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Found Drowned
Based on a true unsolved crime from 1877, Laurie Glenn Norris's debut novel tells the story of two small towns linked by the disappearance of a teenage girl. Mary Harney is a dreamy teenager in Cumberland County, Nova Scotia, whose ambitions are stifled by her tyrannical grandmother and alcoholic father. When Mary's mother becomes ill, an already fragile domestic situation quickly begins to unravel until the October evening when the girl goes missing.
Across the water on Prince Edward Island we meet Gilbert Bell, whose son finds a body washed up on the beach below the family farm. As the community is visited first by the local coroner and then by investigators, Glenn Norris paints a fascinating and darkly comic picture of judicial and forensic procedures of the time. At once tightly plotted and pensive, the novel travels back to the circumstances that led to Mary's disappearance and then back further to the circumstances of her parents' marriage, all the while building toward a raucous courtroom finale.
256 pages, Paperback
Published June 30, 2019
16 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
March 4, 2022
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Historical Fiction
Found Drowned is a historical fiction book based on a true crime story that took place in 1877. In the major part of the story, we are following Will & his wife Ann with their children including Mary who disappears one day. In the last portion of the book, the setting changes to legal and the story is more set in the court.
Pros:
- I liked the characters! I don't mean loving them but liking the way the author has presented them with their goodness or badness. I think most of the characters were very well defined be it Will, Ann, Mable, or Mary.
- The story was intriguing and interesting. Even when nothing major was happening the dialogue between the characters kept the story very much alive.
Cons:
- There was a jump in different dates between the chapters. Sometimes that made the transition of the events confusing but it did not spoil the story for me.
Final Thought:
Laurie Gleen Norris did a commendable job in mixing true events with some fiction. She took many years to complete this book. I think she is a great storyteller & I hope her next book will not take that long. Found Drowned will be available on June 30th, 2019.
Many thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for providing me an advanced reading copy ARC in return for an honest & unbiased review.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Found Drowned is a historical fiction book based on a true crime story that took place in 1877. In the major part of the story, we are following Will & his wife Ann with their children including Mary who disappears one day. In the last portion of the book, the setting changes to legal and the story is more set in the court.
Pros:
- I liked the characters! I don't mean loving them but liking the way the author has presented them with their goodness or badness. I think most of the characters were very well defined be it Will, Ann, Mable, or Mary.
- The story was intriguing and interesting. Even when nothing major was happening the dialogue between the characters kept the story very much alive.
Cons:
- There was a jump in different dates between the chapters. Sometimes that made the transition of the events confusing but it did not spoil the story for me.
Final Thought:
Laurie Gleen Norris did a commendable job in mixing true events with some fiction. She took many years to complete this book. I think she is a great storyteller & I hope her next book will not take that long. Found Drowned will be available on June 30th, 2019.
Many thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for providing me an advanced reading copy ARC in return for an honest & unbiased review.
May 6, 2019
This is a well written, concise, historical novel based on an unsolved mystery in 1877. The description of the farms and villages, rivers, and transportation in Cumberland County, Nova Scotia were well done, as well as a location in PEI. Knowing the area fairly well, I thought the sense of time and place seemed realistic and well researched. The book exposes dark secrets of rural life which sometimes differed from a nostalgic view of an idyllic country lifestyle.
Mary Harney is a teenaged girl living on a farm with a brutal, alcoholic father, a mother overdosing on laudanum (containing opium), becoming a hypochondriac, and gradually going insane, and a sharp-tongued, critical grandmother. The only kindness she receives at home is from an uncle who does most of the farm work. Mary is a daydreamer. Her days are filled with farm chores and looking after her younger siblings. Her life is stifled by her tyrannical father, grandmother, and her bedridden mother, as well as the misogyny of the times. She finds a small degree of happiness in secretly meeting with a young man of the village. One evening she goes to tend the cows and vanishes.
A body believed to be that of Mary is found washed up on a shore in PEI. Without modern forensic procedures, we are reminded of the difficulty of solving crimes at the time. Incompetent local medical procedures and police work hindered the identification of the body and bringing a perpetrator to justice. Local gossip revealed most were highly suspicious of the person or persons who killed Mary, but there was not sufficient evidence to convict, even when well-trained police were brought in from Halifax after a passage of time.
I felt the characters were well drawn and believable, and their dialogue seemed mostly authentic for the era.
Thanks to NetGalley and Nimbus Publishing for the ARC. 3.5 stars.
Mary Harney is a teenaged girl living on a farm with a brutal, alcoholic father, a mother overdosing on laudanum (containing opium), becoming a hypochondriac, and gradually going insane, and a sharp-tongued, critical grandmother. The only kindness she receives at home is from an uncle who does most of the farm work. Mary is a daydreamer. Her days are filled with farm chores and looking after her younger siblings. Her life is stifled by her tyrannical father, grandmother, and her bedridden mother, as well as the misogyny of the times. She finds a small degree of happiness in secretly meeting with a young man of the village. One evening she goes to tend the cows and vanishes.
A body believed to be that of Mary is found washed up on a shore in PEI. Without modern forensic procedures, we are reminded of the difficulty of solving crimes at the time. Incompetent local medical procedures and police work hindered the identification of the body and bringing a perpetrator to justice. Local gossip revealed most were highly suspicious of the person or persons who killed Mary, but there was not sufficient evidence to convict, even when well-trained police were brought in from Halifax after a passage of time.
I felt the characters were well drawn and believable, and their dialogue seemed mostly authentic for the era.
Thanks to NetGalley and Nimbus Publishing for the ARC. 3.5 stars.
June 10, 2025
This is my own book - written over a period of 25 years- I WAS doing other things in the meantime!
Thanks to those who were interested enough to read and review it. Much appreciated.
Thanks to those who were interested enough to read and review it. Much appreciated.
June 24, 2019
This is a suspenseful, engaging story. I was transported by the descriptions of time and place. The characters are also well drawn.
March 10, 2020
This is a beautifully written book based on the unsolved murder from 1877. I don’t want to give many details of the book as it would ruin it for you. I want to say that the characters are well developed with some you like and some you will detest/hate. To me, that is a sign of an amazing writer. If you can create characters that people can truly detest you have done your job well. This book is based in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island and being from NS made this book especially interesting. The story moves quickly and has a nice twist or two to keep you guessing. I didn’t want to put it down and Rex it through in one day. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
May 26, 2019
I will never not want to read historical fiction based on a true crime set in Canada.
This was a moody, engaging read that felt very authentic to the time and place—a time and place not always revisited in this genre, so I was hooked immediately.
The story of a young woman found washed up on a beach in PEI in 1877, and the nearly parallel story of the family in Nova Scotia that the young woman may have been from, are equally interesting, though the very large cast of characters was sometimes hard to keep track of. I also had a few issues with the timeline jumping, but that may have been smoothed out if I had been reading a paperback version of this book and could easily flip to previous chapters. Ebooks really do suck for that kind of thing.
Anyway, fantastic rainy-day read that I will be recommending to many. We need more stories like this!
Thank you to Nimbus Publishing and Net Galley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a moody, engaging read that felt very authentic to the time and place—a time and place not always revisited in this genre, so I was hooked immediately.
The story of a young woman found washed up on a beach in PEI in 1877, and the nearly parallel story of the family in Nova Scotia that the young woman may have been from, are equally interesting, though the very large cast of characters was sometimes hard to keep track of. I also had a few issues with the timeline jumping, but that may have been smoothed out if I had been reading a paperback version of this book and could easily flip to previous chapters. Ebooks really do suck for that kind of thing.
Anyway, fantastic rainy-day read that I will be recommending to many. We need more stories like this!
Thank you to Nimbus Publishing and Net Galley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 8, 2019
I received and advanced reader’s copy of this title and I absolutely loved it.
Laurie Glenn Norris kept you guessing what happened through the book. Even though it’s fiction based off real events I felt like I was there through the whole trial.
Laurie Glenn Norris kept you guessing what happened through the book. Even though it’s fiction based off real events I felt like I was there through the whole trial.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2020
A very interesting and intriguing read, based on a "true" story, with unknowns deftly and imaginatively filled in by author Norris. Late 19th century rural Nova Scotia and its denizens feature strongly here as the evil doppelganger of Anne of Green Gables. For every positive image in Montgomery's work, we are met here with insidious drunkenness, abuse, vileness and hatred. Small town life. My second great grandmother, a Hunter, was born in Cumberland County Nova Scotia in 1848, and died there in 1935... The location first intrigued me; but the book is a true roller coaster ride and you won't want to skip any pages.
August 21, 2020
Based on an unsolved murder of a Nova Scotia teenager. I really enjoyed this, I find reading books from my area puts an intimate atmosphere to the story. This book delivers a gripping tale of suspense and intrigue, with interesting characters.
November 11, 2021
A riveting mystery based on a true story, Found Drowned, is about the unsolved murder of Mary Harney back in 1877. At the time she is living in Nova Scotia with a tyrannical grandmother and an alcoholic father. Then across the pond on Prince Edward Island where a body washes up on the beach.
A true mystery the author does a great job in intertwining these two stories to keep you entertained until the very end.
A true mystery the author does a great job in intertwining these two stories to keep you entertained until the very end.
January 15, 2020
Initially drawn to the beautiful cover of this book. I was delighted to receive an advance copy of this title in return for an honest review.
Based on a true story this book feels very well researched. The storyline kept good pace and retained my interest right through. This is my first time reading a book by this author but I would certainly like to read more in the future.
Based on a true story this book feels very well researched. The storyline kept good pace and retained my interest right through. This is my first time reading a book by this author but I would certainly like to read more in the future.
April 9, 2021
Content Warning: sexual assault, animal abuse, child abuse
Laurie Glenn Norris has crafted a chilling debut novel based on a true unsolved crime from 1877 in Atlantic Canada. Created entirely from Glenn Norris’s imagination along with snippets of articles and stories surrounding Mary Harney’s disappearance, Found Drowned is an excellent piece of Canadian historical fiction. Seventeen-year-old Mary Harney is a dreamer and has a vivid imagination, traits that shouldn’t be associated with a young lady almost old enough to be wed. Mary’s home life is far from perfect, with an alcoholic father and a grandmother who doesn’t think highly of her, so it’s no wonder that Mary finds solace in her own thoughts. One evening during a domestic altercation between her parents, Mary goes missing from her home in Rockley, Nova Scotia. Some time later an unknown woman washes ashore in Bell’s Point, Prince Edward Island, and these two small towns become entwined as they try to solve this mystery.
Glenn Norris goes between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island to paint a picture of what would have happened in 1877 when a suspected murder had been committed. It is clear to the reader that Glenn Norris has put a tremendous amount of time into researching the story of Mary Harney, the judicial and forensic procedures in the late 19th century, and also the areas in which Found Drowned takes place. Glenn Norris certainly has a way with words, and she manages to capture the reader’s attention very early on. The prose throughout Found Drowned is fantastic, and Glenn Norris has paid attention to detail when it comes to the era she has written about. While Found Drowned is a dark and melancholy novel, Glenn Norris wrote it in such a way that it allows the voice of a young woman, who had hers taken way too soon, be heard.
Thank you to Nimbus Publishing for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Originally published on Cloud Lake Literary, link below:
https://www.cloudlakeliterary.ca/blog...
Laurie Glenn Norris has crafted a chilling debut novel based on a true unsolved crime from 1877 in Atlantic Canada. Created entirely from Glenn Norris’s imagination along with snippets of articles and stories surrounding Mary Harney’s disappearance, Found Drowned is an excellent piece of Canadian historical fiction. Seventeen-year-old Mary Harney is a dreamer and has a vivid imagination, traits that shouldn’t be associated with a young lady almost old enough to be wed. Mary’s home life is far from perfect, with an alcoholic father and a grandmother who doesn’t think highly of her, so it’s no wonder that Mary finds solace in her own thoughts. One evening during a domestic altercation between her parents, Mary goes missing from her home in Rockley, Nova Scotia. Some time later an unknown woman washes ashore in Bell’s Point, Prince Edward Island, and these two small towns become entwined as they try to solve this mystery.
Glenn Norris goes between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island to paint a picture of what would have happened in 1877 when a suspected murder had been committed. It is clear to the reader that Glenn Norris has put a tremendous amount of time into researching the story of Mary Harney, the judicial and forensic procedures in the late 19th century, and also the areas in which Found Drowned takes place. Glenn Norris certainly has a way with words, and she manages to capture the reader’s attention very early on. The prose throughout Found Drowned is fantastic, and Glenn Norris has paid attention to detail when it comes to the era she has written about. While Found Drowned is a dark and melancholy novel, Glenn Norris wrote it in such a way that it allows the voice of a young woman, who had hers taken way too soon, be heard.
Thank you to Nimbus Publishing for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Originally published on Cloud Lake Literary, link below:
https://www.cloudlakeliterary.ca/blog...
August 12, 2024
This was surprisingly well written and I enjoyed it much more than I expected. I found the story in a small local gift shop and was intrigued by the very local setting and history of the story. It is based on a true ghost story/unsolved mystery in rural Nova Scotia and the author did a lovely job of giving the story voice and giving life to the setting and time period.
May 20, 2019
Found Drowned is a thrilling mystery based on a true event from 1877. When the body of a young girl washes up on Prince Edward Isle the whole community is invested in finding out who she is and what happened to her. The narrative vacillates between this community and Nova Scotia where the main character Mary Harney’s life plays out in an increasingly stifling house with her volatile father and domineering grandmother. Her situation becomes worse when her mother begins to succumb to mental illness leaving her vulnerable to the growing instability of the home. Mary often loses herself in dreams of adventure in a world beyond her small agricultural community, but can she escape in time?
Norris paints a convincing story of rural Canadian life in the 1800’s. Detailed descriptions of the landscape place the reader directly in the picturesque setting. The characters are complex yet accessible and leave the reader sympathetic to some and antagonistic toward others. The plot is engaging and draws the reader in with unexpected twists and turns. For me this book was hard to put down. I have no hesitation in recommending Found Drowned to other lovers of historical fiction and mystery.
Full disclosure- An ARC of this book was provided via NetGalley in return for this review.
Norris paints a convincing story of rural Canadian life in the 1800’s. Detailed descriptions of the landscape place the reader directly in the picturesque setting. The characters are complex yet accessible and leave the reader sympathetic to some and antagonistic toward others. The plot is engaging and draws the reader in with unexpected twists and turns. For me this book was hard to put down. I have no hesitation in recommending Found Drowned to other lovers of historical fiction and mystery.
Full disclosure- An ARC of this book was provided via NetGalley in return for this review.
July 15, 2019
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read an ARC copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.
As a Nova Scotian girl, I was so excited to read the blurb for this book and even more excited to be granted the opportunity to read it. As I read this book, I loved all the details of the surroundings and kept trying to think of what Nova Scotia would have been like in the late 1800s. This book is a fictional account based upon a true event from 1877 of a body of girl washed up on the shores of PEI, this fictional story has young girl on the cusp of adulthood who is abused and still trying to see the good in the world. It was a heart-wrenching story, this young girl, so full of life and promise but stuck in an unfortunate home-life with an alcoholic father, abusive grandmother and when her mother gets sick, it goes downhill from there. The story goes between PEI and the family who found the body and Nova Scotia, where the young girl is from. I really enjoyed this story and the ending although it left me wanting more, I felt like it was okay, it was meant to make you wonder.
Would definitely read a book by this author again. Well done.
As a Nova Scotian girl, I was so excited to read the blurb for this book and even more excited to be granted the opportunity to read it. As I read this book, I loved all the details of the surroundings and kept trying to think of what Nova Scotia would have been like in the late 1800s. This book is a fictional account based upon a true event from 1877 of a body of girl washed up on the shores of PEI, this fictional story has young girl on the cusp of adulthood who is abused and still trying to see the good in the world. It was a heart-wrenching story, this young girl, so full of life and promise but stuck in an unfortunate home-life with an alcoholic father, abusive grandmother and when her mother gets sick, it goes downhill from there. The story goes between PEI and the family who found the body and Nova Scotia, where the young girl is from. I really enjoyed this story and the ending although it left me wanting more, I felt like it was okay, it was meant to make you wonder.
Would definitely read a book by this author again. Well done.
May 15, 2019
A just the right length historical / mystery that keeps the reader engaged. I am familiar with the locations of many of the places described . Knowing the general locale it was easy to conjure what the areas would like in 1877, the desolation yet beauty of small town country life. The author described vividly the hardships Mary , the main character encountered living in a house with a nagging ,complainer grandmother , a sly and abusive father , an emotionally deprived mother, a doting uncle and two loving siblings. The mystery of Mary’s death made for a very interesting read as well as it showed how the cause of her death was determined and workings of the judicial system . The book was informative, interesting, sad and not without surprises. Recommend.
September 29, 2019
Just completed an excellent 19th century murder mystery based upon a true unsolved crime set in the Canadian Maritimes. I"d like to thank Charlottetown's Bookmark bookstore for simply remaining one of those true hidden gems of brick & mortar wordsmiths'. It's always a pleasure to peruse your charming shop for the latest unique read. Thank you.
As for Found Drowned it's a must read for anyone whom enjoys an atmospheric tale of the hardships & sense of community found in a Maritime rural setting, domestic abuse & of course murder! The author has included an excellent backstory that immerses the reader into this bleak & wondrous world where things are never how they appear to be.
Even the ending will keep you wondering.
A well deserved 4 stars.
As for Found Drowned it's a must read for anyone whom enjoys an atmospheric tale of the hardships & sense of community found in a Maritime rural setting, domestic abuse & of course murder! The author has included an excellent backstory that immerses the reader into this bleak & wondrous world where things are never how they appear to be.
Even the ending will keep you wondering.
A well deserved 4 stars.
December 31, 2019
This story is based on an event that happened in 1877 when a body washed up near Cape Traverse in PEI.In 1877 there could be no ability to identify a body other than visual by someone that knew them well The body was believed to be that of Mary Heaney an 18 yr old that had disappeared from a community close to Pugwash NS. It was widely believed in the community that her father was the cause of her disappearance as he was known to be a violent abusive man who drank. This book is well written and highlights the less than nostalgic lives of women and girls in that time.
February 25, 2020
I really liked this book. The only reason I didn’t give it five stars is because, for me, it started kind of slow. But once it started, I couldn’t put it down. I just had to finish and know what went on. It’s based on a true crime happening in 1800’s. It’s so sad. I felt so bad for the young girl who is the main character. I would recommend to anyone who likes crime mysteries. Throughout the book, there is some language. Not all the way through, but on occasion. There is occasional cursing and taking the Lord’s name in vain. Just wanted to let those who watch out for that to know. I thank and appreciate #NetGalley and the publishers of #FoundDrowned for the opportunity to read.
February 16, 2020
A good true crime/mystery novel set in Nova Scotia. Written in the turn of the century style similar to /Turn of the Screw/ and /The Moonstone/. While I enjoyed that it was set near to where I live, I just found the pacing a bit off, and the voice of the novel was a bit rough at times.
Read
August 22, 2023A strong plotline, driven by mystery, with characters I can feel some sympathy for (well, not all of them, but the 'villain' is suitably villainous and distinct from most of the others). The unexpected reversals, especially in the denouement, are particularly effective and the pace is good.
May 4, 2019
This book had me on the edge of my seat, almost to the very end. I could not put it down, and finished it within three days. However, my only compliant is the ending. The novel ended on an awkward note and didn’t provide much closure. I am hoping that means there will be a second part! Other than that , the book was extremely detailed and I was able to imagine vividly the setting and the characters! Thank you for allowing me to review this book.
June 21, 2019
Great read. The author wrote a story that was interesting and moved at a pace that kept me engaged. The characters were easy to invest in.
January 27, 2020
In September 1887, the body of a young girl washed up on the shores of Cape Traverse, PE. Just over a week before that, Mary Harney had gone missing in Rockley, NS.
This fictional telling is based on the police reports and newspaper stories from that time and does a wonderful job of imagining the reality behind the headlines. Compelling, intriguing, at times horrifying in it's stark portrayal of events, but also hopeful, kind and compassionate.
This will be a re-read.
This fictional telling is based on the police reports and newspaper stories from that time and does a wonderful job of imagining the reality behind the headlines. Compelling, intriguing, at times horrifying in it's stark portrayal of events, but also hopeful, kind and compassionate.
This will be a re-read.
March 21, 2021
The author of Found Drowned makes very creative use of a real mystery from the last quarter of the 19th century. To be sure, this is not Anne of Green Gables, although it takes place at a similar time and location. That can’t help but contribute to the interest in this book. The family we watch in Found Drowned is severely dysfunctional in ways normally thought of as 20th and 21st century.
Although the really bad character in this book is male, many of the women aren’t very nice either. There are very interesting descriptions of rural life and work. 19th century Maritime Canada life really comes to life.
Although the really bad character in this book is male, many of the women aren’t very nice either. There are very interesting descriptions of rural life and work. 19th century Maritime Canada life really comes to life.
July 11, 2019
When Mary Harney goes missing from Nova Scotia in 1877, and the body of a young girl is found washed ashore on Prince Edward Island, it's thought a tragic accident led to the drowning. Gossip in Mary's hometown however attribute her death to a more malevolent cause - her father, Will Harney.
The book is historical fiction based upon true events. It's an interesting read and obviously shows the author's research about the actual case that the book was based on. The narrative moves between Mary's life and the events after her death. Due to lack of evidence, there wasn't much of a resolution so the story feels unfinished, but that's the nature of things as real life doesn't always end up with everything tied up neatly. I enjoyed reading it and would recommend to anyone who likes historical fiction based on true stories.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Nimbus Publishing, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
The book is historical fiction based upon true events. It's an interesting read and obviously shows the author's research about the actual case that the book was based on. The narrative moves between Mary's life and the events after her death. Due to lack of evidence, there wasn't much of a resolution so the story feels unfinished, but that's the nature of things as real life doesn't always end up with everything tied up neatly. I enjoyed reading it and would recommend to anyone who likes historical fiction based on true stories.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Nimbus Publishing, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
November 12, 2021
Wow!!! What an incredible read. I was hooked on the first page. I will read anything that Norris writes. This historical fiction mystery was absolute perfection. The ending left me completely speechless.
- A fellow Cumberland County resident.
- A fellow Cumberland County resident.
August 2, 2023
This nineteenth-century murder mystery, based on a true unsolved crime, follows the story of two maritime towns linked by the disappearance of a teenage girl named Mary Harney who lives in Cumberland County, Nova Scotia. Across the water on Prince Edward Island, readers meet a rural community rattled by the finding of a body washed up on the beach. This historical fiction novel travels back to long before the circumstances that led to Mary’s disappearance building towards an intense search for answers.
This gripping story was well-paced and kept the reader engaged. I admire the author’s ability to elicit strong feelings from readers towards some characters. A few characters were morally grey, yet all were extremely well-developed. Unfortunately, there were a few minor instances of historical inaccuracies, including the jargon used. I also wasn’t a fan of the vulgar language included. On the other hand, I loved how the author captured the small-town feel of the settings in both provinces. It made the story seem more realistic.
The plot mainly focused on the lead-up to the crime and lacked a detailed resolution that could have made for a more satisfying ending. Nonetheless, I found that the unknowns of the true case were imaginatively filled in by the author. I also love the way this book was structured. The dual timelines weaved together wonderfully to create a clever storyline. The alternating dates and locations required readers to be more actively present which some readers may be apprehensive about, but I found it excellently intertwined overall. The book also served as a reminder of the difficulty of solving cases back then and how much has evolved.
True crime is a complex genre that goes beyond a neatly constructed story with a criminal mastermind, fearless heroes, and unsuspecting victims. The book balanced it all well, including multiple potentially difficult topics such as death, abuse, grief etc. I recommend this unique mystery novel to older readers looking for a dark yet entertaining read.
This gripping story was well-paced and kept the reader engaged. I admire the author’s ability to elicit strong feelings from readers towards some characters. A few characters were morally grey, yet all were extremely well-developed. Unfortunately, there were a few minor instances of historical inaccuracies, including the jargon used. I also wasn’t a fan of the vulgar language included. On the other hand, I loved how the author captured the small-town feel of the settings in both provinces. It made the story seem more realistic.
The plot mainly focused on the lead-up to the crime and lacked a detailed resolution that could have made for a more satisfying ending. Nonetheless, I found that the unknowns of the true case were imaginatively filled in by the author. I also love the way this book was structured. The dual timelines weaved together wonderfully to create a clever storyline. The alternating dates and locations required readers to be more actively present which some readers may be apprehensive about, but I found it excellently intertwined overall. The book also served as a reminder of the difficulty of solving cases back then and how much has evolved.
True crime is a complex genre that goes beyond a neatly constructed story with a criminal mastermind, fearless heroes, and unsuspecting victims. The book balanced it all well, including multiple potentially difficult topics such as death, abuse, grief etc. I recommend this unique mystery novel to older readers looking for a dark yet entertaining read.
November 20, 2024
I would really give this a 3.5 star but just not quite a 4. The story - based on/inspired by real events - is compelling and the villain is truly villainous! My issues were really with 2 things. First of all, the continuous point of view switches, sometimes multiple times per chapter and through multiple characters, left the story feeling unanchored by any one or two main characters. This prevented any sort of real character depth or arc, and made the story solely about the plot. Secondly, while I actually loved the twist at the end, there were questions left unanswered and threads left untied that you would expect to see addressed in a mystery (I don't want to elaborate because spoilers).
There is a ton of local flavour in this book, however, including a few sayings that I've never heard outside the Maritimes, and I loved that. The dialogue and the setting were spot on. Truly, an interesting plot that just fell a bit short on the execution.
There is a ton of local flavour in this book, however, including a few sayings that I've never heard outside the Maritimes, and I loved that. The dialogue and the setting were spot on. Truly, an interesting plot that just fell a bit short on the execution.
December 31, 2022
I read this one so fast, oh my goodness.
This book was heartbreaking and filled me with a constant feeling of dread. Life back then was truly something else.
Glenn Norris unpacks society at the time, attitudes towards daily living, and the roles and expectations of the "household" while slowly unravelling the mystery.
While so beautifully written and researched, it is one truly unsettling read. I feel so deeply for all the characters in this one, especially the Harney Women.
Crime and History lovers, grab a cup of tea and settle down with this gripping read.
Stay safe and keep on reading,
Ellie
This book was heartbreaking and filled me with a constant feeling of dread. Life back then was truly something else.
Glenn Norris unpacks society at the time, attitudes towards daily living, and the roles and expectations of the "household" while slowly unravelling the mystery.
While so beautifully written and researched, it is one truly unsettling read. I feel so deeply for all the characters in this one, especially the Harney Women.
Crime and History lovers, grab a cup of tea and settle down with this gripping read.
Stay safe and keep on reading,
Ellie
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews