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Summer Shadows
A B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree!
Mystery. Romance. Danger. Murder. Not the typical family vacation.
When Julia Lamontaigne arrives in Franklin, New Hampshire, she's looking for an escape from the tragedies that have taken over her life. Haunted by the legacy of her beloved sister, and entrusted with her sister's three orphaned children, Julia hopes for a summer of peaceful healing... And hopefully, bonding. At first, the small New Hampshire town seems to be the perfect location. They quickly settle in and make friends with their eccentric neighbors, then begin work on their summer house - while Julia is drawn into a relationship with Robert Wilde, the handsome cop next door.
But Franklin is haunted, too - by the decades-old murder of a beautiful young artist, killed in the house at the end of Julia's street. Even though everyone says that the case is solved, Julia can't escape the feeling that there's more to the story than she's being told. She's right. Someone doesn't want the murder case re-opened. And they're willing to kill again to stop it. The house at the end of the street hasn't begun to give up its secrets.
Mystery. Romance. Danger. Murder. Not the typical family vacation.
When Julia Lamontaigne arrives in Franklin, New Hampshire, she's looking for an escape from the tragedies that have taken over her life. Haunted by the legacy of her beloved sister, and entrusted with her sister's three orphaned children, Julia hopes for a summer of peaceful healing... And hopefully, bonding. At first, the small New Hampshire town seems to be the perfect location. They quickly settle in and make friends with their eccentric neighbors, then begin work on their summer house - while Julia is drawn into a relationship with Robert Wilde, the handsome cop next door.
But Franklin is haunted, too - by the decades-old murder of a beautiful young artist, killed in the house at the end of Julia's street. Even though everyone says that the case is solved, Julia can't escape the feeling that there's more to the story than she's being told. She's right. Someone doesn't want the murder case re-opened. And they're willing to kill again to stop it. The house at the end of the street hasn't begun to give up its secrets.
413 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 2014
135 people are currently reading
828 people want to read
About the author
Killarney Traynor
14 books216 followersKillarney Traynor is a New England-born novelist, writer, actor, bibliophile, martial artist, and history buff. A member of Authors Elite and American Christian Fiction Writers, she is the author of Summer Shadows and Necessary Evil.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
January 10, 2015
An unforgettable debut novel, from an author with the all-too-rare gift of writing true Literary Fiction.It's a fascinating cozy mystery, but Summer Shadows is also written to pull the reader inside the struggles of a new family that is formed through tragedy. The protagonist is Julia, whose life is suddenly turned inside-out by a series of losses: Her job, her boyfriend - and worst of all, her beloved sister and brother-in-law.
Julia is entrusted with raising her sister's three orphaned children, and she moves her new family to a charming New Hampshire town, trying desperately to hold everything - and everyone - together. Coping with her own grief and confusion while caring for her shattered niece and nephews, Julia's life is further complicated by her eccentric (but wholly lovable) new neighbors, and the handsome police officer who lives close by - and by the house down the street, where a young artist was brutally murdered.
Everyone says that the murder was solved, but Julia disagrees. She's going to figure out what really happened. And the killer doesn't want her to do that.
The plot is excellent, well-defined, and the resolution had me chewing on my nails. It was seriously difficult to put the book aside, because Traynor writes like a river flows. But the character development is no doubt the most memorable aspect of Summer Shadows. I found myself so involved in rooting for this little family - so taken in by Julia's determination that they would not only survive, but live happily again - that the ending brought me to tears. Lots of them.
Killarney Traynor is an author to watch for. And I'll be doing just that.
October 1, 2015
Summer Shadows by Killarney Traynor is not a book to rush through. This is a novel better suited to several days of leisurely reading while sunning on a warm beach, relaxing on a cruise, or sitting before a warm fire sipping wine on cold winter nights. The initial plot of the story is presented early on. Julia Lamontaigne was living the single life of a young professional with few cares, a job she loved and a small, comfortable condo to come home to. When her sister Amanda and Amanda’s husband, Tim, are killed in a car accident, Julia suddenly finds herself responsible for her sister’s mortgaged house and three young children. She also finds herself under the scrutiny of her brother-in-law’s resentful parents who can’t understand why they were not entrusted with the guardianship of the children instead of her. She immediately realizes that her condo is too small for her new, expanded family, and living with the children in her sister’s home and sleeping in her sister’s pink and brown bedroom is awkward and painful to both her and the children. Within months, she also finds herself out of a job while facing mounting bills. All the while, the children’s grandparents stand on the sidelines waiting to pounce when she fails. Julia searches and prays for a way to keep the family intact while managing the looming debt. The answer comes in the form of her sister’s old summer home in the rural town of Franklin, New Hampshire.
Julia decides to use the summer school break and her unemployed status to refurbish and sell the Franklin house as a means to bring in much-needed cash, to provide the children with a change of venue and help her and the children bond. She moves herself and the family from Massachusetts to New Hampshire and, as the story unfolds, we join with her as she carefully plans, organizes and implements the renovations. In the process, we get to know her quirky neighbors and each of her three nieces and nephews as they slowly deal with their loss in their own way. In particular, we learn how eleven-year-old Ron, the oldest of the siblings, deals with the grief of losing his mother and father, the fear of being separated from his other siblings and the overwhelming feeling of responsibility at being the “man” of the family. We observe how the shared work of this tiny family unit deepens the bonds between Julia and the children and, when it all seems too much for Julia to handle; we witness the gradually developing relationship between her and the policeman who lives next door. Finally, we hear the rumors about the old, run down house at the end of the street, the myth-like stories surrounding it and the murder of the young, brilliant and beautiful artist who once lived there.
As the story continues the mysterious old house at the end of the street looms larger. With each new detail Julia learns about the murder and the outcome of the resulting investigation and court case, her skepticism of the accounts deepens. The more involved Julia gets in researching the house’s history, however, the more it puts her and the children in danger.
A word of caution is in order here. The picture on the book’s cover and the subtext, “This House Has Unfinished Business,” might raise expectation that the novel will read like a fast-paced mystery or even a thriller, a book that is short on character development and long on action. While there is a mystery here, the content of this novel is much more. Traynor’s main character struggles with responsibilities, expectations, relationships, and faith and she takes the time to explore each of these areas in-depth. Reading it, I was reminded of Harper Lee’s treatment of Boo Radley in To Kill A Mockingbird. While the mysterious Boo is always in the background, we do not encounter him directly until the very end of the story when his appearance tends to tie the other story elements together rather than be the focal point of the plot. So too, Traynor’s mystery house is one more lens through which to view the development of the characters and the story. Readers would do well to prepare themselves for a literary full-course-meal instead of a snack. My recommendation: pour the wine, fluff the pillow and settle down to immerse yourself in Traynor’s Summer Shadows.
Julia decides to use the summer school break and her unemployed status to refurbish and sell the Franklin house as a means to bring in much-needed cash, to provide the children with a change of venue and help her and the children bond. She moves herself and the family from Massachusetts to New Hampshire and, as the story unfolds, we join with her as she carefully plans, organizes and implements the renovations. In the process, we get to know her quirky neighbors and each of her three nieces and nephews as they slowly deal with their loss in their own way. In particular, we learn how eleven-year-old Ron, the oldest of the siblings, deals with the grief of losing his mother and father, the fear of being separated from his other siblings and the overwhelming feeling of responsibility at being the “man” of the family. We observe how the shared work of this tiny family unit deepens the bonds between Julia and the children and, when it all seems too much for Julia to handle; we witness the gradually developing relationship between her and the policeman who lives next door. Finally, we hear the rumors about the old, run down house at the end of the street, the myth-like stories surrounding it and the murder of the young, brilliant and beautiful artist who once lived there.
As the story continues the mysterious old house at the end of the street looms larger. With each new detail Julia learns about the murder and the outcome of the resulting investigation and court case, her skepticism of the accounts deepens. The more involved Julia gets in researching the house’s history, however, the more it puts her and the children in danger.
A word of caution is in order here. The picture on the book’s cover and the subtext, “This House Has Unfinished Business,” might raise expectation that the novel will read like a fast-paced mystery or even a thriller, a book that is short on character development and long on action. While there is a mystery here, the content of this novel is much more. Traynor’s main character struggles with responsibilities, expectations, relationships, and faith and she takes the time to explore each of these areas in-depth. Reading it, I was reminded of Harper Lee’s treatment of Boo Radley in To Kill A Mockingbird. While the mysterious Boo is always in the background, we do not encounter him directly until the very end of the story when his appearance tends to tie the other story elements together rather than be the focal point of the plot. So too, Traynor’s mystery house is one more lens through which to view the development of the characters and the story. Readers would do well to prepare themselves for a literary full-course-meal instead of a snack. My recommendation: pour the wine, fluff the pillow and settle down to immerse yourself in Traynor’s Summer Shadows.
April 14, 2018
Outstanding Debut!
Killarney Traynor 's debut novel "Summer Shadows" is a fascinating and heart-warming mystery that has enthralled me from the very beginning. It is a wonderful story and I look forward to seeing if Killarney's future writings can top it. A 'Must Read' for mystery lovers of all ages.
Killarney Traynor 's debut novel "Summer Shadows" is a fascinating and heart-warming mystery that has enthralled me from the very beginning. It is a wonderful story and I look forward to seeing if Killarney's future writings can top it. A 'Must Read' for mystery lovers of all ages.
October 11, 2015
This review was first published on Kurt's Frontier.
Synopsis:
Julia Lamontaigne has been struggling. Her sister and sister’s husband died a few months before leaving her as guardian to their three children. After loosing her job, she decides to take the children to Franklin, New Hampshire and fix up her sister’s summer home in preparation to sell it. At first, the small town in New Hampshire seems to be the perfect place to heal and bond with her charges. They make friends with the neighbors, and Julia is drawn into a relationship with Robert Wilde, fellow single parent and Franklin police officer.
However, down the road is an abandoned house. Decades ago, a beautiful young artist was murdered. The case was closed, but Julia wonders if the police missed something. Then things start to happen.
Review:
Killarney Traynor has written a story that—in the trade—is called a cozy mystery. The story takes place in a small, intimate community in Franklin, New Hampshire. It has all the elements of a successful cozy. You instantly care about the characters. There is an aunt struggling to take care of her two nephews and a niece. It takes place in a small town in New Hampshire. There are developing relationships, a mystery, and a spooky olde house. The writing is skill full and paints wonderful images.
What is missing is the sense of immediacy. The antagonist seems to let things lie until the three-quarters of the way into the story. While one could make an argument that the first crisis point was when she lost her job, it is at the three-quarters mark that one finds the first collision with the antagonist that makes the final confrontation unavoidable. The end result is a long, though well-written, setup. Hence, the book does not become a page turner until late in the story. In the end, the story is enjoyable, but lacks a sense of preasure that could have turned it into a page turner. That being said, the reader can see the signs of future success in Ms. Traynor’s writing. So it will be interesting to see how this author evolves.
Synopsis:
Julia Lamontaigne has been struggling. Her sister and sister’s husband died a few months before leaving her as guardian to their three children. After loosing her job, she decides to take the children to Franklin, New Hampshire and fix up her sister’s summer home in preparation to sell it. At first, the small town in New Hampshire seems to be the perfect place to heal and bond with her charges. They make friends with the neighbors, and Julia is drawn into a relationship with Robert Wilde, fellow single parent and Franklin police officer.
However, down the road is an abandoned house. Decades ago, a beautiful young artist was murdered. The case was closed, but Julia wonders if the police missed something. Then things start to happen.
Review:
Killarney Traynor has written a story that—in the trade—is called a cozy mystery. The story takes place in a small, intimate community in Franklin, New Hampshire. It has all the elements of a successful cozy. You instantly care about the characters. There is an aunt struggling to take care of her two nephews and a niece. It takes place in a small town in New Hampshire. There are developing relationships, a mystery, and a spooky olde house. The writing is skill full and paints wonderful images.
What is missing is the sense of immediacy. The antagonist seems to let things lie until the three-quarters of the way into the story. While one could make an argument that the first crisis point was when she lost her job, it is at the three-quarters mark that one finds the first collision with the antagonist that makes the final confrontation unavoidable. The end result is a long, though well-written, setup. Hence, the book does not become a page turner until late in the story. In the end, the story is enjoyable, but lacks a sense of preasure that could have turned it into a page turner. That being said, the reader can see the signs of future success in Ms. Traynor’s writing. So it will be interesting to see how this author evolves.
January 30, 2015
"Summer Shadows" by Killarney Traynor is a well written mystery story - cozy, but not without its well placed depth.
At heart is a family tragedy that forces single aunt Julia to look after her niece and nephew. Trying to balance her troubled finances and the new responsibility with her grief and sense of loss, Julia has enough on her plate. She is soon settling into a new neighbourhood and finds romance, but she also comes across an old murder mystery which she decides to solve.
The haunted house theme fits in well into the pleasantly odd neighbourhood, there is excellent suspense and the romance part provides beautiful relief for all the heavier issues. This is also a beautiful family story.
This is a very entertaining read that manages incredibly well to walk the line between its serious and lighter elements. I found the characters very likeable and the reading experience overall incredibly satisfying. A truly great read.
At heart is a family tragedy that forces single aunt Julia to look after her niece and nephew. Trying to balance her troubled finances and the new responsibility with her grief and sense of loss, Julia has enough on her plate. She is soon settling into a new neighbourhood and finds romance, but she also comes across an old murder mystery which she decides to solve.
The haunted house theme fits in well into the pleasantly odd neighbourhood, there is excellent suspense and the romance part provides beautiful relief for all the heavier issues. This is also a beautiful family story.
This is a very entertaining read that manages incredibly well to walk the line between its serious and lighter elements. I found the characters very likeable and the reading experience overall incredibly satisfying. A truly great read.
January 23, 2015
Fantastic Story
This story grabbed me from the first line! The characters were so real, the pain, sadness, joy and love penetrated through the story.
Julia was such a wonderful character, I rooted for her all through the book.
It's a story of a family torn apart by tragedy, their healing process, and the road to their happiness.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story.
This story grabbed me from the first line! The characters were so real, the pain, sadness, joy and love penetrated through the story.
Julia was such a wonderful character, I rooted for her all through the book.
It's a story of a family torn apart by tragedy, their healing process, and the road to their happiness.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story.
January 15, 2015
Nice enjoyable read
Well written, without obvious misspellings or grammatical errors.
Engaging, captivating, entertaining.
Despite the tragic storyline the book was uplifting.
I usually don't award five stars to fiction, but this book was colorful and such a nice escape that it deserves a high rating.
Well written, without obvious misspellings or grammatical errors.
Engaging, captivating, entertaining.
Despite the tragic storyline the book was uplifting.
I usually don't award five stars to fiction, but this book was colorful and such a nice escape that it deserves a high rating.
September 14, 2015
I chose to read Summer Shadows because it is a B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree. I was not disappointed. Killarney Traynor did an excellent job of pulling me into the lives of her characters. The novel waited a long time before introducing mystery, but the wait was well worth it. The story seems apt for both young and old readers, as it is refreshing without vulgarity. Good job, Killarney.
November 26, 2015
Good reading
Enjoyed a story about the way for some family to come together. With a town the way it should be every where. Helping when help is needed.
Enjoyed a story about the way for some family to come together. With a town the way it should be every where. Helping when help is needed.
January 15, 2019
DNF - all the ghost talk was a little too much for me; also, a bit of language near the end
March 9, 2020
I enjoyed this story and the characters, there was mystery, and family all tried up into one really good story. I didn't expect the ending. I thought someone else was causing the problem. The way the author made the young family stick together was really nice to read.
May 19, 2020
Great book, couldn't put it down.
April 7, 2017
Absolutely one of my new favorites!
I Loved reading your Amazing book! You are an Amazing, Creative writer. This book kept me interested the whole way threw! Whoever went threw this book before it wast printed this missed a whole bunch of typos.
I Loved reading your Amazing book! You are an Amazing, Creative writer. This book kept me interested the whole way threw! Whoever went threw this book before it wast printed this missed a whole bunch of typos.
April 4, 2017
A wonderful book I would recommend it to anybody. Make it your next read.
Anxious to read more by this author. I would recommend this book to anyone. It is a real page turner.
Anxious to read more by this author. I would recommend this book to anyone. It is a real page turner.
August 17, 2015
Summer Shadows was a lovely book with a warm heart. Whether you want to classify it as a great family story, a cozy mystery, or a clean romance, there's no question that it's GOOD!
Traynor writes beautifully. Her words perfectly capture Julia's sorrow from losing her sister, self-doubt about her new charges, and hope that they can one day become a true family.
She also writes the perspective of Ron in a thoughtful, compassionate way. The reader feels the void that's been left by the loss of his parents and the sense of duty he feels towards his younger siblings. We understand and empathize with his fear of being separated and abandoned, and the instability that it would cause.
As a proud auntie myself, I could strongly empathize with character of Julia Lamontaigne. (Although I NEVER hope to find myself in her circumtances.)
The tragic accident of her sister and brother-in-law left Julia as the new guardian of one niece, two nephews and two houses. Money is tight and she's insecure about her ability to be a good caretaker for the three children. However, she's determined to rise to the occasion, despite the dubious opinion of her brother-in-law's parents.
Then she loses her job.
Julia decides the best thing for their new little family is to change the pace and scenery for a bit. So she moves them to the second house set in small-town New Hampshire with the idea of fixing it up so she can sell it at the end of the summer.
She never would have thought she'd wind up not only repairing the house, but finding herself in the middle of a murder mystery...and perhaps, maybe even falling in love.
Traynor writes beautifully. Her words perfectly capture Julia's sorrow from losing her sister, self-doubt about her new charges, and hope that they can one day become a true family.
She also writes the perspective of Ron in a thoughtful, compassionate way. The reader feels the void that's been left by the loss of his parents and the sense of duty he feels towards his younger siblings. We understand and empathize with his fear of being separated and abandoned, and the instability that it would cause.
As a proud auntie myself, I could strongly empathize with character of Julia Lamontaigne. (Although I NEVER hope to find myself in her circumtances.)
The tragic accident of her sister and brother-in-law left Julia as the new guardian of one niece, two nephews and two houses. Money is tight and she's insecure about her ability to be a good caretaker for the three children. However, she's determined to rise to the occasion, despite the dubious opinion of her brother-in-law's parents.
Then she loses her job.
Julia decides the best thing for their new little family is to change the pace and scenery for a bit. So she moves them to the second house set in small-town New Hampshire with the idea of fixing it up so she can sell it at the end of the summer.
She never would have thought she'd wind up not only repairing the house, but finding herself in the middle of a murder mystery...and perhaps, maybe even falling in love.
February 24, 2016
4*
This is a believable story - there are a few typos and better editing would have made this novel 5*, missing words, the same word used twice in one sentence, etc.
Having said that the book wasn’t boring and in fact kept me engrossed. After a tragic accident that takes the lives of Julia’s sister and brother-in-law, she takes on the responsibility of the three children. Julia and the children are all grieving in their own ways but trying to live as a family. Julia loses her job and takes the opportunity to transfer them all to a property her sister had bought and was planning to renovate in a small town during the summer holidays.
Ron, her eldest nephew is a stoic character, turning his grief inwards and trying to keep control of his younger siblings and keep them out of trouble.
Julia hopes that in renovating the house they can all bond and grow emotionally as a family and help each to heal over the loss of their parents and her sister and husband.
At the end of the street there is an empty house with a murderous past and this gives a frisson to the story.
I enjoyed this book.
This is a believable story - there are a few typos and better editing would have made this novel 5*, missing words, the same word used twice in one sentence, etc.
Having said that the book wasn’t boring and in fact kept me engrossed. After a tragic accident that takes the lives of Julia’s sister and brother-in-law, she takes on the responsibility of the three children. Julia and the children are all grieving in their own ways but trying to live as a family. Julia loses her job and takes the opportunity to transfer them all to a property her sister had bought and was planning to renovate in a small town during the summer holidays.
Ron, her eldest nephew is a stoic character, turning his grief inwards and trying to keep control of his younger siblings and keep them out of trouble.
Julia hopes that in renovating the house they can all bond and grow emotionally as a family and help each to heal over the loss of their parents and her sister and husband.
At the end of the street there is an empty house with a murderous past and this gives a frisson to the story.
I enjoyed this book.
August 14, 2015
This was excellent! It was long, but so good, the pages just turned themselves! Julia is a single woman who is raising her sister's 3 children after her sister and brother-in-law are killed in an accident. In order to help them move past their grief, and to help them realize some more income from a property they have never even seen, Julia moves the little family to New Hampshire for the summer to rehab an older home so that they can sell it. Along the way, they become embroiled in a twenty year old murder mystery and meet new friends that will have a lasting impact on their lives. Read it. It's really fantastic!
July 25, 2015
Good read for young adults
While there are places that need editing, generally this is a good book. There is a good story line, and the characters are easy to get to know. There is a good mixture of sentiment, eerie happenings, and humor. I received this book free of charge. I just had to review this book. Although it is a good book for everyone, it ,to me, targets the young adult audience. It reminds me of the books I would read during summer break. It wouldn't surprise me if it became a favorite book for some younger readers. It did hold my interest, and I'm sixty something. So while it is a young adult read, most anyone would enjoy reading it.
While there are places that need editing, generally this is a good book. There is a good story line, and the characters are easy to get to know. There is a good mixture of sentiment, eerie happenings, and humor. I received this book free of charge. I just had to review this book. Although it is a good book for everyone, it ,to me, targets the young adult audience. It reminds me of the books I would read during summer break. It wouldn't surprise me if it became a favorite book for some younger readers. It did hold my interest, and I'm sixty something. So while it is a young adult read, most anyone would enjoy reading it.
April 7, 2015
Sweet story!
This book takes a family tragedy and ends in sweetness. Three young children are orphaned when their mother and father are killed in an accident. The children are left to the mother's sister who loses her job shortly after the children are left in her care and the fathers parents are not happy that they did not get the children. It tells how the children recover from their loss while helping fix up a second house that their parents owned. It was hard to put down.
This book takes a family tragedy and ends in sweetness. Three young children are orphaned when their mother and father are killed in an accident. The children are left to the mother's sister who loses her job shortly after the children are left in her care and the fathers parents are not happy that they did not get the children. It tells how the children recover from their loss while helping fix up a second house that their parents owned. It was hard to put down.
May 10, 2016
Summer Shadows
When I started reading this book I wasn't sure what to expect and the story that unfolds was more than I could have anticipated. The sense of family and healing was powerful but the mystery and suspense were interesting as well. I think my favorite character had to be Ron I kept hoping that he would let go and find healing. I loved the small town setting and the friendships that were made. A smoothly written story that allows you to feel like you become part of the story.
When I started reading this book I wasn't sure what to expect and the story that unfolds was more than I could have anticipated. The sense of family and healing was powerful but the mystery and suspense were interesting as well. I think my favorite character had to be Ron I kept hoping that he would let go and find healing. I loved the small town setting and the friendships that were made. A smoothly written story that allows you to feel like you become part of the story.
February 2, 2016
Very good
Julia's sister and her husband have died. Julia has now become mother to their 3 children. Things are going badly for all of them and financially thing are getting worse every day. Julia decides to take them to a small house her sister owned and get it ready to sell over the summer holidays. How do they all become involved with a murder that happened 20 years ago? Read this book and find out.
Julia's sister and her husband have died. Julia has now become mother to their 3 children. Things are going badly for all of them and financially thing are getting worse every day. Julia decides to take them to a small house her sister owned and get it ready to sell over the summer holidays. How do they all become involved with a murder that happened 20 years ago? Read this book and find out.
July 8, 2016
Great read
A family broken a mystery, this book was written well. Pulling at emotions so much so that you care about the characters, the humanity in the writing gives both Julia and the kids, especially Ron, depth and many dimensions. No flat one dimensional protagonists here. I enjoyed this book.
A family broken a mystery, this book was written well. Pulling at emotions so much so that you care about the characters, the humanity in the writing gives both Julia and the kids, especially Ron, depth and many dimensions. No flat one dimensional protagonists here. I enjoyed this book.
August 25, 2015
We are proud to announce that SUMMER SHADOWS by Killarney Traynor is a B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!
January 30, 2016
Great read.
Although this was a somewhat sad story, it turned into one of strength and determination. The plot then turns scary after a break in.
Although this was a somewhat sad story, it turned into one of strength and determination. The plot then turns scary after a break in.
April 11, 2015
Very enjoyable story. It grabbed my attention and kept it all the way to the end.
November 15, 2015
Enjoyed this story and loved the characters.
August 17, 2017
Summer Shadows is billed as a mystery, but that takes a backseat to the main focus of the story. As a result of an accident, Julia Lamontaigne is faced with the tragic loss of her beloved sister and brother-in-law and the unexpected announcement that she has been appointed guardian to the three orphaned children, Ron, Dana and Jack. And to make matters worse, she has just found herself out of a job, no hope for unemployment, and facing mounting bills and an over-extended mortgage on her sister's house in Springfield. When she learns there is a second home in Franklin, she decides to take the children there for the summer, renovate the home and sell it for much needed income. The story then focuses on these individuals and how they cope with their own sense of loss, and come to grips with their new circumstances, helped by growing feelings of support and need for each other. The story is told from the viewpoints of both Julia and Ron, and allows the reader insights into how each of these characters handles change. Yes, there is an old murder and a mystery surrounding it, and there is danger involved, but this is secondary. This is more a story of finding new life and purpose in an otherwise intolerable situation.
June 18, 2020
I don't feel the title has much to do with the book, in that it didn't ring through it as a theme...but I could've missed it.
The first 300+ pages is not about the house on the cover and I feel the author should have chosen a different cover.
The story us mores about the family and a house remodel. I understand the story is also about recovering from a tragedy and rebuilding the life of a family. The author did well there.
I found the climax -- regarding the mystery -- in the last 75 pages where the gist of the story lies, as well as the family's story overall, is redeeming. The last quarter of the book prior to the Epilogue is the best of the book.
I like the story tie-up of the epilogue and how it foreshadows a possible future...which might end as a new beginning for the house on the book's cover. That could be a reason for the house to be on the cover.
The first 300+ pages is not about the house on the cover and I feel the author should have chosen a different cover.
The story us mores about the family and a house remodel. I understand the story is also about recovering from a tragedy and rebuilding the life of a family. The author did well there.
I found the climax -- regarding the mystery -- in the last 75 pages where the gist of the story lies, as well as the family's story overall, is redeeming. The last quarter of the book prior to the Epilogue is the best of the book.
I like the story tie-up of the epilogue and how it foreshadows a possible future...which might end as a new beginning for the house on the book's cover. That could be a reason for the house to be on the cover.
July 1, 2017
Great novel, much more of a murder in retrospect with most of the "murder-mystery" action taking place in the final 1/4 of the book. To be completely honest, Nancy Drew Mysteries have more beginning-to-end suspense than this one has. Great you are looking for a novel/drama/romance with just a touch of danger
Small "spoiler" no one is actually murdered during the actual story timeline: the murder happened 20 years prior - and part of the plot is the convicted, now out on parole. sneakily trying to clear his name while the actual murderer tries to keep evidence, hidden for the past 20 years, still hidden
Small "spoiler" no one is actually murdered during the actual story timeline: the murder happened 20 years prior - and part of the plot is the convicted, now out on parole. sneakily trying to clear his name while the actual murderer tries to keep evidence, hidden for the past 20 years, still hidden
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2020
Good Strong Characters - Sweet Story
Lately, I've been drawn to feel good stories that aren't sappy but have strong female protagonists. This but the mark. A very sweet story that makes you care for this family and how each one has their own process to get through. Could be a Hallmark movie. I must say some things, like the ending, I saw coming. But, I'm not cynical enough to slough off a happy ending. Good escape read. Not heavy. Just interesting enough to hold my attention and breeze through in a night or so. I'd recommend this Author. This is the first of her books that I've read. I'm going to give another one a spin.
Lately, I've been drawn to feel good stories that aren't sappy but have strong female protagonists. This but the mark. A very sweet story that makes you care for this family and how each one has their own process to get through. Could be a Hallmark movie. I must say some things, like the ending, I saw coming. But, I'm not cynical enough to slough off a happy ending. Good escape read. Not heavy. Just interesting enough to hold my attention and breeze through in a night or so. I'd recommend this Author. This is the first of her books that I've read. I'm going to give another one a spin.
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