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Mysteries of Sparrow Island #17
Echoes from the Past
A birding conference brings Abby back to Cornell University in New York, where she reminisces with old friends and rediscovers all that she gave up to move home to Sparrow Island. Will she return? Meanwhile a student disapears and so begins a mystery.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
46 people want to read
About the author
Ellen Harris
29 books3 followersEllen Harris is a Southern mystery writer whose short stories have been featured in numerous anthologies and in publications such as Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Futures Mysterious Mystery Anthology, and Now and Then. Harris was born in Alabama, spent a number of years in Michigan, and now lives with her husband and their three children in North Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 30, 2018
An enjoyable story, especially the historical bits.
November 30, 2020
I know it was a good series whenever I am sad to start the last book (of which I have access.)
This book provided more excitement than most of the series, perhaps since the one with the plane crash. (#2) But the series had seemed so calmly, cheerfully going along, and then this happened with the missing character. It's still not gruesome or violent or suspenseful in the way that many mysteries are. But it reminded me of the memory I had of playing with my doll babies, calmly getting them ready for bed, when my Daddy came over and put his foot under the doll bed, to jiggle it, saying "Earthquake!!" just to make my play "more exciting." It made me laugh, and chase after all the rumpled blankets and dolls. This book made me wonder if someone had told the authors to make the series "more exciting," or if they had gotten restless themselves.
I did guess who the mysterious man was. I guessed why that location. I did not guess what happened to the missing character.
I loved the description of a group of heroines as "an exaltation of larks."
I was also glad to read of a character who "was trying hard not to let the whole incident make her bitter," having seen where bitterness led. I don't think many people try to fend off bitterness in themselves anymore, or even make it a goal.
There was one troubling comment, "... I think we find when we come to truly appreciate nature all around us. We find God within." That comment reflects more pantheism, not the Christianity of the series.
God is not a part of ourselves, our inner souls or whatever. The Holy Spirit indwells believers, but that is not how we find God. In fact, that particular promise has qualifiers that indicate it's the reverse. We turn to God, and then have the indwelling Spirit: "Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call.'" Acts 2:38-39, NIV
I suppose it has more allure to think that we ARE gods, rather than the fact of we need God, but life will inevitably tell us that we are not always capable. We are not gods.
However,
"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." - Romans 1:20, NIV
"God did this [worked in history] so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.'" - Acts 17:27-28, NIV
The difference is more than just semantics here. There is a difference. God left some "clues" for us in nature, and He's worked through history, and He is not far from us. We are even empowered to 'live and move and have our being' in Him, or through Him. But He is not us, and not any part of us. The Creator is distinctly different from His creation, even when He works in and through and among us.
Favorite quotes:
"It's my job to make sure they get all the encouragement and support they need during these tender times so they'll have the confidence and the sense of duty to go out into the world and achieve everything they're capable of." - spoken by a teacher, but it can also refer to parenting or other caring professions.
"Lord, You know I am tired and afraid and frustrated and too overwhelmed to put together eloquent words. But You know what is in my heart. So here is my simple prayer - HELP. Amen."
"It's a lot better to apologize after the fact for invading someone's privacy than it is to regret letting something bad happen to them."
"The other bright spot was that the Stanton family had now been given the gift of time."
"And lastly, as a woman of faith, Ellen hoped that they would each take this time to appreciate what a gift family life can be."
"She had assumed Abby's quiet, reassuring competence and it was Abby who needed to be soothed and reasoned with. It was exhausting. It made her appreciate her sister even more."
"Sometimes it only takes letting one negative influence into your life. Then that one opens the door for another and the next thing you know, you've found yourself in a world of trouble you don't know how to get out of."
This book provided more excitement than most of the series, perhaps since the one with the plane crash. (#2) But the series had seemed so calmly, cheerfully going along, and then this happened with the missing character. It's still not gruesome or violent or suspenseful in the way that many mysteries are. But it reminded me of the memory I had of playing with my doll babies, calmly getting them ready for bed, when my Daddy came over and put his foot under the doll bed, to jiggle it, saying "Earthquake!!" just to make my play "more exciting." It made me laugh, and chase after all the rumpled blankets and dolls. This book made me wonder if someone had told the authors to make the series "more exciting," or if they had gotten restless themselves.
I did guess who the mysterious man was. I guessed why that location. I did not guess what happened to the missing character.
I loved the description of a group of heroines as "an exaltation of larks."
I was also glad to read of a character who "was trying hard not to let the whole incident make her bitter," having seen where bitterness led. I don't think many people try to fend off bitterness in themselves anymore, or even make it a goal.
There was one troubling comment, "... I think we find when we come to truly appreciate nature all around us. We find God within." That comment reflects more pantheism, not the Christianity of the series.
God is not a part of ourselves, our inner souls or whatever. The Holy Spirit indwells believers, but that is not how we find God. In fact, that particular promise has qualifiers that indicate it's the reverse. We turn to God, and then have the indwelling Spirit: "Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call.'" Acts 2:38-39, NIV
I suppose it has more allure to think that we ARE gods, rather than the fact of we need God, but life will inevitably tell us that we are not always capable. We are not gods.
However,
"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." - Romans 1:20, NIV
"God did this [worked in history] so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.'" - Acts 17:27-28, NIV
The difference is more than just semantics here. There is a difference. God left some "clues" for us in nature, and He's worked through history, and He is not far from us. We are even empowered to 'live and move and have our being' in Him, or through Him. But He is not us, and not any part of us. The Creator is distinctly different from His creation, even when He works in and through and among us.
Favorite quotes:
"It's my job to make sure they get all the encouragement and support they need during these tender times so they'll have the confidence and the sense of duty to go out into the world and achieve everything they're capable of." - spoken by a teacher, but it can also refer to parenting or other caring professions.
"Lord, You know I am tired and afraid and frustrated and too overwhelmed to put together eloquent words. But You know what is in my heart. So here is my simple prayer - HELP. Amen."
"It's a lot better to apologize after the fact for invading someone's privacy than it is to regret letting something bad happen to them."
"The other bright spot was that the Stanton family had now been given the gift of time."
"And lastly, as a woman of faith, Ellen hoped that they would each take this time to appreciate what a gift family life can be."
"She had assumed Abby's quiet, reassuring competence and it was Abby who needed to be soothed and reasoned with. It was exhausting. It made her appreciate her sister even more."
"Sometimes it only takes letting one negative influence into your life. Then that one opens the door for another and the next thing you know, you've found yourself in a world of trouble you don't know how to get out of."
April 10, 2022
I've read several books in this series. This title was passed on to me by a friend.
I always like to try to figure out where the title came from or how it ties in to the book. This book has several characters with reflections into their pasts.
George--a WWII vet--whose nightmares were previously only known to his wife--when he suffers an injury that lands him in the hospital, others notice his restless sleep. Once he's home, they encourage him to talk about what turns out to be Operation Tiger.
Abby--returns to her former employer, Cornell University, to attend a seminar. Will she be tempted to return by the prestige or because she misses her former colleagues and work?
Mary--her father's injury brings back memories of her own injury and rehabilitation
Brian is returning home as a sort of prodigal son. He became a bit of a partier in college and almost failed out. Then, he ran off. But now, he is returning home and hoping to resume his college career.
I am a bit sad to leave Sparrow Island again--at least for a time as I have no more books from the series currently.
I always like to try to figure out where the title came from or how it ties in to the book. This book has several characters with reflections into their pasts.
George--a WWII vet--whose nightmares were previously only known to his wife--when he suffers an injury that lands him in the hospital, others notice his restless sleep. Once he's home, they encourage him to talk about what turns out to be Operation Tiger.
Abby--returns to her former employer, Cornell University, to attend a seminar. Will she be tempted to return by the prestige or because she misses her former colleagues and work?
Mary--her father's injury brings back memories of her own injury and rehabilitation
Brian is returning home as a sort of prodigal son. He became a bit of a partier in college and almost failed out. Then, he ran off. But now, he is returning home and hoping to resume his college career.
I am a bit sad to leave Sparrow Island again--at least for a time as I have no more books from the series currently.
November 5, 2017
Very exciting book!
February 4, 2019
Another great read in the series. I enjoyed this one thoroughly!
October 31, 2023
Slow start, for me but interesting overall. Some interesting plot twists, especially the reveal of the thief at the end.
April 30, 2010
This is the kind of book that gives Christian fiction a bad name: sophomnoric plot, narrative dialogues, too much back story too soon, excessive adverbs and adjectives.
Needs Jerry Jenkin's Writing for the Soul. (book or course)
Needs Jerry Jenkin's Writing for the Soul. (book or course)
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews