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The Jexville Chronicles #2
Touched
The Deep South never gets any deeper than 1920s Jexville, Mississippi, of Carolyn Haines' novel Touched. Dirt poor Mattie is the arranged bride of the town's barber Elikah, who is prone to deliver vicious beatings to his young wife. When a little girl is struck by lightning at a party and not only survives, but seems to have attained the ability to predict the future, Jexville is turned on its ear. The townspeople believe that the child is probably in league with the devil and that she and her mother are a danger. Mattie befriends the pair, earning punishment at the hands of her husband before winning freedom for herself and her newfound friends.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
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324 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Haines
115 books1,573 followersCarolyn Haines is the USA Today bestselling author of over 70 books. In 2020, she was inducted into the Alabama Writers Hall of Fame. She was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alabama Library Association, the Harper Lee Award for Distinguished Writing, the Richard Wright Award for Literary Excellence, as well as the "Best Amateur Sleuth" award by Romantic Times. Born and raised in Mississippi, she now lives in Alabama on a farm with more dogs, cats, and horses than she can possibly keep track of.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 26, 2011
This was my first time reading anything by this author and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed her book. I say "surprised" because 'Touched' is not a dark urban fantasy like my usual fare tends to be. I learned about 'Touched' from a book blurb via one of my RSS subscriptions that piqued my interest enough to check it out from my local library,
Within the first chapter it was obvious I had a good story in my hands. We're introduced to the town of Jexville, Mississippi whose townsfolk are sweltering under the heat of summer and oppressive beliefs. It's 1926 and things like dancing, laughing, and being a woman of strength and individuality are not welcomed. It is into this environment that 16yo mail order bride, Mattie, comes to be married to the town barber, Elikah, a man as handsome as he is twisted.
Anyway, not to write a spoiler, I'll just say that this book touches on how evil can lie disguised under righteousness and religion and that fear and bigotry can lead to disastrous, final actions. If, like me, you've never read a Carolyn Haines book I'd say this is a good place to start, the story is a page turner and the characters of Mattie, Duncan, Johanna and Floyd are the kind that will stay with you even after you've read the last page.
Grade: A+
Within the first chapter it was obvious I had a good story in my hands. We're introduced to the town of Jexville, Mississippi whose townsfolk are sweltering under the heat of summer and oppressive beliefs. It's 1926 and things like dancing, laughing, and being a woman of strength and individuality are not welcomed. It is into this environment that 16yo mail order bride, Mattie, comes to be married to the town barber, Elikah, a man as handsome as he is twisted.
Anyway, not to write a spoiler, I'll just say that this book touches on how evil can lie disguised under righteousness and religion and that fear and bigotry can lead to disastrous, final actions. If, like me, you've never read a Carolyn Haines book I'd say this is a good place to start, the story is a page turner and the characters of Mattie, Duncan, Johanna and Floyd are the kind that will stay with you even after you've read the last page.
Grade: A+
August 18, 2022
This book is book #2 in a 3-book series that is being published as a fundraiser by Good Fortune Farm Refuge. 100% of the profits from the sale of all books will go to the farm.
Touched is set in Jexville, Mississippi in the 1920’s. This is a story of the old South where women had few rights and differences were not accepted. Sixteen-year-old Mattie is a bought bride and is married to Elikah, a good-looking, controlling man who believes violence is the answer to anything. The story is about Mattie’s life and how she copes when she wants nothing but to break free. The characters in this book will draw you in and stay with you long after you finish the book. They will appall you, frighten you and you will quickly know who to root for and cry for those who are the underdogs. The book shows how women were treated in the 1920’s and will make you glad to be born in this area. The ending is unexpected so make sure to read to the very end.
I was given an advance copy of the book to review.
Touched is set in Jexville, Mississippi in the 1920’s. This is a story of the old South where women had few rights and differences were not accepted. Sixteen-year-old Mattie is a bought bride and is married to Elikah, a good-looking, controlling man who believes violence is the answer to anything. The story is about Mattie’s life and how she copes when she wants nothing but to break free. The characters in this book will draw you in and stay with you long after you finish the book. They will appall you, frighten you and you will quickly know who to root for and cry for those who are the underdogs. The book shows how women were treated in the 1920’s and will make you glad to be born in this area. The ending is unexpected so make sure to read to the very end.
I was given an advance copy of the book to review.
March 21, 2022
I honestly thought this was going to be a new favorite for me based on the synopsis, and while it had elements that usually are a home run in books, it didn’t quite do it for me. It took me FOREVER to get through and I found myself losing focus more often than not. Still I’m glad I read it and enjoyed the Mayella Ewell like protagonist. This would be good for fans of Crawdads!
July 27, 2014
I think I read a different book to everyone else who reviewed this. Given that 'Season of innocents' by the same author is one of my all time favorite books I have to say I was a tad disappointed with this book. It starts off really well and I was immediately drawn in and the last chapter or so are very good drawing to an exciting conclusion, however the middle part of the book dragged for me. There is a lot of pages where nothing much happens and too many unrelated and unnecessary parts to the story that could have been skipped. I liked the main idea of the lightening strike and the premonitions but I would have liked more focus on that rather than some of tbe other plot lines. I don't think it helped that the copy of the book I have is fairly thin but the print is so small it made it quite a chore to read. Not a terrible book but I wouldn't recommend to a friend!
November 29, 2010
There is so much going on in this story. It definitely drug in parts, but I was too far into to stop reading and not know how it ended. I wish I had felt more connected to the characters.
August 15, 2022
Mattie is trapped in an abusive marriage and new in town. She witnesses a young, joyful child, Duncan McVay, struck by lightning while dancing at a birthday party. Duncan is miraculously brought back to life only to become the object of fear and hatred by the superstitious backward residents of Jexville, Mississippi.
This second book in the Jexville Chronicles series is Southern Gothic at its finest. Mattie finds herself drawn to the McVay family and most especially to JoHanna, Duncan’s free-spirited mother. Doing so pits her against her brutal husband who “bought” her and a town of judgmental folks who fear any who go against their hard and fast rules.
Mattie is an innocent in a society she doesn’t understand nor really wants to be a part of. While trying to escape the brutality of her home life she relishes the time spent with the McVays. The story is engaging, complex frightening. This is my third read of the book; the final chapters especially haunt me. And satisfy.
This second book in the Jexville Chronicles series is Southern Gothic at its finest. Mattie finds herself drawn to the McVay family and most especially to JoHanna, Duncan’s free-spirited mother. Doing so pits her against her brutal husband who “bought” her and a town of judgmental folks who fear any who go against their hard and fast rules.
Mattie is an innocent in a society she doesn’t understand nor really wants to be a part of. While trying to escape the brutality of her home life she relishes the time spent with the McVays. The story is engaging, complex frightening. This is my third read of the book; the final chapters especially haunt me. And satisfy.
August 18, 2022
A slice of life, in a time gone by, but not apple pie life. A life of pain and fear, and horrible things to cause it.
A small town in 1926, of small minded people, who look down on newcomers & the less fortunate, and turn their fear of what they don’t understand into hatefulness & anger.
Duncan, is a child struck by lightening, seemingly back from the dead, with a gift of foresight—terrifying to the townsfolk when the predictions come true.
Mattie, is a child bride, sold to her older, abusive husband by her stepfather.
Her only friends: a free spirited woman Johanna, —mother of the lightening struck child—and a young man, Floyd, regarded as “slow minded”.
All of them are ostracized by the townsfolk for their nonconformity and pursued relentlessly by the bigots and bullies of Jexville.
You’ll run the gamut of emotions with this one. I hated to finish it, and the last chapter is haunting.
A small town in 1926, of small minded people, who look down on newcomers & the less fortunate, and turn their fear of what they don’t understand into hatefulness & anger.
Duncan, is a child struck by lightening, seemingly back from the dead, with a gift of foresight—terrifying to the townsfolk when the predictions come true.
Mattie, is a child bride, sold to her older, abusive husband by her stepfather.
Her only friends: a free spirited woman Johanna, —mother of the lightening struck child—and a young man, Floyd, regarded as “slow minded”.
All of them are ostracized by the townsfolk for their nonconformity and pursued relentlessly by the bigots and bullies of Jexville.
You’ll run the gamut of emotions with this one. I hated to finish it, and the last chapter is haunting.
June 19, 2019
Touched is set in Jexville, Mississippi in the 1920’s. This is a story of the old South where women had few rights and differences were not accepted. Sixteen-year-old Mattie is married to Elikah, a good-looking, controlling young man. Mattie is befriended by JoHanna and her young daughter Duncan who are outcasts in the community. Duncan is struck by lightning at a party, she begins to have dreams. She tries to warn people but just makes more problems.
This story is well-written and has engaging characters. The story it tells is of the Old South. Great descriptions. I highly recommend reading this.
This story is well-written and has engaging characters. The story it tells is of the Old South. Great descriptions. I highly recommend reading this.
August 16, 2022
I was so happy to be back in Jexville- and in one of the eras that most fascinates me, the 1920’s. This is a beautiful story of friendship, family, choices and intrigue. The heroes aren’t just the good guys, they’re beautifully flawed and fiercely loyal. I felt a strong connection with both Mattie and Johanna in a way that I haven’t with characters in a long time. You’ll find yourself reflecting on your own moral compass and wondering if you would have chosen the same paths as this amazing cast of souls. Touched is a page turning tale that you’ll think about long after you’ve sadly reached the last page.
August 24, 2022
An excellent story of a young woman who finds herself in an unpleasant marriage. She befriends the least popular family in the new town. The story follows how she and that family deal with a pretty tough life situation.
I bacame so very fond of the main characters. They showed so much grit and grace.
I bacame so very fond of the main characters. They showed so much grit and grace.
June 21, 2019
First book I've read from Carolyn Haines and it most definitely wont be the last! I'm a fan of the south and the Era which this is based on! You can imagine yourself right there in the midst of the drama & chaos her writing is so descriptive and convincing!
March 23, 2023
Another excellent historical Southern Gothic by Carolyn Haines.
Characters to cheer for paired with cringeworthy ones, and all that regional flavor that sets this genre apart. Expect the unexpected with this read--it will keep you turning pages well into the night.
Characters to cheer for paired with cringeworthy ones, and all that regional flavor that sets this genre apart. Expect the unexpected with this read--it will keep you turning pages well into the night.
May 28, 2017
One of the best books I have ever read.
September 29, 2021
Carolyn Haines is another of Mississippi's great authors. She is in the league with John Grishim and Greg Isles. This is a spell binding story.
July 10, 2023
I couldn't put it down!
August 11, 2025
I woud have liked it much more if there hadn't been so much senseless violence and a little less drama in it.
August 20, 2022
“I would need a place to come to each spring, a place to wait for the waters of the river to run high, for the time when secrets were brought up from the murky depths.”
Touched is set in Jexville, Mississippi in the 1920’s. The old South where women basically had no rights.
A story of Mattie, 16 years old and a bought bride.
Another dark, chilling and haunting book written by Carolyn Haines.
I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it.
Touched is set in Jexville, Mississippi in the 1920’s. The old South where women basically had no rights.
A story of Mattie, 16 years old and a bought bride.
Another dark, chilling and haunting book written by Carolyn Haines.
I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it.
March 20, 2014
Haunting, dark, chilling. I finished this book late at night and will admit I had a hard time getting to sleep after. Yet, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have now read enough of Carolyn Haines to finally figure out why I keep coming back for more. Her plot lines often have holes or take needless twists and turns that frustrate me to no end, but her characters never disappoint. Haines develops such real, 3-dimensional, tortured characters. This novel was perhaps the best example of that with Mattie and the McVay family. Mattie comes from an abusive past and even worse present, and latches on easily to the carefree, headstrong Johanna and her special daughter Duncan. What results from this friendship makes the novel compelling and worthwhile. I don't know in quite which category to place this book, but I would recommend it to someone who likes supernatural tales or horror.
January 29, 2019
This is just such an amazing book. I was looking for a contemporary book, but a friend of mine gave me this one. At first I didn't want to read it because it looked old, but omg, I was so surprised, I ended up loving it, the characters were so freaking amazing and it made me cry. This is the greatest example for me when it comes to the phrase "never judge a book by its cover".
August 12, 2014
I tend to like the "dark side" of Carolyn Haines and in my opinion This was one of her better books. I could really relate to the main character and the storyline was a good one. I would highly recommend this for those wanting a few chills up the spine ;)
June 22, 2018
Riveting
An intense and riveting story. As much as I love the author's Sarah Booth Delaney series; this book was impossible to put down. What I wouldn't give for her to write a sequel to this one.
An intense and riveting story. As much as I love the author's Sarah Booth Delaney series; this book was impossible to put down. What I wouldn't give for her to write a sequel to this one.
February 3, 2016
Don't miss reading this book!
July 11, 2011
I read this book a long time ago, it stays in my mind as a book that I would like to read again. It was quite captivating.
December 1, 2011
Well written story with likeable characters. Only thing that keeps it from 5 stars was the ending, I think it could have been handled better but it was still good and I'd recommend it.
April 16, 2012
Dark, sort of eerie, southern gothic story, similar to her other book Summer of the Redeemers.
August 3, 2013
Touched was such an amazing read. There seemed to be so much going on in the story. I was never bored. Carolyn Haines has a way of captivating the reader and keeping them wanting more.
February 2, 2014
Very well written! I loved the main character and I couldn't put the book down. It's about overcoming oppression and becoming independent.
Read
April 22, 2014dnf
October 11, 2014
What a read! Plot-driven with characters who stray from stereotypes. Difficult to put down and very easy to pick back up.
November 12, 2014
Loved it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews