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Harbinger
Continuing in the tradition of Wake-Robin Ridge and A Boy Named Rabbit, Marcia Meara's North Carolina mountain series takes a shivery turn with the Appalachian Legend of Ol' Shuck, the Harbinger of Death. “. . . he felt the wet slide of the dog’s burning hot tongue on his face, and the scrape of its razor sharp teeth against the top of his head. A white-hot agony of crushing pain followed, as the jaws began to close.” The wine-red trillium that carpets the forests of the North Carolina Mountains is considered a welcome harbinger of spring—but not all such omens are happy ones. An Appalachian legend claims the Black Dog, or Ol' Shuck, as he's often called, is a harbinger of death. If you see him, you or someone you know is going to die. But what happens when Ol' Shuck starts coming for you in your dreams? Nightmares of epic proportions haunt the deacon of the Light of Grace Baptist Church, and bring terror into the lives of everyone around him. Even MacKenzie Cole and his adopted son, Rabbit, find themselves pulled into danger. When Sheriff Raleigh Wardell asks Mac and Rabbit to help him solve a twenty-year-old cold case, Rabbit’s visions of a little girl lost set them on a path that soon collides with that of a desperate man being slowly driven mad by guilt. As Rabbit’s gift of the Sight grows ever more powerful, his commitment to those who seek justice grows as well, even when their pleas come from beyond the grave.
408 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2016
3 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Marcia Meara
14 books58 followersMarcia Meara lives in central Florida, just north of Orlando, with her husband of over thirty years and four big cats.
When not writing or blogging, she spends her time gardening, and enjoying the surprising amount of wildlife that manages to make a home in her suburban yard. She enjoys nature. Really, really enjoys it. All of it! Well, almost all of it, anyway. From birds, to furry critters, to her very favorites, snakes. The exception would be spiders, which she truly loathes, convinced that anything with eight hairy legs is surely up to no good. She does not, however, kill spiders anymore, since she knows they have their place in the world. Besides, her husband now handles her Arachnid Catch and Release Program, and she's good with that.
Spiders aside, the one thing Marcia would like to tell each of her readers is that it's never too late to make your dreams come true. If, at the age of 69, she could write and publish a book (and thus fulfill 64 years of longing to do that very thing), you can make your own dreams a reality, too. Go for it! What have you got to lose?
CONTACT MARCIA HERE:
The Write Stuff: http://marciamearawrites.com/
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/marcia.meara...
Facebook Personal Page: https://www.facebook.com/marcia.meara
Twitter: @marciameara
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/marciameara/
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MARCIA'S BOOKS:
Wake-Robin Ridge
A Boy Named Rabbit: Wake-Robin Ridge Book 2
Harbinger: Wake-Robin Ridge Book 3
Swamp Ghosts: A Riverbend Novel
Finding Hunter: Riverbend Book 2
That Darkest Place: Riverbend Book 3
The Emissary: A Riverbend Spinoff Novella
The Emissary 2: To Love Somebody
The Emissary 3: Love Hurts
The Emissary Trilogy
Summer Magic: Poems of Life & Love
When not writing or blogging, she spends her time gardening, and enjoying the surprising amount of wildlife that manages to make a home in her suburban yard. She enjoys nature. Really, really enjoys it. All of it! Well, almost all of it, anyway. From birds, to furry critters, to her very favorites, snakes. The exception would be spiders, which she truly loathes, convinced that anything with eight hairy legs is surely up to no good. She does not, however, kill spiders anymore, since she knows they have their place in the world. Besides, her husband now handles her Arachnid Catch and Release Program, and she's good with that.
Spiders aside, the one thing Marcia would like to tell each of her readers is that it's never too late to make your dreams come true. If, at the age of 69, she could write and publish a book (and thus fulfill 64 years of longing to do that very thing), you can make your own dreams a reality, too. Go for it! What have you got to lose?
CONTACT MARCIA HERE:
The Write Stuff: http://marciamearawrites.com/
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/marcia.meara...
Facebook Personal Page: https://www.facebook.com/marcia.meara
Twitter: @marciameara
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/marciameara/
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MARCIA'S BOOKS:
Wake-Robin Ridge
A Boy Named Rabbit: Wake-Robin Ridge Book 2
Harbinger: Wake-Robin Ridge Book 3
Swamp Ghosts: A Riverbend Novel
Finding Hunter: Riverbend Book 2
That Darkest Place: Riverbend Book 3
The Emissary: A Riverbend Spinoff Novella
The Emissary 2: To Love Somebody
The Emissary 3: Love Hurts
The Emissary Trilogy
Summer Magic: Poems of Life & Love
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 11, 2016
Another great book from Marcia Meara!
Harbinger is book 3 in the Wake Robin Ridge series by Marcia Meara. I really liked book 1 and became vested in the characters of these stories. It is a series that although the books can stand alone, you are much more vested in the characters if you read the books in order.
Book 1 is the story of Mac and Sarah. Mac has isolated himself due to the loss of his son, but when Sarah moves in down the road he finds himself caught up in the mystery of the house she lives in and well as Sarah herself.
Book 2 is the story of Rabbit (Robert Mackenzie Cole) finding his new family (Mac and Sarah) and discovering the mystery of his past and learning about his special gifts. Rabbit becomes the adopted son of Mackenzie Cole (Mac) and Sarah, his wife.
Book 3 is the story of how Rabbit's gift finds a young girl who had been missing for over 15 years and reveals her sad story.
These stories vividly draw the beauty as well as the isolation of the Appalachian Mountains and some of their folk lore and legends. Ms. Meara does a really good job of developing the speech pattern of Rabbit. I really liked the way this book incorporated an interpretation of Ol' Shuck, the Black Dog, who is viewed as a harbinger of death and is also the tie in to the title of the book.
The story goes back and forth between Cadey Haden and his breakdown as he believes Ol' Shuck is coming to get him and Rabbit has he tries to use his gifts to find Sissy. Cadey Haden is really well developed as the sociopath who breaks down under the weight of his guilt as he has nightmares of Ol' Shuck coming for him.
This book celebrates the love of family in a good, clean way that shows how we should appreciate those in our lives. It also shows the devastation of loss for a parent who loses a young child. There are old pearls of wisdom sprinkled through the book as Rabbit puts his grandmother's mountain wisdom to events that happen to him.
Marcia Meara has a way of developing fully fleshed supporting characters. From the friends that Rabbit plays with to the Sheriff who requests his help with an unsolved case that plagues him to the relatives of the missing girl, the characters in this book feel real and fully fleshed.
The plot is excellent as it builds to its conclusion. It does get slow during certain parts of the story telling, but you can still appreciate the writing and storytelling even in the slower parts.
Ms. Meara is wonderful writer and story teller. There are people who can write but can't bring the story to life. And there are people who can weave a story, but it loses translation in the written word. Ms. Meara has the illusive ability to bring the story to live with just the right words and phrasing.
Harbinger is book 3 in the Wake Robin Ridge series by Marcia Meara. I really liked book 1 and became vested in the characters of these stories. It is a series that although the books can stand alone, you are much more vested in the characters if you read the books in order.
Book 1 is the story of Mac and Sarah. Mac has isolated himself due to the loss of his son, but when Sarah moves in down the road he finds himself caught up in the mystery of the house she lives in and well as Sarah herself.
Book 2 is the story of Rabbit (Robert Mackenzie Cole) finding his new family (Mac and Sarah) and discovering the mystery of his past and learning about his special gifts. Rabbit becomes the adopted son of Mackenzie Cole (Mac) and Sarah, his wife.
Book 3 is the story of how Rabbit's gift finds a young girl who had been missing for over 15 years and reveals her sad story.
These stories vividly draw the beauty as well as the isolation of the Appalachian Mountains and some of their folk lore and legends. Ms. Meara does a really good job of developing the speech pattern of Rabbit. I really liked the way this book incorporated an interpretation of Ol' Shuck, the Black Dog, who is viewed as a harbinger of death and is also the tie in to the title of the book.
The story goes back and forth between Cadey Haden and his breakdown as he believes Ol' Shuck is coming to get him and Rabbit has he tries to use his gifts to find Sissy. Cadey Haden is really well developed as the sociopath who breaks down under the weight of his guilt as he has nightmares of Ol' Shuck coming for him.
This book celebrates the love of family in a good, clean way that shows how we should appreciate those in our lives. It also shows the devastation of loss for a parent who loses a young child. There are old pearls of wisdom sprinkled through the book as Rabbit puts his grandmother's mountain wisdom to events that happen to him.
Marcia Meara has a way of developing fully fleshed supporting characters. From the friends that Rabbit plays with to the Sheriff who requests his help with an unsolved case that plagues him to the relatives of the missing girl, the characters in this book feel real and fully fleshed.
The plot is excellent as it builds to its conclusion. It does get slow during certain parts of the story telling, but you can still appreciate the writing and storytelling even in the slower parts.
Ms. Meara is wonderful writer and story teller. There are people who can write but can't bring the story to life. And there are people who can weave a story, but it loses translation in the written word. Ms. Meara has the illusive ability to bring the story to live with just the right words and phrasing.
October 20, 2020
Another lovely chapter in the life of Rabbit as he adapts to life as the adopted son of Mac and Sarah and brother to baby Branna. This magical little boy is an old soul with a special gift that sometimes shakes him to the core. He feels and sees people and events that others cannot even conceive of, and it is a heavy burden at times. But Rabbit feels obligated to do what he can to help other people.
In this new case that the local sheriff has had on his desk for twenty years, Rabbit and Mac partner up to make the best use of modern technology and the boy’s unique gift. The mystery that surrounds the disappearance of a young girl twenty years before haunts both the sheriff and her family, and they are all looking for closure.
There is also a dark soul who is haunted by the mythical Ol’ Shuck, a large black dog that prowls the outer edges of sanity looking for an opportunity to pounce. Secrets are about to be exposed and lives torn apart by the actions of the past and Rabbit and Mac are caught right in the middle of the events.
Beautifully written as always; the author draws us in and reinforces the connection readers have made to Rabbit and his family in the previous two books. New characters expand the circle of family and friends, and others involved in the life and death struggle in this particular book, are interesting and stand both sides of good and evil.
I suggest you read books one and two of the series and I can recommend the series to readers who enjoy paranormal, supernatural mysteries and thrillers.
In this new case that the local sheriff has had on his desk for twenty years, Rabbit and Mac partner up to make the best use of modern technology and the boy’s unique gift. The mystery that surrounds the disappearance of a young girl twenty years before haunts both the sheriff and her family, and they are all looking for closure.
There is also a dark soul who is haunted by the mythical Ol’ Shuck, a large black dog that prowls the outer edges of sanity looking for an opportunity to pounce. Secrets are about to be exposed and lives torn apart by the actions of the past and Rabbit and Mac are caught right in the middle of the events.
Beautifully written as always; the author draws us in and reinforces the connection readers have made to Rabbit and his family in the previous two books. New characters expand the circle of family and friends, and others involved in the life and death struggle in this particular book, are interesting and stand both sides of good and evil.
I suggest you read books one and two of the series and I can recommend the series to readers who enjoy paranormal, supernatural mysteries and thrillers.
February 29, 2020
A little girl goes into the woods with someone she trusts – but never comes out again.
20 years later, Sheriff Wardell asks if Mac and his adopted son, Rabbit, will consider reviewing the unsolved cold case in the hope that maybe Rabbit’s gift of the Sight might bring something new to light where conventional methods failed.
Rabbit is keen to help bring closure to a family torn apart by the girl’s disappearance, and Mac, along with a less than keen Sarah, agree to support him as he learns more about how to use his extraordinary talents. It isn’t all plain sailing, and sometimes downright painful and challenging, but with his impressively developed sense of justice, Rabbit is tenacious, and as he meets more of those involved, ever more determined to find an answer to the mystery that ripped a family apart.
Once again, Meara brings us an insight into the nature of the villain, a man haunted by disturbing dreams of a giant black dog – Ol’ Shuck, the harbinger of death. As his fabricated life falls apart – like his sanity – we get a good look at what formed him into the monster he became. I found myself by turn appalled, and then saddened that a child should be shaped into such a twisted creature he never really stood a chance of becoming a worthwhile human being.
No cardboard cut-out baddies here!
Meara excels at taking local legends and incorporating them seamlessly into her stories, alongside the charm of her expanding main cast: Rabbit, Mac, and Sarah, along with Sheriff Wardell and his family. Once again, I was enthralled and propelled through this book without pause, and right on into the next one.
20 years later, Sheriff Wardell asks if Mac and his adopted son, Rabbit, will consider reviewing the unsolved cold case in the hope that maybe Rabbit’s gift of the Sight might bring something new to light where conventional methods failed.
Rabbit is keen to help bring closure to a family torn apart by the girl’s disappearance, and Mac, along with a less than keen Sarah, agree to support him as he learns more about how to use his extraordinary talents. It isn’t all plain sailing, and sometimes downright painful and challenging, but with his impressively developed sense of justice, Rabbit is tenacious, and as he meets more of those involved, ever more determined to find an answer to the mystery that ripped a family apart.
Once again, Meara brings us an insight into the nature of the villain, a man haunted by disturbing dreams of a giant black dog – Ol’ Shuck, the harbinger of death. As his fabricated life falls apart – like his sanity – we get a good look at what formed him into the monster he became. I found myself by turn appalled, and then saddened that a child should be shaped into such a twisted creature he never really stood a chance of becoming a worthwhile human being.
No cardboard cut-out baddies here!
Meara excels at taking local legends and incorporating them seamlessly into her stories, alongside the charm of her expanding main cast: Rabbit, Mac, and Sarah, along with Sheriff Wardell and his family. Once again, I was enthralled and propelled through this book without pause, and right on into the next one.
January 29, 2018
I came somewhat reluctantly to Book 3 of the Wake-Robin Ridge trilogy. I'd really enjoyed Book 1 but Book 2 was one of those amazing books that stays with you forever and I was afraid Marcia Meara wouldn't be able to sustain the magic in this last one.
I was wrong.
This is a brilliant book. My favourite characters are back in the shape of Rabbit and his adopted family, the Coles. Sarah and Mac are wonderful as parents and you feel their torment as they struggle to do the right thing by their son, but it's Rabbit, again, who steals the show.
His unique way of talking, his innocence, his sensitivity and his innate goodness all come together to form a character who matters to you.
As in the other books, there is a palpable sense of menace and Marcia generates real fear and anxiety for the characters who are threatened by it. But it's the understanding of what motivates them that's one of the great strengths of her books. These are believable, rounded characters who have been damaged by life and respond accordingly. Cadey Hagan's irritation with his chattering, annoying but loving wife is spot-on.
The book flows. There's a satisfying mix of slow, evocative description mixed with punchy and tense menace that keeps the pages turning. Brilliant!
I was wrong.
This is a brilliant book. My favourite characters are back in the shape of Rabbit and his adopted family, the Coles. Sarah and Mac are wonderful as parents and you feel their torment as they struggle to do the right thing by their son, but it's Rabbit, again, who steals the show.
His unique way of talking, his innocence, his sensitivity and his innate goodness all come together to form a character who matters to you.
As in the other books, there is a palpable sense of menace and Marcia generates real fear and anxiety for the characters who are threatened by it. But it's the understanding of what motivates them that's one of the great strengths of her books. These are believable, rounded characters who have been damaged by life and respond accordingly. Cadey Hagan's irritation with his chattering, annoying but loving wife is spot-on.
The book flows. There's a satisfying mix of slow, evocative description mixed with punchy and tense menace that keeps the pages turning. Brilliant!
July 12, 2017
Another wonderful read from Marcia
June 22, 2017
I have loved reading this series of three books, all different, but all well told stories that flow in an easy style. Complex plots with a delicious mix of family life, psychological drama and supernatural mystery. Unlike many crime thrillers this novel probes deeply into the mind of someone who can never be free from what he has done. Thrills, spills and a rattling good tale.
June 23, 2016
LOVED this book! I have been waiting for the third in the Wake Robin Ridge series for months. Now I have to wait again, after devouring this story in just 3 days.
Marcia Meara is a master at story telling, and at writing the dialects she uses. She describes scenes beautifully without becoming tiresome in descriptive details. Her stories involve mysteries to be solved, and love to be shared. I totally enjoy her books.
Marcia Meara is a master at story telling, and at writing the dialects she uses. She describes scenes beautifully without becoming tiresome in descriptive details. Her stories involve mysteries to be solved, and love to be shared. I totally enjoy her books.
November 25, 2020
I loved the book A Boy Named Rabbit and couldn’t wait to read Rabbit’s next adventure. Once again, this little 11-year-old kid stole my heart. Rabbit and his dad, Mac, are enlisted by the local sheriff to see if they can use Rabbit’s “sight” to figure out what happened to a little girl who disappeared twenty years ago.
The book is a paranormal mystery and thriller as well as a beautiful story about goodness and love. I enjoyed watching Rabbit and his new family interact. They’re kind and thoughtful and it warmed my heart. I also enjoyed the tension and disturbing actions of Cadey, the bad guy, who slowly loses touch with reality as the story progresses.
The plot is well constructed, with the pov alternating between Mac/Sarah and Cadey. There’s no mystery as to who the bad guy is, but there’s a great deal of tension as their paths draw closer to each other. The characters are well-done, realistic and with full emotional lives. The ending of the trilogy gives a sneak peek into Rabbit’s future, which I thoroughly appreciated. I could happily read more books about Rabbit, but this one ends on a high note and I appreciated that.
Highly recommended to readers who enjoy great characters and well-told stories.
The book is a paranormal mystery and thriller as well as a beautiful story about goodness and love. I enjoyed watching Rabbit and his new family interact. They’re kind and thoughtful and it warmed my heart. I also enjoyed the tension and disturbing actions of Cadey, the bad guy, who slowly loses touch with reality as the story progresses.
The plot is well constructed, with the pov alternating between Mac/Sarah and Cadey. There’s no mystery as to who the bad guy is, but there’s a great deal of tension as their paths draw closer to each other. The characters are well-done, realistic and with full emotional lives. The ending of the trilogy gives a sneak peek into Rabbit’s future, which I thoroughly appreciated. I could happily read more books about Rabbit, but this one ends on a high note and I appreciated that.
Highly recommended to readers who enjoy great characters and well-told stories.
September 12, 2018
This series just gets better and better. The first novel introduces us to a damaged man and a lonely woman who finally begin to heal when they find each other. Their family expands in the second book when they take in a young boy who can’t help but melt the iciest of hearts. I couldn’t wait to read the third book, and it did not disappoint. Marcia Meara crafted a blend of love story/murder mystery/coming-of-age tale that had me riveted from page one.
Rabbit had me from word one of the second book, and his charisma carries on in Harbinger. He’s so determined to help people, even at his own peril. His bravery, determination, and heart carry this story to its dramatic conclusion.
Watching the villain’s mental state deteriorate from his two-faced status quo to utter madness was compelling. Meara did an excellent job of immersing the reader in his mental and emotional decline.
The characters definitely carry this tale, but once again, the descriptions add a poignant and welcome flavor to the story. They are the cherry on top of an already delicious sundae. I don’t know if there will be a book four or not, but if there is, I’ll definitely read it.
Rabbit had me from word one of the second book, and his charisma carries on in Harbinger. He’s so determined to help people, even at his own peril. His bravery, determination, and heart carry this story to its dramatic conclusion.
Watching the villain’s mental state deteriorate from his two-faced status quo to utter madness was compelling. Meara did an excellent job of immersing the reader in his mental and emotional decline.
The characters definitely carry this tale, but once again, the descriptions add a poignant and welcome flavor to the story. They are the cherry on top of an already delicious sundae. I don’t know if there will be a book four or not, but if there is, I’ll definitely read it.
February 15, 2021
“Harbinger” is the third Wake-Robin book, but the second one with a favorite character of mine, Rabbit. I’m drawn to seeing the world through innocence or eyes that aren’t jaded. Eleven-year-old Rabbit offers that. His determination to help while being guided by his “sight” no matter what the cost, is not only endearing but makes him a hero. He has found his place with his new parents and baby sister. I loved the relationship between siblings and the caring and support within the family. Their love balanced out the bad that they dealt with because of Rabbit’s gift. The POV switches between his parents, Mac and Sarah, and a troubled man, Cadey. Seeing inside Cadey’s mind gave a painful glimpse into how he got to this point. Rabbit and Mac’s decision to help Sheriff Wardell on a twenty-year-old cold case blended seamlessly with Cadey’s tormented thoughts. Add in Ol’ Shuck, the big black dog who is the harbinger of death, made this paranormal thriller hard to put down, even to sleep. I’ll be reading book four next and highly recommend this series!
April 24, 2021
Harbinger is book 3 in this series about a boy named Rabbit. If you have read books 1 & 2 you must pick up this book to continue the delightful story about Rabbit, Mac, Sarah, Branna and others.
Even if you haven’t read the other books in this series you will love learning about this sweet young boy who was once lost and now has found his place in life. Rabbit has powers of clairvoyance and knows and sees things that others cannot. In this story he and his father get involved with a twenty-year old cold case and help the sheriff with the case.
What Rabbit finds is frightening. He is not quite sure that he can handle what keeps coming at him from beyond. His father is there to guide and protect him at every turn.
The author has created a delightful story with endearing and many faceted characters that make the reader become deeply concerned and invested in their safety as if they were family.
I highly recommend this wonderful series. I look forward to reading the next book to complete the enjoyable series. It will be sad to say goodbye to Rabbit though.
Even if you haven’t read the other books in this series you will love learning about this sweet young boy who was once lost and now has found his place in life. Rabbit has powers of clairvoyance and knows and sees things that others cannot. In this story he and his father get involved with a twenty-year old cold case and help the sheriff with the case.
What Rabbit finds is frightening. He is not quite sure that he can handle what keeps coming at him from beyond. His father is there to guide and protect him at every turn.
The author has created a delightful story with endearing and many faceted characters that make the reader become deeply concerned and invested in their safety as if they were family.
I highly recommend this wonderful series. I look forward to reading the next book to complete the enjoyable series. It will be sad to say goodbye to Rabbit though.
October 29, 2022
By the time we’ve made it to Harbinger: Wake-Robin Ridge Book 3, the characters feel like family to me, now. I know these people, inside, and out. Of course, all the credit goes to the author for making these characters seem so real.
Sheriff Wardell has asked Rabbit and Mac to become involved in a twenty-year-old cold case. Rabbit’s gifts are both a blessing and a curse, but the little boy is determined to learn how to deal with the sounds and images that sometimes overwhelm him.
As the story unwinds, we learn the villain is a man haunted by visions of a black dog, the Harbinger of death—Old Shuck. The reader takes a front seat as the man slowly goes insane before our eyes. By the end of the book, Rabbit has solved the murder. The paranormal aspects of this encounter tell me that Rabbit will be involved in solving other cases like this one.
I can’t wait to read the next book in the series…
Sheriff Wardell has asked Rabbit and Mac to become involved in a twenty-year-old cold case. Rabbit’s gifts are both a blessing and a curse, but the little boy is determined to learn how to deal with the sounds and images that sometimes overwhelm him.
As the story unwinds, we learn the villain is a man haunted by visions of a black dog, the Harbinger of death—Old Shuck. The reader takes a front seat as the man slowly goes insane before our eyes. By the end of the book, Rabbit has solved the murder. The paranormal aspects of this encounter tell me that Rabbit will be involved in solving other cases like this one.
I can’t wait to read the next book in the series…
January 8, 2018
Oh, my. I think I have a new favorite author (added to my other favorites). The Wake-Robin series is the best I’ve read in a good while. Just the right amount of suspense in all three, a wonderful love story that expands into a family, and good, clean mountain living. I’m looking forward to more of this story. Rabbit is amazing and seems so real. I want to live on Wake-Robin Ridge myself. Sounds beautiful. Ageless.
October 7, 2020
Loved book number 3 of the Wake-Robing Ridge series! I'm ready to read #4
June 21, 2021
Good read
This was an enjoyable and intriguing book to read.
I recommend it for your reading pleasure. Thank you Marcia Meara
This was an enjoyable and intriguing book to read.
I recommend it for your reading pleasure. Thank you Marcia Meara
October 18, 2016
The story opens in 1994 when eight year old Sissy Birdwell meets neighbour Cadey Hagen as she begins the walk home after being dropped off from the school bus. Cadey has a secret he promises to share with Sissy and takes her into the woods. She is never seen again. If I actually needed a hook for the book, this would have been it.
Fast forward to 2014 on Wake-Robin Ridge. It’s been a quiet time since the Cole family expanded to four, with the addition of baby Branna, but now Sheriff Raleigh Wardell has asked Mac for help, while hoping Rabbit might come up with something as well. The Sheriff has never forgotten the twenty year old cold case of missing Sissy Birdwell and he hopes between them they can at last solve the mystery.
Cadey Hagan has been having the same nightmare, of being chased by a huge black dog with fiery eyes, repeatedly for the past twenty years. Despite his persona of a decent, upstanding citizen and the deacon of the Light of Grace Baptist church, the dream wouldn’t release it’s hold and was even becoming more frequent. Cady mistakenly believed that as long as he appeared to be caring and considerate, a good man, then that’s what he actually was, regardless of the truth in his heart.
The story is told in part from Sarah’s perspective, the rest in the third person, as it has from the beginning of the series and it works well. Rabbit is trying desperately to control his increasingly expanding gift. His ability to sense, and see, things others can’t is sometimes overwhelming. It’s a huge burden for a child to carry but Rabbit is committed to doing all he can for Sissy and her mother. He has his friendship with Finn as a balance, when they are just two boys having fun, but Sarah and Mac can’t help worrying about him.
The Ol’ Shuck legend is worked into the story very effectively. When a person’s life is shallow and everything they are and do revolves around appearances, guilt can take on a life of it’s own. Cadey Hagen’s personality conveys this perfectly.
The descriptions of the area are wonderful, and as always, very visual. The dialogue is relevant to each character, and they are all realistic, fully developed and vividly drawn, Rabbit is as loveable as ever. The narrative is well paced and as it unfolds the suspense increases culminating in a dramatic climax.
Fast forward to 2014 on Wake-Robin Ridge. It’s been a quiet time since the Cole family expanded to four, with the addition of baby Branna, but now Sheriff Raleigh Wardell has asked Mac for help, while hoping Rabbit might come up with something as well. The Sheriff has never forgotten the twenty year old cold case of missing Sissy Birdwell and he hopes between them they can at last solve the mystery.
Cadey Hagan has been having the same nightmare, of being chased by a huge black dog with fiery eyes, repeatedly for the past twenty years. Despite his persona of a decent, upstanding citizen and the deacon of the Light of Grace Baptist church, the dream wouldn’t release it’s hold and was even becoming more frequent. Cady mistakenly believed that as long as he appeared to be caring and considerate, a good man, then that’s what he actually was, regardless of the truth in his heart.
The story is told in part from Sarah’s perspective, the rest in the third person, as it has from the beginning of the series and it works well. Rabbit is trying desperately to control his increasingly expanding gift. His ability to sense, and see, things others can’t is sometimes overwhelming. It’s a huge burden for a child to carry but Rabbit is committed to doing all he can for Sissy and her mother. He has his friendship with Finn as a balance, when they are just two boys having fun, but Sarah and Mac can’t help worrying about him.
The Ol’ Shuck legend is worked into the story very effectively. When a person’s life is shallow and everything they are and do revolves around appearances, guilt can take on a life of it’s own. Cadey Hagen’s personality conveys this perfectly.
The descriptions of the area are wonderful, and as always, very visual. The dialogue is relevant to each character, and they are all realistic, fully developed and vividly drawn, Rabbit is as loveable as ever. The narrative is well paced and as it unfolds the suspense increases culminating in a dramatic climax.
August 3, 2016
Harbinger is book#3 in the Wake-Robin Ridge series of paranormal suspense mysteries set in the Carolina Mountains.
The book opens with a scene from June 1994, eight year old Sissy Birdwell steps off the school bus on the last day of term and begins her walk up the long road to home, it's not a walk she enjoys alone, sometimes things scare her, but she sets bravely off. Along the road she meets Cadey Hagen a boy and mountain neighbour. He is currently suspended from school and is a known trouble maker. He invites Sissy into the woods to show her a secret.
Twenty years later Sheriff Raleigh Wardell asks Mac Cole and his son for help with a cold case. Eleven year old Rabbit is the adopted son of Mac and Sarah, a gifted child who has the sight. Mac also owns a computer research company and Wardell hopes they can help him solve the case of a missing girl.
Several miles away Deacon Cadey Hagen has lived the last twenty years of his life as a reformed man, a husband and model member of society with an uneventful life, except for the recurring nightmare which haunts him. For some reason the dream has become more frequent - Ol'shuck a harbinger of death stalks and chases Cadey through the woods, forcing him to awake screaming.
Mac and Sarah have concerns about allowing Rabbit to be involved in the search for a missing girl, but Rabbit believes finding her can only bring peace to her poor grieving mother. Visions and message give clues, but Rabbit also needs to protect himself from an overdose of voices all wanting to be heard. He learns to control and grow with his gift in a heart-warming manner.
These books have wonderful settings which come to life in the author's pen, the slow build up of the suspense is an ideal pace, allowing details to be discovered. I really enjoyed the continuation of Rabbit who we first met in book #2, he really is a delight to read about and I can see that there may be many more tales and cases to solve for Cole & Son in the future.
The book opens with a scene from June 1994, eight year old Sissy Birdwell steps off the school bus on the last day of term and begins her walk up the long road to home, it's not a walk she enjoys alone, sometimes things scare her, but she sets bravely off. Along the road she meets Cadey Hagen a boy and mountain neighbour. He is currently suspended from school and is a known trouble maker. He invites Sissy into the woods to show her a secret.
Twenty years later Sheriff Raleigh Wardell asks Mac Cole and his son for help with a cold case. Eleven year old Rabbit is the adopted son of Mac and Sarah, a gifted child who has the sight. Mac also owns a computer research company and Wardell hopes they can help him solve the case of a missing girl.
Several miles away Deacon Cadey Hagen has lived the last twenty years of his life as a reformed man, a husband and model member of society with an uneventful life, except for the recurring nightmare which haunts him. For some reason the dream has become more frequent - Ol'shuck a harbinger of death stalks and chases Cadey through the woods, forcing him to awake screaming.
Mac and Sarah have concerns about allowing Rabbit to be involved in the search for a missing girl, but Rabbit believes finding her can only bring peace to her poor grieving mother. Visions and message give clues, but Rabbit also needs to protect himself from an overdose of voices all wanting to be heard. He learns to control and grow with his gift in a heart-warming manner.
These books have wonderful settings which come to life in the author's pen, the slow build up of the suspense is an ideal pace, allowing details to be discovered. I really enjoyed the continuation of Rabbit who we first met in book #2, he really is a delight to read about and I can see that there may be many more tales and cases to solve for Cole & Son in the future.
April 20, 2021
I’ve said it before, but I’d love to join this family. Although fictional, I guarantee they feel very real when you’re immersed in these books.
Rabbit captured my heart in the second book, and I adore him even more now. His interactions with his little sister are so sweet, and he’s a perfect big brother. One of my favorite parts of the story is when Rabbit is struck nearly speechless when meeting the sister of his best friend – and then tells his mother what he saw in his future. These lighthearted times are a balance to the bleaker parts of the story as Rabbit takes a lot on his young shoulders while using his gift to find the body of a girl murdered several years before. Although not even a teenager, he’s an old soul wise beyond his years and is very insightful when it comes to people and their actions. His adoptive parents, Mac and Sarah, are protective of him, but also understand how his gift can help people and are there with him every step of the way.
It’s no secret who the villain is. Cadey Hagan believes he’s remade himself (he’s still deplorable), and no one will ever discover what he did all those years ago. The author did an amazing job crafting his gradual mental deterioration, and by the end the reader may wonder if Ol’ Shuck is actually mythical.
I can’t recommend this supernatural suspense series enough. I’m excited to read the next in the series so I can spend more time with these lovely characters (my fictional family).
Rabbit captured my heart in the second book, and I adore him even more now. His interactions with his little sister are so sweet, and he’s a perfect big brother. One of my favorite parts of the story is when Rabbit is struck nearly speechless when meeting the sister of his best friend – and then tells his mother what he saw in his future. These lighthearted times are a balance to the bleaker parts of the story as Rabbit takes a lot on his young shoulders while using his gift to find the body of a girl murdered several years before. Although not even a teenager, he’s an old soul wise beyond his years and is very insightful when it comes to people and their actions. His adoptive parents, Mac and Sarah, are protective of him, but also understand how his gift can help people and are there with him every step of the way.
It’s no secret who the villain is. Cadey Hagan believes he’s remade himself (he’s still deplorable), and no one will ever discover what he did all those years ago. The author did an amazing job crafting his gradual mental deterioration, and by the end the reader may wonder if Ol’ Shuck is actually mythical.
I can’t recommend this supernatural suspense series enough. I’m excited to read the next in the series so I can spend more time with these lovely characters (my fictional family).
Read
June 24, 2016This is the third in the series of Marcia Meara novels but can certainly be read as a standalone book. It’s a well-told story of good overcoming evil, of how all deeds have repercussions, of love, of family, of friendship, of manipulation, of how childhood can affect what we become as adults, of mystery and special talents, of traditions, of folklore. I think that covers all aspects of Harbinger: Wake-Robin Ridge Book 3 ; a book I thoroughly enjoyed.
I love this author’s style of writing; Marcia Meara is an exemplary storyteller, who paces the plot of the novel well but, every now and then, surprises the reader.
Told equally between an omniscient narrator and the first person point of view of Sarah, Robert’s (nicknamed Rabbit) adopted mother, the narrative runs smoothly. I did like the originality of this way of writing a story.
Every character is rounded and easy to envisage and, throughout, the dialogue differentiates each of them. I particularly enjoyed the way the author has Rabbit, the protagonist, speaking; a quaint yet, typical young boy’s voice, expressing his view of the world around him, his thoughts on the other characters.
The author’s descriptions of the North Carolina Mountains, the houses and cabins give a wonderful sense of place. Not knowing anything about this area, it opened up a whole new aspect for me to imagine.
This is a story that begins with a brilliant first hook; one that shocks. The uncovering of that incident unfolds in an unusual way. I have no hesitation in recommending this novel.
I love this author’s style of writing; Marcia Meara is an exemplary storyteller, who paces the plot of the novel well but, every now and then, surprises the reader.
Told equally between an omniscient narrator and the first person point of view of Sarah, Robert’s (nicknamed Rabbit) adopted mother, the narrative runs smoothly. I did like the originality of this way of writing a story.
Every character is rounded and easy to envisage and, throughout, the dialogue differentiates each of them. I particularly enjoyed the way the author has Rabbit, the protagonist, speaking; a quaint yet, typical young boy’s voice, expressing his view of the world around him, his thoughts on the other characters.
The author’s descriptions of the North Carolina Mountains, the houses and cabins give a wonderful sense of place. Not knowing anything about this area, it opened up a whole new aspect for me to imagine.
This is a story that begins with a brilliant first hook; one that shocks. The uncovering of that incident unfolds in an unusual way. I have no hesitation in recommending this novel.
September 1, 2016
I’ve been following Marcia Meara’s Wake-Robin Ridge series since book 1 and each novel just keeps getting better. Harbinger is my new favorite. By now, the characters feel like family, due to the author’s incredible skill at building three-dimensional relationships and creating believable, relatable dynamics. Mac, Rabbit, Sarah and their friends are all people we care about. This is easily read as a standalone novel or enjoyed as part of the series. Either way, it’s sure to enthrall anyone who opens the pages.
This time around Mac and Rabbit become involved in a twenty-year old cold case at the request of their friend Sheriff Wardell. Although the revelations aren’t fully disclosed until the end of the book when the main characters and villain collide in an explosive final, Ms. Meara does a brilliant job of relaying how guilt can slowly push someone over the edge. The legend of Ol’ Shuck, a mythical black dog known as a harbinger of death is used to great effect for a heightened sense of the supernatural.
I hope there are more books to come in this wonderful series, as I have definitely become a devoted fan. Excellently crafted and engagingly told, this is a novel you won’t want to miss!
This time around Mac and Rabbit become involved in a twenty-year old cold case at the request of their friend Sheriff Wardell. Although the revelations aren’t fully disclosed until the end of the book when the main characters and villain collide in an explosive final, Ms. Meara does a brilliant job of relaying how guilt can slowly push someone over the edge. The legend of Ol’ Shuck, a mythical black dog known as a harbinger of death is used to great effect for a heightened sense of the supernatural.
I hope there are more books to come in this wonderful series, as I have definitely become a devoted fan. Excellently crafted and engagingly told, this is a novel you won’t want to miss!
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