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Jericho #3
Goldenrod
Welcome back to Jericho, a small town tightly tucked into the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, where life and love have as many twists and turns as a winding mountain road. Join Syd, Maddie, David, Michael, Henry, Celine, and the irrepressible Roma Jean Freemantle as they band together to navigate the minefields of their ever-changing world in this newest Jericho novel.
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 14, 2017
35 people are currently reading
659 people want to read
About the author
Ann McMan
34 books571 followersCollege at an indifferent liberal arts institution taught Ann McMan that understanding subject/verb agreement was not enough to secure her fame and fortune. After graduation, she got a job driving a young adult bookmobile—and spent her days piloting the great rig across the dusty back roads of rural North Carolina. Her duties included making certain that the mobile library always contained at least six copies of "Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret", visiting the county detention unit (it was a great way to catch up with her brothers), and showing public service films about safe sex to pre-teens at 4-H Clubs all across her part of “The New South.”
Soon, the allure of higher education coaxed Ann back to school. For the past three decades, Ann has worked at a succession of premier institutions, designing marketing and advancement materials that promote, promulgate, and extol the benefits of indifferent liberal arts education.
Somebody has to do it.
All this time, she continued to write. And when, at the ripe old age of thirty, she realized that she was not like other girls, the great world of lesbian literature opened its arms, and provided her with a safe haven in which to grow and learn about her new identity. She will forever be indebted to those literary pioneers who had the courage, the talent, and the temerity to gift us all with an art form of our own. Ann’s first and subsequent attempts at writing lesbian fiction have been heartfelt attempts to pay that great gift forward.
Ann McMan is the author of three novels, JERICHO, DUST, and AFTERMATH–and the story collection SIDECAR.
In 2011, Ann, along with her novels JERICHO and DUST and her short story “I Saw Xena Kissing Senticles” were elected to The Royal Academy of Bards Hall of Fame. In 2012, she was awarded the Alice B. Lavender Certificate.
BACKCAST, further adventures of the CLIT-Con 13 (that zany cast of authors from SIDECAR’s “Bottle Rocket”) will be released in 2013.
Soon, the allure of higher education coaxed Ann back to school. For the past three decades, Ann has worked at a succession of premier institutions, designing marketing and advancement materials that promote, promulgate, and extol the benefits of indifferent liberal arts education.
Somebody has to do it.
All this time, she continued to write. And when, at the ripe old age of thirty, she realized that she was not like other girls, the great world of lesbian literature opened its arms, and provided her with a safe haven in which to grow and learn about her new identity. She will forever be indebted to those literary pioneers who had the courage, the talent, and the temerity to gift us all with an art form of our own. Ann’s first and subsequent attempts at writing lesbian fiction have been heartfelt attempts to pay that great gift forward.
Ann McMan is the author of three novels, JERICHO, DUST, and AFTERMATH–and the story collection SIDECAR.
In 2011, Ann, along with her novels JERICHO and DUST and her short story “I Saw Xena Kissing Senticles” were elected to The Royal Academy of Bards Hall of Fame. In 2012, she was awarded the Alice B. Lavender Certificate.
BACKCAST, further adventures of the CLIT-Con 13 (that zany cast of authors from SIDECAR’s “Bottle Rocket”) will be released in 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
June 13, 2021
June 12,2021 update. Relistened to catch up on this third book in the Jericho series. Nice to get reaquainted with Maddie and Syd, Charlie and Roma Jean, Henry, Dorothy, Celine, David and Michael. Time to solve the mystery at the end of this book with the fourth book in the series, Covenant,
Excellent audio book and story. The simple (and beautiful) romance and introduction to the colourful locals in Jericho set the groundwork for this series.Aftermath ramps up the humour while adding more depth to Maddie and Syd's relationship along with the bond they form with Henry.
In Goldenrod, McMan continues her love affair with the Jericho locals but shines in her ability to illuminate the darker aspects of small town life. Henry's dad has returned but Henry feels lost, torn between his love for his dad and his love for Maddie and Syd and their farm. The mayor is proving to be as intolerant and aggressively conservative as the present administration in Washington. A child is abused by her parent, finding comfort in the books she borrows from the bookmobile piloted by Roma Jean. There are friendships and new loves blossoming but a darkness hangs over the community.
This is a powerful read I highly recommend.
Excellent audio book and story. The simple (and beautiful) romance and introduction to the colourful locals in Jericho set the groundwork for this series.Aftermath ramps up the humour while adding more depth to Maddie and Syd's relationship along with the bond they form with Henry.
In Goldenrod, McMan continues her love affair with the Jericho locals but shines in her ability to illuminate the darker aspects of small town life. Henry's dad has returned but Henry feels lost, torn between his love for his dad and his love for Maddie and Syd and their farm. The mayor is proving to be as intolerant and aggressively conservative as the present administration in Washington. A child is abused by her parent, finding comfort in the books she borrows from the bookmobile piloted by Roma Jean. There are friendships and new loves blossoming but a darkness hangs over the community.
This is a powerful read I highly recommend.
December 2, 2018
Goldenrod by Ann McMan is the third book in her Jericho series and to say it’s been worth the wait is an understatement. I think you could read it on its own, but I have no idea why you wouldn’t want to read Jericho or Aftermath first when they’re both such wonderful books.
Make no mistake. This is no retread of Jericho, and thank goodness for that. While Jericho is a fabulous romance and Aftermath is a love letter to small town life, Goldenrod has tremendous depth as it explores the idea of family. There are good parents, dangerous ones, and everything in between. Through the families of blood and families of choice that fill the town, Ann McMan interrogates what it means to truly be a good parent, even if it isn’t what other people would expect.
Full review (The Lesbian Review): http://www.thelesbianreview.com/golde...
Full review (Curve): http://www.curvemag.com/Reviews/Golde...
Make no mistake. This is no retread of Jericho, and thank goodness for that. While Jericho is a fabulous romance and Aftermath is a love letter to small town life, Goldenrod has tremendous depth as it explores the idea of family. There are good parents, dangerous ones, and everything in between. Through the families of blood and families of choice that fill the town, Ann McMan interrogates what it means to truly be a good parent, even if it isn’t what other people would expect.
Full review (The Lesbian Review): http://www.thelesbianreview.com/golde...
Full review (Curve): http://www.curvemag.com/Reviews/Golde...
April 22, 2020
For the past week I’ve been privileged to be able to enjoy reading about the people in the town of Jericho through the books in the “Jericho Series” by Ann McMan. Yesterday I finished reading the third and (possibly?) final book in the series called Goldenrod.
This book continues the story of Syd, Maddie, Henry, and all the other wonderful folks I’ve met in the first two books with the addition of a few new people. As with those first two novels, the reader finds a good deal of love, laughter, and fun. Some of the secondary characters in books one and two become more main characters in this one. We see the tale, not only through the eyes of Syd and Maddie, but also through Henry and his friends Dorothy and Buddy. This novel has more of a dark undertone throughout the story in the form of homophobia and the possibility of child abuse. This makes this particular novel a little bit darker than the first two.
The best part of this book, as it is with the first two novels, is with the people created by the author. They have such depth and character; you expect them to be folks you could go and meet in real life. As I said above, I’ve spent the last week with these characters in the town of Jericho, and I really didn’t want to leave them when I finished the book. Neither will you.
Goldenrod is a wonderful third novel for the Jericho Series, with enough unanswered questions at the very end to make me hope there will be a fourth book sometime in the future. Until then, I hope you will read this entire series in order. I’m sure you will love the books as much as I did.
Thanks to Bywater Books for a copy of this novel, and this is my honest review.
Rainbow Reflections: http://rainbowreflections.home.blog/
This book continues the story of Syd, Maddie, Henry, and all the other wonderful folks I’ve met in the first two books with the addition of a few new people. As with those first two novels, the reader finds a good deal of love, laughter, and fun. Some of the secondary characters in books one and two become more main characters in this one. We see the tale, not only through the eyes of Syd and Maddie, but also through Henry and his friends Dorothy and Buddy. This novel has more of a dark undertone throughout the story in the form of homophobia and the possibility of child abuse. This makes this particular novel a little bit darker than the first two.
The best part of this book, as it is with the first two novels, is with the people created by the author. They have such depth and character; you expect them to be folks you could go and meet in real life. As I said above, I’ve spent the last week with these characters in the town of Jericho, and I really didn’t want to leave them when I finished the book. Neither will you.
Goldenrod is a wonderful third novel for the Jericho Series, with enough unanswered questions at the very end to make me hope there will be a fourth book sometime in the future. Until then, I hope you will read this entire series in order. I’m sure you will love the books as much as I did.
Thanks to Bywater Books for a copy of this novel, and this is my honest review.
Rainbow Reflections: http://rainbowreflections.home.blog/
June 25, 2017
Book 3 in the Jericho series takes us back to the small Virginia town and the lives of Maddie and Syd. Henry’s father is back, meaning Henry is now only a sleepover visitor, despite having his own cow at the farm. Roma Jean is growing up, Michael’s taken up Soul Food, David has political ambitions and Celine is embarrassed to have a boyfriend.
At the same time as all the usual suspects are entertaining us with their shenanigans, the darker undertones of child abuse and homophobia become more blatant. While the historical impact of being gay in small town America has been present in the first two novels, in Goldenrod it becomes real in the here and now; from a young woman’s fear of coming out to the Mayor’s active hate campaign. For the first time in the series we have real and persistent anguish and the emotional pain adds a stark relief to the normal witty repartee.
In Jericho and Aftermath the angst was light, the “will she, wont she” of new love, the realisation of lost years, a parent’s well-intentioned but hurtful deceit, and the heartache of foster child leaving the fold. Minor characters suffer with current loss and depression, but our main cast of friends are only lightly brushed with present traumas. In Goldenrod we meet Dorothy for the first time, a bright, intelligent and loving girl who is terrified of her father and his wrath. From the opening words of the prologue the scene is set for a sub-plot that ends in a dramatic cliff-hanger.. that happily for lovers of Ann McMan (Famous Author) guarantees another book in the series.
Don’t be put off by the mention of angst. If what you loved was the light-hearted banter, the witty dialogue, the literary and erudite play on words, they are all still there in spades. But the emotion has deepened, the fear is very real, and nobody who reads this will be untouched by Dorothy or be able to completely supress the desire to do her father some serious damage.
I don’t know whether this was planned from the start of the series or reflects either a change in the authors writing or the current political climate, but it reminds me of the change in Armistead Maupin’s classic series from light-hearted gay life in the rainbow city in the mid 70’s to the trauma of the AIDs epidemic. Whatever the cause, planned or not, the development is welcome. While the light-hearted and adorable wit of the first two novels was exceptional, a third in the same tone might have been stretch.
McMan’s writing is glorious, her wit and intellect as sharp as ever, her pin-point descriptions are those of a keen observer of the absurdity of human behaviour. If you haven’t read Jericho and Aftermath recently then do so to get back into the dynamic of the family and remember the idiosyncrasies of the wider cast. Then enjoy Goldenrod in all its glory.. and wait with bated breath for the next instalment in the series.
At the same time as all the usual suspects are entertaining us with their shenanigans, the darker undertones of child abuse and homophobia become more blatant. While the historical impact of being gay in small town America has been present in the first two novels, in Goldenrod it becomes real in the here and now; from a young woman’s fear of coming out to the Mayor’s active hate campaign. For the first time in the series we have real and persistent anguish and the emotional pain adds a stark relief to the normal witty repartee.
In Jericho and Aftermath the angst was light, the “will she, wont she” of new love, the realisation of lost years, a parent’s well-intentioned but hurtful deceit, and the heartache of foster child leaving the fold. Minor characters suffer with current loss and depression, but our main cast of friends are only lightly brushed with present traumas. In Goldenrod we meet Dorothy for the first time, a bright, intelligent and loving girl who is terrified of her father and his wrath. From the opening words of the prologue the scene is set for a sub-plot that ends in a dramatic cliff-hanger.. that happily for lovers of Ann McMan (Famous Author) guarantees another book in the series.
Don’t be put off by the mention of angst. If what you loved was the light-hearted banter, the witty dialogue, the literary and erudite play on words, they are all still there in spades. But the emotion has deepened, the fear is very real, and nobody who reads this will be untouched by Dorothy or be able to completely supress the desire to do her father some serious damage.
I don’t know whether this was planned from the start of the series or reflects either a change in the authors writing or the current political climate, but it reminds me of the change in Armistead Maupin’s classic series from light-hearted gay life in the rainbow city in the mid 70’s to the trauma of the AIDs epidemic. Whatever the cause, planned or not, the development is welcome. While the light-hearted and adorable wit of the first two novels was exceptional, a third in the same tone might have been stretch.
McMan’s writing is glorious, her wit and intellect as sharp as ever, her pin-point descriptions are those of a keen observer of the absurdity of human behaviour. If you haven’t read Jericho and Aftermath recently then do so to get back into the dynamic of the family and remember the idiosyncrasies of the wider cast. Then enjoy Goldenrod in all its glory.. and wait with bated breath for the next instalment in the series.
did-not-finish
October 20, 2017Jericho is one of my favorite books maybe my top 5? I struggled with this one. I got about 75% through it and I got distracted by other books, thinking I'll return to it. Two months later and I've yet to return. I'll mark it as a "I'll pick it up again someday..." I don't know, I just couldn't get into it.
November 13, 2020
Book #3 of the Jericho series and it's as good as ever. We follow more of Sydney, Maddie, David, Michael, Henry, and Roma Jean, as they deal with love and life. But, other characters also feature prominently. Buddy, who is autistic, gets a lot of page time in this book. Henry's father is also featured more, with him contemplating how to make a better future for his son. Maddie's mom has her own story arc through the book, as she deals with new love. This book deals with some serious issues. First is a homophobic and xenophobic mayor. There's also dark tone of child physical abuse affecting Henry's friend, Dorothy.
Some things are left unfinished at the end so definitely will be reading boom #4 when it comes out in 2021.
Some things are left unfinished at the end so definitely will be reading boom #4 when it comes out in 2021.
April 10, 2021
Wait... Surely there must be a book 4 given the ending. Or?
High 3s 🙂
High 3s 🙂
August 11, 2021
Absolutely fantastic. I thought it was going to mean the conclusion of the Jericho'verse but I was wrong. There are too many things dangling for it to be done. I'll bet on there being at least one more. Since this was the audio version, it's production was impeccable. Narration by Christine Williams was flawless. Her 'Henry' voice was adorable.
September 2, 2017
Excellent!
But wait... there's going to be another one.... right?
But wait... there's going to be another one.... right?
August 2, 2017
‘”You’ll let me know when that magic carpet of yours needs another tune-up.”
North Carolina author Ann McMan has a gift like few other authors: she knows how to blend comedy and sensitivity to human issues so seamlessly hat reading her novels is like looking into the mirror – not only the one in your home but also the funny distorted ones we used to see in the Fun House. Ann has worked at a succession of premier institutions, designing marketing and advancement materials that promote, promulgate, and extol the benefits of indifferent liberal arts education. At the ripe old age of thirty, she realized that she was not like other girls, the great world of lesbian literature opened its arms, and provided her with a safe haven in which to grow and learn about her new identity. She to date has penned seven novel and two anthologies of short stories – JERICHO, DUST, AFTERMATH, HOOSIER DADDY, BOTTLE ROCKET, THREE, SIDECAR STORIES, BACKCAST, JUNE MAGEE, RN FESTIVAL NURSE and GOLDENROD.
In this delightfully witty diversion of a story she offers a synopsis of where the main points rest: ‘Welcome back to Jericho, a sleepy town tightly tucked into the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, where life and love have as many twists and turns as a winding mountain road. Maddie and Syd struggle to find a new normal without their foster child, Henry, who has been reunited with his disabled-veteran father. Henry befriends Buddy – an enigmatic young man who is obsessed with pi, and Dorothy – a young girl wrestling with her own brand of family demons. Meanwhile, David takes on the town’s nemesis as a write-in candidate for mayor – and the irrepressible Roma Jean Freemantle struggles to wrangle an unwieldy bookmobile and her growing attraction to another woman. Journeys of life and love take some unexpected turns in this endearing community - but through it all, hope and the human spirit glow as brilliantly as goldenrod in the midsummer sun.
Funny, smart, informed, and very tender, this is a superb novel of multiple levels of interpretation; Ann shows once again that she is not only a fine tale spinner, but also an excellent craftswoman as well!
North Carolina author Ann McMan has a gift like few other authors: she knows how to blend comedy and sensitivity to human issues so seamlessly hat reading her novels is like looking into the mirror – not only the one in your home but also the funny distorted ones we used to see in the Fun House. Ann has worked at a succession of premier institutions, designing marketing and advancement materials that promote, promulgate, and extol the benefits of indifferent liberal arts education. At the ripe old age of thirty, she realized that she was not like other girls, the great world of lesbian literature opened its arms, and provided her with a safe haven in which to grow and learn about her new identity. She to date has penned seven novel and two anthologies of short stories – JERICHO, DUST, AFTERMATH, HOOSIER DADDY, BOTTLE ROCKET, THREE, SIDECAR STORIES, BACKCAST, JUNE MAGEE, RN FESTIVAL NURSE and GOLDENROD.
In this delightfully witty diversion of a story she offers a synopsis of where the main points rest: ‘Welcome back to Jericho, a sleepy town tightly tucked into the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, where life and love have as many twists and turns as a winding mountain road. Maddie and Syd struggle to find a new normal without their foster child, Henry, who has been reunited with his disabled-veteran father. Henry befriends Buddy – an enigmatic young man who is obsessed with pi, and Dorothy – a young girl wrestling with her own brand of family demons. Meanwhile, David takes on the town’s nemesis as a write-in candidate for mayor – and the irrepressible Roma Jean Freemantle struggles to wrangle an unwieldy bookmobile and her growing attraction to another woman. Journeys of life and love take some unexpected turns in this endearing community - but through it all, hope and the human spirit glow as brilliantly as goldenrod in the midsummer sun.
Funny, smart, informed, and very tender, this is a superb novel of multiple levels of interpretation; Ann shows once again that she is not only a fine tale spinner, but also an excellent craftswoman as well!
December 23, 2019
This was the third book in the Jericho series and I loved this one as much as the others. I think that the way Ann McMan was able to tell us a new story with old and new characters was sublime. The ending of this last book gives lots of opportunity for a sequel, which I would very much like. Not only would I like to know about Maddie end Syd and their wedding, but also about Henry and his father, Celine en Byron, Michael and David and the new characters Dorothy and Buddy. Again: very much recommended and 5 stars.
August 3, 2018
This book may be the third in Jericho series, but it had a really deeper and darker set than the previous installment.
New characters are introduced and old ones revisited to show this small town in a colder light.
It was a bit frightening and the end doesn't help one bit to put the turmoil at rest.
I guess it reflects in part the dismay we feel when we look at the current state of politics in the US.
Edited 03/08/18
The last sentence feels so bleak.
I was so taken by it the first time around that I miss the main part of the attraction of this book.
The "Small town effect". Everybody knows everybody. When something hard need to be said, it can take a lot of time for those concerned to take their courage and have the Talk.
They already have all their cards in hand. They just get to it at their own pace...
... While all the neighborhood has already rehashed the think at least twice in a row :'D
It happens for multiple character thread and each time, it's feels pretty fun, and sweet and chummy.
New characters are introduced and old ones revisited to show this small town in a colder light.
It was a bit frightening and the end doesn't help one bit to put the turmoil at rest.
I guess it reflects in part the dismay we feel when we look at the current state of politics in the US.
Edited 03/08/18
The last sentence feels so bleak.
I was so taken by it the first time around that I miss the main part of the attraction of this book.
The "Small town effect". Everybody knows everybody. When something hard need to be said, it can take a lot of time for those concerned to take their courage and have the Talk.
They already have all their cards in hand. They just get to it at their own pace...
... While all the neighborhood has already rehashed the think at least twice in a row :'D
It happens for multiple character thread and each time, it's feels pretty fun, and sweet and chummy.
August 30, 2021
I enjoyed this story as much as I did the other two books in the series. The first book still is my favourite but this one brought something new and that’s more serious topics. The story deals with bigotry and domestic violence (but never goes into too many details). It’s also about coming out to your parents and a boy that is different (probably autistic) in the most wonderful way. I definitely fell in love with Buddy and believe we can all learn a lot from him. We just need to really listen.
Besides the serious topics there is also again Ann McMan‘s wonderful humour. Of course David is again responsible for most of it. His idea running for the Mayor position might seem to be a funny and not really sensible decision at first. But when you look at it again you see that his reasons are actually totally thought through.
I definitely had a great time again with all these characters and after finishing it (with this ending) I just have to start the next book right away.
Besides the serious topics there is also again Ann McMan‘s wonderful humour. Of course David is again responsible for most of it. His idea running for the Mayor position might seem to be a funny and not really sensible decision at first. But when you look at it again you see that his reasons are actually totally thought through.
I definitely had a great time again with all these characters and after finishing it (with this ending) I just have to start the next book right away.
March 5, 2018
What a beautiful story with captivating as well as engaging characters. At the center is Syd and Maddie but it is the antics of the supporting characters that makes this a story to cherish. It is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day life in the small town of Jericho. I look forward to the next read in the series...I sure hope there is one.
December 24, 2019
This. Was. Great. This book was a wonderful installment in the Jericho series, a wonderful praise to family and small town life.
There will be a fourth book? I hope so.
There will be a fourth book? I hope so.
July 6, 2017
Excellent Addition to Series.
This book, like everything else I've read by Ann McMan is excellent. The characters are wonderful, the plot is original and interesting, and the writing itself is fantastic. Like usual, this book made me smile but even more importantly, it made me think.
I believe there's an ugliness in this country that used to bubble just beneath the surface, but lately is more obvious and unfortunately is becoming more prevalent in our daily lives. I don't exactly know what to do about it yet, but I do know that books like this are important. They're important not just because they make me want to become more engaged, but because they reinforce the message that no one should have to stand alone.
This is an excellent book that is funny and deep at the same time. I highly recommend it.
This book, like everything else I've read by Ann McMan is excellent. The characters are wonderful, the plot is original and interesting, and the writing itself is fantastic. Like usual, this book made me smile but even more importantly, it made me think.
I believe there's an ugliness in this country that used to bubble just beneath the surface, but lately is more obvious and unfortunately is becoming more prevalent in our daily lives. I don't exactly know what to do about it yet, but I do know that books like this are important. They're important not just because they make me want to become more engaged, but because they reinforce the message that no one should have to stand alone.
This is an excellent book that is funny and deep at the same time. I highly recommend it.
April 27, 2019
Sorry, people, this didn't work for me. Felt like one of those really good TV programmes that are successful (Books 1 and 2 were Fab- U -Lous - read 'em!) & producers go for "one more series" when all the best bits are used up and things become contrived. I know I'm in a minority, so I repeat, I'm sorry, in all senses of the meaning.
March 8, 2023
This series only gets better as it continues and the community of Jericho takes up more room in my heart with each new character introduced (except for evil majors). Again I highly recommend the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2017
Great continuation of people of Jericho, but it is a cliff hanger...
September 10, 2020
Sooo good! Lawd please let there be a book #4
July 8, 2017
Bravo!!!!
Miss Ann , you really did it this time. I just finished rereading Goldenrod for the second time in 48 hours. I laughed, cried and just held my breath as Henry, Syd, Maddie and crew handled all the fates that arrived in their universe. The new crew Dorothy, Buddy, Byron did not distract but rounded out the story of this true backwater. Thank you for the visit with old friends and introduction to the new.
Miss Ann , you really did it this time. I just finished rereading Goldenrod for the second time in 48 hours. I laughed, cried and just held my breath as Henry, Syd, Maddie and crew handled all the fates that arrived in their universe. The new crew Dorothy, Buddy, Byron did not distract but rounded out the story of this true backwater. Thank you for the visit with old friends and introduction to the new.
August 6, 2017
It’s been over four years since I read the previous book in this series Aftermath and I really struggled to get to grips with all the characters. It didn’t help that to begin with the story jumps around, fortunately I eventually sorted out which were the new characters and which were from the previous books.
However, it's probably just me, but I felt this was a book of two halves. The first half seemed to lack focus and there were times when the author just left things hanging, for example there were incidents with Dorothy, which just ended and weren’t revisited. Also some of the conversations were fairly inane, especially those involving David.
I found the second half of the book much better as storylines started to come together. As always, I enjoyed Henry, Maddie and Syd’s story but I also thought Charlie and Roma Jean were very sweet. However, I didn’t like the ending, which has left so many things just hanging, will there be another book and if so will it be another four or five year wait?
My only concern in the last half of the book, was why didn’t anybody noticed Dorothy was being physically abused by her father. Nobody tried to investigate and even when he had his mentally deranged outburst and dragged her off to beat her, why didn’t anybody try to stop him? I suspect the problem is that my knowledge of rural, small town America is virtually nonexistent, but I still found this strange.
However, it's probably just me, but I felt this was a book of two halves. The first half seemed to lack focus and there were times when the author just left things hanging, for example there were incidents with Dorothy, which just ended and weren’t revisited. Also some of the conversations were fairly inane, especially those involving David.
I found the second half of the book much better as storylines started to come together. As always, I enjoyed Henry, Maddie and Syd’s story but I also thought Charlie and Roma Jean were very sweet. However, I didn’t like the ending, which has left so many things just hanging, will there be another book and if so will it be another four or five year wait?
My only concern in the last half of the book, was why didn’t anybody noticed Dorothy was being physically abused by her father. Nobody tried to investigate and even when he had his mentally deranged outburst and dragged her off to beat her, why didn’t anybody try to stop him? I suspect the problem is that my knowledge of rural, small town America is virtually nonexistent, but I still found this strange.
September 2, 2018
I’d often come across Ann McMan as people’s favorite author, and Backcast in particular, as a ‘must-read’ in many peoples’ estimations.
Finally, I got around to listening to her work, culminating with her latest in a (so far?) three book series set in Virginia.
Anyhow, I totally get why Ann McMan is on so many favorite lists now. Her characters are real and rounded. Her story arcs are slightly unexpected, like life. And her writing is really lovely - listen-to-that-bit-again-lovely - in parts. The rest? Just plain great.
Goldenrod is the third installment in this series, the action a little less frenetic than the others, but the character development continues. [Is there a feeling of a modern, diverse, The Walton’s from this series? If so, this would not be a criticism.] Others have done more justice to summarizing the plot before me. Suffice to say, I’m happy to spend time in the company of these characters, any time.
If you haven’t read any (or all) or of her stuff yet, I’m jealous. A treat awaits you.
Finally, I got around to listening to her work, culminating with her latest in a (so far?) three book series set in Virginia.
Anyhow, I totally get why Ann McMan is on so many favorite lists now. Her characters are real and rounded. Her story arcs are slightly unexpected, like life. And her writing is really lovely - listen-to-that-bit-again-lovely - in parts. The rest? Just plain great.
Goldenrod is the third installment in this series, the action a little less frenetic than the others, but the character development continues. [Is there a feeling of a modern, diverse, The Walton’s from this series? If so, this would not be a criticism.] Others have done more justice to summarizing the plot before me. Suffice to say, I’m happy to spend time in the company of these characters, any time.
If you haven’t read any (or all) or of her stuff yet, I’m jealous. A treat awaits you.
December 14, 2018
The characters where good and well developed, but I’m still not sure where the story was supposed to take me. It left so much still unresolved.
November 24, 2019
I loved the first two books in the Jericho series but Goldenrod seems to be more of a work in progress than a finished novel. There were simply too many unfinished or incomplete story lines or themes to make this an enjoyable read. There were also too many predictable actions. If there were a book 4 that finished some of these, Goldenrod would be worth reading. Without such, I recommend skipping this one.
November 9, 2019
Ends in a cliffhanger. And no apparent 4th book
July 25, 2024
Another great Jericho read. I love these book so much. For me, nothing will ever beat the first one, but I am very much enjoying how the series has turned into a town drama. There are so many new plot lines that are RIVETING.
Dorothy? Omg. I don’t know if I missed it or if it was supposed to be a shocker but I did NOT realize her father was the mayor. Until literally the last couple pages when he shoves David onto the table. I literally cannot believe she killed him. My prediction is that Maddie and Syd are gonna adopt her too which would be SO CUTE.
I was so glad that James decided to have Syd and Maddie adopt Henry. That part had me CRYIN.
Also can we talk about Buddy?? Like the kid is a genius. I am curious as to what his plan was with the “cannons” if Dorothy hadn’t killed her dad. Like was buddy planning on killing him?? Also now that he’s dead does this make David mayor?? So many questions.
ALSO AHHHH. Maddie proposing 😭😭 was so cute. The fact that she did it in the same exact spot that they met was everything to me. I am so obsessed with them, it’s criminal.
And Celine’s relationship with Henry and Dorothy was so cute. And her with the sheriff??? Literally go off Celine.
As you can see I literally ate this third book up. I’m gonna have to read a different book now so I can savor the final book in the series.
Dorothy? Omg. I don’t know if I missed it or if it was supposed to be a shocker but I did NOT realize her father was the mayor. Until literally the last couple pages when he shoves David onto the table. I literally cannot believe she killed him. My prediction is that Maddie and Syd are gonna adopt her too which would be SO CUTE.
I was so glad that James decided to have Syd and Maddie adopt Henry. That part had me CRYIN.
Also can we talk about Buddy?? Like the kid is a genius. I am curious as to what his plan was with the “cannons” if Dorothy hadn’t killed her dad. Like was buddy planning on killing him?? Also now that he’s dead does this make David mayor?? So many questions.
ALSO AHHHH. Maddie proposing 😭😭 was so cute. The fact that she did it in the same exact spot that they met was everything to me. I am so obsessed with them, it’s criminal.
And Celine’s relationship with Henry and Dorothy was so cute. And her with the sheriff??? Literally go off Celine.
As you can see I literally ate this third book up. I’m gonna have to read a different book now so I can savor the final book in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2021
The town of Jericho was mostly background for Jericho, and while foregrounded in Aftermath, that book focused on the positives and the sense of community. In Goldenrod, McMan gets more serious. There are plenty of sweet and kind moments, and Syd and Maddie are still delightful together, but there's also bigotry, homophobia, hostility towards the neurodiverse, and child abuse.
The book is well done. And it makes me deeply happy that Roma Jean has grown from a comedic 2-D character in the first novel to a rich and beautiful person.
My only quibble is that the ending is remarkably abrupt, unlike any other McMan book. Never has she so obviously left the door open for a sequel. But hey, at least she followed through - as of 2021, the sequel is now here: Covenant.
The book is well done. And it makes me deeply happy that Roma Jean has grown from a comedic 2-D character in the first novel to a rich and beautiful person.
My only quibble is that the ending is remarkably abrupt, unlike any other McMan book. Never has she so obviously left the door open for a sequel. But hey, at least she followed through - as of 2021, the sequel is now here: Covenant.
December 28, 2019
This book is a worthy continuation of the Jericho series but as echoed in some other reviews, this one is far removed from the lighter tone of the other books, particularly the first in the series. There is a darkness to this book that feels very real in the world we live in now.
Regardless of this I enjoyed revisiting the eclectic cast and finding out about them. Small communities are so varied. There are the community leaders, the good neighbours who'll help anyone, the bigots, the ones who've gotten a bit lost, and there are the unlikely friendships and relationships. One of the aspects of the whole series that I enjoyed the most was Celine's journey from where she was in book 1 to right now, translating German porn!
Ann McMan is a consistently reliable author and I really enjoy her stories of small town America which is fascinating to me as a Brit. Long may she write.
Regardless of this I enjoyed revisiting the eclectic cast and finding out about them. Small communities are so varied. There are the community leaders, the good neighbours who'll help anyone, the bigots, the ones who've gotten a bit lost, and there are the unlikely friendships and relationships. One of the aspects of the whole series that I enjoyed the most was Celine's journey from where she was in book 1 to right now, translating German porn!
Ann McMan is a consistently reliable author and I really enjoy her stories of small town America which is fascinating to me as a Brit. Long may she write.
May 13, 2023
Pretty good story
It's a pretty good story with a lot of goid characters. Pace moves along with lots of stuff going on.
I just wish people would stop making out like all straight people are gay haters. I'm a Christian and a lesbian, and I see more hate from gay people than church people. This gets a little preachy on the us versus them trope which is maybe kind of the problem, but a decent enough story overall.
I like Maddie and Syd best, and obviously Gerald is a beast, but maybe using stereotypes for your villain isn't the best choice, nor is pretending that all the gay people in town are perfect little angels. Life is rarely that black and white.
I'd read it again.
It's a pretty good story with a lot of goid characters. Pace moves along with lots of stuff going on.
I just wish people would stop making out like all straight people are gay haters. I'm a Christian and a lesbian, and I see more hate from gay people than church people. This gets a little preachy on the us versus them trope which is maybe kind of the problem, but a decent enough story overall.
I like Maddie and Syd best, and obviously Gerald is a beast, but maybe using stereotypes for your villain isn't the best choice, nor is pretending that all the gay people in town are perfect little angels. Life is rarely that black and white.
I'd read it again.
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