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A Sound Among the Trees
A house shrouded in time.
A line of women with a heritage of loss.
As a young bride, Susannah Page was rumored to be a Civil War spy for the North, a traitor to her Virginian roots. Her great-granddaughter Adelaide, the current matriarch of Holly Oak, doesn’t believe that Susannah’s ghost haunts the antebellum mansion looking for a pardon, but rather the house itself bears a grudge toward its tragic past.
When Marielle Bishop marries into the family and is transplanted from the arid west to her husband’s home, it isn’t long before she is led to believe that the house she just settled into brings misfortune to the women who live there.
With Adelaide’s richly peppered superstitions and deep family roots at stake, Marielle must sort out the truth about Susannah Page and Holly Oak— and make peace with the sacrifices she has made for love.
A line of women with a heritage of loss.
As a young bride, Susannah Page was rumored to be a Civil War spy for the North, a traitor to her Virginian roots. Her great-granddaughter Adelaide, the current matriarch of Holly Oak, doesn’t believe that Susannah’s ghost haunts the antebellum mansion looking for a pardon, but rather the house itself bears a grudge toward its tragic past.
When Marielle Bishop marries into the family and is transplanted from the arid west to her husband’s home, it isn’t long before she is led to believe that the house she just settled into brings misfortune to the women who live there.
With Adelaide’s richly peppered superstitions and deep family roots at stake, Marielle must sort out the truth about Susannah Page and Holly Oak— and make peace with the sacrifices she has made for love.
330 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
245 people are currently reading
4310 people want to read
About the author
Susan Meissner
33 books9,345 followersSusan Meissner is a USA Today bestselling novelist with more than a million books in the hands of readers, and in eighteen languages. Her critically acclaimed works of historical fiction have been named to numerous lists including Publishers Weekly’s annual roster of 100 best books, Library Reads Top Picks, Real Simple annual tally of best books, Goodreads Readers’ Choice awards, Booklist’s Top Ten, and Book of the Month.
She attended Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego and is a former managing editor of a weekly newspaper. Susan’s expertise as a storyteller and her thoroughly researched topics make her a favorite author of book clubs everywhere. Her engaging and warm speaking style appeal to all manner of women’s groups, literary organizations, libraries and learning institutions, and service clubs.
When she is not working on a new novel, she enjoys teaching workshops on writing, spending time with her family, music, reading great books, and traveling.
She attended Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego and is a former managing editor of a weekly newspaper. Susan’s expertise as a storyteller and her thoroughly researched topics make her a favorite author of book clubs everywhere. Her engaging and warm speaking style appeal to all manner of women’s groups, literary organizations, libraries and learning institutions, and service clubs.
When she is not working on a new novel, she enjoys teaching workshops on writing, spending time with her family, music, reading great books, and traveling.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 585 reviews
September 29, 2018
Potential ghosts, lost letters and restless houses? Sign me up! I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this story, it completely drew me in right from the start. The only thing that slightly affected my enjoyment was our main character, I found her a tad annoying at times and I can’t really pinpoint why. But other than that minor issue, I really enjoyed this book. It was thoroughly entertaining and kept me guessing right to the very end!
January 31, 2015
Marielle meets her husband via the internet. When they are married, she moves from her home in Arizona to Holly Oak. Holly Oak is an old home in Virginia. Despite some misgivings from family, Marielle is agreeable to living in the old house with her husband Carson, his two children and his grandmother-in-law, Adelaide. Holly Oak is also the place where Carson lived with Sarah, his first wife. There are those who believe the house is haunted or, at the very least, brings misfortune to the women who live there. Initially Marielle dismisses such ideas, but the longer she lives there, the less convinced she is that it was a wise move.
It was rumoured Susannah Page who lived there the Civil War was a spy for the north. There are those who believe it is Susannah’s ghost that haunts the place. Adelaide, Susannah’s great-granddaughter is convinced it is the house cannot move on from what has happened in its past.
This is my first novel by this author, picked up initially because I liked the title and cover and then the blurb on the back interested me, even though I’m not a huge fan of novels that focus on ghosts. I found this story interesting. I liked the character of Marielle and the way the truth about what happened with Susannah and her involvement and that of Holly Oaks in the Civil War is revealed. The story kept my interest throughout. I was waiting for a twist that didn’t come towards the end, but obviously that only existed in my mind. Still, it was a good read, I enjoyed it and I will probably look for another by this author at some point.
It was rumoured Susannah Page who lived there the Civil War was a spy for the north. There are those who believe it is Susannah’s ghost that haunts the place. Adelaide, Susannah’s great-granddaughter is convinced it is the house cannot move on from what has happened in its past.
This is my first novel by this author, picked up initially because I liked the title and cover and then the blurb on the back interested me, even though I’m not a huge fan of novels that focus on ghosts. I found this story interesting. I liked the character of Marielle and the way the truth about what happened with Susannah and her involvement and that of Holly Oaks in the Civil War is revealed. The story kept my interest throughout. I was waiting for a twist that didn’t come towards the end, but obviously that only existed in my mind. Still, it was a good read, I enjoyed it and I will probably look for another by this author at some point.
August 4, 2011
I first discovered this book while browsing Amazon one night. I typed "historical fiction" in books and then "coming soon." This is NOT historical fiction, however. I need to get that out there, because the search and the lovely Civil War dress on the front will have people expecting a historical fiction.
It's a good book, just not what it appears to be. Until page 200 or so, it is all contemporary. Marielle marries a man and gains an instant family and household. She suddenly has a husband, two kids, a "haunted" house, and to make matters more complicated, the house actually belongs to her new husband's deceased first wife and the first wife's grandmother is still residing in it. Talk about awkward!
Lots of bad things have happened in this house that survived the Civil War. The grandmother, Adelaide, blames all the death and misery on the house.. but then again, she says it isn't the house's fault. I had a hard time understanding this old lady and her riddles. Nevertheless, some say the house is haunted by Adelaide's grandmother, Susannah, who was said to be a spy.. for the UNION. (This is a southern home.)
Is it a ghost or is it just some bad luck that could happen to anyone anytime? The finding of Susannah's old letters could clear it all up. Susannah's letters were the most interesting part of the book, though too small a part. There's covert activity, shifting loyalties, love for two men... Great stuff!!! But sadly it was only 100 pages and even worse, it was all in letters. This would've been just fine had the letters been scattered throughout the novel, mixed in with the contemporary story, but all at once? Too much "telling" all lumped in one part.
Great idea, but I would have preferred to EXPERIENCE Susannah's tale rather than read it in letters and I would have preferred more of the Civil War and less of the contemporary. Sadly, the heroine, Marielle, didn't interest me near as much.
It's a good book, just not what it appears to be. Until page 200 or so, it is all contemporary. Marielle marries a man and gains an instant family and household. She suddenly has a husband, two kids, a "haunted" house, and to make matters more complicated, the house actually belongs to her new husband's deceased first wife and the first wife's grandmother is still residing in it. Talk about awkward!
Lots of bad things have happened in this house that survived the Civil War. The grandmother, Adelaide, blames all the death and misery on the house.. but then again, she says it isn't the house's fault. I had a hard time understanding this old lady and her riddles. Nevertheless, some say the house is haunted by Adelaide's grandmother, Susannah, who was said to be a spy.. for the UNION. (This is a southern home.)
Is it a ghost or is it just some bad luck that could happen to anyone anytime? The finding of Susannah's old letters could clear it all up. Susannah's letters were the most interesting part of the book, though too small a part. There's covert activity, shifting loyalties, love for two men... Great stuff!!! But sadly it was only 100 pages and even worse, it was all in letters. This would've been just fine had the letters been scattered throughout the novel, mixed in with the contemporary story, but all at once? Too much "telling" all lumped in one part.
Great idea, but I would have preferred to EXPERIENCE Susannah's tale rather than read it in letters and I would have preferred more of the Civil War and less of the contemporary. Sadly, the heroine, Marielle, didn't interest me near as much.
June 3, 2021
The beginning part was not very engaging and just a lot of dialogue on whether or not each person believed the house was haunted or “stuck”.
My favorite part was the 100 pages of letters written by Susannah during the Civil War. Now that was a great story and delightful to read! ❤️
My favorite part was the 100 pages of letters written by Susannah during the Civil War. Now that was a great story and delightful to read! ❤️
August 13, 2011
Susan Meissner’s voice in Christian fiction and her authority with words sucks me in with the cadence of her writing in the story she weaves.
There is an incredible amount of subtext in her latest novel “A Sound Among the Trees” and I was excited to pick up a book blending two of my favorite periods: contemporary and historical Civil War. The book didn’t delve into as much of the latter as I would have liked, but was more focused on how the past actions of previous lives rippled down three, four generations.
In one way, I was expecting a “surprise” or “bang” of a literary moment, if you will, and wasn’t surprised with a different twist, but once I closed the book I realized the story really didn’t need one. It’s a story that defies genre and redefines what a novel should be: a really good story – well told.
It’s so hard to write a review for this book, because it doesn’t fit any one mold. I can’t say it had a thrilling romance, or a heartrending tragedy. And for new readers of Susan’s work, I think you have to experience it for yourself.
I can say, Meissner writes with grace and beauty, but with a great authority with the craft. Her dialogue is swift and to the point, her characters three-dimensional. Deep and wide, her stories always leave me craving more. I think you will too.
This review is my honest opinion. My thanks to the Amazon Vine program for my copy to review.
There is an incredible amount of subtext in her latest novel “A Sound Among the Trees” and I was excited to pick up a book blending two of my favorite periods: contemporary and historical Civil War. The book didn’t delve into as much of the latter as I would have liked, but was more focused on how the past actions of previous lives rippled down three, four generations.
In one way, I was expecting a “surprise” or “bang” of a literary moment, if you will, and wasn’t surprised with a different twist, but once I closed the book I realized the story really didn’t need one. It’s a story that defies genre and redefines what a novel should be: a really good story – well told.
It’s so hard to write a review for this book, because it doesn’t fit any one mold. I can’t say it had a thrilling romance, or a heartrending tragedy. And for new readers of Susan’s work, I think you have to experience it for yourself.
I can say, Meissner writes with grace and beauty, but with a great authority with the craft. Her dialogue is swift and to the point, her characters three-dimensional. Deep and wide, her stories always leave me craving more. I think you will too.
This review is my honest opinion. My thanks to the Amazon Vine program for my copy to review.
February 14, 2014
A Sound Among the Trees keeps you turning pages from beginning to end. Susan Meissner does her homework and, in this novel, shines a spotlight on family relationships complicated by the Civil War. Susanna was rumored to be a spy whose presence lived on at Holly Oak, a stately southern mansion with a cannonball embedded in its walls. Generations later, Marielle married into this family, which could not seem to break free from shadows of the past.
The novel captures the complexities of love and loss, grudges and forgiveness. Are the tragedies within the family the result of ghostly activity or what causes townspeople to believe the house is cursed? What is the secret that supposedly lies “beneath their feet”? How have the inhabitants of Holly Oak, especially the matriarch Adelaide, been scarred by the past? Such are the questions you want answered as you enjoy this fictional account of southern living.
This book opened my eyes to the kinds of turmoil within families caused by the Civil War, especially for those who had moved from one region of the country to another. We think of the war as north against south, good guys against bad guys. But what about families with mixed loyalties? A reader’s guide offers questions for discussion, and authors’ notes offer recommended resources. All in all a wonderful read for a cold winter’s night.
The novel captures the complexities of love and loss, grudges and forgiveness. Are the tragedies within the family the result of ghostly activity or what causes townspeople to believe the house is cursed? What is the secret that supposedly lies “beneath their feet”? How have the inhabitants of Holly Oak, especially the matriarch Adelaide, been scarred by the past? Such are the questions you want answered as you enjoy this fictional account of southern living.
This book opened my eyes to the kinds of turmoil within families caused by the Civil War, especially for those who had moved from one region of the country to another. We think of the war as north against south, good guys against bad guys. But what about families with mixed loyalties? A reader’s guide offers questions for discussion, and authors’ notes offer recommended resources. All in all a wonderful read for a cold winter’s night.
March 30, 2016
This was a fascinating book. About 3/4's of the book is written in contemporary setting. At first I was like I can't believe I am reading this, I was kind of freaked out about ghosts and spirits and such and at times I felt prickly, but then comes the Civil War part and wow, it just all came together and now I can't stop thinking about it. I loved how it all wrapped up and gave a nice wrapped up ending. I have to say, i really really enjoyed the Civil War parts of the book, it was so intriguing and I can never get enough of all that people went through that lived during it and through it. I loved how it sort of came full circle as why there were these certain beliefs about the house and without giving anything away, I will leave it at that. The book was well written and I read it at a steady pace never bored and towards the end couldn't put it down as I HAD to know what was going to happen and how it was all going to end and was not disappointed.
May 1, 2016
I enjoyed the historical civil war part of the story more than the contemporary part.
January 27, 2020
RATING: 2 STARS
2011; Waterbrook/Random House
I am a sucker for historical novels set during America Civil War era so I was excited to read this one. I figured A Sound Among the Trees would be a dual timeline novel - set present day with usually a historical storyline. The novel starts out with a Marielle marrying Carson, a widower with two young children, and moving into his late wife's grandmother's estate. Adelaide, the grandmother, raised her granddaughter and helped with the caring of her children. Marielle learns that Adelaide's great-grandmother might be haunted the home, but knows nothing of the history. I thought this novel started out like Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca, with a young wife moving into the dead wife's life. The novel really dragged out the set up of the story and soon I lost the suspense of finding out what happens next. When we finally get to the Civil War era, it's told in a brief series of letters. It seemed too quick, with the characterizations missing. I did finish this book, but mostly because I listened to it on audio. I did enjoy Meissner's The Last Year of the War so I would definitely try another novel.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2011; Waterbrook/Random House
I am a sucker for historical novels set during America Civil War era so I was excited to read this one. I figured A Sound Among the Trees would be a dual timeline novel - set present day with usually a historical storyline. The novel starts out with a Marielle marrying Carson, a widower with two young children, and moving into his late wife's grandmother's estate. Adelaide, the grandmother, raised her granddaughter and helped with the caring of her children. Marielle learns that Adelaide's great-grandmother might be haunted the home, but knows nothing of the history. I thought this novel started out like Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca, with a young wife moving into the dead wife's life. The novel really dragged out the set up of the story and soon I lost the suspense of finding out what happens next. When we finally get to the Civil War era, it's told in a brief series of letters. It seemed too quick, with the characterizations missing. I did finish this book, but mostly because I listened to it on audio. I did enjoy Meissner's The Last Year of the War so I would definitely try another novel.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
November 29, 2011
I'm a big fan of Susan Meissner's contemporary fiction (not so much of a fan of her historical fiction) but I found it very, very hard to stay connected with this story. The main problem is that the focus of the novel is the house, not the characters living in the house during the present day (although they had interesting back-stories that would have been fun to explore more deeply) and the possibility that there were ghosts or curses attached to it. I have to give Meissner credit for attacking such a controversial topic in a novel geared for the Christian market but I felt that she didn't make it "real" enough to capture our attention (and again, that may have been deliberate to be able to market this book to Christians). I finally gave up about half-way through and wished that I was reading more about family dysfunction and whether or not this second marriage could survive, house or not house.
It probably didn't help that I read "The Lost Quilter" immediately before reading this book and Jennifer Chiaverni's emotional writing about the Civil War and slavery in general was much more powerful and real to me. Made "The Sound Among the Trees" seem trite and shallow.
It probably didn't help that I read "The Lost Quilter" immediately before reading this book and Jennifer Chiaverni's emotional writing about the Civil War and slavery in general was much more powerful and real to me. Made "The Sound Among the Trees" seem trite and shallow.
July 4, 2023
Readable, but no one hits a home run every time at bat.
June 4, 2023
I have now read a total of 4 Susan Meissner novels. This was probably my least favorite. It was just an okay story to me. I liked how the faith elements in the story were natural and unforced. I wish the last section of the story had been throughout the novel, because it was when things became more interesting to me.
November 6, 2011
This story takes you from Modern day to the Civil War period. We open the story at a wedding reception for Marielle and Carson, at which looks like a beautiful Southern estate. Carson and Marielle have meet over the internet and there interest bloomed into love. They were married in Arizona, and are having the reception in Virginia.
Carson and his two children live in Virginia in the beautiful old home, that has been in the family for many generations. The home is actually Carson's deceased wife's families, and will sometime belong to their children Brette and Hudson. Marielle has agreed to Carson's request that they live here rather than upset the children, and be there for Sara's Grandmother Adelaide.
It must have been very difficult for Marielle to live in Carson's late wife's home! A home that seems to have something wrong with it. There is talk around town that it is haunted? There is supposed to be some lost letter's that would confirm all of this.
I think the part of the book I enjoyed the most was the letter's written by Susannah...she is Adelaide's Great-Grandmother. Loved the description of the South during the War, although parts sounded to true with all the killing and injured.
A very enjoyable read.
I was provided with a copy of this book by the Publisher WaterBrook Press, and was not required to give a positive review.
Carson and his two children live in Virginia in the beautiful old home, that has been in the family for many generations. The home is actually Carson's deceased wife's families, and will sometime belong to their children Brette and Hudson. Marielle has agreed to Carson's request that they live here rather than upset the children, and be there for Sara's Grandmother Adelaide.
It must have been very difficult for Marielle to live in Carson's late wife's home! A home that seems to have something wrong with it. There is talk around town that it is haunted? There is supposed to be some lost letter's that would confirm all of this.
I think the part of the book I enjoyed the most was the letter's written by Susannah...she is Adelaide's Great-Grandmother. Loved the description of the South during the War, although parts sounded to true with all the killing and injured.
A very enjoyable read.
I was provided with a copy of this book by the Publisher WaterBrook Press, and was not required to give a positive review.
February 4, 2012
I will be reviewing this title on my blog in the next few weeks...so more real soon.
I enjoyed this book quite a lot. I found the modern idea of internet dating and how the older generation just didn’t understand pretty entertaining. Loss plays a huge part in this book, loss of self, loss of loved ones, loss of reality. The writing flowed well and just sucked me into the story every time I picked it up.
The ending chapters with the letters from Susanna were fascinating with the history she shared and her feelings about what was happening in the Civil War. Reading them brought her life to the front which was needed after hearing all the ghost stories about her. Life is tough and the decisions we make along the way have far reaching consequences, this is a book that illustrates just how far reaching they truly can be. We are the authors of our lives, how will your destiny manifest itself?
If you enjoy history and drama you will like this book. I found it fast paced and interesting enough to keep my attention in a room full of people where I split my focus from time to time. I think you will find an interesting world in the pages of this book
I enjoyed this book quite a lot. I found the modern idea of internet dating and how the older generation just didn’t understand pretty entertaining. Loss plays a huge part in this book, loss of self, loss of loved ones, loss of reality. The writing flowed well and just sucked me into the story every time I picked it up.
The ending chapters with the letters from Susanna were fascinating with the history she shared and her feelings about what was happening in the Civil War. Reading them brought her life to the front which was needed after hearing all the ghost stories about her. Life is tough and the decisions we make along the way have far reaching consequences, this is a book that illustrates just how far reaching they truly can be. We are the authors of our lives, how will your destiny manifest itself?
If you enjoy history and drama you will like this book. I found it fast paced and interesting enough to keep my attention in a room full of people where I split my focus from time to time. I think you will find an interesting world in the pages of this book
March 24, 2017
Susannah Page was a young woman during the civil war, her great granddaughter, Adelaide is ninety in the twenty-first century, and Marielle is her new granddaughter-in-law who has just married her grandson-in-law Carson Bishop four years after he became a widower. Marielle moves into the family home Susannah inherited and soon becomes swept up in Adelaide’s superstitions regarding the house and the superstitions of one of Adelaide’s friends that Susannah’s ghost haunts the house because apparently Susannah was a civil war spy. As Marielle settles into her new marriage and her role as mother to Carson’s two children, she works on sorting out the past tragedies and trial of the women of Holly Oak.
The characters are likable, the writing is fine, and I liked it, but it’s not the sort of novel I find particularly gripping now. It is labelled Christian fiction, but there really wasn’t much Christian about it other than that a few of the characters appeared to have faith a few times.
The characters are likable, the writing is fine, and I liked it, but it’s not the sort of novel I find particularly gripping now. It is labelled Christian fiction, but there really wasn’t much Christian about it other than that a few of the characters appeared to have faith a few times.
November 3, 2011
A house in Fredricksburg, Virginia thought by many to be haunted and the woman who have lived in the house for many generations was the setting for this story. Well written and the history of the Civil was very interesting especially as told by a 18 yr. old girl living through the union occupation of said city. The many sacrifices and struggles that had to be made. Christian fiction is not usually my thing but it is not very present in this book just in places were it is fitting so I enjoyed this book.
February 9, 2021
Susannah Page was rumored to be a Civil War traitor for the North.
Holly Oak, the plantation that survived the Civil War , is the home of Adelaide a great granddaughter of Susannah Page . Adelaide believes Susannah's ghost still lives there as well as some of her friends, the blue ladies.
Carson and his children live there too with his new wife Marielle. Carson's first wife Sara was Adelaide granddaughter .
The house is sucking theme in. With Adelaide's urging Carson and Family start over in a home of their own.
They all need to breath.
Holly Oak, the plantation that survived the Civil War , is the home of Adelaide a great granddaughter of Susannah Page . Adelaide believes Susannah's ghost still lives there as well as some of her friends, the blue ladies.
Carson and his children live there too with his new wife Marielle. Carson's first wife Sara was Adelaide granddaughter .
The house is sucking theme in. With Adelaide's urging Carson and Family start over in a home of their own.
They all need to breath.
March 16, 2021
I wasn't sure about this book I thought it was going to be like a ghostly story but its not really more the lady who lived there projecting her feelings onto the house. The most interesting part was the letters that Susannah wrote to her cousin during the Civil War. It was an ok fiction story I wouldn't call it historical fiction would have given it a 3.5 if goodreads had the ability to do that but since they don't gave it a four thought it was better than a 3.
December 10, 2025
This is my fourth book to read by this author and I have yet to be disappointed. This one is not my favorite, but it is still good. The antebellum house Holly Oak in Virginia is as much a character as the people in the story. It has seen much tragedy over the years, particularly during the Civil War. But is it haunted, or cursed? Does it house ghosts, or simply misguided memories. Ms.Meissner does a great job of storytelling and weaving the generations of Holly Oak women together.
May 20, 2023
I have read some great books by this author. Unfortunately, this was not one of them. It was just weird. It really only spent about a third of the book on the historical Civil War part of it towards the end in the form of letters. The rest of it was just this bizarre story about the house holding a grudge or a ghost, and some other weird stuff.
Also...people that know nothing about Arizona should really not write about it. This is not part of the main storyline, and also not why I gave the book 2 stars. However, I must mention this. One of the main characters is from Phoenix, Arizona, and she went to live with her new husband in Virginia. On page 98 in the first paragraph, "The desert in Arizona left few vestiges of the sun's relentlessness when night fell. But here in the South, there was never a night off from the contest of wills. She breathed in deeply anyway, closing her eyes and pretending for a moment that she was back on her balcony with a view of the Sedona mountains embracing her. She imagined the sand still warm but purple now in the night's palette of midnight colors. She pictured saguaro cactus, tall as giraffes, saluting the sky. And she imagined she could hear the far off call of a coyote and the sound the wind makes when there are no trees to slam against."
Ok, I live in Phoenix. There is NO place in Phoenix that you could see the Sedona mountains off a balcony. Sedona is at least 100 miles north of the northern part of Phoenix. We have dirt, not sand. This isn't the Sahara desert. A saguaro cactus is much taller than a giraffe, like 2 or 3 giraffes. And we don't usually hear coyotes except for the outer edges of the city, and there aren't really apartments there, although I admit that you could hear them in the city. It's just not a common occurrence. Ok, I just needed to put that out there, especially since this is the second book I have come across within the last month that was so wrong about Arizona.
Also...people that know nothing about Arizona should really not write about it. This is not part of the main storyline, and also not why I gave the book 2 stars. However, I must mention this. One of the main characters is from Phoenix, Arizona, and she went to live with her new husband in Virginia. On page 98 in the first paragraph, "The desert in Arizona left few vestiges of the sun's relentlessness when night fell. But here in the South, there was never a night off from the contest of wills. She breathed in deeply anyway, closing her eyes and pretending for a moment that she was back on her balcony with a view of the Sedona mountains embracing her. She imagined the sand still warm but purple now in the night's palette of midnight colors. She pictured saguaro cactus, tall as giraffes, saluting the sky. And she imagined she could hear the far off call of a coyote and the sound the wind makes when there are no trees to slam against."
Ok, I live in Phoenix. There is NO place in Phoenix that you could see the Sedona mountains off a balcony. Sedona is at least 100 miles north of the northern part of Phoenix. We have dirt, not sand. This isn't the Sahara desert. A saguaro cactus is much taller than a giraffe, like 2 or 3 giraffes. And we don't usually hear coyotes except for the outer edges of the city, and there aren't really apartments there, although I admit that you could hear them in the city. It's just not a common occurrence. Ok, I just needed to put that out there, especially since this is the second book I have come across within the last month that was so wrong about Arizona.
Read
April 14, 2023Als Mariëlle met de weduwnaar Carson trouwt, gaat ze op Holly Oaks wonen: een huis waarin een zuidelijke familie de Civil War heeft doorstaan en waar de overleden eerste echtgenote heeft gewoond. Carson en zijn twee kinderen zijn bij schoonovergrootmoeder Adelaide blijven wonen zogenaamd omdat het beter is voor de kinderen maar eigenlijk omdat Carson aan de herinnering aan zijn eerste vrouw blijft hangen. Adelaide zelf hangt erg aan het verleden, vooral aan de tijd van de Civil War, en denkt dat de geest van haar overgrootmoeder Susannah er nog woont omdat ze iets goed heeft te maken. Als Adelaide's dochter Caroline (de moeder van Carson's eerste vrouw) thuiskomt, wordt er iets in gang gezet.
***Dit is een spookverhaal zonder spook. Toch heeft iedereen zijn eigen geest. Adelaide hangt zo sterk aan het verleden dat haar huis een mausoleum is. Bovendien denkt ze dat Suzanna aan het huis is gebonden om iets goed te maken. Carson hangt zo aan de herinnering aan zijn overleden vrouw dat hij zijn nieuwe vrouw ook in haar huis laat wonen en bovendien haar atelier nooit heeft opgeruimd. Ook kan je blijven hangen in spijt van alles wat je juist niet hebt gedaan. De familie heeft de verstandig geworden Caroline nodig om op een gezonde manier verder te gaan.***
***Dit is een spookverhaal zonder spook. Toch heeft iedereen zijn eigen geest. Adelaide hangt zo sterk aan het verleden dat haar huis een mausoleum is. Bovendien denkt ze dat Suzanna aan het huis is gebonden om iets goed te maken. Carson hangt zo aan de herinnering aan zijn overleden vrouw dat hij zijn nieuwe vrouw ook in haar huis laat wonen en bovendien haar atelier nooit heeft opgeruimd. Ook kan je blijven hangen in spijt van alles wat je juist niet hebt gedaan. De familie heeft de verstandig geworden Caroline nodig om op een gezonde manier verder te gaan.***
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2021
4.5 stars
This book looks like it might be historical fiction, but I don’t think it has enough history to merit that. So this is a fictional story set in two timelines: the present and the Civil War. It begins in the present where a widower remarries and brings his new wife to the old house where he lives with his two children and the grandmother of the first wife. This is a little slow but I was still drawn in. The house has a foreboding presence sensed by some but not others, and there are rumors of possible ghosts. When the new wife seeks answers, she finds hidden tales of the past.
I liked the discoveries and layer and layer of unveiling. I especially liked the Civil War timeline. It was an enjoyable read start to finish for me.
This book looks like it might be historical fiction, but I don’t think it has enough history to merit that. So this is a fictional story set in two timelines: the present and the Civil War. It begins in the present where a widower remarries and brings his new wife to the old house where he lives with his two children and the grandmother of the first wife. This is a little slow but I was still drawn in. The house has a foreboding presence sensed by some but not others, and there are rumors of possible ghosts. When the new wife seeks answers, she finds hidden tales of the past.
I liked the discoveries and layer and layer of unveiling. I especially liked the Civil War timeline. It was an enjoyable read start to finish for me.
April 21, 2018
A Sound Among The Trees is a beautifully written tale which explores the ways in which past ad present interact and connect in ways so misunderstood by all who experience it. The most powerful aspect of the story, however, is the depiction of how one who loves deeply sacrifices all to protect those around her. I would suggest this book to any historical fiction or romance reader as it is, again, a wonderfully written tale of love both lost and found.
June 20, 2024
Another Susan Meissner book I thoroughly enjoyed reading. This one has a different twist about possible ghosts and hauntings of an old Virginian mansion. It did take quite a while for that to be ruled out. A lot about the Civil War and what it had done to one of the descendants of The Holly Oak mansion and how that was connected with current lives of the women that live there today.
January 7, 2023
Susan Meissner weaves a dual timeline story of strong women in The Sound of Trees. Marielle Bishop, new wife to widower Carson and mother to his two children, steps into the antebellum home of Holly Oak. As she seeks to find a place and develop a relationship with matriarch Adelaide, ghosts of the past seem to haunt her in the present. Civil War-era accusations connected to ancestor Susannah Page overshadow the home and lineage of those who have lived and currently live at Holly Oak. Through a series of letters, Meissner effectively tells the story of Susannah and its impact on the generations of women of Holly Oak.
January 3, 2024
A strange story set in Fredericksburg, Virginia, bouncing from the present day to Civil War times. An antebellum mansion, ghosts, traitors (or loyalists?), love, threat... it's all there.
August 5, 2024
2.7 ⭐️
I think ghosts are dumb and I hate reading letters. So I did not like this book 😂.
I think ghosts are dumb and I hate reading letters. So I did not like this book 😂.
January 20, 2025
It was very different from what I expected. It definitely kept my attention. I enjoyed it.
August 14, 2025
I was completely enthralled with this story! I will miss these characters, especially Suzanne!
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