What do you think?
Rate this book
Detective Leah Teal #1
Dream with Little Angels
Michael Hiebert's remarkable debut novel tells the riveting story of a small southern town haunted by tragedy, one brave woman's struggle to put a troubling mystery to rest--and its impact on the sensitive boy who comes of age in the midst of it all. . .
Abe Teal wasn't even born when Ruby Mae Vickers went missing twelve years ago. Few people in Alvin, Alabama, talk about the months spent looking for her, or about how Ruby Mae's lifeless body was finally found beneath a willow tree. Even Abe's mom, Leah, Alvin's only detective, has avoided the subject. But now, another girl is missing.
Fourteen-year-old Mary Ann Dailey took the bus home from school as usual, then simply vanished. Townsfolk comb the dense forests and swampy creeks to no avail. Days later, Tiffany Michelle Yates disappears. Abe saw her only hours before, holding an ice cream cone and wearing a pink dress.
Observant and smart, Abe watches his mother battle small-town bureaucracy and old resentments, desperate to find both girls and quietly frantic for her own children's safety. As the search takes on a terrifying urgency, Abe traverses the shifting ground between innocence and hard-won understanding, eager to know and yet fearing what will be revealed.
Dream with Little Angels is by turns lyrical, heartbreaking, and shocking--a brilliantly plotted novel of literary suspense and of the dark shadows, painful secrets, and uncompromising courage in one small town.
Abe Teal wasn't even born when Ruby Mae Vickers went missing twelve years ago. Few people in Alvin, Alabama, talk about the months spent looking for her, or about how Ruby Mae's lifeless body was finally found beneath a willow tree. Even Abe's mom, Leah, Alvin's only detective, has avoided the subject. But now, another girl is missing.
Fourteen-year-old Mary Ann Dailey took the bus home from school as usual, then simply vanished. Townsfolk comb the dense forests and swampy creeks to no avail. Days later, Tiffany Michelle Yates disappears. Abe saw her only hours before, holding an ice cream cone and wearing a pink dress.
Observant and smart, Abe watches his mother battle small-town bureaucracy and old resentments, desperate to find both girls and quietly frantic for her own children's safety. As the search takes on a terrifying urgency, Abe traverses the shifting ground between innocence and hard-won understanding, eager to know and yet fearing what will be revealed.
Dream with Little Angels is by turns lyrical, heartbreaking, and shocking--a brilliantly plotted novel of literary suspense and of the dark shadows, painful secrets, and uncompromising courage in one small town.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
292 people are currently reading
1785 people want to read
About the author
Michael Hiebert
28 books99 followersMichael Hiebert is the award-winning author of many books and short stories. He is the author of Dream with Little Angels, the first book of his acclaimed Alvin, Alabama Mystery Series. His recent work includes The Rose Garden Arena Incident (A Serial Thriller in Seven Parts) and Sometimes the Angels Weep, his first collection of short stories. He won the Surrey International Writers’ Conference Storyteller Award two years running, and his story My Lame Summer Journal by Brandon Harris, Grade 7 was listed by Joyce Carol Oates as one of the top fifty most distinguished mystery stories published in The Best American Mystery Stories. He lives in British Columbia, Canada, with his three children and dog, Chloe.
Be sure to check out his website at http://www.michaelhiebert.com and sign up for VIP access and be eligible for all sorts of free stuff. Michael can be contacted by email at michael@michaelhiebert.com
Be sure to check out his website at http://www.michaelhiebert.com and sign up for VIP access and be eligible for all sorts of free stuff. Michael can be contacted by email at michael@michaelhiebert.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 306 reviews
July 1, 2016
3.5 A small southern town in Alabama, a town still reeling from the loss and death of a child twelve years ago, is the setting for this novel. It is being compared with "To Kill a Mockingbird" which I have read but so long ago I do not feel comfortable commenting on the comparison. Abe and Dewey are two twelve year olds, curious and nosy enough to question and have theories about everything. When two more girls go missing, one black and one white, Abe question why the all white church is only praying for the white girl. His mother, who is a police officer, tries to teach him about racism and many other things.
Suspense is certainly present, as is the slow languid pace of a southern storytelling novel. The prose, especially the dialogue is a delight as are the conversations between Abe, his mother, his friend Dewey and his sister, who is trying to grow up to fast at fourteen and his uncle. I enjoyed this novel and look forward to many more from this author. Abe and Dewey are a hoot, as a friend of mine used to say.
Suspense is certainly present, as is the slow languid pace of a southern storytelling novel. The prose, especially the dialogue is a delight as are the conversations between Abe, his mother, his friend Dewey and his sister, who is trying to grow up to fast at fourteen and his uncle. I enjoyed this novel and look forward to many more from this author. Abe and Dewey are a hoot, as a friend of mine used to say.
August 1, 2013
The plot line was pretty good, but you could tell the author wasn't really from the South. The vernacular dialog was rather forced.
Where was the editor on this one? I'm a Baptist in the South and he got it ALL WRONG. A crucifix at the front of the church, I don't think so. Protestants have an empty cross to signify Christ's resurrection. Crucifixes aren't to be found anywhere. Also the blessed mother on the necklace, please...Baptists don't venerate Mary. Also Wednesday night services tend to be more informal than Sunday services, so they probably wouldn't have been so dressed up.
Where was the editor on this one? I'm a Baptist in the South and he got it ALL WRONG. A crucifix at the front of the church, I don't think so. Protestants have an empty cross to signify Christ's resurrection. Crucifixes aren't to be found anywhere. Also the blessed mother on the necklace, please...Baptists don't venerate Mary. Also Wednesday night services tend to be more informal than Sunday services, so they probably wouldn't have been so dressed up.
February 22, 2021
This was compared to Kill a mocking bird.
Your right.
Too close to that book it had so many parallels.
Not really wanting to read it again in different ways or characters or likenesses.
I must admit, I skimmed the lady three chapters.
Your right.
Too close to that book it had so many parallels.
Not really wanting to read it again in different ways or characters or likenesses.
I must admit, I skimmed the lady three chapters.
August 7, 2024
4.85 rating. Told from the POV of an 11-year-old boy, "Dream with Little Angels " by Michael Hiebert is an engaging but decidedly different murder mystery. As the boy, his closest friend, his mother - a police detective in a small southern town, and other important characters try to deal with the disappearance and murder of two young girls, I found myself adopting the mannerisms of the characters themselves. Try to imagine yourself and that age, trying to glean clues from your surroundings, as well as your suspicions about neighbors, other townsfolk, and folks from neighboring towns. Yes, kidnapping and murder are very serious topics. However, I haven't even tried coffee, or dating, or driving. I either walk or ride my bike to various places. So, why am I accompanying my mother to a crime scene? What do I know that the adults don't? Read to discover the answers, and gain a new perspective of yourself at 11 years old.
December 15, 2013
I grew up across the South and picked up this book hoping to have a good Southern Gothic type of read. Unfortunately, the characters were mere stereotypes that one might expect to be drawn by those who look upon the South from the outside. While there is some truth in stereotypes, those found in this book rely on nothing more than the grossest of representations. Abe Teal is also way too advanced in many of his thoughts for a boy of his age unless he were a genius of some sort. The rest of his personality does not speak to that, so these jumps of logic just stick out like a sore thumb.
The story is interesting and did keep me reading until the end, but it was not a quick read and I could not connect with the characters at all.
The story is interesting and did keep me reading until the end, but it was not a quick read and I could not connect with the characters at all.
July 10, 2016
oh boy...this is going to be a tough review. first of all, i only gave it one star because it is the lowest rating...it really deserves zero. i bought this at a store near the beach where i was staying in Alabama which is where this novel takes place. i really wanted to like this book because is takes place in the deep south and i was hoping for a strong female lead character. i have lived in the south all my life and feel this book is a slap in the face. the lead "detective" is portrayed as a weeping idiot that never does any real investigating yet takes her son to crime scenes and listens to and acts on his theory for solving the mystery. the boy who narrates is the actual detective of this tale and he, too, is a one dimensional stereotypical southern heehaw. all of the characters sound like idiots with their bad grammar...we was down by the creek, we runned all the way home, gee ma i ain't no racist...the blacks and whites are never in the same room together; the mexicans and asians are discussed as some kind of oddity. please...we are educated, we are diverse, and we are proud of our southern heritage. mr. hiebert needs to spend a little time absorbing the culture and climate of what it is that we are. NOT A FAN.
June 20, 2016
DREAM WITH LITTLE ANGELS A beautiful southern read!
After reading an ARC of Hiebert’s latest upcoming book, Close to the Broken Hearted, (5 Stars), I fell in love with the character, Abe Teal, and could not wait to read Dream with Little Angels. I highly recommend both, as Abe and best friend Dewey, continue with their adventures in this small town of Alvin, Alabama.
The audiobook, narrated by Kirby Heyborne, definitely captured the southern boyish charm, as echoes To Kill a Mockingbird. Both of Hiebert’s books also remind me a little of author, Charles Martin (one of my favorite authors), as his earlier novels are primarily based in southern rural areas of south Georgia, with a small boy or young man living hard lives with life lessons to be learned.
The Teal family consists of Leah, the mom, a widow raising two children, Abe (11 yrs. old) and rebellious teenager Carry (14.5 yrs. old). Leah is also the police detective in this small town, and she tends to get Abe involved in solving her cases. Her dad was formerly with the force, before he died, making sure she was made detective in order to be able to support her family. (She is aware, she has her weaknesses).
However, her son Abe has quite the imagination! When he and his best friend Dewey put their heads together, they are quite the investigative team. Carry is going through her girl drama stage and hormones flying, so not a lot of peace around the house.
An endearing young boy, Abe is very intuitive, and not very trusting of others, which may be because his dad was killed before getting to really know how, he always gets involved in his mom’s police business, and between the drama of his mom and his teenage older sister- who could blame him for creating mysteries as a diversion, as not a lot to do in this small town.
A new man moves in across the street, which Abe and Dewey thinks strange, as the jury is still out about his story, and the duo keep a watchful eye. In the meantime, several young girls go missing, and Leah feels pressure to solve the case. Years ago another little girl wound up murdered and the case was not solved, so she feels guilty and works overtime trying to solve the mystery.
Uncle Henry, comes to stay with them, as Leah does not want to leave the kids alone during this fearful time, until they catch the murderer. He is full of humor and a likable fun character. Henry does not pull any punches and says what is on his mind—Abe hangs on his every word. Hiebert can definitely write humor mixed with mystery.
Behind these horrible murders and missing girls, there is racial tension, molestation, rape, and a long time dark and abusive background involving another little boy and other residents, impacting many lives.
There are all sorts of clues, but each of them may be going in the wrong direction. Abe of course, is very helpful in helping to solve the case and also acts more like a big brother to Carry than the younger.
A coming-of-age riveting story, an excellent debut novel, told from the eleven-year-old Abe’s point of view. A family struggling with balancing the demands of work and home. As also is apparent in the next book, there is a strong bond between mother and son.
A suspenseful story which draws the reader in immediately with his rich authentic characters, which will warm your heart. Unfortunately, the innocence of small town rural living is tainted with horror and tragedy, as Abe is a witness, as has to be front and center, on his road to growing up.
I am giving this one a 4, just because you need somewhere to grow. After reading the next book, you will agree a 5. Both are winners, and look forward to reading more from this author, for years to come. A creative storyteller, which will make you smile and a thought provoking take-away, well after the book ends!
CLOSE TO THE BROKEN HEARTED (#2)
Stay tuned for Hiebert's (An Alvin, Alabama Novel #3) A THORN AMONG THE LILIES Coming 6/30/15.
August 19, 2016
Oh my gosh, little Abe Teal and his sidekick Dewey provide much comic relief to this gripping mystery. And, yet, in some ways Abe says the most profound things. Telling the story from the perspective of an eleven year old boy was so well done! I'll be continuing this series as soon as I can!!
August 14, 2013
Wish I had checked this out from the library instead of buying it. Too many distracting factual discrepancies.
January 4, 2014
I felt like I was reading the copy of To Kill A Mockinbird. A very bad one.
I couldn't stand the cries and weakness of the main character.
I couldn't stand this book.
I couldn't stand the cries and weakness of the main character.
I couldn't stand this book.
April 5, 2018
In many ways, this novel feels like it is trying to be a gender swapped update of To Kill a Mockingbird, but somewhere along the way it doesn't quite make it. I think the main difference is that To Kill A Mockingbird has a number of poignant scenes where wisdom naturally emerges from moments of childhood innocence. It feels like Hiebert is shooting for these moments, but they always feel very forced and really test my suspension of belief. The first half of this book was better than the second. The book does have an engaging writing style and Southern Gothic feel. I did like the characters as well, particularly Dewey. However the conclusion was somewhat disappointing. The plot turned out to be pretty predictable and it seems like a lot of plot points don't really go anywhere, especially the discussions about racism. It constantly comes up in the form of Abe being unknowingly racist. This could have been a good commentary on how even well meaning people can be racially insensitive, but the story never does anything with these points. In fact, Tiffany is more of a mcguffin than an actual character.
The other big problem I have with this novel is the two main characters, Abe and Leah. Abe is WAY too wise beyond his years. Not only did he come across as preachy and condescending, establishing him as an emotionally mature character makes him somewhat contradictory. He understands complex, tough emotional situations, but can't grasp why some of the things he says are racist?
Leah is also a hot mess of a character. She puts way too much stock in what Abe says. There is a difference between being wise beyond your years and being wise. She acts like he is the Oracle of Delphi. The fact that she needs Abe to point some fairly simple timeline questions and barges into her boss's office with only an 11 year old's word to go off of kind of shows that she isn't that great of a detective. She also has a number of meltdowns throughout the novel and seems unable to handle her own emotional baggage let alone an investigation. It also bugs me that she constantly chides Abe for being racist but never actually sits down and explains the concept of racism to him.
This review seems a bit harsh. I did enjoy the book when it began, but I think that was because I thought it was building up to something that never happened. This book was problematic, but the writing is good enough that I will give the sequel a chance just to see if he can improve
The other big problem I have with this novel is the two main characters, Abe and Leah. Abe is WAY too wise beyond his years. Not only did he come across as preachy and condescending, establishing him as an emotionally mature character makes him somewhat contradictory. He understands complex, tough emotional situations, but can't grasp why some of the things he says are racist?
Leah is also a hot mess of a character. She puts way too much stock in what Abe says. There is a difference between being wise beyond your years and being wise. She acts like he is the Oracle of Delphi. The fact that she needs Abe to point some fairly simple timeline questions and barges into her boss's office with only an 11 year old's word to go off of kind of shows that she isn't that great of a detective. She also has a number of meltdowns throughout the novel and seems unable to handle her own emotional baggage let alone an investigation. It also bugs me that she constantly chides Abe for being racist but never actually sits down and explains the concept of racism to him.
This review seems a bit harsh. I did enjoy the book when it began, but I think that was because I thought it was building up to something that never happened. This book was problematic, but the writing is good enough that I will give the sequel a chance just to see if he can improve
July 24, 2013
RECOMMEND TO ALL. This book is very well done. It is one of those that will stick with you for a long time. In the voice of young Abe you learn about life in a small town in Alabama where his mother is a police detective, his sister Carrie is a 14 year old {going on 19} with growing pains, and his best friend Dewey can sometimes be a "pain." When young girls go missing, it is up to Abe's mother to find them. Abe and Dewey have a suspicious new neighbor that they are keeping an eye on. Uncle Henry comes to keep an eye on the kids as Leah searches for the missing. Abe becomes immersed in police work quite by accident but proves to be quite helpful.
The story is suspenseful and draws you right into the characters and store line. If this is a debut novel, I can't wait for his next book.
The story is suspenseful and draws you right into the characters and store line. If this is a debut novel, I can't wait for his next book.
August 7, 2013
Told from the POV of eleven-year-old Abe, DREAM WITH LITTLE ANGELS is the story of a child abduction and homicide that happened twelve years before, and two missing girls who Abe's mother, a police detective, is trying hard to make sure don't suffer the same fate.
At times Abe's preadolescent perspective works quite well, particularly around the issues of racism and being judgmental. At other times, it feels gimmicky, like when Abe recounts police work he's observing and times when he's describing conversation he's overheard.
Debut writer Michael Hiebert has created interesting characters, with the exception of Abe's sister Carry, a one-dimensional rebellious teen. I enjoyed this book and hope to read more of Hiebert's work in the future.
At times Abe's preadolescent perspective works quite well, particularly around the issues of racism and being judgmental. At other times, it feels gimmicky, like when Abe recounts police work he's observing and times when he's describing conversation he's overheard.
Debut writer Michael Hiebert has created interesting characters, with the exception of Abe's sister Carry, a one-dimensional rebellious teen. I enjoyed this book and hope to read more of Hiebert's work in the future.
August 11, 2013
This was an excellent coming of age book. The main character, Abe, is 11. He and his friend Dewey try to solve the mystery of a new, suspicious looking neighbor. Abe's mother Leah is a policewoman and has the murders of two young girls to solve. One has haunted her for twelve years. When a second girl goes missing and is found dead in identical circumstances to the 12 year old murder, Leah is bound to the investigation in a personal way. Lean's almost 15 year old daughter behaves like most teenage girls and her actions threaten to disrupt not only the investigation, but Leah's sanity as well. The characters are all well drawn and believable. This book crosses genres and does so very well. An excellent debut novel.
January 28, 2015
This book was written from the point of view of Abe who (I believe) was about 12 years old. I really enjoyed his thoughts, intelligence and imagination. The friendship between him and his best buddy, the 'hard times' of his 14-15 year old sister, his uncle, and the worries of his detective mother drew me into the story. Perhaps parts of this book were unrealistic, but they did not deter from my enjoyment of the book.
I will be watching for more books by this author, and I hope that he will write more stories that include Abe!
I will be watching for more books by this author, and I hope that he will write more stories that include Abe!
August 26, 2013
So bad. So pedestrian. Repetitive. Every plot point is first telegraphed, then described by the author, then by the narrator (an eleven-year-old boy)to his friend in exhaustive conversation, then by the boy to the police chief....you get the idea.
This book is a cheap imitation of To Kill a Mockingbird, with a few cynical dollops of serial-killer thrown in the modernize it.
Nothing is more painful to read than regional dialect done badly.
This book is a cheap imitation of To Kill a Mockingbird, with a few cynical dollops of serial-killer thrown in the modernize it.
Nothing is more painful to read than regional dialect done badly.
December 2, 2013
A better editor could have made this book much more consistent. The characters were interesting if a bit trite, the dialogue came off preachy pretty often. My biggest problem with the book were the little inaccuracies that made the book a little hard to swallow. Why would a Baptist have a Virgin Mary necklace? Why would a probable high school dropout be hired as a detective? And why does Dewey feel like a straight rip off of Dill?
August 2, 2013
Mediocre. Characters are so underdeveloped. Such a shame because some have incredible potential. The murder mystery aspect unfolds like a juvenile read. Overall, quick easy read. Picked up at an airport--not always the best idea....
November 6, 2013
I just adored this book!!! I fell in love with Abe's innocent wit immediately and it made me not want to leave this book for a second!!!
And I am so happy the author is from BC, canada. Canadian authors for the win!
And I am so happy the author is from BC, canada. Canadian authors for the win!
March 26, 2020
Really 2.5– I think my problem with this book is that there wasn’t enough of a mystery. It was more of a family drama with a bit of mystery thrown in. And there was no real build up to the reveal — it was just suddenly solved. I am curious if that changes in any of the next books.
July 29, 2014
The author of this book apparently did no accurate research.
April 6, 2022
I wish there was more of a mystery element to this book. There were not a lot of characters so the ending was pretty easy to see coming. However, I enjoyed the author’s style immensely and writing a mystery book from the viewpoint of an 11 year old boy was pretty unique.
August 4, 2018
I had low expectations for this book but I ended up loving it! It was super easy and quick to read. I really liked how it was written from an 11 year old boy's perspective. It was a very unique way of writing this story. I guessed who the murderer was pretty early on, but it was still exciting to find out I was right! Some of the stuff the police officer mom did was very questionable and would have resulted in her being fired in real life. But just ignore that and you will enjoy the story as much as I did!
March 13, 2019
Great book, loved the whole thing until I got to the predictable ending. Better pick next time.
October 16, 2024
I don't enjoy reading books where the kids are smarter than the parents. The mystery was pretty obvious early in the book. I don't know if the bad grammar is truly a Southern thing, but from what I have read in other reviews, it is not. This was a recommended read and I may read the next book in the series to see if there is any improvement.
April 3, 2025
When I started this murder mystery I was not expecting to chuckle my way through the whole book. This charming story had twists, drama, and characters that made me wish I lived next door.
October 18, 2024
2.5 really. It just seemed…I dunno…like it was trying to hard to have a deeper message. Just fell short.
November 12, 2017
“[A tree]... hiding the the small body...naked and pink. Her eyes are closed...Her breath is gone...She’s too small for this hill, too small for this tree.” Dream with Little Angels takes place in 1987, 12 years after a young girl was found dead under a tree. Now another girl is missing. The town of Alvin, Alabama , is scrambling, trying to find her alive before she is discovered under that same tree too. Then days later, another girl vanishes. This book is a suspenseful mystery that has you believing one person could be the killer/abductor, and then something else suspicious occurs and you think, then, that, no- maybe it’s this character. Told through the eyes and mind of young Abe, the son of the town’s only detective mother, it gives a unique perspective on a mystery. A mystery that Abe and his best friend Dewey intend to solve. Given the the fact that there are so many suspicious characters, their imaginations lead them to begin to mistrust everyone. There is also a backstory of Abe’s family dynamics, which are faltering and fragile. This book was one that captivated me and I fell asleep, book in hand, every night I read it. I feel it is a genuinely good read and a definite for mystery lovers. 5/5.
November 1, 2020
In all honesty this is probably more of a two star book for me, but two star is more like I really didn't like it and I thought this one was okay. This is an adult book told from the perspective of an 11-year old boy named Abe. We, yet again, have this whole "Boo Radley" mystery house and Abe and his best friend Dewey believe this is the man running around murdering little girls even though he just arrived in the small town of Alvin and the first murder took place 12 years ago. Dewey is pretty much just around to show how smart Abe is compared to the average 11-year old, everyone calls Dewey dumb even Leah. Abe's mother Leah is one of three police in the town, she got the job and was promoted to detective through nepotism and she spends the whole novel pissed off, acting erratically, and not solving a single thing. Like she accomplishes nothing, she just lugs Abe around and let's him look at crime scenes and take care of police matters with her. It's ridiculous even if people can get away with more in a small town.
The only two females in this novel are Leah and her daughter Carry, who is going through that phase where "girls start noticing boys" and she acts like the most cliched, insolent little teenager sneaking out while there are girls her age being kidnapped, raped, and murdered. Then there's this whole attempt at being non-racist where sometimes Abe makes some observations and his mom tells him that's racist and then never explains why or what racism is, just tells him to figure it out. I know it's not the easiest thing to do and there's gray area, but at least try. He should've just gone to that pastor on the other side of town, he seemed like the only person with some sense. Then we have Uncle Henry who Leah asks to come into town and help out with the house and kids when the second kidnapping in twelve years happens. He's supposed to be this voice of reason and rock, an attempt at a parental figure for Leah, Carry, and Abe, but he's the one who tells Leah to take Abe to go see the little dead girl because "he's ready" or "it's something the boy has to do". It's all bullshit and by the end of this novel this 11-year old has seen two decomposing bodies, watched his mom shoot a man in the back of the leg, and seen a girl tied up in a barn and we're supposed to be like yeah, that's a good idea, that's not traumatizing at all.
I think I've just decided to rate this two stars. I'm trying to figure out if these characters are realistic and I'm upset because they're flawed and unlikeable, or if this is just bad writing. I think this is just bad writing. All the men in this novel are calm, knowledgeable, and helpful, and the women are emotional and angry.
The only two females in this novel are Leah and her daughter Carry, who is going through that phase where "girls start noticing boys" and she acts like the most cliched, insolent little teenager sneaking out while there are girls her age being kidnapped, raped, and murdered. Then there's this whole attempt at being non-racist where sometimes Abe makes some observations and his mom tells him that's racist and then never explains why or what racism is, just tells him to figure it out. I know it's not the easiest thing to do and there's gray area, but at least try. He should've just gone to that pastor on the other side of town, he seemed like the only person with some sense. Then we have Uncle Henry who Leah asks to come into town and help out with the house and kids when the second kidnapping in twelve years happens. He's supposed to be this voice of reason and rock, an attempt at a parental figure for Leah, Carry, and Abe, but he's the one who tells Leah to take Abe to go see the little dead girl because "he's ready" or "it's something the boy has to do". It's all bullshit and by the end of this novel this 11-year old has seen two decomposing bodies, watched his mom shoot a man in the back of the leg, and seen a girl tied up in a barn and we're supposed to be like yeah, that's a good idea, that's not traumatizing at all.
I think I've just decided to rate this two stars. I'm trying to figure out if these characters are realistic and I'm upset because they're flawed and unlikeable, or if this is just bad writing. I think this is just bad writing. All the men in this novel are calm, knowledgeable, and helpful, and the women are emotional and angry.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2013
Hiebert gets you hooked after the first page. Abe Teal is an innocent and witty boy that echoes Scout Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird". The mystery elements of the story as well as witnessing his fast transition from a young boy to a more curious and aware adolescent keep your eyes glued to the pages. Reading from his point-of-view is quite endearing and is the best way to uncover 'whodunit'. His innocence and (at times) brutal honesty makes you feel like you're reading from your little brother's journal...and to be honest, some of the things he used to do to pass the time looked like it was torn from pages of my own diary. One of the most refreshing books I've read in a long time, it's a must-read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 306 reviews