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Coast of Maine #4
Sadie's Song
This is an ACE of ASIN:B005A1I5KG Sadie's Song
Linda Hall's thrilling fiction, which confronts the toll domestic violence takes within American homes and explores how the church might address it, melds contemporary characters with a powerful story's punch. Sadie's Song opens with the disappearance of nine-year-old Ally Buckley, which bears too much resemblance to two recent and chilling events. As fear spreads throughout the New England fishing village of Bowden's Landing and the local church that Sadie and her family attend, she discovers a drawing by Ally among her abusive husband's possessions-and odd evidence that danger may be closer to home than she'd ever known.
A mysterious disappearance...A family in tumult...Volatile surroundings...Can one woman connct the pieces in time?
When nine-year-old Ally Buckley turns up missing, fear spreads throughout the New England fishing village where Sadie and her family live and worship. But when Saide discovers one of Ally's drawings among her husband's possessions, she suspects danger may be closer to home than she had ever known.
Linda Hall's thrilling fiction, which confronts the toll domestic violence takes within American homes and explores how the church might address it, melds contemporary characters with a powerful story's punch. Sadie's Song opens with the disappearance of nine-year-old Ally Buckley, which bears too much resemblance to two recent and chilling events. As fear spreads throughout the New England fishing village of Bowden's Landing and the local church that Sadie and her family attend, she discovers a drawing by Ally among her abusive husband's possessions-and odd evidence that danger may be closer to home than she'd ever known.
A mysterious disappearance...A family in tumult...Volatile surroundings...Can one woman connct the pieces in time?
When nine-year-old Ally Buckley turns up missing, fear spreads throughout the New England fishing village where Sadie and her family live and worship. But when Saide discovers one of Ally's drawings among her husband's possessions, she suspects danger may be closer to home than she had ever known.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 3, 2001
8 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Linda Hall
91 books122 followersI write mystery novels and short stories. So far I have 20 in print - with more coming. My newest mystery series begins with Night Watch and introduces my new series character, boat captain Em Ridge.
Other series include the Corporal Roger Sheppard mysteries, The Teri Blake-Addison PI thrillers and the Fog Point mysteries, as well as a number of romantic suspense novels and short stories.
For information about sales, new releases, contests, plus a 'free' short story, I'd love for you to sign up for my newsletter: writerhall.com/newsletter
I grew up near the coast in New Jersey, and it was there that my love of the ocean was nurtured. I married a Canadian and have lived in Canada ever since - well, actually, I have lived in three countries: the U.S., Canada and for a short stint - Taiwan.
I hope you enjoy my books.
Other series include the Corporal Roger Sheppard mysteries, The Teri Blake-Addison PI thrillers and the Fog Point mysteries, as well as a number of romantic suspense novels and short stories.
For information about sales, new releases, contests, plus a 'free' short story, I'd love for you to sign up for my newsletter: writerhall.com/newsletter
I grew up near the coast in New Jersey, and it was there that my love of the ocean was nurtured. I married a Canadian and have lived in Canada ever since - well, actually, I have lived in three countries: the U.S., Canada and for a short stint - Taiwan.
I hope you enjoy my books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 24, 2008
This story was really depressing but it didn't stop me from reading it. I liked that there was a mystery to the story as well.
September 13, 2010
This was a great book. I sped through this book because I was so sucked into Sadie's story, that I just had to know what was going to happen to her. It is very "churchy" but it works well with the story. You don't have to be a super Christian to enjoy this book. The Christian aspect give the book backbone. The characters are very strong, and Sadie is a great female protagonist. She is easy to sympathize with, and you just want to reach out and help her. The detail in the book is great, I can picture Sadie and Troy's house, I can see those 5 kids running around. Even the supporting characters are great. Judith, Ham, etc. The author writes in such a convincing manner, when you're finished with the book you think, wow, that could be a true story. Troy is a miserable man, and Hall does a great job describing him. I will definitely be on the lookout for another Linda Hall to see if all of her books are of this caliber.
August 17, 2025
I think this book is very useful as a tool, especially for Christian women. domestic violence is a big issue, even in Christian communities, and it is important for Christian women to know that if they are being abused that breaks their marriage covenant and they do not need to stay.
this book was very well written and engaging. I read it in one day because I wanted to see what would happen next.
I also liked how it illustrated how domestic abuse affects the children, not just the mother. I met a little girl who told me the scariest moment in her life is when her mother's boyfriend choked her mom. kids see and they understand and domestic violence affects them too.
this book was very well written and engaging. I read it in one day because I wanted to see what would happen next.
I also liked how it illustrated how domestic abuse affects the children, not just the mother. I met a little girl who told me the scariest moment in her life is when her mother's boyfriend choked her mom. kids see and they understand and domestic violence affects them too.
July 6, 2008
very intense, uncomfortable but ultimately good read.
May 2, 2020
Sadie's Song immediately puts you into a familiar environment -- a mother with a houseful of kids, struggling to just get along from day to day. Her challenge is amplified by a husband who repeatedly belittles her, giving no credit for anything, constantly criticizing. And the situation is made even more impossible by Sadie's fundamentalist Christian beliefs, which she would never consider questioning. She must submit to her husband's will; she must be his helpmate, rather than pursuing her own talents and interests; and divorce is not an option. In the background, two young girls have disappeared nearby in this small Maine town. The body of the first was found. The second, Allie, was abducted very recently, and there is hope that she will be found alive.
Sadie's husband, Troy, is a deacon in the church; and much of their time and many of their activities center around the church. It is as an act of church charity, taking food to Allie's family in the time of their affliction, that leads Sadie to meet Allie's mother Judith and become friends with her. And through the tidbits of information she gathers from Judith and from a policeman friend, she comes to suspect that Troy might be the monstrous perpetrator. The very fact of her suspicion indicates how far her relationship with her husband has deteriorated.
On the one hand, this book has the scariness of everyday reality. Terrible things can happen to ordinary people doing ordinary things -- as in Jane Hamilton's A Map of the World.
On the other hand, this story realistically presents what to me feels like a foreign culture. You get involved in and come to understand the motivations and self-imposed limitations and expectations of a fundamentalist church community. This is not a book by an outsider, pointing out the limitations of such a society; or an indictment by a former member looking back critically. Rather, it is a sympathetic view, from the inside. You can feel for Sadie, understand her fears and concerns and aspirations. You keep routing for her to break free, as best she can.
But for her, the solution to the problem lies within the nine dots, not outside them.
Linda Hall adeptly makes a strong case for a humane and sympathetic interpretation of scripture of the role of the church in our everyday lives. Rather than reject the church, she has her characters strive to transform it from within.
On one level Sadie's Song is a realistic and engaging protrayal of spousal abuse. On another level it's a mystery story in which you strongly identify with the lead character and fear the imminent consummation of what you come to believe is the obvious outcome. At the same time, this book is a dramatic wakeup call to fundamentalist Christian believers -- to reexamine basic assumptions of their church-oriented life, and to face directly rather than ignore and hide problems and inadvertently encourage such problems as spousal abuse.
Regardless of your religious beliefs, this book deserves your attention. The characters soon feel like neighbors and friends of yours. Much of the drama comes from the environment which Linda Hall creates, in which what could happen and what could have happened loom large in the background. You'll find it very hard to put Sadie's Song down until you've finished it.
Sadie's husband, Troy, is a deacon in the church; and much of their time and many of their activities center around the church. It is as an act of church charity, taking food to Allie's family in the time of their affliction, that leads Sadie to meet Allie's mother Judith and become friends with her. And through the tidbits of information she gathers from Judith and from a policeman friend, she comes to suspect that Troy might be the monstrous perpetrator. The very fact of her suspicion indicates how far her relationship with her husband has deteriorated.
On the one hand, this book has the scariness of everyday reality. Terrible things can happen to ordinary people doing ordinary things -- as in Jane Hamilton's A Map of the World.
On the other hand, this story realistically presents what to me feels like a foreign culture. You get involved in and come to understand the motivations and self-imposed limitations and expectations of a fundamentalist church community. This is not a book by an outsider, pointing out the limitations of such a society; or an indictment by a former member looking back critically. Rather, it is a sympathetic view, from the inside. You can feel for Sadie, understand her fears and concerns and aspirations. You keep routing for her to break free, as best she can.
But for her, the solution to the problem lies within the nine dots, not outside them.
Linda Hall adeptly makes a strong case for a humane and sympathetic interpretation of scripture of the role of the church in our everyday lives. Rather than reject the church, she has her characters strive to transform it from within.
On one level Sadie's Song is a realistic and engaging protrayal of spousal abuse. On another level it's a mystery story in which you strongly identify with the lead character and fear the imminent consummation of what you come to believe is the obvious outcome. At the same time, this book is a dramatic wakeup call to fundamentalist Christian believers -- to reexamine basic assumptions of their church-oriented life, and to face directly rather than ignore and hide problems and inadvertently encourage such problems as spousal abuse.
Regardless of your religious beliefs, this book deserves your attention. The characters soon feel like neighbors and friends of yours. Much of the drama comes from the environment which Linda Hall creates, in which what could happen and what could have happened loom large in the background. You'll find it very hard to put Sadie's Song down until you've finished it.
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May 1, 2009
OMSS!!!!!!!!
i luv this book!!!!!!!!
i've read it sooo many times.
i can't really explain y i love it, because it gets depressing, but i do.
Sadie's Song is about a women with an abusive husband.
very sad, but very interesting and detailed.
it's a GREAT book, read it if u have half a brain cell!!! :P
i luv this book!!!!!!!!
i've read it sooo many times.
i can't really explain y i love it, because it gets depressing, but i do.
Sadie's Song is about a women with an abusive husband.
very sad, but very interesting and detailed.
it's a GREAT book, read it if u have half a brain cell!!! :P
September 12, 2009
Creep pee! A poor mother of 5 small children is being abused by her perfect church going husband. To make things worse this story revolves around two little girls disapearences. One was found dead. Now the mother, Sadie, has suspicions of her husband being involved. I loved the ending because the whole book you want just something good to happen to Sadie, it does eventually.
October 29, 2012
Beautiful, dark, poignant. I loved it! I am going to look for all of Linda Hall's books
June 8, 2013
Really enjoyed this book. An easy read with very well developed characters. It reads like a true story. Enjoyed the ending also. No woman should have to endure domestic violence.
January 14, 2023
Well written, mystery that keeps you guessing and deals with kidnapped and murdered children and a womans' journey with domestic abuse. It shows the importance of having friends to talk to and a support system to get you through the days when things are bad. Sadies friendship with Judith is important to both women, but for different reasons.
February 22, 2023
🇨🇦 CANADIAN AUTHOR 🇨🇦
I own many Linda Hall paperback books and I read them years prior to beginning my Goodreads account in 2017. I just added them all to Goodreads in 2023 because I’ve been doing an inventory of all the books I own.
I do not have specific dates read—or even which years I read them in. I know that I loved them all. I strongly recommend her books.
I own many Linda Hall paperback books and I read them years prior to beginning my Goodreads account in 2017. I just added them all to Goodreads in 2023 because I’ve been doing an inventory of all the books I own.
I do not have specific dates read—or even which years I read them in. I know that I loved them all. I strongly recommend her books.
March 14, 2020
Sadie Thornton is a victim of spousal abuse by her husband, who is a deacon of the local church that they attend. When two young girls in their town go missing, Sadie fears that her husband may be capable of something much more sinister ...
May 28, 2021
Sadie's husband Troy made everyone think he was perfect. He was very well respected at church, went to Bible study classes and worked long hours. But he got home he was out was out of control. I just couldn't put this book down.
Read
January 30, 2022Gripping story of God's love to an abused wife.
April 22, 2022
Really hard book to read, there are a lot of sensitive situations in this book but it was so well written.
January 18, 2024
Quick read, very intense and emotional. Overall really enjoyed it but it's a little rough in some parts especially if you have domestic trauma
August 13, 2024
5 stars, couldn't put it down. One of the best books I've read this year.
June 17, 2013
Sadie's Song is a well written edge of your seat thriller. Sadie is a mother of 5 children with a dominating husband to me has a split personality with the way he changes his moods when one minute he's telling her how wonderful she is but in the same instance throws her against the wall or throws things at her and berates her for not being home when he calls to ask her how her day is going.
She gets a friend when she takes food to a woman who has lost her daughter and he does everything he can to destroy that she's only to take care of him she needs no friends. He wants her all to himself so when she finds things that makes her suspicious of his actions she goes on a search for what she thinks is the truth.
Amazing book with all the lies and half truths for the reader to try to reveal whats what and who's who.
She gets a friend when she takes food to a woman who has lost her daughter and he does everything he can to destroy that she's only to take care of him she needs no friends. He wants her all to himself so when she finds things that makes her suspicious of his actions she goes on a search for what she thinks is the truth.
Amazing book with all the lies and half truths for the reader to try to reveal whats what and who's who.
June 22, 2010
This is Christian lit, I don't know what it's officially called but it is specifically for the Christian audience, and makes a lot of references to the couple's involvement in their church. It's the story of their marriage, with a kind of lame mystery about a missing girl interwoven. I found I liked the book, though the literary snob in me could not help but cringe at some of its flaws. Still, I'm a sucker for stories of spouse abuse and the psychology of it, so I will pretty much read ANYTHING about this subject.
January 29, 2010
This story was actually pretty interesting. Be warned, since I wasn't-it is about domestic violence. The only thing that was a bit of a let down was how the book turned out. The author actually set up the mystery pretty well, but the last bit of the book really seemed to just be rather dull. It was an easy read though.
August 13, 2013
Sadie's Song/Linda Hall - This was my first encounter with this author and I was pleasantly surprised. The characters were well developed and I felt the subject (based on my knowledge, understanding and experience) read true-to-life without being exploitive or melodramatic. I will definitely explore more from this author. And I have already referred the book to others.(less)
May 1, 2008
Interesting, disturbing and well done. Christian novels oftentimes shy away from the tough issues and this one took domestic abuse head on. I can't say I enjoyed it, because of the topic, but it was a good book.
August 19, 2021
EXPOSING THE LIE OF SUBMISSION
One of the best books, I have read. There is a concept that is presented unfortunately that as a Christian, women need to tolerate abuse. This book exposes that lie.
One of the best books, I have read. There is a concept that is presented unfortunately that as a Christian, women need to tolerate abuse. This book exposes that lie.
March 10, 2013
This was a very easy read...and well worth it. I was a little dissappointed with the conclusion of Ally's story, as it ended abruptly and from left field. It was almost like the ending was rushed to conclusion. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book...but don't expect this one to be a page turner.
Read
July 6, 2012A book were u don't need to read in order
August 14, 2014
could not put it down, surprised with the ending. They made you believe it was going to happen one way then Bam! It curved a different way, not how I wanted it to go
August 29, 2014
Very Good Book!
Read
February 22, 2016I enjoyed this book. It's about Ally Buckley. When nine-year-old Ally Buckley turns up missing, fears spreads throughout the New England fish village where Sadie and her family live and worship.
October 27, 2015
Touching
I really enjoyed this book. It get off to a bit of a slow start but I enjoyed getting to know Sadie.
I really enjoyed this book. It get off to a bit of a slow start but I enjoyed getting to know Sadie.
April 2, 2017
so true about the abuse in the "Christian" churches.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews