Things We Once Held Dear

by Ann Tatlock

Neil Sadler returns to his hometown of Mason, Ohio, where his small-town life had been rocked by the suspicious death of Helen Syfert, the mother of Neil’s friend Mary. He reconnects with Mary. Their once-close relationship hadn’t been strong enough to survive the tragedy that overtook Mary’s family, yet what drove them apart years ago now seems to be drawing them back together. But Neil is struggling to recover from a more recent loss. Yet the mystery of Helen’s death remains unsolved, and to bring closure will mean facing old truths—hard truths—and discovering some new ones.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Contemporary, Christian, Historical Fiction, Ebooks, Audiobook

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Ann Tatlock is a novelist and children’s book author. Her books have received numerous awards, including the Christy Award, the Midwest Book Award and the Silver Angel Award for Excellence in Media. She also serves as managing editor of Heritage Beacon, the historical fiction imprint of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She lives with her family in Western North Carolina.

Reviews

[Karen Wingate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not Tatlock’s best effort

I love the books by Ann Tatlock. So I was excited to read “Thing We Once Held Dear.” The setting of Mason Ohio intrigued me since I once lived in Cincinnati. Yet, from the first page, I was disappointed. This story, which shifted often between 1977 and 2005, portrayed the secrets and wounds of a large family. Neil, after losing his wife, returns to Mason Ohio to find his roots and rediscover his past. He meets up with a distant cousin, Mary, who carries her own load of grief and unresolved issues. I just felt like the writing was choppy and needed more polishing. It didn’t flow like Tatlock’s other books. And there were too many family members to keep track of. Yet the ending made the read worth it. Tatlock does such a beautiful job of interweaving faith and real life, and imagery and wisdom throughout the plot. At the end I definitely got that feeling of satisfaction. Things We Once Held Dear may not be her best but it’s still a good read.

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neil Sadler shook the dust off his boots and left his small hometown of Mason, Ohio twenty-seven years ago in the midst of a tragedy that touched every part of his life. Neil made a name for himself in the New York City art community, and has most recently been teaching art. When his wife dies suddenly, Neil decides to return home to Mason in order to reconnect with his family and put right some of the things he left hanging when he fled all those years before.

Growing up, Neil had been in love with Mary, the daughter of Cal, a man Neil considered to be a father-figure. Cal supported Neil's art when Neil's parents didn't really understand why he was pursuing it. Everything changed when Cal was accused of killing his wife. Shocked, Neil fled to New York, but Mary has always held an unwavering faith in her father's innocence. Now that Neil has come home, he renews his friendship with Mary, who is experiencing trials in her marriage. As the truth about the past begins to show itself, are Mary and Neil strong enough to deal with what really happened?

Ann Tatlock is a master storyteller. Her lyrical writing style immediately pulls the reader into a story that could have been immensely confusing. With many relatives interconnecting in various ways, in the hands of a less skilled author, the reader could have been lost in a sea of characters. However, Ms. Tatlock establishes relationships and allows the reader to uncover the truth about the past right along with the characters.

Although there's a mystery that Neil and Mary are trying to uncover, the true heart of the story is discovering (and rediscovering) faith in God. The characters gently find that the love of God is real and that God truly cares about their heartaches. The faith message is very subtly woven through the plot so that Things We Once Held Dear has a wide appeal to a large audience. Readers searching for hope will find it played out on these pages. The pacing is unparalleled and the struggle to balance the desire to devour this beautiful story with the desire to savor each well-written page is a delightful one to wrestle with.

[Joyce · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I have read several of Ann Tatlock's books and enjoyed them, this one was disappointing. The plot was confusing at times and definitely lacked a momentum. There seemed to be too many details missing in the connections between key characters in the book to help make sense of the overall plot.

[Loraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neil Sadler has returned to small town life in Ohio from New York City to help change the long held family home to a Bed and Breakfast. As he struggles to overcome the loss of his wife, he reunites with longtime friend and distant cousin Mary Beeken. Mary is struggling to recover from a tragedy of her own. A mystery that stretches back over two decades has brought struggles to everyone in this family. Will Neil, Mary and the family be able to bring closure to both the present and the past?

I have read previous books by Ann Tatlock and thoroughly enjoyed them. This one was basically a dual timeline and with the large family and the past history it was sometime difficult to follow. I thought that the ending was excellent though and brought the entire story to closure.

[Laura B · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I could give this novel 3.5 stars, I would. From the first page it drew me in, and I fell in love with Neil. I empathized with him through the whole story; his struggles with losing his wife, religion/spirituality, returning home, and the complicated relationships we have with family.

This story also had enough mystery in it that you couldn't wait to learn the details of the death of Mary's mother. Everything came together in the end, however, but the novel doesn't end with everything ending up neat and tidy, but that's okay because it's realistic. I recommend this, especially if you enjoy family fiction.

[annette lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the ending

It took me a couple of chapters to really get into this book but I'm glad I didn't put it down as I really warmed up to the characters. The description of the cornfield reminded me of the time I visited cousins in IA and we played in the corn that was over my head and the farm my aunt and uncle farmed in IL, growing corn and raising hogs, where I got to visit some summers as I was growing up. I still remember 50 years or so later riding in the old Model T. I'm happy to say it it is being restored.
I absolutely love the ending and the authors description of joy.
The only down side is the distraction where the book needs better editing.

[Karen R. Dickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by Tatlock. I enjoyed it, it held my interest and I thought the characters were well developed and displayed. I do think there were too many extended family members to keep up with, which made it difficult to follow at times. The story entailed conversations about faith for several different characters, though it was difficult to know where the author stood. Some characters were decidedly atheistic; others staunch in their faith. Perhaps it was better that way. The murder mystery was intriguing and the lives of several characters were very sad; a bit of a hopeful ending, though.

[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author has a smooth writing style. Her stories tend to flow so nicely. The characters are realistic and have flaws like the rest of us. The mystery kept me guessing up until it was revealed as to who killed Mary's mother. This is unusual, as I tend to figure things out long before the end of the book. I love a story that holds my interest and works my brain trying to solve the mystery. Things We Once Held Dear did just that.

I truly enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading more by Ann Tatlock.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expect good things when I pick up an Ann Tatlock book. The story of returning to face the past was interesting. I was a bit confused by the spiritual perspectives—maybe it’s just that I don’t understand Episcopalian doctrine. Those segments rather pulled me out of the story. They were vague, and a bit confusing. I think Ann might not have wanted to offend some people so tried to cover for everyone? I don’t know. It wasn’t so much that I wouldn’t encourage you read the book. Just know it’s there. The multi generation story made for nice rainy days, shelter-in-Place reading.

[V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following various characters' lives, you read their current and their past circumstances without confusion that sometimes comes with that style. You learn along with the characters what some things truly were, while feeling their doubts or confusion until they know for certain. Has a variety of inter-character relationships, which I liked for seeing how different people were affected or seen by each.

[Erinn Downs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t love this book. I wanted to as it seemed really interesting- a combo of old small town history, murder and mystery with a little bit of Romance… however for me it fell flat. I found it hard to get through and I was simply reading just to finish it. I felt it was difficult to jump back and forth between the past and present as it wasn’t always abundantly clear which we were talking about. I can appreciate the story line but it was just a tough read to follow and wasn’t my favorite.

[Paula Strome · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nostalgic Fiction

I have very quickly become a fan of Ann Tatlock! Her books are neither formulaic nor predictable. They are thought-provoking, often with subplots to support the main story. You will come away examining your own actions and attitudes.

This was another enjoyable read.

[vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the story and characters and the fact that it kept you guessing right to the end. Would highly recommend it.

Loved the story and characters and that it kept you guessing until the end. I would highly recommend it to not only mystery lovers but to those who just appreciate a good story.

[Loraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was difficult to get into this book. I think I started reading it two or three times. I finally got through it and it was good, if a bit slow. I don't think the transition from past to present was done as well as it could have been. Often times it took a minute before I realized that we were now in the past.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

You Can Return To Home

Neil had grown up, fallen in love, lost that love in the same small town Ohio. Then he moved to New York, fell in love again, married and lost that love before he was called back to Ohio. He stumbled through all the memories, and finally discovers the meanings. Home means freedom and lightness of the mind.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reflective

This is the story of a man returning to his childhood home after losing his beloved wife to death. He is searching for something lost in time as he reunites with family and friends. Long ago mysteries come to light; feelings are exposed; a murder is finally solved. So much happens in this story of searching.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have now been privileged to read 2 of Ann Tatlock's books. Warm and touching stories with questions about life and eternity to be answered. Incredibly believable characters. It is nice to find a new author who is so gifted. Hope you will try one of her books.

[Vadonna L. Randolph · Rating 5 out of 5]

IPassages

I enjoyed this book from the beginning. There is lost love, tragedies and forgiveness. Lives are changed. Letting go of the past in a healthy way allows everyone to look and move forward.

[Micheal Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Admission of guilt of killing and lying; asking absolution from the priest! The man should never have been given forgiveness until he made restitution to those he wronged even though they wronged him first.

[Dee Cash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Inspirational

Things We Once Held Dear is a very well written and inspirational novel by Ann Gatwick. This is the first time I've read her work and I found it delightful. I think most anyone of any age would enjoy reading it.

[Martin Wiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Page Turner

Once again, Ann Tatlock creates a story that keeps the reader turning the page, always wondering what will happen next while filled with wonder all at the same time. Her character descriptions make the reader feel as if they are right there with them.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story! 5-star rating for sure! The author, Ann Tatlock, has a talent to create characters that you fall in love with, and a plot that holds the reader until the very end of the story. Well done! Highly recommend this book and others by this author.

[Phyllis Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

4 stars for Things We Once Held Dear. A tale of coming to grips with our pasts, worked by through grief and coming out on the other side learning to let go and make a new beginning.

[Lennine · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reading Ann's books...Great read. Will look for her other titles.

[Lettie Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book as a whole but Neil had too many relatives for me to keep up with, that was a bit confusing but over all I liked it.

[dorothy boggess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.

The book was different from what I usually read. It made you think life and faith. And it kept you in suspense.

[Sheila Dugan · Rating 5 out of 5]

CAPTIVATING

I love to read Sagas, and this was not a disappointment. I know a book is good when I think about the characters even when I'm not actually reading the book.

[Deedee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars....

[Devon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine story line

A nice weaving tale that kept me guessing, but definitely didn't leave me disappointed. I would recommend, for sure !