A Question of Trust

by Carole Thayne Warburton

Photojournalist Stacey Willis is working on a story that could change her career, when she stumbles upon the story that will change her life. Through a twist of fate, she becomes enmeshed in the lives of the people of tiny Grouse Creek as secrets of the past begin to unravel. A half century ago there was a murder. But it's difficult for Stacey to believe that aging rancher Herman Anders could be the killer. At least not the compassionate Herman Anders she knows. But can she trust her boyfriend, Dave. Her engaging new friend, Sam? Although Stacey's believing nature always leads her to interesting people, it sometimes leads to disaster in this story where first impressions are often wrong, and the bonds of trust and betrayal are equally strong. A tapestry of romance and intrigue that explores the true costs of secrets held for decades, "A Question of Trust" illustrates that it's never too late, or too soon, for forgiveness.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Mystery, Fiction

313 pages, Paperback

First published January 7, 2003

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think one of my favorite parts of this book was the dialogue of the children--Aubrey and her brother. It was so honest and childlike. It was also funny to have the small detail of David messing up in the Sunday School lesson--Noah's dream. I also love the cowboys. Being married to a farm boy/learning to be a cowboy makes me a little biased on that. On a more serious note, it's interesting to consider the title and watch the people in the little town and SLC. Who is trustworthy? Good writing, Carole.

[T.K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is quite masterfully written; you feel a part of the story, rather than noticing it's being told to you. The people seem so real that I'd like to visit the fictional Grouse Creek and meet them. I really look forward to reading more from this author.

[Jeremi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is some fun LDS fiction! Really enjoyed the storyline and the characters. I recently met the author too and it was awesome talking to her about how she came up with and wrote the story. I've always wanted to quiz and author so that was neat, thanks Carole! :)

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite LDS novels! I loved the characters! I thought the parallels between the old murder mystery and the present day troubles were funny, even though it probably wasn't supposed to be funny. Quick read, and lots of fun!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a soft spot in my heart for LDS fiction, it brought back old memories of my sister and I growing up! Good times. But I really liked this book and that it talked about places I grew up. So fun and a quick read.

[Alexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved this book. i had to keep reading because i had to solve the mystery

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this just because of the cowboy talk and place setting Burley Idaho I know. Great for tust, integrity and love

[Cami Checketts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The heroine could've been one of my best friends and I found myself cracking up as I read!

[Texnme17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is awesome! it takes place in grouse creek and tremonton! AHHHHH! and it even describes subway and kents in tremonton! AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH! you should read it!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book. I love Herman and Sam!

[Erin Mackay · Rating 3 out of 5]

The storyline was great and while I was able to predict what happened with Herman and that 50 year old murder case I did not see freaking Dave coming! That man is unhinged and was so so frustrating the entire time. I just wanted to reach through the pages and wring his pathetic, little neck. Though I wasn’t that big of a fan of Sam at the beginning, or really any of the men. They were all so pushy and despite Stacey being visibly uncomfortable and voiced it as well they were just like ‘nope’ and kept Stacey in the situation that made her uncomfortable.
But the biggest issue I had was the really old stereotypes for both cowboys and the LDS church. I know this book takes place in 2003 and was published in 2010 but they were so annoying. Sam didn’t ‘look like a returned missionary’ (What even does a returned missionary look like?), Stacey called herself an old maid because she was nearly 25 and unmarried (I must be hopeless because I’m nearly 28 and very much single), Stacey was uncomfortable but felt a bit more secure with Sam once she found out he was an RM (I have had some of my most traumatic experiences with an RM, it really means NOTHING), Stacey starts imagining what her and Sam’s babies would look like after spending one day with him, while still dating Dave, Stacey’s mom immediately assumes Sam isn’t a good guy because he has coffee readily available for a police officer (he doesn’t drink it but she doesn’t even bother to ask, not that it should matter). The cowboy stereotype was that they all drink alcohol and chew tobacco and just aren’t good enough. It was just annoying to see those stereotypes, granted I had a lot of them when I was younger but now I can see how ridiculous they are and they just made me roll my eyes.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Question of Trust
by Carole Thayne Warburton

Small time photographer/reporter Stacey travels to small town Grouse Creek for a story. She meets Herman an Elderly man who was accused of murder 50 years ago and Sam a auctioneer/cowboy. She becomes involved in the mystery of the 50 year old murder. Her ex begins to look into the murder as well and becomes obsessed with Stacey to the point of stalking and putting Stacey's life in danger.

An okay story line poorly executed. The main problem for me was the author tried to get across Stacey's emotional distress and I just didn't believe it. A distraction for me was the way some of the locals talked with poor English. At times I found the story hard to follow and it was WAY too long!

Re-readable? Not likely

[Kevin Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a romantic novel with a little bit of trouble thrown in, Not what I'm into reading. A photo-journalist wants to do her own story but is dogged by her former boyfriend/ partner. Comes across a 50 year old murder and gets involved in the mystery. She goes thru several twist and turns, including falling in love with a local cowboy. Tries to help an old cowboy/farmer to right the wrong and ends up making things worse and in jail. Good character development and does a good job in the emotional factors relating to rape and doesn't end the story with a Happy ever after.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Photojournalist Stacey Willis heads out to the tiny town of Grouse Creek Utah to do a story when she stumbles upon a mystery that could change her life. Herman is a delightful old man, but he is suspected of a murder fifty years earlier that was never solved. Could he really have done it. Can she trust her instincts? Her boyfriend Dave? Her new boyfriend Dave? This is a fun read and is set in a town that I lived in for five years.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another easy to read fiction with a little bit of suspense. It's interesting how it ties in a 50-year old death/murder with present day happenings, and the small town setting is well done. It's just a fun, clean and quick read when you want an escape.

[Alan Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I liked how local points of interest were included in the book as well as characters who resemble members of the community. A friend from Phoenix read the book and when she visited, we had to take a tour and take pictures of the places mentioned in the book.

[J.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my favorite of Warburton's three books. I thought the story's treatment of old-fashioned journalism was accurate (and I'm a former journalist!). I also loved the setting, the characters and the tension the author creates.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book. There is a 50 year old murder, a man who everyone in the town where he lives thinks is guilty, and a woman who helps find the real killer, while dealing with some problems of her own.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another unread book from my shelf. I really have a hard time getting into LDS fiction. This one was cheesy and the dialogue was weak, but I still had to finish it to see how it ended.

[Kami · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is well written and has a good story line with well developed characters, I just didn't care for the horrible things that happened to the main character.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little bit slow at the beginning, but the once the real intrigue started I couldn;t put it down and finished it in one sitting.

[Laurie D'ghent · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was pretty interesting, but the main character irritated me (seriously, you NEVER carry any money?). Was an okay read.

[Megan Madero · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the geographical and historical points in this book very interesting because I live in near the towns this takes place in, so it was cool.