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White Mountain
Why do the fingerprints of a recent murder victim in New York City belong to a man who has been dead for over thirty years? To find out, FBI agent Jack Dolan heads to the victim's last known address: a boardinghouse in Braden, Montana.
Most of the guests at Abbott House are couples seeking help from the fertility clinic run by a team of dedicated doctors. So Jack's arrival is a pleasant surprise for own Isabella Abbott, who finds herself wrestling with feelings she's never had before. Jack, too, shares the powerful connection, and is all too aware of the danger of letting personal desires get in the way of an investigation.
He suspects someone ruthless is lurking in the shadows -- someone with orders to kill. But what secrets are worth dying for in this peaceful place that offers miracles to desperate couples? And is Isabella part of the savage mystery that surrounds White Mountain?
But the more Jack learns, the more he understands why the secrets of White Mountain must be kept hidden. At all costs.
Most of the guests at Abbott House are couples seeking help from the fertility clinic run by a team of dedicated doctors. So Jack's arrival is a pleasant surprise for own Isabella Abbott, who finds herself wrestling with feelings she's never had before. Jack, too, shares the powerful connection, and is all too aware of the danger of letting personal desires get in the way of an investigation.
He suspects someone ruthless is lurking in the shadows -- someone with orders to kill. But what secrets are worth dying for in this peaceful place that offers miracles to desperate couples? And is Isabella part of the savage mystery that surrounds White Mountain?
But the more Jack learns, the more he understands why the secrets of White Mountain must be kept hidden. At all costs.
376 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
112 people are currently reading
356 people want to read
About the author
Dinah McCall
22 books162 followersDinah McCall is a pseudonym for author Sharon Sala.
It was a job she hated that drove Sharon Sala to put the first page of paper in an old typewriter, but it was the love of the craft that kept her writing. Her first efforts at writing came in 1980 when she began a book that wound up under her bed. A second book followed in 1981 and suffered a similar fate, but she claims the writing bug had bitten hard. However, she let life and the demands of a growing family delay her from continuing until a tragedy struck.
Her father died in May of 1985 after a lingering illness, and then, only two months later, her only sister died unexpectedly. She vowed then and there that she was not going to wind up on her deathbed one day with regrets for not following through on her dreams.
She joined writers' groups and attended conferences, and she slowly learned her way around the written page. By 1989, she decided she had come far enough in her writing to attempt another try at book-length fiction and began a book that would later be entitled Sara's Angel. As fate would have it, the first publisher she sent it to bought it, and she hasn't looked back.
As a farmer's daughter, and then for many years a farmer's wife, Sharon escaped the drudgeries of life through the pages of books, and now, as a writer, she finds herself often living out her dreams. Through traveling and speaking and the countless thousands of fan letters she has received, Sharon has touched many lives. One faithful reader has crowned her the "Reba of Romance," while others claim she's a magician with words.
Her stories are often dark, dealing with the realities of this world, and yet she's able to weave hope and love within the words for the readers who clamor for her latest works.
Her books repeatedly make the bestseller lists, including those of The New York Times, USA TODAY, Publishers Weekly, and the Waldenbooks mass market fiction list, and she's been nominated for a RITA® Award seven times, which is the romance writer's equivalent of having an Oscar or an Emmy nomination.
Always an optimist in the face of bad times, she finds that many of the stories she writes come to her in dreams, but there's nothing fanciful about her work. She puts her faith in God and still trusts in love and the belief that, no matter what, everything comes full circle.
It was a job she hated that drove Sharon Sala to put the first page of paper in an old typewriter, but it was the love of the craft that kept her writing. Her first efforts at writing came in 1980 when she began a book that wound up under her bed. A second book followed in 1981 and suffered a similar fate, but she claims the writing bug had bitten hard. However, she let life and the demands of a growing family delay her from continuing until a tragedy struck.
Her father died in May of 1985 after a lingering illness, and then, only two months later, her only sister died unexpectedly. She vowed then and there that she was not going to wind up on her deathbed one day with regrets for not following through on her dreams.
She joined writers' groups and attended conferences, and she slowly learned her way around the written page. By 1989, she decided she had come far enough in her writing to attempt another try at book-length fiction and began a book that would later be entitled Sara's Angel. As fate would have it, the first publisher she sent it to bought it, and she hasn't looked back.
As a farmer's daughter, and then for many years a farmer's wife, Sharon escaped the drudgeries of life through the pages of books, and now, as a writer, she finds herself often living out her dreams. Through traveling and speaking and the countless thousands of fan letters she has received, Sharon has touched many lives. One faithful reader has crowned her the "Reba of Romance," while others claim she's a magician with words.
Her stories are often dark, dealing with the realities of this world, and yet she's able to weave hope and love within the words for the readers who clamor for her latest works.
Her books repeatedly make the bestseller lists, including those of The New York Times, USA TODAY, Publishers Weekly, and the Waldenbooks mass market fiction list, and she's been nominated for a RITA® Award seven times, which is the romance writer's equivalent of having an Oscar or an Emmy nomination.
Always an optimist in the face of bad times, she finds that many of the stories she writes come to her in dreams, but there's nothing fanciful about her work. She puts her faith in God and still trusts in love and the belief that, no matter what, everything comes full circle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
October 12, 2018
This book has potential. The plot is rather okay but the ending... the ending is completely over the top!
I truly hated the ending. All the characters, Jack, Isabella, the Uncles and even Victor do some really stupid things, just out of some really bad B-class action movie. At some point they are running around shouting things like "Don't hurt her!" and "Don't shoot!", that is quite annoying. And the whole religious point, the soul thing, it's completely ridiculous.
Also, in my opinion, the characters, mostly Jack and Isabella but also Victor Ross, are not smart enough. They do some silly things and don't see obvious connections. And I quite liked Victor, I seriously hoped for some kind of happy ending for him despite everything.
All in all, a good idea but weakly introduced.
BTW, Leningrad, the city Victor lives in, is Saint Petersburg for some time now, they changed it in the beginning of the 90s. The plot takes part after 2000, so it should be Saint Petersburg.
I truly hated the ending. All the characters, Jack, Isabella, the Uncles and even Victor do some really stupid things, just out of some really bad B-class action movie. At some point they are running around shouting things like "Don't hurt her!" and "Don't shoot!", that is quite annoying. And the whole religious point, the soul thing, it's completely ridiculous.
Also, in my opinion, the characters, mostly Jack and Isabella but also Victor Ross, are not smart enough. They do some silly things and don't see obvious connections. And I quite liked Victor, I seriously hoped for some kind of happy ending for him despite everything.
All in all, a good idea but weakly introduced.
BTW, Leningrad, the city Victor lives in, is Saint Petersburg for some time now, they changed it in the beginning of the 90s. The plot takes part after 2000, so it should be Saint Petersburg.
May 20, 2016
This was a DNF for me two years ago. Tried again and liked it well enough. I just thought that Isabelle was a bit of a whimpering dish rag and that the Big Reveal was obvious. It was also pointless and wrapped up so immediately that it's hard to process it before it's over.
Not my favorite story from McCall/Sala. Definitely won't reread this one.
Not my favorite story from McCall/Sala. Definitely won't reread this one.
June 1, 2021
A good mystery story.
August 3, 2014
A dead man is found in an alley in NYC. But when his fingerprints belong to a Russian doctor who died over 30 years ago, FBI agent Jack Dolan heads to the victim's last known address in Montana. Jack's arrival at Abbott House is a pleasant surprise for owner Isabella Abbott. Most of her guests are couples seeking help from the fertility clinic, not handsome single men.
This book was a quick read. I never really felt the love between Jack & Isabella. She just seemed too young and naive for him. She also cries and faints at the drop of the hat. I don't know what he sees in her. The mystery was kind of interesting, but very over-the-top. My rating: 3 Stars.
This book was a quick read. I never really felt the love between Jack & Isabella. She just seemed too young and naive for him. She also cries and faints at the drop of the hat. I don't know what he sees in her. The mystery was kind of interesting, but very over-the-top. My rating: 3 Stars.
December 22, 2008
I really wanted to like this book. It was a pretty good plot, but the female lead was like a chocolate box lid - super-sweet, pretty vacuous, and blind to everything RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER.
January 20, 2013
Another great read by Ms. Sala. I'm never disappointed by her work.
June 12, 2017
WHITE MOUNTAIN
Very odd story, a little paranormal-a little romance-a little suspense. Suspend reality and enjoy it-this book is a page turner.
Very odd story, a little paranormal-a little romance-a little suspense. Suspend reality and enjoy it-this book is a page turner.
July 2, 2020
It's not that bad, most of the book is quite enjoyable, but towards the end, the romance scenes were just a plain drag. There wasn't much chemistry between the two characters and although the other five characters were important, they barely got enough time. There were barely any descriptions of them either, and they kept flip-flopping between using their surnames and their uncle-names, but they were barely ever together, which made the distinction between them even harder.
However, besides the lackluster romance and sex scenes, it was an interesting premise, and an interesting way to bring in some religion into it. Though, after all the science talks, it did make me feel a bit "eh" at that prospect, but still, it wasn't the worst and after getting through the initial idea of it, it was an interesting one.
However, besides the lackluster romance and sex scenes, it was an interesting premise, and an interesting way to bring in some religion into it. Though, after all the science talks, it did make me feel a bit "eh" at that prospect, but still, it wasn't the worst and after getting through the initial idea of it, it was an interesting one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2023
I enjoyed this one. The ending was a nice little twist. I don’t mind that I can guess endings since I do most of the time. Victor was so evil that he got what he deserved. I was hoping the uncles survived. Jack was a true hero and Isabelle might have been a whiney character but, look at all that happened to her in the beginning of the story. Such tragedies would do that to a person. I would have liked to have seen if Jack and Isabelle had children.
June 28, 2018
A mystery of the "uncles" after Uncle Frank is found murdered. FBI agent John Dolan is sent to Montana in the disguise of a writer to learn why Russia is involved. The very innocent Isabella goes from her protected up bringing to the I shouldn't be doing this romance with John. Sometimes a secret needs to be a secret for ever.
July 1, 2019
A disappointment
The heroine in this book was the biggest wimp i is e read about in a long time. She was either crying or so terrified her knees were shaking. The hero wasn't much nsyyrrnǹc.f.thing or t rd r rd ififr f2f
The heroine in this book was the biggest wimp i is e read about in a long time. She was either crying or so terrified her knees were shaking. The hero wasn't much nsyyrrnǹc.f.thing or t rd r rd ififr f2f
June 30, 2025
Found in an air bnb, pretty good. The descriptions of the romance and attraction weren't awkward or gross like they often are. Not sure whether that owes to the skill of the writer (who I'm not familiar with) or because it's a lady author, but either way very happy with that.
May 18, 2020
This was a quick easy read, however not sure how plausible the plot is/was.
March 17, 2022
The story sounded like a mixture of sci-fi and religious-related elements, which disconnected me from most of the storyline. Still, it was enjoyable at some points.
January 2, 2023
Gripping novel. Enjoyed storyline until the end which was not a realistic ending.
June 20, 2024
It was a good mystery novel. It definitely had me on the edge of my seat.
July 5, 2025
simply terrible
September 13, 2025
A delightful and complex story with many twists and turns. A pleasure to read.
December 1, 2025
Complex
What a well written story. The right amount of time spent becoming familiar with the characters. I learned to care for everyone; even the bad guys. Really satisfying.
What a well written story. The right amount of time spent becoming familiar with the characters. I learned to care for everyone; even the bad guys. Really satisfying.
October 16, 2025
Totally boring. Not what I expected.
April 1, 2012
4/5 (B)
Review: I almost got all of Dinah McCall's books and White Mountain was one of the rare one I was missing... So I bought it. In addition, I was really intrigued by the whole fingerprints belonging to someone's already dead. However, I never thought this book would turn out this way - a very pleasant surprise.
Characters - See, I've always been weak for old men in real life and in books. Strong or gentle, most of them tug at my heart. So my heart gave out a lot when Frank Walton died. Anyway, I really liked the old men :P As for the main characters, Isabella and Jack, well I did enjoy them a lot :D Isabella has a strong core inside, but she's not overtly strong and tough and it's totally understandable in this situation. She's just lost two persons she cared for a lot and realized that eventually, one by one, her other uncles would leave her too. As for Jack, he's a FBI agent. A bit battered and a bit down, but I wouldn't say his near break-down. He went to Abbott House undercover and credits for him for not wanting to build relationship on lies. Anyway, I liked them and they didn't annoy me at all, but I'd say that there's some depth missing. Ms Sala didn't have time to flesh them out as it should, because she had so much going on...
Story & Writing: well, it's no secret that I love Ms Sala's style/writing... So I won't comment on that aspect. Okay, maybe I'll just say that I like Ms Sala's pacing and her writing is always smooth. As for the story, it was quite interesting. There wasn't too much "threads" so it wasn't hard to follow. What I liked was the idea behind the intrigue was really good and it was well told. The only thing is perhaps the ending seems a bit too easy - I mean, would Jack really recognizes the KBG agent from a picture that was shown during his training at Quantico, of course it's plausible... but this moment is key to leading to the ending and I thought there could have been many other ways, perhaps more interesting.
The Cover - I like... it also keep in style with the other covers of her books published with Mira-Harlequin.
Am I keeping this book? Yes :D It's a good book plus, I want to complete my collection of her books.
Review: I almost got all of Dinah McCall's books and White Mountain was one of the rare one I was missing... So I bought it. In addition, I was really intrigued by the whole fingerprints belonging to someone's already dead. However, I never thought this book would turn out this way - a very pleasant surprise.
Characters - See, I've always been weak for old men in real life and in books. Strong or gentle, most of them tug at my heart. So my heart gave out a lot when Frank Walton died. Anyway, I really liked the old men :P As for the main characters, Isabella and Jack, well I did enjoy them a lot :D Isabella has a strong core inside, but she's not overtly strong and tough and it's totally understandable in this situation. She's just lost two persons she cared for a lot and realized that eventually, one by one, her other uncles would leave her too. As for Jack, he's a FBI agent. A bit battered and a bit down, but I wouldn't say his near break-down. He went to Abbott House undercover and credits for him for not wanting to build relationship on lies. Anyway, I liked them and they didn't annoy me at all, but I'd say that there's some depth missing. Ms Sala didn't have time to flesh them out as it should, because she had so much going on...
Story & Writing: well, it's no secret that I love Ms Sala's style/writing... So I won't comment on that aspect. Okay, maybe I'll just say that I like Ms Sala's pacing and her writing is always smooth. As for the story, it was quite interesting. There wasn't too much "threads" so it wasn't hard to follow. What I liked was the idea behind the intrigue was really good and it was well told. The only thing is perhaps the ending seems a bit too easy - I mean, would Jack really recognizes the KBG agent from a picture that was shown during his training at Quantico, of course it's plausible... but this moment is key to leading to the ending and I thought there could have been many other ways, perhaps more interesting.
The Cover - I like... it also keep in style with the other covers of her books published with Mira-Harlequin.
Am I keeping this book? Yes :D It's a good book plus, I want to complete my collection of her books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2024
DNF at page 30
Yeah I know, I didn't get very far LOL 😅 But the book so far has too many POVs, and I'm not interested in most of them.
In the 30 pages I did read we have had the POV of the victim, the killer, some ladies at the funeral (no, not for the victim, someone else died too), our heroine Isabella, one of Isabella's "uncles", and a cop assigned to the murder. Way too many! And I don't care about the cop or the uncles, where is our hero? I can't see the cop's POV remaining relevant once the FBI gets involved. We could have skipped it and gone straight to our hero's POV as he stepped in to solve the case.
All those POVs made the pacing feel slow. And since I didn't care about the cop's POV (which is what we were getting more of on page 30) I had zero incentive to read more. We were already given the name of the killer in his POV 🤷♀️
Yeah I know, I didn't get very far LOL 😅 But the book so far has too many POVs, and I'm not interested in most of them.
In the 30 pages I did read we have had the POV of the victim, the killer, some ladies at the funeral (no, not for the victim, someone else died too), our heroine Isabella, one of Isabella's "uncles", and a cop assigned to the murder. Way too many! And I don't care about the cop or the uncles, where is our hero? I can't see the cop's POV remaining relevant once the FBI gets involved. We could have skipped it and gone straight to our hero's POV as he stepped in to solve the case.
All those POVs made the pacing feel slow. And since I didn't care about the cop's POV (which is what we were getting more of on page 30) I had zero incentive to read more. We were already given the name of the killer in his POV 🤷♀️
February 11, 2010
Dinah McCall is also Oklahoma's own Sharon Sala. What an awesome gift this woman has for writing. I love her books!
I've read most of the books she has written, and although they are different, I know she has a passion for children who are abused and cops. She writes from her heart and knows how to put it on paper, she's suffered through the kidnapping/abduction of a family member. She tugs at your heart and pulls you into her novels.
I've read most of the books she has written, and although they are different, I know she has a passion for children who are abused and cops. She writes from her heart and knows how to put it on paper, she's suffered through the kidnapping/abduction of a family member. She tugs at your heart and pulls you into her novels.
May 14, 2013
Die Grundgeschichte ist ganz interessant. Aber im Vordergrund steht die Liebesgeschichte zwischen Isabella und Jack, deshalb finde ich das Genre "Thriller" total unpassend. Mich hat es etwas genervt, dass Isabella so naiv ist und das Wort "Onkeln" konnte ich irgendwann nicht mehr lesen. Die Versuche an Menschen war ganz interessant und die Liebesgeschichte war auch sehr schön zu lesen, deshalb 3 Sterne.
Man hätte mehr aus dem Buch machen können.
Man hätte mehr aus dem Buch machen können.
November 6, 2008
This was not one of my favorite books by McCall/Sala. It had an okay storyline, but just didn't seem to grab me as all her other books usually do. I usually finish her books within a matter of days, but this one took me a little longer.
December 2, 2011
I left my borrowed copy at my mom's house so I think I will need to get it the next time I come home. I finished until Chapter 9. Will continue reading it soon. :) Darn, I have a lot of books I need to finish!
June 30, 2008
It was a quick read with a predictable ending but it passed the time.
Read
August 16, 2008White Mountain by Sharon Sala (2002)
September 23, 2009
This caught my eye because it was about and inferitlity clinic. I really liked it the suspense and story were really good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews