What do you think?
Rate this book
Etched in Shadow Hill Cemetery
A nostalgic tale of unbreakable friendship The 1970s was a time of war, a time of innocence, a time of renewal, and a time of hope. For Eva Thompson and Justine Andrews, the 1970s was a magical time and North Brookfield, MA was a magical place. Eva, the introvert who found happiness in the pasture with her beloved horse, Smoky, wanted to be left alone. Justine, the spitfire who spent summers with her family in Eva's hometown, wanted a friend. Together, the unlikely duo forged a friendship that would span decades.
Each summer, Justine returned for three months, reuniting the girls and reigniting their sense of mischief and adventure. Together, they come of age in the era of sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll. Until one fateful night. What happened to Eva when her car broke down on a deserted country road? And, what will the fiery-tempered Justine do if she finds out?
The adventures, growing pains, joys, and sorrows of Eva and Justine will draw you in, keep you riveted, and make you root for Justine as she begins to uncover Eva's secret. How far would you go to avenge your best friend?
"A funny, spirited story that is bursting with 1970s nostalgia. Justine and Eva's summer teenage escapades tickled my memory, and their devoted friendship touched my heart." - Shelle Sumners, author of Grace Grows
"Loved this book! I might be biased since I grew up in the area, but the authors perfectly captured summers in a small town in New England. I know the life on country roads, riding bikes to cemeteries, small town thoughts and regulars and everything. Great book. Loved, loved, loved it." - Wendy from central MA
"I enjoyed this book so much!! The authors really brought the characters to life and told the story of their lifelong friendship in a way that made them seem so real!! I didn't want the story to end. I wanted to keep reading and following their adventures. The setting is very familiar to me as I spend many vacations in a similar location, and all the memories came rushing back to me. Excellent read!!!" - Patricia Snyder
"I loved this book! Being a woman who grew up in the 70s, it was so fun to remember things I had forgotten about. It really was realistic and accurate. The story of the friendship of Justine and Eva was moving, touching, hysterical, and is just what every girl wants. I look forward to more books written by these authors, well-done ladies!" - Lori Mihalik
Each summer, Justine returned for three months, reuniting the girls and reigniting their sense of mischief and adventure. Together, they come of age in the era of sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll. Until one fateful night. What happened to Eva when her car broke down on a deserted country road? And, what will the fiery-tempered Justine do if she finds out?
The adventures, growing pains, joys, and sorrows of Eva and Justine will draw you in, keep you riveted, and make you root for Justine as she begins to uncover Eva's secret. How far would you go to avenge your best friend?
"A funny, spirited story that is bursting with 1970s nostalgia. Justine and Eva's summer teenage escapades tickled my memory, and their devoted friendship touched my heart." - Shelle Sumners, author of Grace Grows
"Loved this book! I might be biased since I grew up in the area, but the authors perfectly captured summers in a small town in New England. I know the life on country roads, riding bikes to cemeteries, small town thoughts and regulars and everything. Great book. Loved, loved, loved it." - Wendy from central MA
"I enjoyed this book so much!! The authors really brought the characters to life and told the story of their lifelong friendship in a way that made them seem so real!! I didn't want the story to end. I wanted to keep reading and following their adventures. The setting is very familiar to me as I spend many vacations in a similar location, and all the memories came rushing back to me. Excellent read!!!" - Patricia Snyder
"I loved this book! Being a woman who grew up in the 70s, it was so fun to remember things I had forgotten about. It really was realistic and accurate. The story of the friendship of Justine and Eva was moving, touching, hysterical, and is just what every girl wants. I look forward to more books written by these authors, well-done ladies!" - Lori Mihalik
334 pages, Paperback
Published October 6, 2016
214 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Jocelyn A. Dorgan
1 book6 followersJocelyn A Dorgan was born and raised in central New Jersey. She earned her dual BA in English Literature and Communication from Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg, VA.
After working in various mass media outlets, including television, radio, and newspaper, she spent many years as a blood recruiter with the American Red Cross. While raising children, she joined the family business, dabbling in finance, where she quickly discovered her total inability to crunch numbers.
Still firmly planted in her native New Jersey soil, Jocelyn now directs her time toward her two true loves - adopting dogs and writing fiction.
After working in various mass media outlets, including television, radio, and newspaper, she spent many years as a blood recruiter with the American Red Cross. While raising children, she joined the family business, dabbling in finance, where she quickly discovered her total inability to crunch numbers.
Still firmly planted in her native New Jersey soil, Jocelyn now directs her time toward her two true loves - adopting dogs and writing fiction.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 30, 2016
Summary review of "Etched in Shadow Hill Cemetery"
"Etched in Shadow Hill Cemetery" is both the author's first book as well as my first review. My initial thought was that this was a book for teens but I soon changed my mind and realized that this an excellent book for adults. The book takes you from the antics and problems of two young girls from their childhood to adulthood. The authors have explored the characters in depth which makes them real and the reader desiring to find out what will happen next. Our main characters are not all good, not all bad, and certainly not superficial. School summer vacation provides the opportunity for the best of friends to develop individually and together. For a first book "Etched in Shadow Hill Cemetery" by Jocelyn Dorgan and Sandy Fairbanks is excellent and I look forward for more. Dolores Schwartz
"Etched in Shadow Hill Cemetery" is both the author's first book as well as my first review. My initial thought was that this was a book for teens but I soon changed my mind and realized that this an excellent book for adults. The book takes you from the antics and problems of two young girls from their childhood to adulthood. The authors have explored the characters in depth which makes them real and the reader desiring to find out what will happen next. Our main characters are not all good, not all bad, and certainly not superficial. School summer vacation provides the opportunity for the best of friends to develop individually and together. For a first book "Etched in Shadow Hill Cemetery" by Jocelyn Dorgan and Sandy Fairbanks is excellent and I look forward for more. Dolores Schwartz
February 24, 2020
My parents loved in East Brookfield, I lived in Spencer, my husband comes from Ware! Reading this wonderful story brought back many memories & felt personal. You made me laugh & I sometimes wanted to cry. Thank you for this treasure!!!
My parents lived d in E.Brookfield, I once lived in Spencer, and my husband is from Ware. Reading your story felt personal. You made me laugh and almost cry. I brought my children and grandchildren to Brookfield Orchards. This story was interesting, funny, and suspenseful..Thank you!!!
My parents lived d in E.Brookfield, I once lived in Spencer, and my husband is from Ware. Reading your story felt personal. You made me laugh and almost cry. I brought my children and grandchildren to Brookfield Orchards. This story was interesting, funny, and suspenseful..Thank you!!!
October 20, 2017
This was a great choice to read for October; Set in the 70's, we meet two young girls who spend much of their time together in the cemetery.
When Justine came to stay with her Aunt Peggy and Uncle John for the summer, she sees Eva out the window tending to her horse, Smokey, who was pasturing for the summer at the farm.
Justine, a couple years younger than Eva is exuberant, but she also wanted to appear fearless, funny and tough to get Eva to like her and be her friend.
Justine comes up with the craziest of ideas and has a sparkle as she talks Eva into doing daring things. Justine likes to play harmless but sometimes could be dangerous pranks. It's usually the more grounded Eva that worries over them. Eva's the one who wants to leave town and travel the world when she gets out of school. Justine, who is fascinated with the family history she has in North Brookfield feels at home in the town.
We spend every summer from 1973, when Eva is 14 and Justine is 11 to ten years later, in 1983 with the two girls. They explore, hide on cars, walk through the cemetery and hang out near the Wausau, which is not a town, or a beer joint, to talk. Their friendship continues to grow as they smoke, meet boys and go partying in the woods and learn about life.
It's unparalleled to have a friend to share these experiences and this time of life with. I couldn't help but compare parts of this story to my own life, those years for me were from 1967-1974. I had many different and a few similar experiences, I didn't have a friend to confide in, I was not a party person, didn't smoke or drink, and I didn't drive a car at that time, but I had a horse and I had the same freedom, to wander like a gypsy during those years.
The twist in this story is that Justine, the wild and crazy girl got the worst of the heartbreak when it came. There are those who talk and those that do. It's always the quiet ones, and it ends up being Eva that sows some wild oats as she comes of age. When Justine finally gets Eva to tell her what happened THAT NIGHT, Justine vows to bring some justice. Eva, still the worrier, finds relief and freedom in telling the truth and realizes how lucky she is to have Justine as a friend.
I'm wondering how much of this is memoir because it seems to be based on the two authors. It reads easy and is a look back at the seventies that rings true. Best coming of age story I've read since Tully or Baby Love by Joyce Maynard.
When Justine came to stay with her Aunt Peggy and Uncle John for the summer, she sees Eva out the window tending to her horse, Smokey, who was pasturing for the summer at the farm.
Justine, a couple years younger than Eva is exuberant, but she also wanted to appear fearless, funny and tough to get Eva to like her and be her friend.
Justine comes up with the craziest of ideas and has a sparkle as she talks Eva into doing daring things. Justine likes to play harmless but sometimes could be dangerous pranks. It's usually the more grounded Eva that worries over them. Eva's the one who wants to leave town and travel the world when she gets out of school. Justine, who is fascinated with the family history she has in North Brookfield feels at home in the town.
We spend every summer from 1973, when Eva is 14 and Justine is 11 to ten years later, in 1983 with the two girls. They explore, hide on cars, walk through the cemetery and hang out near the Wausau, which is not a town, or a beer joint, to talk. Their friendship continues to grow as they smoke, meet boys and go partying in the woods and learn about life.
It's unparalleled to have a friend to share these experiences and this time of life with. I couldn't help but compare parts of this story to my own life, those years for me were from 1967-1974. I had many different and a few similar experiences, I didn't have a friend to confide in, I was not a party person, didn't smoke or drink, and I didn't drive a car at that time, but I had a horse and I had the same freedom, to wander like a gypsy during those years.
The twist in this story is that Justine, the wild and crazy girl got the worst of the heartbreak when it came. There are those who talk and those that do. It's always the quiet ones, and it ends up being Eva that sows some wild oats as she comes of age. When Justine finally gets Eva to tell her what happened THAT NIGHT, Justine vows to bring some justice. Eva, still the worrier, finds relief and freedom in telling the truth and realizes how lucky she is to have Justine as a friend.
I'm wondering how much of this is memoir because it seems to be based on the two authors. It reads easy and is a look back at the seventies that rings true. Best coming of age story I've read since Tully or Baby Love by Joyce Maynard.
February 27, 2021
If you've been fortunate enough to have found a lifelong friend in girlhood, someone who was there through all of the growth, the changes, the tragedies, the triumphs, the hard decisions, the set backs and accomplishments- you sort of know this story. That special shared past, those secrets no one else knows, the arguments and fights, the solid faith that someone would always have your back.
I enjoyed this story and the characters greatly. There is a subplot that might need a trigger warning for some readers due to sexual assault- but it's not very graphic. This is a POV shift story, narrated by both girls/women, and at times it did get a little murky as to which voice I was actually reading. Because the book is so dialogue dependent, and not so much in the character's heads, this could at moments be confusing. Still, the power of this story of friendship and the thoroughly enjoyable way everything wrapped up at the end made up for that.
I enjoyed this story and the characters greatly. There is a subplot that might need a trigger warning for some readers due to sexual assault- but it's not very graphic. This is a POV shift story, narrated by both girls/women, and at times it did get a little murky as to which voice I was actually reading. Because the book is so dialogue dependent, and not so much in the character's heads, this could at moments be confusing. Still, the power of this story of friendship and the thoroughly enjoyable way everything wrapped up at the end made up for that.
June 8, 2018
This book is full of nostalgia for the 70s and into the 80s which was very fun to read from start to finish. It is told in alternating first person POV from both Eva and Justine, whose friendship we follow through the years beginning in middle school and beyond. Each summer holds fun adventures and life lessons for the girls and introduces us to friends and boyfriends along the way. Readers can identify with the triumphs and tragedies of this coming of age story. I appreciated that I be girls and their friendship wasn’t perfect- we are all flawed and have ups and downs. This made it realistic and relatable. My only issue was it felt a little long at times and I skimmed several sections that took away from the action. Sometimes I got confused about which girl was narrating the chapter as their voices were similar. Overall it was definitely worth the read!
June 14, 2019
2019 Book Hoarders Challenge: Dual POV
I really liked this story. It reminded me of some of the coming of age stories I had read with my upper level classes, a bit of Bridge to Terabithia with its magical quality but a bit more as well.
Eva and Justine, two very different girls, one local and one who is a summer visitor, forge a friendship that transcends several decades. Eva is quiet; Justine is outgoing and daring. They complement each other. We see a friendship develop and we understand why. Yet, one summer the unthinkable happens to one of the them, and the other was totally unaware.
We see the girls grow up, travel the path of first love and heartbreak, the gift of life and the loss of death, of finding who they really are. The summers define them and lifetime friendship forms.
I'd read it again. (And since I rarely do re-read a story, that is a very good compliment from me.)
I really liked this story. It reminded me of some of the coming of age stories I had read with my upper level classes, a bit of Bridge to Terabithia with its magical quality but a bit more as well.
Eva and Justine, two very different girls, one local and one who is a summer visitor, forge a friendship that transcends several decades. Eva is quiet; Justine is outgoing and daring. They complement each other. We see a friendship develop and we understand why. Yet, one summer the unthinkable happens to one of the them, and the other was totally unaware.
We see the girls grow up, travel the path of first love and heartbreak, the gift of life and the loss of death, of finding who they really are. The summers define them and lifetime friendship forms.
I'd read it again. (And since I rarely do re-read a story, that is a very good compliment from me.)
March 21, 2018
I read an ARC of this book before it was published, but I never reviewed. It’s a story that’s been stuck in my head—it deserves more attention.
Set initially in the early 70s and then later in the early 80s this is a coming-of-age story of two women in small town America. What’s unique about the voices is they come from two different authors who teamed together to tell one story. I really enjoyed the attention to detail—the placement of the 70s/80s time-stamps were entertaining and made me reminisce. It’s a sweet page-turner of a book that I vividly remember 2 years after the read. (That boosts a 4-star review to a 5!)
Will definitely look for more from this duo. 👍👍
Set initially in the early 70s and then later in the early 80s this is a coming-of-age story of two women in small town America. What’s unique about the voices is they come from two different authors who teamed together to tell one story. I really enjoyed the attention to detail—the placement of the 70s/80s time-stamps were entertaining and made me reminisce. It’s a sweet page-turner of a book that I vividly remember 2 years after the read. (That boosts a 4-star review to a 5!)
Will definitely look for more from this duo. 👍👍
May 31, 2017
Returns the reader to the 70’s and 80’s thru the antics and heartbreaks of two best friends coming-of-age. I especially liked the short chapters which fit into my hectic schedule and was very easy to follow. The sub chapter headings were song titles which were extremely significant. The scents of Canoe, Tabu and Aromatics Elixir mentioned made me smile….who didn’t know those and associate it with a person, a feeling or a specific time? A Walkman, fotomat, all so workable in actually feeling a part of the gal’s lives.
April 21, 2018
Sing me the Seventies
Wonderful book about growing up female in the 1970s. Written by two authors, transitions very smooth, I never detected a difference in voice beyond the difference of the individual characters. The writing was harmonious. I especially loved the references to hit songs at the beginning of each chapter.
Wonderful book about growing up female in the 1970s. Written by two authors, transitions very smooth, I never detected a difference in voice beyond the difference of the individual characters. The writing was harmonious. I especially loved the references to hit songs at the beginning of each chapter.
March 31, 2019
This book produces nostalgia, it makes your heart ache for what was.
I have never left a rating on a book before, and I have read hundreds and more. I will be reading this book again. Unbelievable the way this author was able to tug you back into your own youth.
I have never left a rating on a book before, and I have read hundreds and more. I will be reading this book again. Unbelievable the way this author was able to tug you back into your own youth.
June 10, 2019
Stunted
The characters are not developed. The conversations are stilted. There could have been much more depth to this story. It reads as if the author took a short story and tried to develop a novel simply by increasing the word count.
The characters are not developed. The conversations are stilted. There could have been much more depth to this story. It reads as if the author took a short story and tried to develop a novel simply by increasing the word count.
June 17, 2019
Totally different from anything I have ever read but I could not put it down. It certainly left an impression but I would not know how to even begin to explain how I feel about the book. I can say it was good and really readable.
January 28, 2020
After seeing that a childhood friend was reading Etched in Shadow Hill Cemetery I chose to read it. My friend and I reconnected a few years ago after 25 years apart. I recommend it to anyone who treasures a forever friend.
February 8, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. The book was about growing up in the 70's. The book had adventure, growing pains, joy and loss. Really very good. I loved the relationship between Justine and Eva. This book took me back in time.
November 29, 2024
A heartfelt read
Quite a project to take on, and a great accomplishment creating life-like characters. Enjoyable to watch the characters grow, going through their own metamorphosis, dealing with situations and finding solutions.only found a few bloopers. Well done!
Quite a project to take on, and a great accomplishment creating life-like characters. Enjoyable to watch the characters grow, going through their own metamorphosis, dealing with situations and finding solutions.only found a few bloopers. Well done!
June 10, 2019
I thought this book was a little wordy and draggy at times. It kinda picked up in the last few chapters. I enjoyed the story
July 19, 2019
Wonderfully written.
Loved this book. Great summer read. Reminded me of my teen years growing up in a small town with my friends around the same time period.
Loved this book. Great summer read. Reminded me of my teen years growing up in a small town with my friends around the same time period.
August 4, 2019
Brought me back to my teenage years and friendships.Along with romances and drama.
August 10, 2019
Awesome read! Extraordinary friendship!
Took me back to my own childhood and my own neighborhood friends.
Good way to spend an afternoon...I loved it....
Took me back to my own childhood and my own neighborhood friends.
Good way to spend an afternoon...I loved it....
September 6, 2019
This book brought back a lot of memories for me. I did a lot of stuff in my younger days.
October 12, 2019
Excellent book didn’t want to put it down.
January 9, 2020
Etched in Shadow Hill Cemetery
I had a little trouble liking this book. I actually was on the fence until the last few chapters. It all came together.
I had a little trouble liking this book. I actually was on the fence until the last few chapters. It all came together.
March 10, 2020
Pure nostalgia!!
So reminiscent of the way it was when I was growing up in a small town in the 60's. Enjoyed reading of Eva and Justine's adventures!
So reminiscent of the way it was when I was growing up in a small town in the 60's. Enjoyed reading of Eva and Justine's adventures!
July 11, 2025
Very sweet story about childhood friendships and the crazy stories that come along with them!
December 17, 2016
Fourteen-year-old Eva, a somewhat quiet and straight-forward young teen living in a central Massachusetts town, has come to a nearby farm at the start of the summer of 1973 to take care of her horse, when a girl, Justine, from a house across the street surprises her by running over to meet and try to become friends. Twelve-year-old Justine, whose parents are raising her strictly during the school year back in New Jersey, is enjoying the opportunity of freedom by spending her summers with her aunt and uncle in Massachusetts and is excited by her aunt’s suggestion to become friends with the young girl who comes by to take care of her horse at the nearby farm. Thus begins a longtime friendship over a decade of summers as Justine and Eva finds the support from each other while navigating the teen and early adult years, especially when one of them becomes of victim of betrayal through rape. The summer adventure moments are alternatively told between the two girls, which makes me wonder if the characters are representative personas of the two authors of this book. The shifting lifetime stories may be distracting to some readers, but the look back at maturing in the 70s and 80s mainly proves to be engrossing.
November 23, 2016
Justine and Eva meet one summer In North Brookfield, MA, and shortly become best friends. Every summer, Justine returns to this town from New Jersey to stay with relatives, and, each time, she and Eva, a North Borookfield resident, pick up where they left off the previous year. From riding their bikes through town, to smoking "pot" while eluding the local police, to hanging out with other local kids, these two girls develop a bond that strengthens through the years, right up to the "present day."
Both girls face incidents in their lives that end their "innocence" and force them into the adult world: Eva learns that not everyone can be trusted, even someone she has known and respected all her life, and Justine loses someone who, perhaps, is her soulmate and never quite recovers.
This book is a well-written coming-of-age story told alternately by Eva and Justine that perfectly captures the hopes, self-doubt, happiness and heartbreak of adolescence.
Both girls face incidents in their lives that end their "innocence" and force them into the adult world: Eva learns that not everyone can be trusted, even someone she has known and respected all her life, and Justine loses someone who, perhaps, is her soulmate and never quite recovers.
This book is a well-written coming-of-age story told alternately by Eva and Justine that perfectly captures the hopes, self-doubt, happiness and heartbreak of adolescence.
Read
January 26, 2018LOVED IT!!
One of the best books I've read in a long while!! I love the reference to the music. Had a little bit of everything. Family, adolescence, suspense, Romance. I really would get lost in this book.
One of the best books I've read in a long while!! I love the reference to the music. Had a little bit of everything. Family, adolescence, suspense, Romance. I really would get lost in this book.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews