Whisper Hollow

by Chris Cander

Set in a small coal-mining town, a debut novel full of secrets, love, betrayal, and suspicious accidents, where Catholicism casts a long shadow and two courageous women make choices that will challenge our own moral convictions
 
One morning in Verra, a town nestled into the hillsides of West Virginia, the young Myrthen Bergmann is playing tug-of-war with her twin, when her sister is killed. Unable to accept her own guilt, Myrthen excludes herself from all forms of friendship and affection and begins a twisted, haunted life dedicated to God. Meanwhile, her neighbor Alta Krol longs to be an artist even as her days are taken up caring for her widowed father and siblings. Everything changes when Myrthen marries the man Alta loves. Fourteen years later, we meet Lidia, a teenage girl in the same town, and her precocious son, Gabriel. When Gabriel starts telling eerily prescient stories that hint at Verra’s long-buried secrets, it’s not long before the townspeople begin to suspect that the boy harbors evil spirits—an irresistible state of affairs for Myrthen and her obsession with salvation.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Novels, Book Club, Adult Fiction

400 pages, Paperback

First published March 17, 2015

About the author

Chris Cander is the author of the novels THE YOUNG OF OTHER ANIMALS, A GRACIOUS NEIGHBOR, THE WEIGHT OF A PIANO, WHISPER HOLLOW, and 11 STORIES, and the grade K-5 picture book THE WORD BURGLAR. Visit www.chriscander.com for more info.

Reviews

[karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

man, i loved this book.

i wasn't expecting much - there wasn't any synopsis in my ARC, and the cover was giving off a total "christian fiction" vibe to me, but while religion definitely plays a role in the story, it is absolutely not a gentle, feel-good read.

i love thomas hardy. he's probably my all-time favorite author. and this book is FULL of thomas hardy-ish situations. it's got true love thwarted by circumstances, loveless marriages, people forced into marriage because of societal pressure, rape and secret paternity, the way that one mistake needs to be paid for over and over again, undiscovered notes, spirituality and nature, stubborn stubborn vows, mute suffering, and if gabriel isn't an echo of father time (from Jude the Obscure), i will eat my hat.

plus, this has the added benefit of being set in coal country, which is like butter to my bread.

and as you can see in the description above, it opens with the death of one of a pair of twins. which, because of my fear and mistrust of twins, is further proof that this book was written specifically for me.

i don't want to get into too many details, because i knew nothing about this book going into it, and it unfolded like a dream to my particular tastes, but just as another comparison note, myrthen in her most furious and destructive aspect reminded me a lot of Serena, another favorite-favorite book. this right here was perfect: Myrthen watched him, ruthless, her placid countenance inversely proportional to his agitation. She tucked away the creep of a smile into a bitten fold of cheek. and OH GOD - i was so thrilled with that play on "ruthless" there - it was subtle perfection! later in the book, it is used again with all sorts of spotlights on it, which soured me a little, but that's okay. some readers aren't so keen on subtlety. and while we are complaining about tiny little things in seeecret spoiler-bubble, the last sentence of this book just seems off to me, tonally. it's a little too "whee!" and was jarring after such a solemn book

when part one transitioned into part two, i must confess, i lost some momentum. suddenly we were with different characters, further on in time, and it took me a little longer to care about these new people invading the story i had been loving so very much. for a while i thought it was headed towards this postmodern mirror-echo thang, which would have been spectacular, but i was wrong. i kept going despite these mild disappointments, and ended up being only slightly less engrossed than i had been with the first half. to me it was comfortably familiar, but not derivative, territory.

a lovely, mournful hymn - this book hit all my reader pleasure zones, all suffering, slightly magical, occasionally redemptive. if you are a reader who has similar tastes to me, this is going to rock your world.

two words: book. club.

come to my blog!

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd review
Still in the ICU.

Early 1920's, in a mining town in West Virginia. Company owned houses, general store, a place where the miners work terrifically hard to support their families. Getting ahead is really not an option, just surviving and able to put food on the table is considered lucky. Myrthen, her twin sister and mother are supported by their miner father, a fairly content family until a terrible accident will change them beyond expectation. Myrthen becomes an ardent Catholic, wanting to dedicate herself to a reflected convent for life. Life though has other plans for her and these plans will not only alter her life but other lives too, far into the future.

Such a gritty perspective of the lives lived in these small mining communities.
The power of the local church and its outreach into people's personal lives. What lengths a person will go to using self justification in order to achieve the only life she can envision. What a moral conundrum these characters find themselves in, conflicted and wanting what they can't have. A horrible tragedy, every miner's nightmare, and one character Alma, a favorite of mine, will loose virtually everything she holds dear, but will have to find a way to move forward.

A good solid, dark story with some very interesting characters. An inside look at those who made their living from these terrible mines. A young boy who fourteen years later will have knowledge of the terrible event without even being born yet. This will shake up the people once again.

ARC from publisher.
.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is books like this that make me wish that I was good at writing reviews. If you read this book, put on your seatbelt and be ready for a rollercoaster ride of emotions, surprises and a book you can't put down! I did win this book on goodreads firstreads, but I think I would have bought it anyway.

[Cortney - Bookworm & Vine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I let Whisper Hollow languish on my TBR pile for far too long.

Great and interesting story... very different from the books I normally pick up, but I'm so glad I did.

I really enjoyed the writing, the characters, all of it. Good way to start off the year!

[Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterful literary novel I'd best describe as Flannery meets Sons and Lovers.

I was so moved by this novel which had me pondering: How many moral quandaries can a medium-sized novel raise? I'm surprised more people haven't bought and read this. I got it last March after it got a starred review from Kirkus.

I'd have to place Ms. Cander alongside Flannery O'Connor in her graceful virtuosity of fully capturing Evil lurking beneath the religious Zealot’s cloak as she did in this tale.

The setting is Whisper Hollow, W. Va., a coal mining town, from prior to WWI until the late 1960s. Ms. Cander thoroughly developed her characters to accompany a stellar storyline exploring the bonds of the different kinds of love: amorous v. familial, true love written in the stars v. the vows of a loveless marriage arranged young.

In the ruins of a coal mine disaster, Chris Cander paints a scene so strong and mired in moral dilemma it suffocates the soul. And cues a later scene that is at once devastating and redeeming. Not just because of the coal mining locale was I reminded of D. H. Lawrence in "Sons and Lovers."

Whisper Hollow is a masterful literary novel, as good as any I’ve read by modern authors in structure and character development and especially in drawing out of shadows the evil deeds that some do in the name of religion, sometimes those who thump the most, and how a few people, for whatever reason, are just born evil and nothing can be done [but, I go on about a subject, the nature of evil, on which they teach college courses these days].

I look forward to Chris Cander's next book. I expect she has even better things in store.

[Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHISPER HOLLOW whispered nothing but sadness, loneliness, ​secrets, ​and isolation.

Myrthen's isolation and sadness began after the death of her twin sister and then her marriage. Alta's sadness began ​upon her marriage to the man she didn't love or have anything in common with.

Both women have desires that break rules and traditions. Myrthen and Alta are traditional on the outside, but on the inside are very strong women with very strong convictions. Tragedy brings these two women farther apart instead of closer together and leaves them both lonelier than before.

WHISPER HOLLOW is set in the coal mining town of Verra, West Virginia,​ ​before, during, and after WWII ​with traditional marriages of the wife at home and the husband working.
​
Ms. Cander's writing pulls you in with her marvelous descriptions of characters and scenes. The characters are very authentic with some you will feel sorry for. You will definitely not like Myrthen as the years go on, and your heart will go out to Alta and Lidia. When Lidia arrives, the strong women of Verra, West Virginia, have another woman with a secret to take into their fold.

The beginning was a bit slow, but the characters, situations, writing style, and time period kept me going. ​I would recommend this book to anyone who likes secrets and family sagas. It is historical fiction and women's fiction rolled into one.
​
WHISPER HOLLOW i​s an interesting look into the lives of the characters with circumstances that are very plausible. You will become attached to the women and to their situations.

The ending is redeeming in certain ways and definitely a page turner. ENJOY if you read WHISPER HOLLOW. I think you will. 4/5

This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation in return for an honest review.

[Francesca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well written, but kind of depressing. The first portion took place in the early 1900s and was a slow burn, but I quite enjoyed the second portion that took place in the 1960s. I wish we could know a little bit more about Gabriel’s talents and why he has them. But it was a great way to bring the story all together.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been sitting on my shelf at home for months and months, I don’t remember where i picked it up originally...I started reading it, on a whim, a couple nights ago, because I was disappointed in all the library books I had in my stack.
Once I started reading “Whisper Hollow,” it consumed my time and thoughts until the very last page. Wow wow wow, a novel like this, is why I love to read. 10 stars.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

Whisper Hollow by Chris Cander is a beautifully executed, yet mournful and complex book based on the secrets buried deep in the small coal-mining town of Verra, West Virginia. Cander has woven together two separate stories spaced approximately fourteen years apart, which intertwine to create a stunning novel. The story unfold with the death of Myrthen Bergmann’s twin, unable to deal with the death of her twin sister, Myrthen spirals down a rabbit whole of twisted spiritual beliefs, excluding herself from society. Along the same time Myrthren’s neighbor Alta Krol is busy caring for her widowed father and siblings, whilst longing to become an artist, and then Myrthen does the unexpected, altering lives forever. The next section begins fourteen years later with teenage Lidia and her son Gabriel, who suddenly starts discussing prescient stories about Verra’s long buried secrets, and superstition and the need for redemption are soon to follow. Whisper Hollow is a beautifully complex story, brilliantly written, atmospheric, and a difficult book to review without revealing spoilers. Cander has crafted characters that are extremely relatable and each section the reader is drawn into the story lines and this reader found the book impossible to set down. Prior to Reading Whisper Hollow I read the synopsis and was worried it would be a religious book or preachy, I am glad I set those concerns aside, as they were unfounded, and instead I discovered a fantastic mystery suspense and a new author. I would recommend Whisper Hollow to all who enjoy well-written suspense thrillers and mysteries surrounding small towns and especially to those in book discussion groups.

[Cheryl · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked up a copy of this book because it sounded exciting. It started out fine but then I quickly realized that I had no interest what so ever about the characters in the book. I put it down and was not planning on reading anymore of it but then I read some of the other readers thoughts who enjoyed the book and thought I would give it another try. Nope, nothing changed for me in fact, I thought that the story read depressing. Myrthen was frigid. Alta was uninteresting. In fact, I would not want to be friends with either lady. Yet, this book may have hints of being religious but it was not the main focus. So if you are worried about that aspect of the book then you don't have to be. I finally gave up at page 132. This book was not my cup of tea.

[Penny Linsenmayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, a novel’s power and personal appeal is going to turn largely on the strength of the characters. Are these people that I felt a depth of emotion for (regardless of whether they are “likeable” or potential friends)? Do I care what happens to them? Do I want to know what happens next for them?

In Chris Cander’s latest novel, the answer is a resounding affirmative. Myrthen was not remotely likeable. But because of the way Cander staged the pivotal point of Myrthen’s life, the tragic event that shaped Myrthen so deeply and eventually had far-reaching ramifications for so many of Myrthen’s family and neighbors, at the beginning of the novel, I think most readers will read this novel feeling some measure of empathy for Myrthen’s reaction and actions. I did wonder why those around Myrthen ignored the warning signs of a deeply troubled soul, but that too has to be attributable in large measure to the time and place of the setting. The people living in this hard-scrabble Appalachian town in the time period 1910-1969 wouldn’t have the resources or the knowledge to react much differently to Mrythen’s isolation and religious fervor.

Though Myrthen’s actions drive the plot in so many ways, I found Alta to be the true core driving force of the novel, as well as a symbol of the power of redemption. While I thought her ending was earned, it did catch me by surprise.

Whisper Hollow is in many ways an extended reflection on guilt, redemption and the affirmation of life. Cander’s easy, descriptively rich writing style draws the reader into the narrative, and her complex characters will linger in the mind long after the novel has been read and put away.

[Becky Loader · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a preface: I grew up in southeastern Ohio, in the foothills of the Alleghenies, and right in the midst of coal country. One of the schools we played in high school football was so tough that we could only play games there during the day.

That said, welcome to Whisper Hollow. Coal mining is a way of life. Going "down under" does not mean you are moving to Australia. The opening scene with the two twins having their last altercation sets the tone for the entire story. Myrthen is a truly despicable character, and I hated her (sign of a good author to make me that emotionally involved). Alta made me think of many women I knew as a youth. The intertwining lives of the people in the constantly present coal dust and the true peril of making a living is great reading. Very strong characters and lots of descriptive passages make the reader feel as if you can feel the pressure of all that earth bearing down on the miners.

Fascinating.

[Laura Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am familiar with West Virginia (the surrounding area) and coal miners. My grandfather was a miner in Pa. as a teenage boy. His mom made him quit when an explosion killed several people in the mine my grandfather had worked. In his brief career as a miner he had hundreds of fascinating tales. About the people, the work conditions, etc. I would say Whisper Hollow is a very accurate depiction of the people and times. The writing is engaging and top notch. You really feel like you are there during the various years. Great, great job.

[Liz Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable novel. So many times I didn't want to set it down. Characters are dynamic, and you can't help but feel for them and become attached. The setting and imagery were beautifully rendered, and the plot was a real page turner. This book was being featured at one of our local bookstores, and I am so glad that I took a chance and picked it up.

[Rachel Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

The main thing about this was that there wasn’t any emotional attachment to the characters. If I’m going to like a book, I have to care what happens to the people in it, and that just didn’t happen. People in a book need distinct traits: recurring personality points, habits, a sense of humor (or lack of one), a certain “voice” that makes them stand out, and the people in this had very little appeal to make me want to find out what happened to them. It didn’t help that there were probably too many of them, and too many points of view to allow time to form some sort of bond with them.

There were huge gaps where important developments were skipped, like what happened between Myrthen and her parents after her sister died (not a spoiler if you read the summary)? Obviously it was significant due to the interaction between them as she got older, especially with her mother, but there were no scenes included that developed the relationship to the snapping point that it eventually reached. Another character had barely been introduced before the author had a traumatic event happening to her, before there was any reason to care what happened to her. And I didn’t think that this particular event was done sensitively at all. Instead of being revealed slowly or hinted at, it was thrown in my face with virtually every detail described, which utterly destroyed the emotional impact as it came off as more trashy than sad or disturbing.

Interaction between characters often wasn’t believable, like when a woman finds out that someone is virtually stalking her son, and instead of bringing it up to her husband to keep the son away from the stalker, apparently says nothing. Convenient opportunity for Stalker to attack. And when the girl with the trauma tries to tell her friend about it, the friend actually tells her to keep it to herself because hearing about it might upset people. This friend was supposed to be the “wise older woman” of the book, but shuts down someone who tries to talk about something that she was clearly extremely distraught over. I could not believe the stupidity.

The writing style was pretty flat, or else over-the-top. The language didn’t create an atmosphere that made me feel I was in a West Virginian coal-mining town, and the dialogue seemed unnatural at times, like one character saying about trying to forget a bad memory that he “let the weight of time hold it down deep.” Who talks like that?! Nobody, least of all a coal miner with no education beyond high school. Writers need to worry less about being poignantly descriptive when it comes to how their characters speak, and more about making them come off realistically. Perhaps more research should have been done on the area, like visiting or living there, to build a believable setting and its inhabitants.

I gave it two stars instead of one for the middle, where some interesting things happened between women and the husbands they were coerced or guilted into marrying, and characters finally got some of the development and complexity they deserved. It tapered off after that, and went back to being detached and pretentiously wordy.

TLDR- Another supposedly-compelling and atmospheric novel, with not much more than a pretty cover.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written historical novel. This isn't a lighthearted read, however. This is a depressing (and realistic) exploration of the life and struggles of immigrants, cold miners in a small town, and people touched by tragedy. It is a solemn read to be sure, but a satisfying one as well that glimpses into the pre-WWI world and the working class citizens of the US.

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 star read

Whisper Hollow is the story of three women: Myrthen, Alta, and Lidia, set in the small town of Verra, West Virginia. This mining town is filled with secrets and some people will go to great lengths to keep those secrets hidden.

Myrthen Bergmann was a first generation American, born to German immigrants in 1910. She, along with her twin sister Ruth, and her parents lived in a small mining community in West Virginia. Just days before Myrthen and Ruth's sixth birthday a tragic accident resulted in Ruth's death. A few years later Myrthen decides to dedicate her life to God and has the goal of becoming a nun. Myrthen sees herself as devout and pious; others see her as judgmental, hypercritical, and without compassion. Myrthen's desire for a cloistered life dedicated to God changes when she is caught in flagrante delicto with a male suitor, Giovanni "John" Esposito, and rushed into marriage.

Alta Krol is only a few years younger than Myrthen and has had a crush on John Esposito. Alta knows that there isn't any hope for her with John, but it doesn't stop her from dreaming about him. A few years pass and Alta is married to Walter Pulaski and the mother of a young son. Her life isn't great, but it isn't altogether bad either. She loves Walter but she isn't in love with him and she accepts that her life as a wife and mother in Verra, West Virginia is all she's going to get or is it?

Fast forward a number of years and both Myrthen and Alta are widows due to a tragic mine explosion. It is now the 1960s and Lidia Kielar is a teenager in Verra. She marries her high school beau and they have a beautiful son, Gabriel. Gabriel isn't the usual toddler and seems attuned to something no one else can see or hear. This doesn't bode well in a small Appalachian town where people may believe in ghosts and ghouls, but they don't want anybody to uncover their secrets.

I was very excited to learn about Whisper Hollow a few months back. As a native West Virginian, I'm always interested in reading stories set in my home state. The story is told in alternating voices of Myrthen, Alta, and Lidia over the course of 53 years. The reader is provided background into the family dynamics for each lady as well as given glimpses into small-town mining life. Whisper Hollow, for me, was a story about secrets, guilt, and the lies we tell ourselves. Some of those lies become so distorted and warped over time that we simply can't face the truth. The biblical quote at the beginning of the book sums this up quite nicely: "Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known." I enjoyed reading Whisper Hollow and found it to be a fast-paced and engrossing historical read. I found the characters to be well-developed and realistic, and the settings and action to be plausible. If you like historical fiction or simply stories set in small towns, then you'll definitely want to grab a copy of Whisper Hollow to read.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first of Cander’s novels that I have read. The chapters are brief with beautifully descriptive writing that instantly brings this West Virginia town and its occupants to life over the course of just over sixty years (1906-1969). Each era feels authentic too as the story moves chronologically across the years. The cast of characters each have their own stories - and their own shares of dashed dreams and disappointments. The book meanders a bit at times feeling more like a collection of vignettes on account of the short chapters, but it is certainly engaging. This sets the tone, along with the setting, that lend the book a sort of old-fashioned feel, particularly to the first part of the novel. The second half has a different sort of vibe, largely due to the new characters introduced, largely because of Gabe. It’s a fascinating read and one that exceeded my expectations for how much I enjoyed it (although the identical twins in the beginning certainly hooked me!). The book ends in a satisfying manner and it is certainly a well-constructed plot that contains some surprises. The characters all feel well developed and the setting in both time and place feels well-researched. It’s very well done and I think will inspire some lively talks in book clubs and discussion groups. I will be keeping an eye out for her future novels!

[Lori Shafer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whisper Hollow was chosen by my book discussion group for 2016.

I am always looking for books about Appalachian life. Taking place in a coal town in West Virginia, Cander's book certainly fits the bill.

The book follows the path of two young women and one man. One woman is haunted by a tragedy she can't remember and wants to be married to God. The other girl is thrust into adulthood when her mother dies and she is forced to care for her father and brothers. The young man is handsome and has hopes of being more than a farmer. Soon he finds himself on a path to nowhere.

When an explosion at the mine kills the miners trapped inside, the whole community is rocked to its core. Decades later the aftershocks can still be felt. Can secrets remain hidden or will tragedy bring them to the light?

[Lolly K Dandeneau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got my hands on an arc, as I am not officially reviewing it I won't go into depth but I will say I loved this book. Everything that happens is the dark and shocking side human behavior and yet, natural- I found that even with the characters the reader would normally despise, I felt a strange compassion for. I will review this once it is out, but I ordered an earlier novel, 11 Stories by Chris Cander because I really enjoyed her writing.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know exactly what I was expecting with this novel. Maybe something lighter. Definitely not a story this chilling. Definitely not with characters so complex.

Spanning two generations of people living in the small coal mining town of Whisper Hollow, Cander weaves a tragedy covered in coal dust and secrets. With equal parts viciousness and goodness, this tale will make even the most placid reader cry for justice.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I am left with some questions after having finished this heart-wrenching, sometimes eery, always captivating book, overall I'm satisfied. It's a moving piece of historical fiction that follows the lives of three women, their families, and the secrets they keep in a small coal mining town over the course of fifty years. I'm not sure I'd read it again, but I'd certainly recommend it.

[Beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Whisper Hollow is full of unhappy people who make bad life choices for apparently no good reason. I couldn't empathize with any of the characters and I started reading ahead to see if there were any solver linings and all I kept finding was more doom and gloom and unhappiness...I have too many books waiting for me to keep slogging through this unhappy tale.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just quit this at the start of part 2. I don't care enough about the characters to invest in a whole second set of them.

[Carmel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable story

[Julia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I actually gave up on this one.

[Trish Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not expecting to much out of this one, found it at some sale and I had never heard of it. Pretty darn good

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A coal mining town was a world unto itself. Such was the concept conveyed by this very talented writer. Having grown up on the east coast, I had an awareness of microcosms tucked away in the hills of West Virginia. The tale offers a total immersion! The ethnic strains, the strong presence of the Catholic Church, the very limitedness of the people with regard to perspectives and avenues of escape – all are in the mix and combine to establish a vivid setting. How thoroughly the mine dominated their lives! The shifts dictated daily schedules of the townspeople with regard to eating, sleeping and socializing. Financial mobility, life expectancy and ambition were likewise caught in the all-encompassing web. Few escaped, as people were poor, and there was pressure for young men to ‘go down’ after high school in order to contribute financially. Reminders of the transitory nature of life and death were ever present.

‘Mining coal was like challenging the grim reaper every shift. Most times, the miners won. But those times they didn’t, the tragedy scythed a notch out of the town’s soul. Nobody wanted to remember but they never could forget’.

It seems to have been a harsh existence, laced with much hardship and few joys. Fascinating, however, and I remained totally enthralled, as the lives of these colorful characters unfolded!
The author’s mother-in-law grew up in a coal mining town, and provided a great deal of insight. I was delighted to learn that Homer Hickham was also an advisor! He was the author of October Sky, which was set in a coal mining town, and was eventually made into a very memorable movie.

[Beth Ann Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look into early 20th century little America and the coal mining industry. Life was simple and sometimes satisfying.

Myrthen never recovered from the death of her twin sister and was so haunted by her role in her demise, she always sought the Lord and the comfort of a nunnery, which was sadly denied her.

Alta, young and full of adventurous longing, finds the young man she loves suddenly married to Myrthen. She settles down with another building a good life. Years later, Alta finds herself wanting more and begins a years-long affair with Myrthen's estranged husband. Tragedy then strikes the town in the form of a mine accident/sabotage.


Many years later, young Lidia gives birth to "God's Child", Gabriel, who is strangely very knowledgeable of the town's inhabitants and secrets. Lidia must struggle to keep him safe.

[Margaret Hoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as an e-book and typically, I read in this format only inconsistently. This one, however, grabbed my attention. Just a good old read. It is written in two distinct parts, separated in time. I felt jerked away too suddenly from Alta and Myrthen, but I stayed patient with the new characters, trusting it would weave together. It certainly did. A majority of the characters we get to know are ridden with guilt; some well-deserved, others not so much. It drives their behavior in a way that felt familiar......The novel is structured so that the reader knows more than the characters, thus it builds in intensity until the information is revealed. Not all the threads are woven together by the end, but the conclusion was satisfactory enough for me.