive in a cold, snowy night. He's a suspect in Kirsten's murder investigation, after various searches fail to find her. The Hammarstrom family soon find themselves under close scrutiny and suspect.
Now Kirsten and her siblings come home to deal with family matters and something will bring them to the solution of the mystery.
I liked this book, even though I was able to anticipate the ending. Not that it was particularly predictable; it was just a matter of character use - if a character is mentioned that has no real role in the whole book, they must play a part in the book's conclusion. Most of the story flows as a long flash-back, retelling Kirsten's story from the summer when Johnny and Stacy get together. She meets Stacy first and almost idolizes her. Then, after she and Johnny become a couple, Kirsten realizes that everything is not as good as it seems.
This was a slow-paced mystery. I liked it, even though it took quite a number of pages for the story to grab me.
Kirsten Hammarstrom is coming back to her hometown after many years of absence. She was just a nine-year-old girl when Stacy Lemke, her older brother's girlfriend, went missing. Johnny, Kirsten's brother and the school wrestling champion, was the last person to see her alive in a cold, snowy night. He's a suspect in Kirsten's murder investigation, after various searches fail to find her. The Hammarstrom family soon find themselves under close scrutiny and suspect.
Now Kirsten and her siblings come home to deal with family matters and something will bring them to the solution of the mystery.
I liked this book, even though I was able to anticipate the ending. Not that it was particularly predictable; it was just a matter of character use - if a character is mentioned that has no real role in the whole book, they must play a part in the book's conclusion. Most of the story flows as a long flash-back, retelling Kirsten's story from the summer when Johnny and Stacy get together. She meets Stacy first and almost idolizes her. Then, after she and Johnny become a couple, Kirsten realizes that everything is not as good as it seems.
This was a slow-paced mystery. I liked it, even though it took quite a number of pages for the story to grab me.
jen_jacob's review against another edition
4.0
It was a pretty good.book, not the best that I've ever read but it did have some twists.
jmrainzy's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
chelseatm's review against another edition
1.0
I found that this book was poorly written and the precocious young protagonist annoying and dull. She was not exciting enough to lead the book and her point of view of naivete brinking on complete maturation was disbelievable.
The story really didn't need to be told. It could have been done in a more concise way, perhaps from multiple points of view, but staying with the sole, boring protagonist, the story ran stagnant.
The conclusion (the whodunnit if you will) was the only reason I kept reading and even that was a rushed after thought.
I do not recommend this book.
The story really didn't need to be told. It could have been done in a more concise way, perhaps from multiple points of view, but staying with the sole, boring protagonist, the story ran stagnant.
The conclusion (the whodunnit if you will) was the only reason I kept reading and even that was a rushed after thought.
I do not recommend this book.
kdurski's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
labunnywtf's review against another edition
4.0
It's odd. The subject matter of this book is very serious. The tone is very serious, and traumatic and really heart breaking. And yet I walk away feeling like I do after a fluffy book. I don't feel bogged down, and filled with Big Thoughts.
I think that makes me like the book even more.
I loved the characters, even the unlovable ones. I'm looking at you, Emilie and Stacey. Each one feels very real, and I think most anyone can relate to them. Because of the age differences, you can relate to them at different times in your life, which is really lovely.
The tornado of events after Stacey's disappearance were so completely heart breaking, it made me uncomfortable. I genuinely couldn't guess whether Johnny was guilty or not, and it made that entire section all the more gut wrenching. I can see this happening, it probably is happening somewhere. And if I were in the Lemke's place, I would have done far worse. You can't be angry about anyone's feelings here.
I adore debut novels (for the most part). A good author's debut novel is often times their best, because it's the idea that's been floating around their brain, it's their baby, their debut in the writing world. The biggest example of the exception to the rule that I can think of is Christopher Rice, whose first two books were phenomenal, and everything after that went wah wah wahhhh.
I expect great things from this author. Don't let me down.
I think that makes me like the book even more.
I loved the characters, even the unlovable ones. I'm looking at you, Emilie and Stacey. Each one feels very real, and I think most anyone can relate to them. Because of the age differences, you can relate to them at different times in your life, which is really lovely.
The tornado of events after Stacey's disappearance were so completely heart breaking, it made me uncomfortable. I genuinely couldn't guess whether Johnny was guilty or not, and it made that entire section all the more gut wrenching. I can see this happening, it probably is happening somewhere. And if I were in the Lemke's place, I would have done far worse. You can't be angry about anyone's feelings here.
Spoiler
I did not in any way see the twist coming. Until the moment he walked up behind her at the cemetery, he was such a background character I would forget about him until he appeared again, and then, again, he was just background. Paula DeBoard played this beautifully. I didn't see it coming in any way, whatsoever. The creepiness in the truck was done beautifully, and the way it played out, so that everyone in the town knew Johnny was innocent, wasn't too heavy handed.I adore debut novels (for the most part). A good author's debut novel is often times their best, because it's the idea that's been floating around their brain, it's their baby, their debut in the writing world. The biggest example of the exception to the rule that I can think of is Christopher Rice, whose first two books were phenomenal, and everything after that went wah wah wahhhh.
I expect great things from this author. Don't let me down.
jmj697mn's review against another edition
5.0
I pretty much just adored this book. The author has a fantastic writing style that I can't wait to read more of. She just sucked me into the story and I couldn't put it down. I was even a bit shocked by the ending, even with many reviewers saying they saw it coming. I guess I was too close to the story. I cannot wait to see what else DeBoard comes up with, because I know I'll be reading it. Highly recommended for mystery lovers and YA fans.
judithdcollins's review against another edition
5.0
The Mourning Hours, another winner by Paula Treick DeBoard! Set aside the time - a powerful book to read without interruptions.
The novel will leave you pondering, “If this is a debut, what is yet to come?” After reading this gripping page-turner filled with metaphors, and an advanced reading copy of her upcoming, The Fragile World, readers are in for a rare treat!
A talented author to follow for years to come; her unique writing style captures you from page one, and never lets go, even after the book ends. What a master storyteller! Both novels, as well as the characters, are so realistic; the slow unraveling of families, caused by grief and tragedy . . . the same could happen to you. How would you react?
The book opens with Kirsten Hammarstrom, who resides in California and is on her way home to Wisconsin to her family home, with a lifetime of memories, both good and bad. Before the tragic event and after, when their world as she cherished, comes crumbling down. Somewhere deep inside she has been clutching her childhood in a tight fist, attempting to release and let it go.
One night so long ago, when everything changed for one small town rural family with deep history and roots. A mother, father, son, and daughters, and an entire community. What could have changed the course of the events to follow?
Told from Kirsten’s point of view, flashing back from present to 1994-1995 when she was nine years old. An intuitive and observant little girl, daughter of dairy farmers, loving parents, where life was pretty normal on the farm, from great-great parents passed down. Things were always being born on farms, and always dying. And as for how they came to be in the first place, that was no great mystery.
Kirsten’s brother, Johnny began dating a girl named Stacy in high school. Kirsten thought she was the most beautiful creature. As most teens, they fall in love with hormones raging, and stealing away for private time alone. However, beautiful Stacy, became obsessed with Johnny, the hero at the local high school, a star athlete and wrestling champion, with a bright future ahead of him with scholarships to colleges.
His parents and family are so proud of him and his efforts, attending all the games, encouraging him and his efforts. However, Kirsten is intuitive and begins noticing Stacy’s obsession, powerful first love emotions, possessiveness, desperation, and hears their conversations and fights.
She is worried, yet she cannot say anything, to respect their privacy. She senses something terrible will happen, after overhearing the pressure Stacy is putting on her brother. She is innocent and naïve and unsure about all the grown-up things of love, relationships, having babies plus more. She wants to tell someone and express her concern; however, at the same time, she does not want her brother to think she is spying on him and tattling.
Things gets serious when the parents uncover notes to Johnny from Stacy and other events leading them to be concerned about this relationship. They do not want their son to become distracted by this young woman, as he has a bright future ahead of him.
One night, changes everything. Johnny and Stacy set out on a date in a terrible snow storm. When Johnny returns, after the car slides into a ditch, Stacy goes missing. Johnny says she was mad the truck got stuck and decided to walk home and he does the same. As days pass with no new leads, suspicion quickly falls on Johnny, as supportive friends and members of their small community quickly fades.
The Hammarstrom family is caught in the fallout of this ill-fated night, as they support Johnny, but their own doubts about his innocence increase, which divides the family and marriage. What comes next is a full long intense investigation with police, search parties, and a community which believes Johnny is guilty, with no proof. The harassment never lets up, until a teen’s future is destroyed, and family is unraveled piece by piece. Nothing will ever be the same.
However, when the siblings return home due to their father’s death, they stumble on answers to the long-ago tragedy and the fate of the girl who went missing. Family loyalty is a strong theme in the book, with conflicting feelings of innocence or guilt. A family having spent many lost years apart, before learning the truth.
DeBoard writes from the heart, with flawed characters, vivid settings, real families, emotional subjects, and riveting suspense family drama, grabbing you by the heartstrings, as this could be your neighbor, or even you. A powerful account of loyalty, betrayal, and forgiveness.
When you begin reading her novel, make sure to set aside the time, as once you begin, you cannot put this story down, until learning the fate of her well-developed lovable characters. As noted at the end in the conversation with the author, she mentions her love of observing things, as reflective throughout the book with Kirsten’s keen observations of her family.
An ideal book for book clubs and discussions with some profound questions included and thoughts regarding the book versus real-life situations. How would you react if your child was in a similar relationship? Also small town cultures and how their judgmental views contribute to responses (similar to social media today) and how it can impact lives. What could have changed the events leading up to the ill-fated night? Each of the characters reacts differently to Stacy’s disappearance and Johnny’s alleged guilt.
At the end of the novel, Kirsten puts “an imaginary ear to the ground, listening for the roots of the corn to spread downward” referring to something her grandfather used to do. A great metaphor-profound! You will want to go back to the beginning and read more (as I did), into the dad and grandfather’s wise words in relation to the meaning of tragedies and growing in the soil, while waiting to come to harvest.
Or can you, if you listen close enough? Or do we choose to ignore the warning signs? When reading the first time you may not realize this impact until your finish the book as how they are related.
I loved the innocence of the nine year old voice of Kirsten (brilliant). How she wanted to capture her own family and keep them safe in a jar, like so many parents. Similar to fireflies she captured on summer nights in a jar, which had to be set free – giving profound meaning and depth to the story.
DeBoard’s writing style is unique and powerful and hard to compare to similar authors. However, fans of Diane Chamberlain and Jodi Picoult will appreciate her theme of family, as they are tested and tried through life’s messiness. One of my new favorite authors!
Paula's books are not meant to be just read; Reflective, thought-provoking--characters you will not soon forget, as they live on in your thoughts, long after the book ends! Highly Recommend!
JDCMustReadBooks
Top Books of 2013: The Mourning Hours
Top Books of 2014: The Fragile World
Top Books of 2016: The Drowning Girls
The novel will leave you pondering, “If this is a debut, what is yet to come?” After reading this gripping page-turner filled with metaphors, and an advanced reading copy of her upcoming, The Fragile World, readers are in for a rare treat!
A talented author to follow for years to come; her unique writing style captures you from page one, and never lets go, even after the book ends. What a master storyteller! Both novels, as well as the characters, are so realistic; the slow unraveling of families, caused by grief and tragedy . . . the same could happen to you. How would you react?
The book opens with Kirsten Hammarstrom, who resides in California and is on her way home to Wisconsin to her family home, with a lifetime of memories, both good and bad. Before the tragic event and after, when their world as she cherished, comes crumbling down. Somewhere deep inside she has been clutching her childhood in a tight fist, attempting to release and let it go.
One night so long ago, when everything changed for one small town rural family with deep history and roots. A mother, father, son, and daughters, and an entire community. What could have changed the course of the events to follow?
Told from Kirsten’s point of view, flashing back from present to 1994-1995 when she was nine years old. An intuitive and observant little girl, daughter of dairy farmers, loving parents, where life was pretty normal on the farm, from great-great parents passed down. Things were always being born on farms, and always dying. And as for how they came to be in the first place, that was no great mystery.
Kirsten’s brother, Johnny began dating a girl named Stacy in high school. Kirsten thought she was the most beautiful creature. As most teens, they fall in love with hormones raging, and stealing away for private time alone. However, beautiful Stacy, became obsessed with Johnny, the hero at the local high school, a star athlete and wrestling champion, with a bright future ahead of him with scholarships to colleges.
His parents and family are so proud of him and his efforts, attending all the games, encouraging him and his efforts. However, Kirsten is intuitive and begins noticing Stacy’s obsession, powerful first love emotions, possessiveness, desperation, and hears their conversations and fights.
She is worried, yet she cannot say anything, to respect their privacy. She senses something terrible will happen, after overhearing the pressure Stacy is putting on her brother. She is innocent and naïve and unsure about all the grown-up things of love, relationships, having babies plus more. She wants to tell someone and express her concern; however, at the same time, she does not want her brother to think she is spying on him and tattling.
Things gets serious when the parents uncover notes to Johnny from Stacy and other events leading them to be concerned about this relationship. They do not want their son to become distracted by this young woman, as he has a bright future ahead of him.
One night, changes everything. Johnny and Stacy set out on a date in a terrible snow storm. When Johnny returns, after the car slides into a ditch, Stacy goes missing. Johnny says she was mad the truck got stuck and decided to walk home and he does the same. As days pass with no new leads, suspicion quickly falls on Johnny, as supportive friends and members of their small community quickly fades.
The Hammarstrom family is caught in the fallout of this ill-fated night, as they support Johnny, but their own doubts about his innocence increase, which divides the family and marriage. What comes next is a full long intense investigation with police, search parties, and a community which believes Johnny is guilty, with no proof. The harassment never lets up, until a teen’s future is destroyed, and family is unraveled piece by piece. Nothing will ever be the same.
However, when the siblings return home due to their father’s death, they stumble on answers to the long-ago tragedy and the fate of the girl who went missing. Family loyalty is a strong theme in the book, with conflicting feelings of innocence or guilt. A family having spent many lost years apart, before learning the truth.
DeBoard writes from the heart, with flawed characters, vivid settings, real families, emotional subjects, and riveting suspense family drama, grabbing you by the heartstrings, as this could be your neighbor, or even you. A powerful account of loyalty, betrayal, and forgiveness.
When you begin reading her novel, make sure to set aside the time, as once you begin, you cannot put this story down, until learning the fate of her well-developed lovable characters. As noted at the end in the conversation with the author, she mentions her love of observing things, as reflective throughout the book with Kirsten’s keen observations of her family.
An ideal book for book clubs and discussions with some profound questions included and thoughts regarding the book versus real-life situations. How would you react if your child was in a similar relationship? Also small town cultures and how their judgmental views contribute to responses (similar to social media today) and how it can impact lives. What could have changed the events leading up to the ill-fated night? Each of the characters reacts differently to Stacy’s disappearance and Johnny’s alleged guilt.
At the end of the novel, Kirsten puts “an imaginary ear to the ground, listening for the roots of the corn to spread downward” referring to something her grandfather used to do. A great metaphor-profound! You will want to go back to the beginning and read more (as I did), into the dad and grandfather’s wise words in relation to the meaning of tragedies and growing in the soil, while waiting to come to harvest.
“All he could do was tell me to prepare myself, to buck up, to be ready-because the way the world worked, you never could see what was coming."
Or can you, if you listen close enough? Or do we choose to ignore the warning signs? When reading the first time you may not realize this impact until your finish the book as how they are related.
I loved the innocence of the nine year old voice of Kirsten (brilliant). How she wanted to capture her own family and keep them safe in a jar, like so many parents. Similar to fireflies she captured on summer nights in a jar, which had to be set free – giving profound meaning and depth to the story.
DeBoard’s writing style is unique and powerful and hard to compare to similar authors. However, fans of Diane Chamberlain and Jodi Picoult will appreciate her theme of family, as they are tested and tried through life’s messiness. One of my new favorite authors!
Paula's books are not meant to be just read; Reflective, thought-provoking--characters you will not soon forget, as they live on in your thoughts, long after the book ends! Highly Recommend!
JDCMustReadBooks
Top Books of 2013: The Mourning Hours
Top Books of 2014: The Fragile World
Top Books of 2016: The Drowning Girls