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Charlie Cates #2
The Shimmering Road
Five months after the events at Evangeline, Charlie Cates and her boyfriend Noah are anticipating the birth of their baby daughter in Texas.
Their excitement about the future is tempered, however, by a recurring nightmare Charlie has about getting shot in the belly while showering. Is her dream simply the product of an anxious mind, or is it a premonition, a message that she and her daughter are in danger?
When Charlie learns that the mother who abandoned her as a toddler, is the victim of a double murder in Arizona, she thinks it has nothing to do with her. Yet the other victim—a half-sister Charlie never knew she had—has left behind a child, a little girl who speaks to Charlie in her dreams.
Convinced that she must help her orphaned niece, Charlie travels with Noah to Arizona, where she must confront her own painful ties to her mother … and untangle a web of secrets that will reveal the truth of her own nightmare.
Their excitement about the future is tempered, however, by a recurring nightmare Charlie has about getting shot in the belly while showering. Is her dream simply the product of an anxious mind, or is it a premonition, a message that she and her daughter are in danger?
When Charlie learns that the mother who abandoned her as a toddler, is the victim of a double murder in Arizona, she thinks it has nothing to do with her. Yet the other victim—a half-sister Charlie never knew she had—has left behind a child, a little girl who speaks to Charlie in her dreams.
Convinced that she must help her orphaned niece, Charlie travels with Noah to Arizona, where she must confront her own painful ties to her mother … and untangle a web of secrets that will reveal the truth of her own nightmare.
407 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 14, 2017
78 people are currently reading
2508 people want to read
About the author
Hester Young
7 books333 followersHester Young has lived in Boston, London, Tucson, Honolulu, and central New Jersey. A mother of two, she was a teacher for ten years before becoming a full-time writer. Her first novel, THE GATES OF EVANGELINE, was inspired by a family tragedy and a mysterious dream. Its sequel, THE SHIMMERING ROAD, will be released in February 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
February 6, 2017
This is the second in the series but the first for me, I found it fine as a standalone. A heavily pregnant Charlie has ESP visions and premonitions. A recurring one is of her being shot in a shower which is disturbing her and her boyfriend, Noah. She is reluctant to settle in Sidalie, Texas, where Noah and his thriving business is based as there are too many reminders of Carmen, Noah's ex-wife. She sees a vision of a child running through a blood soaked scene, who turns out to be Micky, the daughter of Charlie's half sister Jasmine. It turns out that there has been a fatal double shooting of Jasmine and Charlie's long estranged addict mother, Donna in Tucson, Arizona.
Charlie and Noah set off to see Micky, who has temporarily been placed in foster care. Noah is enthusiastic about adopting her, Charlie is far more ambivalent and has concerns about coping with a heavily traumatised child. She slowly gets to become aware of the circumstances involved in the shootings, and the characters involved in Jasmine's and Donna's life, such as Pam, her mother's partner and ex-cop, Teresa who runs a charity that her mother worked at, Micky's father, Ruben, residing in Mexico. It soon becomes clear that the adoption process is laborious and one that could take years. To speed the process up, Noah and Charlie consider moving to Arizona. A number of factors have Charlie intrigued and curious about who is behind the murders and she is not going to let this go. This leads to Charlie and Noah making trips to Mexico, further visions, encountering tremendous danger and a ruthless killer who has no intention of being caught.
There is a strong sense of the desert location in Arizona, the heat and the pressurising and grim living conditions of people encountered in Mexico. We get a glimpse of the human face of US immigration policies as they affect real people and children, such a hot topic at the moment This is an atmospheric novel that immediately captured my interest with ease. Charlie has an interesting and complex backstory, she's lost a child, is a journalist, and experiencing the kind of problems ordinary people do. It is understandable that she is cautious about taking on Micky given how much she has on her plate, but when it comes down to it she is a good woman. I loved this book and recommend it highly to others. Thanks to Random House Cornerstone for an ARC.
Charlie and Noah set off to see Micky, who has temporarily been placed in foster care. Noah is enthusiastic about adopting her, Charlie is far more ambivalent and has concerns about coping with a heavily traumatised child. She slowly gets to become aware of the circumstances involved in the shootings, and the characters involved in Jasmine's and Donna's life, such as Pam, her mother's partner and ex-cop, Teresa who runs a charity that her mother worked at, Micky's father, Ruben, residing in Mexico. It soon becomes clear that the adoption process is laborious and one that could take years. To speed the process up, Noah and Charlie consider moving to Arizona. A number of factors have Charlie intrigued and curious about who is behind the murders and she is not going to let this go. This leads to Charlie and Noah making trips to Mexico, further visions, encountering tremendous danger and a ruthless killer who has no intention of being caught.
There is a strong sense of the desert location in Arizona, the heat and the pressurising and grim living conditions of people encountered in Mexico. We get a glimpse of the human face of US immigration policies as they affect real people and children, such a hot topic at the moment This is an atmospheric novel that immediately captured my interest with ease. Charlie has an interesting and complex backstory, she's lost a child, is a journalist, and experiencing the kind of problems ordinary people do. It is understandable that she is cautious about taking on Micky given how much she has on her plate, but when it comes down to it she is a good woman. I loved this book and recommend it highly to others. Thanks to Random House Cornerstone for an ARC.
February 20, 2019
4.5, maybe 5 stars.
If you like good suspenseful mysteries then this series is for you. Charlie Cates has visions since her son died suddenly. Some call them voice from angels, some call them messengers, others just think she's nuts. It doesn't matter because her visions always are from children and they always are true. These children either show her what has happened to them or what will happen if Charlie does not help them. It's up to Charlie to decide what to do next.
I admit that I've always been hooked on books and even television shows with a touch of paranormal involved. I used to love the show "Medium" when it was airing and this series reminds me a lot of that show. The writing is very gripping and the storyline well told. Now that I've read all three book in the series, each one is set in a different location and has involved a different case. Of the three, although I really like each of them tremendously, The Shimmering Road is my favorite.
If mysteries are your thing, I highly recommend any of the three books in the series - start at the beginning or dive in with this one. They're all terrific.
If you like good suspenseful mysteries then this series is for you. Charlie Cates has visions since her son died suddenly. Some call them voice from angels, some call them messengers, others just think she's nuts. It doesn't matter because her visions always are from children and they always are true. These children either show her what has happened to them or what will happen if Charlie does not help them. It's up to Charlie to decide what to do next.
I admit that I've always been hooked on books and even television shows with a touch of paranormal involved. I used to love the show "Medium" when it was airing and this series reminds me a lot of that show. The writing is very gripping and the storyline well told. Now that I've read all three book in the series, each one is set in a different location and has involved a different case. Of the three, although I really like each of them tremendously, The Shimmering Road is my favorite.
If mysteries are your thing, I highly recommend any of the three books in the series - start at the beginning or dive in with this one. They're all terrific.
February 6, 2017
4 Stars
Is there such a thing as a Southwestern Gothic? If so, this is it. THE SHIMMERING ROAD is an intriguing sequel to Hester Young’s first book, THE GATES OF EVANGELINE. (Read GATES first, so you’ll know the backstory.) Charlie’s paranormal gift brings her and fiancé Noah to Tucson, Arizona, and straight into a complex murder mystery that hits close to the heart. The story grabbed my attention pretty quickly, and of course, Charlie’s dark visions gave me the creeps. I was surprised by Charlie’s initial reaction to her orphaned niece, though by the end I could understand where she was coming from.
I enjoyed the desert setting of this book, both in southern Arizona and just across the border in Mexico. The author did a great job incorporating life in a Mexican-American border town into the mystery. Lots of interesting twists in the plot, and I was never sure what characters could be trusted. Definitely a page-turner!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book through Penguin’s First to Read Program in exchange for an honest review.
Is there such a thing as a Southwestern Gothic? If so, this is it. THE SHIMMERING ROAD is an intriguing sequel to Hester Young’s first book, THE GATES OF EVANGELINE. (Read GATES first, so you’ll know the backstory.) Charlie’s paranormal gift brings her and fiancé Noah to Tucson, Arizona, and straight into a complex murder mystery that hits close to the heart. The story grabbed my attention pretty quickly, and of course, Charlie’s dark visions gave me the creeps. I was surprised by Charlie’s initial reaction to her orphaned niece, though by the end I could understand where she was coming from.
I enjoyed the desert setting of this book, both in southern Arizona and just across the border in Mexico. The author did a great job incorporating life in a Mexican-American border town into the mystery. Lots of interesting twists in the plot, and I was never sure what characters could be trusted. Definitely a page-turner!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book through Penguin’s First to Read Program in exchange for an honest review.
April 29, 2018
The Shimmering Road is the sequel to The Gates of Evangeline that I devoured not long ago. I was excited to once again step into Charlotte "Charlie" Cates world and to see what she would take on this time. The last book was really thrilling, so this book had much to live up to. And, yes I liked the book. However, it just couldn't beat The Gates of Evangeline story and atmospheric setting of Louisiana. Arizona and Mexico just don't rock my boat as much as a setting in Louisiana does.
Also, the story is pretty obvious (sure The Gates of Evangeline was predictable as well, but it had a glorious setting to add to the story) and often I just waited for the penny to drop for Charlie. However, I did enjoy the story enough to find myself wanting to know more. Why Charlie's mother and sister were murdered, what would happen to her niece, etc. Charlie's visions is an added bonus to the story. I simply adore books with psychics.
The Shimmering Road is a perfectly all right book. Not intensive enough to really make my heart racing, but still interesting enough to keep my attention. Also, I've come to really like Charlie and I'm looking forward to reading The Burning Island when it's released in 2019.
Also, the story is pretty obvious (sure The Gates of Evangeline was predictable as well, but it had a glorious setting to add to the story) and often I just waited for the penny to drop for Charlie. However, I did enjoy the story enough to find myself wanting to know more. Why Charlie's mother and sister were murdered, what would happen to her niece, etc. Charlie's visions is an added bonus to the story. I simply adore books with psychics.
The Shimmering Road is a perfectly all right book. Not intensive enough to really make my heart racing, but still interesting enough to keep my attention. Also, I've come to really like Charlie and I'm looking forward to reading The Burning Island when it's released in 2019.
January 29, 2018
Very pregnant Charlotte (Charlie) Gates keeps having a recurring dream. In a bathroom with blue and yellow tiles, she is shot threatening her life and that of the baby she is carrying. Since Charlie has a knack of seeing things before they happen, this dream has her freaked out. Then Charlie learns that the mother who abandoned her as a very young child has been murdered. Along with Noah, the father of her baby, Charlie seeks to confront the past and also find out more about her mother’s death. But there is another child, who comes into her life and Charlie is not sure what to do about her. Can she find room in her life for this young girl? But if her dreams become reality, she may not even be alive to take on such a supportive role for the niece she didn’t know she had.
The novel travels from Sidalie Texas, to Tucson Arizona and to Mexico. It paints a dire picture of some of the lives of the poor in Mexico and why they are so keen to try and cross the border. The setting really comes alive and the characters are well drawn. The dreams and visions Charlie sees add an interesting element without being overdone. I enjoyed this novel which is book 2 in a series. It’s been a couple of years since I read book 1. But this book captured me as much as that one did. I found this to be a thought-provoking read that ramps up the suspense and had me invested in the lives of these characters.
The novel travels from Sidalie Texas, to Tucson Arizona and to Mexico. It paints a dire picture of some of the lives of the poor in Mexico and why they are so keen to try and cross the border. The setting really comes alive and the characters are well drawn. The dreams and visions Charlie sees add an interesting element without being overdone. I enjoyed this novel which is book 2 in a series. It’s been a couple of years since I read book 1. But this book captured me as much as that one did. I found this to be a thought-provoking read that ramps up the suspense and had me invested in the lives of these characters.
January 6, 2017
Review to come closer to pub date
Quick Thoughts:
After reading and LOVING The Gates of Evangeline, I was hoping that Hester Young's 2nd book would not disappoint. And it did not. I was breathless as I flipped pages trying to determine what would happen in the climax of the book. I felt a tingle as Charlie would discover clues or have visions as to what would happen/already had happened.
In short- I freaking loved it.
*You do not have to read The Gates of Evangeline first to enjoy this book, but I highly (think all caps and multiple exclamation points recommend you do!)
Quick Thoughts:
After reading and LOVING The Gates of Evangeline, I was hoping that Hester Young's 2nd book would not disappoint. And it did not. I was breathless as I flipped pages trying to determine what would happen in the climax of the book. I felt a tingle as Charlie would discover clues or have visions as to what would happen/already had happened.
In short- I freaking loved it.
*You do not have to read The Gates of Evangeline first to enjoy this book, but I highly (think all caps and multiple exclamation points recommend you do!)
August 29, 2018
This is the second book in the Charlotte Cates trilogy. I liked it but not more than the first one, The Gates of Evangeline.
This time Charlotte is involved in a mystery revolving around her strange mother, a sister and niece she didn't know she had.
To me there were not enough paranormal stuff going on, and that was what I liked the most from the first one; the mystery wasn't that interesting to me either, but I was never bored.
At the end, I was invested and I liked the way it was resolved.
I have an issue about the portrayal of Mexico, it felt cliché. It is just not true that there's no justice in Latin America or that it is a lawless land. Sure, there're cases of corruption, impunity, crime, poverty and a buch of bad stuff going on sometimes and in certain areas, but that can be found everywhere, in evey country. The author did research in the specific town the novel described, and I don't know that place (I'm not Mexican), so maybe that is one of the bad places you can find in the world; I just think this perpetuates the, uninformed and misguided, thinking of USA citizens of the way all Latin American countries are. I don't think the author wanted to belittle Mexico or its people though.
I do recommend it, and even though It can be read as a stand alone, you will be spoiled for the first one, so I encourage you to read the gates of Evangeline first.
This time Charlotte is involved in a mystery revolving around her strange mother, a sister and niece she didn't know she had.
To me there were not enough paranormal stuff going on, and that was what I liked the most from the first one; the mystery wasn't that interesting to me either, but I was never bored.
At the end, I was invested and I liked the way it was resolved.
I have an issue about the portrayal of Mexico, it felt cliché. It is just not true that there's no justice in Latin America or that it is a lawless land. Sure, there're cases of corruption, impunity, crime, poverty and a buch of bad stuff going on sometimes and in certain areas, but that can be found everywhere, in evey country. The author did research in the specific town the novel described, and I don't know that place (I'm not Mexican), so maybe that is one of the bad places you can find in the world; I just think this perpetuates the, uninformed and misguided, thinking of USA citizens of the way all Latin American countries are. I don't think the author wanted to belittle Mexico or its people though.
I do recommend it, and even though It can be read as a stand alone, you will be spoiled for the first one, so I encourage you to read the gates of Evangeline first.
November 30, 2018
2.5 stars
I liked the first book better than this one and I'm still having problems liking the two lead characters of Charlie and Noah.
The items that lessened my reading fun:
I'm not a fan of 1st POV and some of the reasons why weakened this story. Since everything is from Charlie's POV there's a lot of stuff that happens off page and then referenced. Noah being arrested in Mexico and being represented by his ex-wife was weak but if written in 3rd POV could have been written in a way that strengthened his character development as well as provided some tense and interesting scenes. It seemed like there were a number of times that with the story written with Charlie as narrator that we, the reader, lose out. Which leads to ...
Charlie can be aggravating and sometimes you just need a break from her. She's 8 months pregnant and is constantly putting herself and therefore her unborn child at risk. She was TSTL in the first book as well but at least she wasn't pregnant then. It makes it hard to support her character. Plus she's very judgmental which gets tiring.
There were a number of times that the story just seemed to get bogged down and boring which made it tough to slog through.
There are definitely some political undertones and opinions in this book. When you read for enjoyment it's nice to escape that while reading.
The psychic element felt a little all over the place in this one. I didn't like it as much as in the first book.
I liked the first book better than this one and I'm still having problems liking the two lead characters of Charlie and Noah.
The items that lessened my reading fun:
I'm not a fan of 1st POV and some of the reasons why weakened this story. Since everything is from Charlie's POV there's a lot of stuff that happens off page and then referenced. Noah being arrested in Mexico and being represented by his ex-wife was weak but if written in 3rd POV could have been written in a way that strengthened his character development as well as provided some tense and interesting scenes. It seemed like there were a number of times that with the story written with Charlie as narrator that we, the reader, lose out. Which leads to ...
Charlie can be aggravating and sometimes you just need a break from her. She's 8 months pregnant and is constantly putting herself and therefore her unborn child at risk. She was TSTL in the first book as well but at least she wasn't pregnant then. It makes it hard to support her character. Plus she's very judgmental which gets tiring.
There were a number of times that the story just seemed to get bogged down and boring which made it tough to slog through.
There are definitely some political undertones and opinions in this book. When you read for enjoyment it's nice to escape that while reading.
The psychic element felt a little all over the place in this one. I didn't like it as much as in the first book.
April 2, 2017
Great book!!!
I'm really loving this author. I hope this is going to be a series. This one was just as good as the first one.
I'm really loving this author. I hope this is going to be a series. This one was just as good as the first one.
October 24, 2023
After finding love again and expecting a baby, Charlotte feels hopeful about starting a new chapter in her life. But that happiness is put on hold when her estranged mother and a half sister she didn't know about are murdered. Will Charlotte's ability to "see" scenes from the past help her solve the crime?
After enjoying the first in this series, The Gates of Evangeline (4 stars), I was excited to borrow this one on audiobook from the library. Charlie's ability to "see" scenes from the past and the future continued to intrigue me, and this one was a wild ride as she tried to solve her mother's murder while very pregnant AND grappling with the decision of whether or not to adopt a newly discovered niece. I also liked learning more about her growing relationship with her baby daddy, Noah. There were some tense and touching moments throughout, and I look forward to the last book in the series.
Location: Sidalie, Texas; Tucson, Arizona; Nogales, Mexico.
Audiobook
After enjoying the first in this series, The Gates of Evangeline (4 stars), I was excited to borrow this one on audiobook from the library. Charlie's ability to "see" scenes from the past and the future continued to intrigue me, and this one was a wild ride as she tried to solve her mother's murder while very pregnant AND grappling with the decision of whether or not to adopt a newly discovered niece. I also liked learning more about her growing relationship with her baby daddy, Noah. There were some tense and touching moments throughout, and I look forward to the last book in the series.
Location: Sidalie, Texas; Tucson, Arizona; Nogales, Mexico.
Audiobook
November 30, 2018
The Shimmering Road
takes place not long after the events of
The Gates of Evangeline.
Charlie Cates is pregnant and trying to settle in the small town of Sidalie with her baby daddy, Noah.
When a call from her aunt tells her that her mother and a half sister were killed, leaving a niece she never know she had an orphan, Charlie and Noah make the journey across Texas to meet this young girl.
This visit is plagued with simmering resentment toward a mother who abandoned her due to her addictions and a strange vision of a woman dying in a shower.
When Charlie discovers her mother's death is tied to the charity she worked for, she tries to make amends with herself about a woman she barely knew, who had overcome her addictions and had not forgotten her daughter.
This book was a slow slog of a read for me, mainly because Charlie and Noah travels so frequently to Arizona and Mexico to investigate the deaths of her relatives.
There is a lot of exposition and characters to keep track of including the employees at the charity Charlie's mother worked in, the discovery Charlie makes when she meets Pam, her mother's partner of some years and the illegal acts that inadvertently caused the death of Charlie's mother and half sister.
The writing is solid and the twist believable enough to swallow but it takes a long time to get to the who, what, where and why.
My main issue has always been Charlie herself. I didn't like her in the first book and I haven't warmed up to her in the sequel.
I find her sanctimonious, bitter and a sourpuss.
I understand part of her aloof personality is due to her troubled childhood and the unexpected loss of her son but I found her patronizing and condescending, especially when her sister Jasmine's morals were called into question.
Charlie disapproved of her lifestyle and loose ways and even goes so far as to say she can 'forgive' Jasmine for that because her daughter, Micky, turned out so well.
What a condescending, judge-y bitch.
I'm not sure if I'll read the next book in the series.
Hold on, let me consult my Magic 8 Ball.
Outlook not so good.
Charlie Cates is pregnant and trying to settle in the small town of Sidalie with her baby daddy, Noah.
When a call from her aunt tells her that her mother and a half sister were killed, leaving a niece she never know she had an orphan, Charlie and Noah make the journey across Texas to meet this young girl.
This visit is plagued with simmering resentment toward a mother who abandoned her due to her addictions and a strange vision of a woman dying in a shower.
When Charlie discovers her mother's death is tied to the charity she worked for, she tries to make amends with herself about a woman she barely knew, who had overcome her addictions and had not forgotten her daughter.
This book was a slow slog of a read for me, mainly because Charlie and Noah travels so frequently to Arizona and Mexico to investigate the deaths of her relatives.
There is a lot of exposition and characters to keep track of including the employees at the charity Charlie's mother worked in, the discovery Charlie makes when she meets Pam, her mother's partner of some years and the illegal acts that inadvertently caused the death of Charlie's mother and half sister.
The writing is solid and the twist believable enough to swallow but it takes a long time to get to the who, what, where and why.
My main issue has always been Charlie herself. I didn't like her in the first book and I haven't warmed up to her in the sequel.
I find her sanctimonious, bitter and a sourpuss.
I understand part of her aloof personality is due to her troubled childhood and the unexpected loss of her son but I found her patronizing and condescending, especially when her sister Jasmine's morals were called into question.
Charlie disapproved of her lifestyle and loose ways and even goes so far as to say she can 'forgive' Jasmine for that because her daughter, Micky, turned out so well.
What a condescending, judge-y bitch.
I'm not sure if I'll read the next book in the series.
Hold on, let me consult my Magic 8 Ball.
Outlook not so good.
July 3, 2022
I read this in half the time it took to read the first book in the trilogy and not because it was gripping or thrilling, but because I kept skipping. I'm tired of dim Noah and critical, snarky Charlie (using a skanky gas station bathroom assuages one's white guilt, who knew?) and didn't much care either about the main plot thread with Charlie's niece, or the secondary ones with everyone else, although the Mexican women and their stories were interesting. 2 1/2 stars.
April 9, 2017
Hester Young is 2 for 2 in my opinion. I could have easily just read this book and not done anything (job/chores) until I finished. This is an NCT book (No Chores Today). As other reviewers have said, it's not imperative you read The Gates of Evangeline first; however, I do think it establishes characters for the reader that comes in handy in The Shimmering Road. Don't worry - you'll fly through The Gates of Evangeline too.
Charlie and Noah are still getting used to each other and when they find out during a particularly difficult house hunting project that Charlie's estranged mother and sister have been murdered, let's just say house hunting really doesn't matter.
Off they go to Tucson to find out all they can about Charlie's niece, Micky. Charlie's due any time now with hers and Noah's baby, but they both think they can help Micky. What they find in Tucson is eye-opening. Turns out Charlie's mother has known where she's been all along, her mother has an alternative lifestyle and...well, there's a lot going on. You're going to have to read all about it.
Once again, Young has given us a wide array of characters to like and dislike as well as describing the Tucson and Nogales with such clarity, I remember exactly what it was like to travel there many years ago. It was wonderfully refreshing to read a linear story without all the trendy POV switches and indiscriminate flashbacks.
Charlie and Noah are still getting used to each other and when they find out during a particularly difficult house hunting project that Charlie's estranged mother and sister have been murdered, let's just say house hunting really doesn't matter.
Off they go to Tucson to find out all they can about Charlie's niece, Micky. Charlie's due any time now with hers and Noah's baby, but they both think they can help Micky. What they find in Tucson is eye-opening. Turns out Charlie's mother has known where she's been all along, her mother has an alternative lifestyle and...well, there's a lot going on. You're going to have to read all about it.
Once again, Young has given us a wide array of characters to like and dislike as well as describing the Tucson and Nogales with such clarity, I remember exactly what it was like to travel there many years ago. It was wonderfully refreshing to read a linear story without all the trendy POV switches and indiscriminate flashbacks.
December 2, 2016
In The Shimmering Road Hester Young provides another chapter in the life of Charlotte “Charlie” Cates, first introduced in the novel, The Gates of Evangeline. Charlie is now pregnant and lives in Sidalie, Texas with Noah Palmer (also introduced in the first book). Recently Charlie has been disturbed by nightmares of a pregnant woman being shot to death in a shower. She receives a call that her long-absent mother and a half-sister she was unaware of have been murdered in Arizona. Left behind in the wake of these murders is a six-year-old niece Charlie also has never met. The murders, these dreams, and many unresolved questions surrounding her mother’s life and work in Tucson put Charlie, Noah, and their unborn child in increasingly dangerous situations as they travel first to Arizona and then across the border into Mexico in search of answers. This is a good follow up to the first book, but I see no reason it can’t be read as a standalone. I actually enjoyed this book more than the first. While the plot may be a bit predictable, the relationships, I felt, are well developed and I appreciate Charlie’s premonitions. I enjoy what they lend to the story.
February 6, 2017
This is a solid sequel to the first book (The Gates of Evangeline). I really enjoyed that this picked up soon after the end of the first book. It is also set in Tucson, AZ where I lived for four years, so I recognized some of the places and could easily picture the scenery and settings. She was spot on! It did take a little bit longer to get to the action than I would've liked but the action was worth the wait. I was constantly guessing what was going on and really didn't see anything coming, which is hard to do sometimes. Great book and great series!
May 22, 2017
I always feel a little like I'm book slumming when I read these, but Hester Young keeps surprising me with her complex plots and terrific suspense, despite the series' hokey premise.
Noah is predictably irritating and the villain was pretty obvious from the first encounter with them, but the story unfolds in unexpected ways and keeps you entertained, even while you're doing a lot of eye rolling at one implausible scenario after another.
Noah is predictably irritating and the villain was pretty obvious from the first encounter with them, but the story unfolds in unexpected ways and keeps you entertained, even while you're doing a lot of eye rolling at one implausible scenario after another.
July 17, 2017
This was ok....I keep wanting more from this series.
April 7, 2019
#readathon
Read
February 15, 2017The Gates of Evangeline, our first introduction to Charlie Cates and her special talent, was a great story in part because of the setting. A mansion set in the Louisiana bayous comes ready-made for spooky happenings. The two go together perfectly, so well in fact that you accept Charlie’s talent as normal. After all, in such a setting one expects ghosts and hauntings.
In The Shimmering Road, Charlie’s adventures take the reader to Tucson and Nogales, Arizona. The harsh desert sun is the exact opposite of the shadowy bayou, and the story suffers for it. Gone are the Gothic feel, the danger hiding within the shadows, and the general mood of danger and apprehension. Now, there are no shadows and no places to hide. Readers find the danger on the Mexican side of Nogales in murky bars and rundown hotels, but the relentless sun still sets the mood as decidedly not spooky or mysterious.
Charlie too is different. In this story, she is nine months pregnant. This should not be a big deal, but her actions do not coincide with her thoughts and emotions. On the one hand, her thoughts and words are very much that of a hyper-hormonal pregnant woman on the verge of giving birth. Her thoughts are irrational, her reactions are even more so. However, her actions are anything but that of a pregnant woman. It is as if her every waking thought is about her child, but when it comes time to, say, investigate strip clubs in Mexico, asking questions that she knows will put her in danger, she does so without a thought. The disconnect is aggravating. In fact, it is almost as if her pregnancy is another convenient plot device to be used when the situation calls for drama and ignored when it doesn’t.
Putting that aside, Charlie spends most of the novel discovering firsthand the disparity between the United States and Mexico, particularly those unfortunate souls caught in the severest of poverty in border towns. Given the ongoing controversy regarding a wall between the two countries, the subject matter is timely. However, one cannot read the novel without wondering just how much license Ms. Young took in creating her story. The funny thing is that you don’t wonder if Ms. Young exaggerated things but if she added some rose tint to her outlook. Given how neatly her story ties together in the end, you end up with the suspicion that Ms. Young sanitized her Nogales and Tucson, which is saying something because the picture she paints is not pleasant. You are also left with the feeling that what she presents is just the way things are there, and there is not much anyone can do about it. It is a rather defeatist impression you get, and I cannot work out whether it is intentional or not.
The Shimmering Road is not necessarily a bad story, but it does not stand up to comparisons to The Gates of Evangeline. In spite of its obvious weaknesses, Charlie’s search for answers is entertaining if not wholly engaging. Like the first novel, the story is essentially a stand-alone with minimal references to what occurred in Louisiana and a mystery that is completely resolved by the last page. I don’t know that I am committed to Charlie enough to want to find out what Hawaii holds for her (the setting of the final novel), but The Shimmering Road gave me some mindless pleasure for a few hours.
In The Shimmering Road, Charlie’s adventures take the reader to Tucson and Nogales, Arizona. The harsh desert sun is the exact opposite of the shadowy bayou, and the story suffers for it. Gone are the Gothic feel, the danger hiding within the shadows, and the general mood of danger and apprehension. Now, there are no shadows and no places to hide. Readers find the danger on the Mexican side of Nogales in murky bars and rundown hotels, but the relentless sun still sets the mood as decidedly not spooky or mysterious.
Charlie too is different. In this story, she is nine months pregnant. This should not be a big deal, but her actions do not coincide with her thoughts and emotions. On the one hand, her thoughts and words are very much that of a hyper-hormonal pregnant woman on the verge of giving birth. Her thoughts are irrational, her reactions are even more so. However, her actions are anything but that of a pregnant woman. It is as if her every waking thought is about her child, but when it comes time to, say, investigate strip clubs in Mexico, asking questions that she knows will put her in danger, she does so without a thought. The disconnect is aggravating. In fact, it is almost as if her pregnancy is another convenient plot device to be used when the situation calls for drama and ignored when it doesn’t.
Putting that aside, Charlie spends most of the novel discovering firsthand the disparity between the United States and Mexico, particularly those unfortunate souls caught in the severest of poverty in border towns. Given the ongoing controversy regarding a wall between the two countries, the subject matter is timely. However, one cannot read the novel without wondering just how much license Ms. Young took in creating her story. The funny thing is that you don’t wonder if Ms. Young exaggerated things but if she added some rose tint to her outlook. Given how neatly her story ties together in the end, you end up with the suspicion that Ms. Young sanitized her Nogales and Tucson, which is saying something because the picture she paints is not pleasant. You are also left with the feeling that what she presents is just the way things are there, and there is not much anyone can do about it. It is a rather defeatist impression you get, and I cannot work out whether it is intentional or not.
The Shimmering Road is not necessarily a bad story, but it does not stand up to comparisons to The Gates of Evangeline. In spite of its obvious weaknesses, Charlie’s search for answers is entertaining if not wholly engaging. Like the first novel, the story is essentially a stand-alone with minimal references to what occurred in Louisiana and a mystery that is completely resolved by the last page. I don’t know that I am committed to Charlie enough to want to find out what Hawaii holds for her (the setting of the final novel), but The Shimmering Road gave me some mindless pleasure for a few hours.
November 30, 2020
No second book slump here. Enjoyed this book! Twists and turns will keep you reading and guessing. Can’t wait to discuss at my book club
February 14, 2017
I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
At the end of The Gates of Evangeline (a highly recommended read), Charlotte "Charlie" Cates is pregnant by her new lover, Noah Palmer. Their relationship seemed doomed from the start since Charlie lived in Connecticut and worked in New York and Noah lived and worked in Texas. Fortunately, they are in love and committed to working on their relationship and looking forward to their growing family. Charlie has moved to Texas and is really trying to make things work, but she feels as if she's living in the shadows of Noah's former life with his ex-wife. Just as things are about to come to a head in Texas, Charlie receives a phone call informing her that her long-estranged mother and a half-sister she never knew about have been murdered in Arizona. If that's not troubling enough, Charlie seems to be the only living family member left for her half-sister's daughter, Michaela or Micky. After traveling to Arizona, Noah becomes enamored with the idea of adopting Micky and adding another child to their little family. Charlie isn't quite sure if she's ready to make that step, but with no other alternatives available they stay in town for awhile. Charlie and Noah try to learn as much as possible about Charlie's mother, Donna, and her half-sister, Jasmine. Is it possible that Jasmine's past was the reason for her and her mother's murder? How does Donna's job assisting poverty-stricken and troubled women in Nogales, Mexico tie into her murder, if at all? The more Charlie and Noah learn the more questions they have and these questions raise even more doubts and fears than ever before. Can they find the answers before another murder takes place?
If you read my review in 2015 for The Gates of Evangeline, you probably recall that I loved that book (this was one of my favorite reads for that year). If you haven't read it, trust me, run out and grab a copy to read as soon as possible. The Shimmering Road is the second book in the Charlie Cates trilogy and pretty much takes off where The Gates of Evangeline ended. I found The Shimmering Road to be a fast-paced and engaging read. I enjoyed learning more about Charlie and witnessing her growing relationship with Noah. There are a lot of issues raised in The Shimmering Road, including abject poverty, drug abuse, childhood prostitution, politics, murder, family drama, mystery, a bit of romance, the paranormal, and more. There are good guys, bad guys, and not-so-bad guys, but it's not always easy to tell who's who and that alone kept me guessing until the bitter end. Ms. Young provides plenty of twists and turns in the story to keep the reader off-balance and wondering just what is going on, and I've got to say, I love that in a story. I loved the characters, the settings, and the action not to mention the storylines. So now, yes you guessed it, I've got to recommend that you grab a copy of The Shimmering Road to read immediately after you read your new copy of The Gates of Evangeline. Seriously, this is a good series and one you don't want to miss. I'm looking forward to book three in this series and just may bide my time with a reread of both books (yes, they are just that good).
This review originally posted on 2/14/2017 at www.thebookdivasreads.com.
At the end of The Gates of Evangeline (a highly recommended read), Charlotte "Charlie" Cates is pregnant by her new lover, Noah Palmer. Their relationship seemed doomed from the start since Charlie lived in Connecticut and worked in New York and Noah lived and worked in Texas. Fortunately, they are in love and committed to working on their relationship and looking forward to their growing family. Charlie has moved to Texas and is really trying to make things work, but she feels as if she's living in the shadows of Noah's former life with his ex-wife. Just as things are about to come to a head in Texas, Charlie receives a phone call informing her that her long-estranged mother and a half-sister she never knew about have been murdered in Arizona. If that's not troubling enough, Charlie seems to be the only living family member left for her half-sister's daughter, Michaela or Micky. After traveling to Arizona, Noah becomes enamored with the idea of adopting Micky and adding another child to their little family. Charlie isn't quite sure if she's ready to make that step, but with no other alternatives available they stay in town for awhile. Charlie and Noah try to learn as much as possible about Charlie's mother, Donna, and her half-sister, Jasmine. Is it possible that Jasmine's past was the reason for her and her mother's murder? How does Donna's job assisting poverty-stricken and troubled women in Nogales, Mexico tie into her murder, if at all? The more Charlie and Noah learn the more questions they have and these questions raise even more doubts and fears than ever before. Can they find the answers before another murder takes place?
If you read my review in 2015 for The Gates of Evangeline, you probably recall that I loved that book (this was one of my favorite reads for that year). If you haven't read it, trust me, run out and grab a copy to read as soon as possible. The Shimmering Road is the second book in the Charlie Cates trilogy and pretty much takes off where The Gates of Evangeline ended. I found The Shimmering Road to be a fast-paced and engaging read. I enjoyed learning more about Charlie and witnessing her growing relationship with Noah. There are a lot of issues raised in The Shimmering Road, including abject poverty, drug abuse, childhood prostitution, politics, murder, family drama, mystery, a bit of romance, the paranormal, and more. There are good guys, bad guys, and not-so-bad guys, but it's not always easy to tell who's who and that alone kept me guessing until the bitter end. Ms. Young provides plenty of twists and turns in the story to keep the reader off-balance and wondering just what is going on, and I've got to say, I love that in a story. I loved the characters, the settings, and the action not to mention the storylines. So now, yes you guessed it, I've got to recommend that you grab a copy of The Shimmering Road to read immediately after you read your new copy of The Gates of Evangeline. Seriously, this is a good series and one you don't want to miss. I'm looking forward to book three in this series and just may bide my time with a reread of both books (yes, they are just that good).
This review originally posted on 2/14/2017 at www.thebookdivasreads.com.
March 27, 2017
Chills! This second book in the Charlie Cates series is fantastic. I love the way the author keeps you guessing - I never know which characters to trust or be suspicious of. Like the first book, this one had an unexpected twist at the end. Great characters, great storyline, and really engaging writing. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
March 23, 2017
4.5 if I could.
Great followup to Gates of Evangeline. LOVE the characters, the concept and storyline. Easy to read writing style.
Great followup to Gates of Evangeline. LOVE the characters, the concept and storyline. Easy to read writing style.
August 10, 2017
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would, given my reaction to the previous installment, which initially attracted me with its Louisiana setting. This time around, Charlie Cates finds herself in the Southwest (mainly Arizona near the Mexican border) and while author Hester Young succeeds once again on geography-based atmosphere, I happen to find this location inherently less interesting. Entirely subjective, of course, but this fact nevertheless means that I require even more from the characters and plot than I would if the setting were of personal interest to me.
In the preceding book, I described Charlie Cates as "a grieving yuppie New Yorker type who gets dropped into the middle of a Southern Gothic," and here we experience a Charlie who is no longer grieving, but is arguably more irritating. She's still a yuppie New Yorker type but this time gets dropped into the middle of a kind of bizzare Mexploitationesque saga. I wonder if this will be the series' MO: dropping this psychic wasp yuppie into various regional tales.
Charlie is now in a relationship with Noah, from Book 1, and they're expecting a baby because they've decided to stick together even though they barely know each other and spend half of the book arguing and not telling each other important things. They're called to Arizona (and Charlie can't get outta Texas fast enough!) following the violent deaths of Charlie's estranged mother and surprise!sister, and from there get drawn into a convoluted, border-crossing plot of sex and drugs and adoption and trafficking and suspicious cops. It's effective, but a little over the top, and does sometimes feel a little exploitative given the whitey white whiteness of the main characters. (To be fair, Charlotte is aware of her own whiteness; I'm just not sure whether that's enough.)
As with the first book, I'm still not convinced that the book wouldn't actually have been better without the supernatural element. I'd somewhat rather have Charlie as a doggedly persistent investigative journalist with good instincts. Even a one-off psychic vision, upon her mother's death, might have been preferable to the persistence of Charlie's visions of, for example, a strange dead girl leading her to various plot points.
All of that said, this book was entertaining. There's a lot going on, and Young juggles admirably. I also really liked some of the secondary characters, such as the retired policewoman who was Charlie's late-mother's life partner (she was satisfyingly used as a red herring, too!). This series is great pulp, but not great literature. I'm curious to see what might come next -- hopefully it'll involve Charlie leaving Noah and the kid(s) behind temporarily, to go deal with a murder mystery in... I don't know... the Pacficic Northwest or something.
** I received a Review Copy of this book via NetGalley **
In the preceding book, I described Charlie Cates as "a grieving yuppie New Yorker type who gets dropped into the middle of a Southern Gothic," and here we experience a Charlie who is no longer grieving, but is arguably more irritating. She's still a yuppie New Yorker type but this time gets dropped into the middle of a kind of bizzare Mexploitationesque saga. I wonder if this will be the series' MO: dropping this psychic wasp yuppie into various regional tales.
Charlie is now in a relationship with Noah, from Book 1, and they're expecting a baby because they've decided to stick together even though they barely know each other and spend half of the book arguing and not telling each other important things. They're called to Arizona (and Charlie can't get outta Texas fast enough!) following the violent deaths of Charlie's estranged mother and surprise!sister, and from there get drawn into a convoluted, border-crossing plot of sex and drugs and adoption and trafficking and suspicious cops. It's effective, but a little over the top, and does sometimes feel a little exploitative given the whitey white whiteness of the main characters. (To be fair, Charlotte is aware of her own whiteness; I'm just not sure whether that's enough.)
As with the first book, I'm still not convinced that the book wouldn't actually have been better without the supernatural element. I'd somewhat rather have Charlie as a doggedly persistent investigative journalist with good instincts. Even a one-off psychic vision, upon her mother's death, might have been preferable to the persistence of Charlie's visions of, for example, a strange dead girl leading her to various plot points.
All of that said, this book was entertaining. There's a lot going on, and Young juggles admirably. I also really liked some of the secondary characters, such as the retired policewoman who was Charlie's late-mother's life partner (she was satisfyingly used as a red herring, too!). This series is great pulp, but not great literature. I'm curious to see what might come next -- hopefully it'll involve Charlie leaving Noah and the kid(s) behind temporarily, to go deal with a murder mystery in... I don't know... the Pacficic Northwest or something.
** I received a Review Copy of this book via NetGalley **
March 3, 2017
To truly appreciate this book you must read "the gates of Evangeline" first. I loved both books for very different reasons. The first book introduces us to Charlie and her gifts. A true opulent southern murder mystery with a supernatural twist. So good. The second book is also a murder mystery that keeps you guessing, less focus on the supernatural. However, I like loved loved loved this book because it allows you to get to know Charlie intimately. A true character study that is so good you will feel like you've gotten to know a complete stranger. I look forward to many more books by Hester Young about our heroine, Charlie. I love Hester's style and it is refreshing to read a book the flows and follows one character, flawlessly adding other without interrupting the story line. No jumping back and forth here to remember who is who and who did what. A great story.
July 29, 2017
2.5 stars - This sequel was not as good as the first book, but it was good enough to to justify my time reading it. I did think Charlie putting herself in so many dangerous situations when she was 8 months pregnant was pretty unrealistic. Noah's speech also drove me crazy. All the dropped "g's" were annoying. Did he talk that way in the first book? I can't remember. The mystery kept me going back forth as to who I thought was the killer and ultimately kept me turning the pages.
June 22, 2017
Not as good as the first book
I really enjoyed the first novel. It was a fresh take on the old family secrets plot. This sequel was a little silly and had too much political correctness and social engineering for me. I hope there is another sequel with the quality of the first book.
I really enjoyed the first novel. It was a fresh take on the old family secrets plot. This sequel was a little silly and had too much political correctness and social engineering for me. I hope there is another sequel with the quality of the first book.
November 23, 2016
This time, Charlie Cates’ visions take us to Arizona and Mexico as Charlie attempts to interpret her dreams and find those responsible for the deaths of her mother and half-sister. A great second addition to a thrilling new series.
March 12, 2017
4.5 stars. Immensely enjoyable mystery/thriller featuring a main character, Charlotte, who has dream/visions of murdered people, and as in all the best mystery stories (think Nancy Drew), decides that she, being a civilian, should take the investigation into her own hands. I mean, why hand a murder investigation over to the police when you are a heavily pregnant fashion magazine, editor who clearly, could handle things just as well?
Sorry, that tongue in cheek comment aside...this book and series takes that initial suspension of disbelief...because we start with a bit of a far out premise. But if you're willing to do that (which I highly recommend), The Shimmering Road is a rollicking good read that you won't want to put down.
Things I loved about it include the setting. The first book in this series, The Gates of Evangeline, took place in a plantation in Louisiana...which was major fun as far as sense of place. In The Shimmering Road, we find Charlotte and her boyfriend traveling to the desert town of Tucson, Arizona, and then to border towns in Mexico as well. Just like Charlotte, I have visited Tucson, and found myself enchanted with what is a very special place. Author Hester Young captures the unique desert atmosphere...the saguaro forests, the way the sun really does feel brighter, so much sky...very well.
I love books that take me on a travel adventure, and both The Gates of Evangeline, and The Shimmering Road, did that very well. The Shimmering Road packed an extra punch in that it deals with the real-life, happening now, struggle of people living in danger and poverty near the border of Mexico. Hester Young has clearly done her research on this, and The Shimmering Road was both eye opening for me, as well as inspiring me to learn more about what life is like for folks living just south of the border.
On top of this, the plot of The Shimmering Road whips along and is a lot of fun...so this book manages to be both an enjoyable read, as well as making me inspired to do/learn more.
One thing I found frustrating was some of the attitudes that the author conveys through her characters (particularly the main character, Charlotte.) More about this in a bit....I want to do my thoughts justice. If it weren't for this, I would give the book 5 stars. As it is, I'd still rate The Shimmering Road as one of my top reads so far this year, and would definitely recommend it.
Sorry, that tongue in cheek comment aside...this book and series takes that initial suspension of disbelief...because we start with a bit of a far out premise. But if you're willing to do that (which I highly recommend), The Shimmering Road is a rollicking good read that you won't want to put down.
Things I loved about it include the setting. The first book in this series, The Gates of Evangeline, took place in a plantation in Louisiana...which was major fun as far as sense of place. In The Shimmering Road, we find Charlotte and her boyfriend traveling to the desert town of Tucson, Arizona, and then to border towns in Mexico as well. Just like Charlotte, I have visited Tucson, and found myself enchanted with what is a very special place. Author Hester Young captures the unique desert atmosphere...the saguaro forests, the way the sun really does feel brighter, so much sky...very well.
I love books that take me on a travel adventure, and both The Gates of Evangeline, and The Shimmering Road, did that very well. The Shimmering Road packed an extra punch in that it deals with the real-life, happening now, struggle of people living in danger and poverty near the border of Mexico. Hester Young has clearly done her research on this, and The Shimmering Road was both eye opening for me, as well as inspiring me to learn more about what life is like for folks living just south of the border.
On top of this, the plot of The Shimmering Road whips along and is a lot of fun...so this book manages to be both an enjoyable read, as well as making me inspired to do/learn more.
One thing I found frustrating was some of the attitudes that the author conveys through her characters (particularly the main character, Charlotte.) More about this in a bit....I want to do my thoughts justice. If it weren't for this, I would give the book 5 stars. As it is, I'd still rate The Shimmering Road as one of my top reads so far this year, and would definitely recommend it.
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