Or So It Seemed

by Moira Leigh MacLeod

It's 1946 and Mabel has never been happier. She's a wife, a new mother, and the owner of the town's most popular bakery. The black clouds that had followed her in the past have parted and her future has never looked brighter. Or so it seemed.

A devastating loss and murder abruptly turn Mabel's tranquil life upside down. As rumours run rampant, conclusions are drawn, and doubt takes hold, Mabel is left questioning her marriage, her faith and her very existence.

Or so it seemed is a stand-alone, page-turning mystery that reintroduces many of the unforgettable characters fans of The Bread Maker have come to either love or loathe, cry for or curse. Readers of this evocative and stirring novel will also be treated to a rich cast of new characters, including Mabel's strange neighbour, a handsome young priest, and a hilarious gaggle of mischievous boys; all of whom come together to remind us that things aren't always as they seem.

318 pages, Paperback

Published October 18, 2017

Reviews

[Mamashaw_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moira Leigh MacLeod certainly didn’t disappoint with her sequel to The Bread Maker. I couldn’t put this one down. If you haven’t read these, add them to your list...NOW! Just like The Bread Maker, Or So it Seemed had me chuckling, crying, and wondering the whole way through. It is quick paced and the characters and setting are well developed...a page turner for sure! Can’t wait for MacLeod’s third novel 🙏

[Lorna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this novel! ......And a Cape Breton author to boot!! I couldn’t put it down....highly recommend.

[Kelly Greenwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mabel and Stanley and their growing family continue to suffer adversity and find their way through it with their family and friends. Along the way there are lots of lessons that thinks are not always what they seem. This is book 2 of the series. Again, I wish I had started with book 1 instead of book 3 in the series. I hope there is more to come from this author about Mabel and Stanley and their family and friends.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Or So It Seemed is marketed as a “stand-alone, page-turning mystery”, I found that having read the author’s earlier novel, The Bread Maker, would likely have enriched my experience. Several characters in this book seem to have been introduced previously, and some background familiarity might have helped my understanding of their stories and relationships.

That said, it was still an enjoyable read overall. It’s also worth noting that the author is a Canadian writer from Nova Scotia!

[Wendy Luciano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who would’nt love Mabel. I found all the characters from the very first page came to live. Moira’s writing flows easily, a book that’s hard to put down. You don’t want it to end.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great book! Love the story of Mabel and her family. Recommended!

[Barry Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have found another favourite story teller thanks to our friend Bumper. Her stories are so wonderful and they make you laugh and cry. The characters are also real and full of life.

[Brenda Daley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book even more than the first! It was so daunting for a bit but once I realized J.C was alive it was more palatable and so exciting. Loved the different perspectives & short chapters.

[Monica Kelloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, it grips you right from the start that you can’t put it down. Each family have their problems and you wonder how will they manage to get through it. Waiting and hoping for a third book!!

[Kim Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, new characters and new story. Couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait for the next book.

[Phillip Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect sequel to The Bread Maker

The author captures the human pathos so aptly that it touches the reader's heart and even brings tears. I couldn't stop reading and eagerly await her third novel.