The Turtle Catcher: A Novel

by Nicole Lea Helget

A young woman’s secret may tear her rural Minnesota community apart, in this “emotional tale of star-crossed love, vengeance and regret” (Publishers Weekly). In the tumultuous days after World War I, Herman Richter returns from the front to find his only sister, Liesel, allied with Lester Sutter, the "slow" son of a rival clan who spends his days “Historical fiction with a slight touch of magical realism, The Turtle Catcher is a moving portrait of difficult times and vividly realized characters” (Booklist) from “the most promising Minnesota writer in a generation” (Minneapolis Star Tribune).   In the tumultuous days after World War I, Herman Richter returns from the front to find his only sister, Liesel, allied with Lester Sutter, the “slow” son of a rival clan who spends his days expertly trapping lake turtles. Liesel has sought Lester’s friendship in the wake of her parents’ deaths and in the shadow of her own dark secret. But what begins as yearning for a human touch quickly unwinds into a shocking, suspenseful tragedy that will haunt the rural town of New Germany, Minnesota, for generations.   Woven into this “great, rattling, breathless mystery” are the intense, illuminating experiences of German immigrants in America during the war and the terrible choices they were forced to make in service of their new country or in honor of the old (NPR’s Weekend Edition). The Turtle Catcher is a lyrical, vibrant, beautifully wrought look at a fascinating piece of American history—and the echoing dangers of family secrets.   “One mark of a good book is that it keeps you up all night reading it. But if it’s nearly dawn and the book is closed and you still can’t sleep, the book’s either brilliant or scary as hell. Nicole Helget’s first novel, ‘The Turtle Catcher,’ is both.” —MinnPost

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 27, 2010

Reviews

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is about two families that face many issues starting before WW1 and shortly after. The secrets they have hidden from each other and how what they did or didn’t do about the secrets causes issues. From being born with an extra appendage and a family member loosing one during the war.

[Deana Wright · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not like how it opened. Soured me for the rest of the story.

[Tracy Sangren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one of my favorite books! 10+ stars! The story takes place in St. Boni, MN.

[Madelyne Kujath · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. The plot was really wild. I’m not super into this genre of book, but I still liked it. The ending was really good as well!

[Susan Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really amazing book- great historical fiction mixed with magic realism. Beautiful, intriguing, sad, scary and engrossing.