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A review by richardwells
Prayers the Devil Answers by Sharyn McCrumb
3.0
I'm a big fan of Appalachian ballads, and I've been meaning to read Sharyn MCrumb for some time. This, her latest, was the one the library had available so I took it off the shelf. I expected a regular sort of mystery with an interesting setting, a little lore thrown in for good measure, and mountain characters a la Winter's Bone. Imagine my surprise. There is a crime, but it doesn't happen until about page 200, it's not a mystery except for motive, and as for lore and character, the author is too good to traffic in stereotypes.
The unfortunate flaw in the novel is the author's use of repetition. I don't know why she felt the need to tell us the same things two or three times, but those were pages I skimmed, and I hate skimming.
Otherwise, Prayers the Devil Answers is a good novel about family and place. If you would like to be reminded that people are basically good regardless of locale, mores and cultural tics, this is a good book to read, even as you gain insight into those other things. Ms. McCrumb has a hold on her plot, insight into her characters, and a true feeling for a place she's spent all her life.
It's a good read that could have done with some trimming.
The unfortunate flaw in the novel is the author's use of repetition. I don't know why she felt the need to tell us the same things two or three times, but those were pages I skimmed, and I hate skimming.
Otherwise, Prayers the Devil Answers is a good novel about family and place. If you would like to be reminded that people are basically good regardless of locale, mores and cultural tics, this is a good book to read, even as you gain insight into those other things. Ms. McCrumb has a hold on her plot, insight into her characters, and a true feeling for a place she's spent all her life.
It's a good read that could have done with some trimming.