story craft

Genre: Christian Mystery and Suspense

Format: Paperback

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Cautions: difficult content: Some argue that Wright’s books slip too far into the dark and mysterious. Some say her mysteries are too much for them, and they can’t read them at night. This has not been my experience; I find them a realistic representation of the spiritual battle that rages between light and darkness, good and evil. Wright’s stories always come with a healthy dose of hope and humor as well. That being said—know yourself. If you get creeped out easily, maybe mystery and suspense isn’t the best genre for you. Or, maybe, just read during the day. Spiritualism is discussed (accurate to the historical character’s timeline), as are miscarriages, mental health, and of course, murder. romance: There are a few kisses and gentle touches here. Definitely nothing inappropriate.

Main themes: Spiritualism, spiritual warfare, loss, grief, mystery

Favorite quote: “If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that what you think isn’t always what is. There are stories behind each of us, and until we shush up and listen, we’ll never hear the truth of it.”

Review:

What would you do if the whole town thought you were crazy? Or you had to keep quiet because you knew they absolutely would think you were crazy if you spoke up about what you saw around your farm? Even if they were starting to guess something wasn’t quite right with you, better to keep them in the dark, right? 

Sometimes the whole world seems swallowed up by madness, and we meet both heroines Perliett (our historical heroine) and Molly (our modern-day gal) right there in the middle of it. Perliett’s whole town, especially Dr. Wasziak, considers her healing practice “quackery,” and it really sets her off. Meanwhile, Molly sees and feels things that just aren’t natural and knows if she comes clean that her husband and her best friend won’t just wonder if she’s crazy, they’ll know. 

Although Wright’s opening line refuses to invite death, it invites the reader into a heartbreaking and difficult story told with elegance, grace, and humor: When death came to visit, no one ever prepared tea and cookies (p. 7). This one line told me exactly what I’d find in this tale of woe and wonder: humor, mystery, and comfort woven in like a good taste of tea and cookies. And that’s exactly what I got.

Having friends who farm and/or homestead, it didn’t take long for my imaginative eyes to develop a clear image of Withers Farm or the Van Hilton home. Chills pebbled my skin when Wright spoke of the corn field at night and voices on the wind and creepy child apparitions in just-as-creepy attics. (What is it about children in these spooky settings, anyway?) My heart raced every time Maribeth Van Hilton hosted a séance, and I always saw that room with dark paneled wood walls, drenched in black and shadows no matter the time of day. 

Wright’s descriptions made the characters just as easy to visualize—something I’ve always appreciated about her writing. I could see Trent’s frustrated and downcast expressions when Molly wouldn’t trust him with her pain. I cried tears with Molly at Trent’s lack of understanding for what she had shared, and what she kept holding back. I felt my ire rise when people accused Perliett of doing harmful things and my humility begrudgingly bubble to the surface when she began to wonder if they might be right—and if George Wasziak wasn’t quite the bad guy she’d made him out to be. It took some time, but I also sunk into George’s concern, compassion, and sense of justice—especially his desire to see Perliett thrive. He just . . . didn’t know how to show his emotions the right way for a while. 

I’ve started suspense novels where I guessed the ending on the first page and never finished. Maybe my mind is twisted, or maybe it’s the storyteller in me just begging to be unleashed. But I never have it all figured out with Wright’s books. It’s like unwrapping a present within a present and the smallest box is the last scene—a gift more beautiful and wonder-filled than you ever could have guessed. 

This wasn’t my first of Jaime Jo Wright’s books, and as I write, I’m staring at the beautiful cover of the one I’m currently reading: The Vanishing at Castle Moreau. And I can already tell I’m going to love it. 

My take:

Sometimes people don’t know the best ways to love us. That doesn’t mean they don’t care; they just might not express it in a way that communicates love to us. But above all and no matter what, true love protects. True love tells the truth. True love stays. And . . . true love heals.