The Poppy Field: Fast-paced women’s fiction about family secrets and survival

by Caroline Kellems

A restless wife. A handsome suitor. Will she say yes?

When her husband, Phil, decided to become a missionary in Guatemala, his decision turns Katherine’s comfortable life in Indiana upside down. Trying to be a supportive spouse, she organizes the move and packs up the kids. Now, the family must adjust to life in colorful Guatemala, a land of coffee plantations, peasant farmers, and archeological sites, but also a land of narco-trafficking and armed men.

Katherine soon finds herself living in a rundown rural house with cold showers and a primitive kitchen. Summoning an inner resilience, she shifts her attention to homeschooling two unhappy children. With her husband absent for days at a time, she accepts help from their wealthy Latino neighbor. Suave and debonair, he educates her about Guatemala’s history and social problems and even offers financial assistance. With romance on the horizon, she and the children move into his mansion.

But beneath his politeness and charm, she glimpses a darker past. Her husband is oblivious, and her suitor won’t wait forever. As the net closes around her, Katherine must find a way to free them all from this dangerous entanglement.

If you like fast-paced, character-driven fiction with a dash of romance, crime, and family drama, then you’ll love Caroline Kellems’ novel about a mother caught between being faithful to her husband and faithful to her own desires.

Buy The Poppy Field and tremble with the heat of rising passion and the chill of impending disaster.

370 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 15, 2024

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Poppy Field, by Caroline Kellems, should be made into a movie. The story follows a missionary family as they move to Guatemala to preach the Word. The father comes across poorly, as I feel that he is misguided, arrogant, ignorant and judgmental, not really suited to missionary work in a truly poor and struggling community. The plot is interesting and fast moving. The characters of the wife and two children are likeable and easy to identify with. I highly recommend this book

My thanks to LibraryThing for my copy of this book.

[Suanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed The Poppy Field very much, reading it in two sittings. An evangelical preacher from Indiana is called to preach the Gospel in Guatemala and drags his wife and two children there very much against their will. From the moment they land, they are faced with what the wife, Katherine, feels are insurmountable problems and dangers, including the run-down shack they are to live in, but the husband, Phil, is certain God will provide for them and protect them. Though as a pastor’s family they are nowhere near wealthy, in the United States, they enjoyed a surfeit of riches,  compared to most of the Guatamalans they met. The locals are devastatingly poor, with one exception: Alfonso Cardenas, a Mexican living in Guatemala, is wealthy, charming, handsome, and philanthropic. He gradually insinuates himself into the lives of the pastor’s family to the point of having them live under his protection in his compound. He becomes a sexual temptation to Katherine, who is fed up with Phil's neglect of her and his family in his eagerness to proselytize. Alfonso's extravagant lifestyle is quite attractive to her daughter. Katherine and her son sense a darkness to Alfonso that Phil refuses to accept. He remains convinced that God, through Alfonso, is taking care of his ministry and his family.

The rapid pace of this book with its ever-escalating menace made me unable to put it down. Kellems does a great job of capturing the overwhelming sense of foreignness expatriates experience when first landing in a different country. The contrast between the richness of the Guatemalan land and its biodiversity with the indigence of the majority of its inhabitants is stark and well-captured. Kellems herself, a former Peace Corps worker in Guatemala, has the background of dealing with poverty in addition to currently owning a coffee plantation there, so she writes from her soul about her adopted country.

[Zelda Kimble · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel was described as fast-paced, and boy was it! I really liked the pacing because I felt like the author took the appropriate amount of time with all the really important story bits, while moving the plot along like a freight train. I liked hearing perspectives from the entire family, because each POV character had really fascinating insights to what was going on. There were sections of the book I personally did not connect with, but it was really buoyed by the beautiful prose, and again, the story moved so fast that moments I was iffy about zoomed past.
Thank you to Grand Canyon Press for this gifted copy!

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting read
I like reading books where a woman has written a woman’s character. I feel it is more nuanced and gives agency to the woman which is otherwise missing in other’s books. It mere makes them a narrow mindedly written characters.

In this book, no doubt my favourite is Katherine who out of love changes places along with family to be with them and ofcourse to support them. She has to face hardships in adjusting to the new place. She finds solace in the form of a supportive neighbour. Things does turn strange and tricky and put herself in life difficult situation. It is indeed an interesting read.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phil, a missionary, took his wife Katherine and 2 children to Guatemala to do some missionary work in the back country. They met Alfonso and he rescued them after their car broke down and their small home was ransacked. He had armed guards and a beautiful mansion where they lived under his rules.
The children found out about him and what he did for a living and then Katherine did but Phil would not realize what was happening until it was too late.What did Alfonso do for a living?a real page turner!

[Caroline Godoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down! From someone born and raised in Guatemala who has worker with missionaries often, The Poppy Field does an excellent job portraying a different reality in the country. If you're from here or have been to Guatemala, it will feel very close to home and if you haven't, you will be planning a visit soon (maybe even as a missionary)! The book highlights the beautiful sceneries of this small, but agriculturally rich country while contrasting the dark realities of its poverty stricken areas.
An exciting story and beautifully written!

[Billy Buttons · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
14th February 2024
TITLE: The Poppy Field, A Novel
AUTHOR: Caroline Kellems


Star Rating: 5

‘A compelling insight into modern life in Guatemala filled with love, lust, family drama – and danger! Highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf

REVIEW
I must say, I very much enjoyed this novel from the talented pen of Caroline Kellems. Set in modern day, exotic Guatemala, it is the story of Katherine who must find a life for herself and her family when her husband brings them all there. Simply written with strong character development and a wonderfully exotic setting for readers to fall in love with, I suspect this will go down very well with readers who enjoy smartly plotted family dramas.
There were number of aspects to this novel I particularly enjoyed. Firstly, the author worked hard from the very first page to help the readers get to know her characters and also to understand the complex dynamics within the family. I particularly liked Katherine, her strength of character, her ability to get on with things - although I wasn't so in love with the husband, Phil, who is way too intense for my liking! I also liked the writing style and how the author successfully used dialogue to not only develop the plot but also the characters. But, for me, it was the setting which I mostly enjoyed. Guatemala is not a part of the world I know well - at all, in fact - and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the culture - and the dangers.
I'm very happy to recommend this book to anybody who enjoys a well-plotted drama with a little danger and a sprinkling of romance. I think they'll enjoy following Katherine on her adventure as she attempts to find answers to the age-old dilemma – stay with the unfulfilling husband or risk a new life of love and lust.
All in all, a bit of a gem!

‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk

[Lahari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caroline Kellems The Poppy Field  is a thrilling read with romance and suspense. Katherine faces tough choices between loyalty to her husband and her feelings for a handsome neighbor. The story, set in Guatemala, kept me on edge with its mix of drama and danger. I couldn't put it down, as the tension and emotional depth made me root for Katherine through every twist. But the strain of living where they clearly don't know the rules, let alone how to survive, quickly takes a toll on their marriage. Katherine, the wife, senses that her husband doesn't know what he's doing and that he has put them all in danger. No wonder, then, that she takes up with their handsome neighbor. For a time he serves as an interpreter of the culture and a buffer against privation. I guess the lesson from this book is that even good intentions aren't enough. The dad has good intentions and so does the handsome neighbor, in a way. The road of their good intentions does, indeed, lead to disaster.Katherine soon finds herself living in a rundown rural house with cold showers and a primitive kitchen. Summoning an inner resilience, she shifts her attention to homeschooling two unhappy children. With her husband absent for days at a time, she accepts help from their wealthy Latino neighbor. Suave and debonair, he educates her about Guatemala’s history and social problems and even offers financial assistance. With romance on the horizon, she and the children move into his mansion.

[Jaspreet Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Poppy Field: Fast-paced women’s fiction about family secrets and survival

Lost in the Poppy fields of Guatemala

Genre: Fiction

The story primarily delves through the perspective of Katherine Whitehall, whose life is turned upside down when her husband, Phil, decides to rededicate his life in the name of Christ, and relocates with Katherine and 2 children(Justin and Katy) from their home in Indiana to a remote village in Guatemala, as a missionary to spread the Christian gospel.

The story gets a realistic touch when the author describes Guatemala Culture, food, traditions and everyday living, upon arrival, thereby highlighting natural beauty along with the pain of poverty.

The Poppy Field captivates the attention from the first page itself as Whitehall's journey keep taking a new turn with each chapter. Lines get drawn and Faith in the word gets tested along the journey with faith in each other, when the young family comes across the herculean task before them.

The Author Caroline Kellems has beautifully brought into fore about the overarching theme of faith, love and family and how they pass through the test of time.

[Melanie Coombes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always like to read stories that take place in other countries. This book tells the story of a family that moves to Guatemala to become missionaries. Phil, the husband, has had a calling from God and nothing will stop him from his plan. His wife, Katherine and her two children, are much more skeptical. Katherine wants to support her husband and so she naively tries to ignore her warning instincts. After a difficult start, Katherine and Phil meet their charismatic, wealthy neighbor. It's obvious that his million-dollar compound is funded by nefarious means, but both Phil and Katherine choose to ignore this due to his exuberant generosity. However, their neighbor soon has his eyes set on wooing Katherine away from her husband and things start to get out of hand quickly.
This was a great book that was descriptive of Guatemala and kept me at the edge of my seat. Phil was not a likeable character, and it was hard to understand Katherine's loyalty to her husband and then her complete disregard for him midway thru the book. But it definitely made for fun reading. I highly recommend. I received a complimentary eBook from Library Thing Early Reviewers in exchange for a review.

[Melissa Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked The Poppy Field. The story is about a preacher from Indiana who goes to Guatemala to spread the Gospel. He brings his wife, Katherine, and their two kids, even though they don’t want to go. When they arrive, Katherine feels everything is too dangerous, especially the old house they are supposed to live in. But her husband, Phil, believes God will take care of them.

In the U.S., they were not rich, but they had a lot more than most people in Guatemala. The local people are very poor, except for one man—Alfonso Cardenas. He is a wealthy and charming Mexican living in Guatemala. Alfonso slowly becomes part of their lives and even offers them a place to stay in his home. Katherine starts to feel attracted to Alfonso because she is tired of Phil ignoring her and their family. Katherine and her son feel something is wrong with Alfonso, but Phil thinks Alfonso is helping them because of God.

The book is fast and exciting, and I couldn’t stop reading it. Kellems shows well how different a new country can feel. The difference between Guatemala’s beautiful land and the poor people is strong. Kellems, who has lived and worked in Guatemala, writes with a lot of love for the country.

[emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caroline Kellems' The Poppy Field deserves acclaim for its captivating narrative that draws readers in. Katherine's life is turned upside down when her husband Phil decides to relocate to Guatemala for missionary work, forcing her to leave behind her comfortable life and adapt to a primitive household with their two children. Their charismatic neighbor, Alfonso, initially presents himself as a generous
and wealthy benefactor, but his true nature soon reveals a complex character that puts Katherine in harm's way. As Alfonso's intentions become increasingly romantic, Katherine is faced with a moral dilemma that threatens to upend her marriage. The story unfolds at a rapid pace, keeping readers invested in Katherine's journey  and wondering whether she will remain faithful to her husband or succumb to her newfound desires.
The narrative skillfully crafts each character, including the children, making their emotions resonate with readers as it delves into the complexities of human connections. The compelling storytelling maintains a high level of suspense, leaving readers eager to discover what unfolds next.

[BooksCoffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kellems’s latest novel is a captivating exploration of love, loyalty, and the complexities of human relationships against a backdrop of intrigue and danger.

Katherine’s life is uprooted when her husband decides to move to Guatemala for missionary work. Adapting to the colorful but dangerous surroundings proves challenging as she grapples with marital struggles and personal desires. An encounter with the enigmatic Alfonso leads her down a path of deceit and danger, forcing her to choose between loyalty to her family and finding fulfillment.

Katherine is a relatable character who yearns to find some sort of normality in her marriage, and though Alfonso’s presence in her life is a focal point, it never outshines the heroine’s growth.

Kellems’ rich portrayal of Guatemala culture, foods, traditions, and everyday living provides authenticity to the story, and her skillful handling of Katherine’s clash of desires and duties creates tension and moral ambiguity throughout her journey. A textured and layered human drama.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: The Poppy Field
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Caroline Kellems
Publisher: Grand Canyon Press
Thank you to A Library Thing for this book.

Caroline Kellems writes a wonderful book about a family who moves to Guatamala to become missionaries.

Phil decides to go to Guatemala to be a missionary. Phil, Katherine and the kids pack up everything and move to Guatemala from comfortable Indiana. Katherine and the kids must now learn to adapt to this whole new lifestyle which is not very easy. As Phil and Katherine set out to spread the work of GOD and all doesn’t go as planned. Their house is broken into and then they end up moving to another house. This new house seems so wonderful in the beginning but after a while they realized how sinister it really is.

This is their story of a new life of adventure, love, loyalty and human relationships.
Caroline Kellem, who also happens to live in Guatamala, has written a beautiful book and the descriptions of Guatemala are fantastic. If you are a spiritual person this book is for you.

[Stephanie White · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Poppy Field is a great read. It’s about a preacher from Indiana who moves to Guatemala with his wife and kids to spread the Gospel. Katherine and the kids are unhappy about the move. Katherine thinks their new home is too risky, but Phil believes they’ll be safe.

The family wasn't affluent in the United States, but they did have more than other Guatemalans. With the exception of Alfonso Cardenas, a wealthy and endearing Mexican resident of Guatemala, most residents in the area are having financial difficulties. Alfonso is interested in their life and extends an invitation for them to remain. Feeling neglected by Phil, Katherine begins to feel drawn to Alfonso. Though she and her kid are worried about Alfonso, Phil believes that God has blessed him with his assistance. The book is exciting and held my attention. Kellems shows how different Guatemala is from the U.S. The contrast between the beautiful land and the poverty is striking. Kellems writes with a lot of love for Guatemala.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story and the writing behind it! I think Kellems did a wonderful job with character development and I appreciated how easy it was to see the descriptions in my mind as I read. The Poppy Field follows the story of a missionary family who moves from their comfy life in Indiana to Guatemala. Phil and his wife Katherine are excited to provide help for the locals and spread the word of God but Katherine's excitement quickly fades due to the major differences in their new way of living. Phil remains optimistic and puts too much trust in their shady Landlord, Alfonso, while Katherine and the kids adjust to their new home and lifestyle. After their home is broken into, they move into Alfonso's amazing villa were they are told they are safe with more than enough space and resources for all of them and his many employees and abundance of security. Over time, the family learns the secrets of Alfonso and his villa and things no longer seem as perfect as they once did.

[Kamya · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "The Poppy Field," Caroline Kellems masterfully blends romance, family drama, and suspense. Set in Guatemala, the story follows Katherine, a wife and mother, as she navigates a new culture and temptations that test her marriage. Kellems vividly portrays Guatemala's beauty and darkness, adding tension to the narrative. As Katherine faces isolation and overwhelming challenges, she's drawn to a charming neighbor, blurring the lines between right and wrong. The novel explores moral complexities, posing difficult questions about happiness, faithfulness, and desire. With engaging writing and a twisty plot, "The Poppy Field" is a captivating tale of resilience, temptation, and the human spirit. Rating: 4.5/5. This thought-provoking novel with romance and suspense is a must-read, despite a slightly slow pace in the middle. It's a page-turner that will resonate with readers until the very end.

[Shubhadarshani · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Poppy field by Caroline Kellems has to be praised for its engaging & exciting storytelling.

Katherine's life flips when her husband Phil decides to move to Guatemala for missionary work. She wants to support her husband, therefore she has to move along with him and their two kids to Guatemala in a primitive uneasy household.

A charismatic, wealthy handsome Alfonso happened to be their neighbour who seem to be generous towards Katherine's family only to found out later his complex character which leads Katherine to danger. Things start to become problematic after Alfonso's entry in the story where he also tries to romantically attract Katherine.

It's a fast paced story which keeps you hooked to know whether Katherine will stay faithful to her husband or she would let her new desires take over.

Every character is well developed including the kids, and their feelings feel relatable to readers as it explores human relationships.

The storytelling so strongly keeps you wondering what will happen next.

[Ayush Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Poppy Field" by Caroline Kellems is an engaging and thrilling read. The story follows Katherine, whose life is turned upside down when her husband leaves for missionary work in Guatemala, forcing her to move with their children to a challenging environment. Their new neighbor, Alfonso, is charming and wealthy, offering help but hiding dangerous secrets. As Katherine faces the temptation of Alfonso’s advances, she must navigate between loyalty to her husband and her growing desires. The book combines intense drama with emotional depth, featuring well-developed characters and vivid descriptions. It’s a fast-paced novel that keeps you hooked from start to finish, exploring themes of love, betrayal, and survival. If you enjoy captivating storytelling and complex characters, "The Poppy Field" is a must-read.

[Sidharth itnal · Rating 5 out of 5]

*The Poppy Field* is a gripping read that I devoured in two sittings. This story follows Phil, an evangelical preacher from Indiana, who moves his reluctant family to Guatemala to spread the Gospel. While Phil remains unwavering in his faith that God will provide, his wife Katherine struggles with the harsh realities of their new life. As wealthy and charismatic Alfonso Cardenas becomes entangled in their lives, tensions rise, and the family's unity is tested. Kellems masterfully captures the clash between the family’s American comfort and the poverty around them, alongside the vivid beauty of Guatemala. The fast-paced plot and growing sense of danger make it hard to put down. Kellems’ deep connection to Guatemala, shaped by her time in the Peace Corps and as a coffee plantation owner, lends authenticity and depth to the narrative.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Thank You" to LibraryThing and Grand Canyon Press for an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book.

This is a story of a family that left their comfortable home in Indiana and took up residency in the jungle of Guatemala as a missionary family. This is where the "fun" begins. They first learn firsthand of the crime that can await anyone who travels to Guatemala (and this on their first day there). It goes downhill from there. The dilapidated house they are expected to live in, the seemingly harmless well-to-do neighbor/landlord, the secrets that abound and the final eye-opener.

This read was interesting. Never slowed. Kept you wondering what will happen next.

NOTE: Do I see a sequel in the future? There's a slight hint near the end. Can you find it?

[Sikandar Baksh · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Poppy Field" by Caroline Kellems is an amazing story about a family that moves to Guatemala for missionary work. The story focuses on Katherine, a wife and mother who is struggling to adapt to their new, difficult life. Her husband, Phil, is focused on spreading the gospel, but Katherine feels lonely and unsure. Things get more complicated when they meet Alfonso, their wealthy and charming neighbor. He offers them help, but Katherine soon realizes there’s more to him than meets the eye. The book is fast-paced and full of suspense, making you wonder what will happen next. I couldn’t put it down! I really enjoyed how the author described the family's challenges and the tough choices Katherine had to make. This is a great read for anyone who loves drama and strong characters.

[Jessica Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a missionary family living in Guatemala. The father is on a mission to share his spiritual beliefs with the local farmers. The family faces new challenges because they don’t speak the local languages, and their way of life is different from what they’re used to.

The author shows us how each family member feels. The children give us a fresh view of their father’s mission. As the family adjusts to their new life- Katherine- the mother- finds help from a kind neighbor who helps them understand the local culture.

The story is exciting, and I kept reading to see what would happen next. It shows how good intentions can lead to new experiences. Both the father and the neighbor want to help the family in their own ways.

[Tiffany Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story "The Poppy Field" by Caroline Kellems revolves around Katherine, whose existence is turned upside down when her spouse decides to pursue missionary work, leaving her to single-handedly care for their children in a perilous Guatemala. A wealthy neighbor offers his assistance, but he harbors sinister secrets that might escalate her peril further. Katherine faces a critical decision: to remain faithful or to pursue her own wishes, a decision that could lead to disastrous consequences.

This tale is captivating, exploring themes of love, deceit, and the will to survive. Its thrilling and masterfully crafted narrative compelled me to read it from start to finish. I eagerly hope you find it as engaging as I did!

[Christina Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caroline Kellems's Poppy Field is a compelling tale of Katherine, whose husband's missionary career drastically alters their lives. She’s left to take care of their children in the dangerous environment of Guatemala. A rich neighbor offers to help, but he has dark secrets that could put Katherine and her family at risk. She has to choose between pursuing her own wishes or remaining loyal, aware that either decision could lead to catastrophe. This novel narrates an enthralling story of romance, deceit, and determination. I was completely absorbed in each section and found it impossible to stop reading until the conclusion. It was truly entertaining, and I believe you will find it equally appealing.

[Nigil N · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Thrilling Escape from the Ordinary

Caroline Kellems' The Poppy Field is a captivating tale of a woman navigating a dangerous and unfamiliar world. Katherine's life takes a dramatic turn when she moves to Guatemala with her family. As she adjusts to a new culture and faces unexpected challenges, she finds herself drawn into a thrilling web of intrigue and romance.

Kellems' writing style is both engaging and immersive. She skillfully paints vivid pictures of Guatemala's landscapes and culture, bringing the story to life. Her characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to connect with their struggles and triumphs. With its fast-paced plot, compelling characters, and a touch of danger, The Poppy Field is a must-read for fans of women's fiction.

[Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Poppy Field is a gripping story about a pastor, Phil, who takes his family to Guatemala to spread the Gospel. His wife, Katherine, and their children struggle with the new environment, which is very different from their life in the U.S. They meet Alfonso, a wealthy and charming man who offers them protection, but his presence causes tension in the family. Katherine is especially tempted by Alfonso, while Phil is focused on his mission, believing that God will take care of them. The book is full of suspense and keeps you turning the pages. Kellems, who has experience living in Guatemala, writes beautifully about the country and its challenges. This is a book that really makes you think and feel."

[Monty · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I really enjoyed reading *The Poppy Field*. The story is about an evangelical preacher, Phil, who takes his wife and two kids to Guatemala, even though they don't want to go. The book shows how difficult life is for the family, especially for Katherine, the wife, who feels scared and worried about their new life. Despite their challenges, Phil believes that God will protect them. They meet Alfonso, a rich and charming man who helps them, but Katherine and her son feel something is not right with him. The book is fast-paced and keeps you interested with its suspenseful plot. The author, Kellems, does a great job of showing the differences between life in the U.S. and the poverty in Guatemala. It’s a captivating read!"

[Nikhil Parmar · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story of Katherine and perfect depiction of human’s nature of wavering loyalties and love when faced with life’s hurdles. Katherine’s life changes when her family moves to Guatemala. She tries to support her husband and make their lives better and starts to homeschool her two children . When a Latin neighbour helps her socially and financially and to adjust in Guatemala’s colourful culture, her feelings changes for him with an absentee husband.
The story involves a normal family life with changing feelings of a person with loneliness. As plot goes on she finds herself in some dangerous situation and she has to find a way out of it for her family. A must read to experience roller coaster of emotions, frailty of human nature and an amazing storyline.

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my jam. I thought I would enjoy this story but instead I found myself frustrated with the main characters and their development. I found the husband to be grating, immature, and irritating to read. I found the wife pedantic and was frustrated by her inability to express herself. The whole premise of being Christian missionaries seemed to be taken as a joke in order to show all the bad things that missionaries do. While there wasn't language or explicit scenes, overall, this book just got too irritating to keep reading. The final straw for me was that it was written in present tense which is my absolute least favorite tense for writing. DNF at 37%