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What If It's True?
Headlines and second-page stories dance in the corner of our eyes. Our dreams are haunted with them. For unclear reasons, some of them won’t go away, leaving our collective heads to hang in shame. Or worse, create celebrity out of all proportion.
We live in narrow spaces. Believing me-and-mine are special but not vulnerable. Evil exists, just not on our street. We carry the rumors with us. Like sand in our shoes, the stories seldom stop us in our tracks. We will deal with them later.
But the grit in our soles whispers, “What if it’s true?”
What If It’s True? Takes place in a small Southern town. A good solid town. Neat and efficient in all its circumstances. A woman of a different truth moves there coincidentally with rumored sins of the faithful. The truth of this book is secrecy can become malignant in a community until an outsider raises questions.
We live in narrow spaces. Believing me-and-mine are special but not vulnerable. Evil exists, just not on our street. We carry the rumors with us. Like sand in our shoes, the stories seldom stop us in our tracks. We will deal with them later.
But the grit in our soles whispers, “What if it’s true?”
What If It’s True? Takes place in a small Southern town. A good solid town. Neat and efficient in all its circumstances. A woman of a different truth moves there coincidentally with rumored sins of the faithful. The truth of this book is secrecy can become malignant in a community until an outsider raises questions.
345 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 18, 2015
95 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 12, 2015
As a lover of mysteries and suspense I was referred to this book by a work associate who said they were impressed by it. After digesting the material over a long and comfortable weekend, I must say that I can’t agree more. From the vibrant descriptions and progressive story line all the way to the unique and three dimensional characters, this novel was a stellar read. So many novels set in southern locations seem to be saturated with caricatured people and a stilted dialog that aches with falseness; not so here. The characters exposition rings true as if you’re hearing it straight from someone’s mouth, making suspension of disbelief during the entire read something so easy that you just happily ease right into the novel.
From Trigger to Clarissa, I thoroughly enjoyed the people that populated the small town. Ms. Sally was fun to read and the murder mystery itself was palpable, building to a crescendo that thoroughly satisfies. Also, the writing was succinct and never veered off onto unnecessary descriptions or into areas that took away from the primary story. All said, this is one of the best books I’ve read so far this year. I recently discovered Ms. Burns has written another novel called Spit of a Minute. Now that I’ve finished this one, I can’t wait to read her other one this after my work week is over. Here’s to another fun weekend.
From Trigger to Clarissa, I thoroughly enjoyed the people that populated the small town. Ms. Sally was fun to read and the murder mystery itself was palpable, building to a crescendo that thoroughly satisfies. Also, the writing was succinct and never veered off onto unnecessary descriptions or into areas that took away from the primary story. All said, this is one of the best books I’ve read so far this year. I recently discovered Ms. Burns has written another novel called Spit of a Minute. Now that I’ve finished this one, I can’t wait to read her other one this after my work week is over. Here’s to another fun weekend.
December 10, 2015
Loved it! I'm from a small town (even though it's becoming a booming metropolis now) so I understand the while small town mentality and Burns was spot on. The suspense held well with just enough information leaking here and there to keep you guessing and wanting to turn the page. Sex, lies, scandals, politics, money, religion, and a small town all wrapped up in a neat little murder mystery....what else could you ask for? Perhaps a little live story? Done! Grade A job, Burns. I will definitely be searching for more books you've written.
August 3, 2015
A well drawn story of a small southern town where the local preacher is trying to undermine the police chief, and girls from his congregation are accusing their fathers of beating them and possibly worse. A divorcee moves to town as the story begins and offers her service as a court appointed advocate for a girl who is removed from her family after she is seen one too many times in the ER. Running through the story is the romance between the newcomer and the (married) local police chief. Although some of the plot may be unsettling, it was well written and ended with a believable solution.
March 30, 2015
What if it's True ?
Right after read Dixie Burn's first book Spit of a Minute, which i could not put down. I decided to read "What if it's True? Each book is totally different and both are fantastic.and entertaining. I would recommend each of these books equally. Dixie Burns has a true gift for making her stories and characters come to life and makes you feel as if you are right there with them. Excellent !
Right after read Dixie Burn's first book Spit of a Minute, which i could not put down. I decided to read "What if it's True? Each book is totally different and both are fantastic.and entertaining. I would recommend each of these books equally. Dixie Burns has a true gift for making her stories and characters come to life and makes you feel as if you are right there with them. Excellent !
June 13, 2015
Can a small town house a big secret without anyone getting hurt?
The dialogue seems a little affected at times but this is a first rate who done it or not novel. What would you do if a girl came to you with a story so fantastically horrible you wished it was a lie? That's just what police chief Trigger has got on his hands, but his good friend the judge sure doesn't want him to ever solve this case. Read on to find out what the whole town should have guessed.
The dialogue seems a little affected at times but this is a first rate who done it or not novel. What would you do if a girl came to you with a story so fantastically horrible you wished it was a lie? That's just what police chief Trigger has got on his hands, but his good friend the judge sure doesn't want him to ever solve this case. Read on to find out what the whole town should have guessed.
August 29, 2016
What if?
Great story! There were enough twists and turns, colorful characters, and juicy (albeit uncomfortable) plot details to keep driving this book to a satisfying conclusion. I'm impressed with the small town that Ms. Burns created to so closely resemble Anysmalltown, USA. I'll gladly recommend this author!
Great story! There were enough twists and turns, colorful characters, and juicy (albeit uncomfortable) plot details to keep driving this book to a satisfying conclusion. I'm impressed with the small town that Ms. Burns created to so closely resemble Anysmalltown, USA. I'll gladly recommend this author!
September 14, 2016
Really a don't miss it read!!!
Captures your interest right out of the gate and holds it through to the last sentence. The setting and subject matter blended to create a homogeneous storyline. Definitely not the same old story about a sleepy southern town. Interesting and enjoyable read!
Captures your interest right out of the gate and holds it through to the last sentence. The setting and subject matter blended to create a homogeneous storyline. Definitely not the same old story about a sleepy southern town. Interesting and enjoyable read!
May 30, 2015
Gem
Can't wait for another book from. Ms Burns. She touched upon a very delicate subject in this one especially in small towns. All the characters seem so real to me. Enjoyed every word. Again waiting patiently for the next installment.
Can't wait for another book from. Ms Burns. She touched upon a very delicate subject in this one especially in small towns. All the characters seem so real to me. Enjoyed every word. Again waiting patiently for the next installment.
June 4, 2015
It's True
This was a very good read. It had excitement, suspense, and interesting plot line. Trigger, chief of police, is the main character, and his mid-life crisis made an impact in the storyline.
This was a very good read. It had excitement, suspense, and interesting plot line. Trigger, chief of police, is the main character, and his mid-life crisis made an impact in the storyline.
July 25, 2015
Great reading
Really enjoyed this story. One of the best books I have read. A story with plenty of twists and turns. Mystery and romance plus a dose of troubles in a modern society.
Really enjoyed this story. One of the best books I have read. A story with plenty of twists and turns. Mystery and romance plus a dose of troubles in a modern society.
March 31, 2016
Perplexing
This book started out a little slow but wow did it pick up speed. A page burner I couldn't put done. Full of twists and turns that kept me entirely hooked until the great ending.
This book started out a little slow but wow did it pick up speed. A page burner I couldn't put done. Full of twists and turns that kept me entirely hooked until the great ending.
August 9, 2015
What can happen when good people don't pay attention
How easily we condemn before we know the whole story! Also, do we trust too much those that we assume are trustworthy?
How easily we condemn before we know the whole story! Also, do we trust too much those that we assume are trustworthy?
November 2, 2016
Great Characters, Plot, and Writing
This book had it all from great wording of the story to incredibly believable characters. I plan on reading everything written by Dixie Burns.
This book had it all from great wording of the story to incredibly believable characters. I plan on reading everything written by Dixie Burns.
January 15, 2018
Believe your intuition.
Life certainly goes round in circles enough to make me dizzy or sick in my stomach. It is hard to ruffle the feathers of people we have known for a long time but it has to be done when the innocence of children is being destroyed. They look to the whole village to take care of them.
Life certainly goes round in circles enough to make me dizzy or sick in my stomach. It is hard to ruffle the feathers of people we have known for a long time but it has to be done when the innocence of children is being destroyed. They look to the whole village to take care of them.
August 4, 2017
While the subject matter of this book may have been a bit hard for me to handle, the writing was solid. Books based in my new home of the south always intrigue me. Although, this small town could easily be where I came from in Upstate NY. Great read.
October 12, 2017
What if it's true?
This is not the type of books I usually read but I did read to the last word. We. wish this type of world did not exist but it is a reality in today's world. A very well written book. Good read for troubled people seeking help.
This is not the type of books I usually read but I did read to the last word. We. wish this type of world did not exist but it is a reality in today's world. A very well written book. Good read for troubled people seeking help.
November 17, 2017
Okay
This story is about a very difficult, disturbing problem of child abuse. And the "secrets" in small towns. I found it hard to read but I couldn't help but finish it. Well written. Dixie Burns gave it a decent end. I had tears at the ending. I found it worth the time to read.
This story is about a very difficult, disturbing problem of child abuse. And the "secrets" in small towns. I found it hard to read but I couldn't help but finish it. Well written. Dixie Burns gave it a decent end. I had tears at the ending. I found it worth the time to read.
June 7, 2017
Great reads
I have just finished all 4 of Ms Burns novels and she has definitely captured "southern" small towns. Can't wait until her next novel is released.
I have just finished all 4 of Ms Burns novels and she has definitely captured "southern" small towns. Can't wait until her next novel is released.
July 22, 2017
Wow
I loved it. I had to get used to they way some of the folks spoke, but it was pretty amazing. I really loved the ending.
I loved it. I had to get used to they way some of the folks spoke, but it was pretty amazing. I really loved the ending.
August 28, 2017
Excellent!
I enjoyed this book very much,reminding me of how backward and bizarre small towns can be . Looking forward to more from the author.
I enjoyed this book very much,reminding me of how backward and bizarre small towns can be . Looking forward to more from the author.
March 1, 2025
Great read! Great story!
Love, love, love all your books. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to get lost in a terrific spellbinding story!!
Love, love, love all your books. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to get lost in a terrific spellbinding story!!
March 17, 2017
A story about sex, perversion, corruption and murder!
The story is set in a small southern town but it seems like there's always an ugly underbelly in them. Trigger Foley is the small town fifty something sheriff that is just walking through life. Clarissa Clooney is new transplant in town. She's divorced and trying to find her way in life. She gets pulled into a drama involving teenagers and an overzealous Baptist pastor. The story is not graphic in sex but it is part of the seediness of the tale. One thing that bothered me about the book was that the author thanked friends at the end for editing her work and let me tell you, I found dozens of grammatical errors. As long as that doesn't bother you as a reader then enjoy this sometimes disturbing tale.
The story is set in a small southern town but it seems like there's always an ugly underbelly in them. Trigger Foley is the small town fifty something sheriff that is just walking through life. Clarissa Clooney is new transplant in town. She's divorced and trying to find her way in life. She gets pulled into a drama involving teenagers and an overzealous Baptist pastor. The story is not graphic in sex but it is part of the seediness of the tale. One thing that bothered me about the book was that the author thanked friends at the end for editing her work and let me tell you, I found dozens of grammatical errors. As long as that doesn't bother you as a reader then enjoy this sometimes disturbing tale.
July 26, 2015
Definitely not a "light read"
A long and sad tale of a small town at its worst. I liked the charm of the leading lady and her old man, but the charm quickly fizzled to stomach churning sin. The story itself revolved around the deepest filth one could imagine. The warmth and kindness that eluded from the minority of the characters drowned in the overall theam. However, the the story did keep me on my toes with its twists and turns.
A long and sad tale of a small town at its worst. I liked the charm of the leading lady and her old man, but the charm quickly fizzled to stomach churning sin. The story itself revolved around the deepest filth one could imagine. The warmth and kindness that eluded from the minority of the characters drowned in the overall theam. However, the the story did keep me on my toes with its twists and turns.
August 7, 2015
Read this book!
Despite all the punctuation, grammar, and spelling errors (maybe no proofreader was involved), I read this book straight through and enjoyed it a lot! I will gladly proof the next one for you, Miss Dixie!
Despite all the punctuation, grammar, and spelling errors (maybe no proofreader was involved), I read this book straight through and enjoyed it a lot! I will gladly proof the next one for you, Miss Dixie!
August 15, 2015
Pretty good
At first I had a hard time getting involved in the story but then it seemed I compute it down. Good story where corruption is exposed and lives are changed for the better
At first I had a hard time getting involved in the story but then it seemed I compute it down. Good story where corruption is exposed and lives are changed for the better
June 6, 2015
Great Book
Kept my interest from beginning to end. Great detail of characters. Felt we knew them all as neighbors living down the street. Recommend!
Kept my interest from beginning to end. Great detail of characters. Felt we knew them all as neighbors living down the street. Recommend!
June 11, 2015
Great book. I couldn't put it down.
I will recommend this book to my friends. I liked all the characters and their interaction th each other. Fast paced.
r.
I will recommend this book to my friends. I liked all the characters and their interaction th each other. Fast paced.
r.
August 3, 2015
DNF. very slow start, just could not get into it
July 25, 2015
very good
July 27, 2015
Good
the story that has murder and child abuse and child pornography movies.this was that a reglious church involved.. the ending a surprise.
the story that has murder and child abuse and child pornography movies.this was that a reglious church involved.. the ending a surprise.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews