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Saving Grace
One of Suspense Magazine 's Best Debuts of 2021 “I’m the only one who knows what happened to those girls…” In this gripping suspense debut, the first female sheriff of a small mountain village investigates a disappearance that echoes the crimes that shattered her town decades before. For twenty-four years, Mary Grace Dobbs has been searching for salvation. Orphaned at eleven, she was forced to go live with her Bible salesman uncle, wheelchair-bound aunt, and a cousin who tortured and killed small animals. At school, a bully made her life a nightmare. Everything changed when a newcomer to town became her only best friend, and changed a second time when that friend and another classmate vanished two months later, never to be seen again. Today, Mary Grace is the first female sheriff of her rural town, a position that doesn’t sit well with some of the locals. Keeping order and her demons at bay becomes an impossible task when the Black drifter suspected in the earlier disappearances returns to Repentance . . . and another sixth grader vanishes. With old prejudices and new secrets spilling out into the open, the modern world soon illuminates the village’s darkest corners. The case becomes even more fraught as a cult of white supremacists brings its gospel of hate to Repentance and violence explodes, claiming more lives. Racing to find the missing girl while fearing for the safety of her own sixth-grade daughter, Mary Grace must confront an unspeakable truth―and face a decision no parent should ever have to make. Set in a remote mountain town, where the secrets run as deep as the hollows, Saving Grace is at once a spell-binding tale of innocence lost and a twisty, edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller. This startling debut novel introduces a captivating protagonist whose concept of good and evil can shape a young girl―then and now.
328 pages, Hardcover
First published March 16, 2021
93 people are currently reading
11085 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Babitt
6 books153 followersI am the author of SAVING GRACE, a "Best of 2021 Debut and FIRST VICTIM, a Buzz Book of 2022 from Scarlet Suspense
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
March 15, 2021
"Is forgiveness the first step to salvation and eternal grace?"
Mary Grace Dobbs, the first female sheriff of her rural hometown, has been waiting for salvation for twenty-four years. After her parent’s deaths when she was eleven-year-old, she went to live with her aunt and uncle and cousin, Noah who had a fondness for killing small animals. Everything changed for her when Nadia moved to town. She finally had a best friend! But things changed when Nadia then another classmate went missing never to be seen again.
"Wickedness never goes unpunished. Sooner or later, the piper must be paid."
Macy being the won sheriff did not go over so well with the locals. Small towns have long memories. Then a man returns to town and another sixth grader goes missing. Coincidence? Hmm, one thing is for sure - prejudice and secrets are all around. For a religious, church going town, they have forgotten their bible verses - John 15:12 ““This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." (English Standard Version of the Bible).
"It's not the Devil they should fear. It's something worse. God's wrath."
This book had an interesting ebb and flow to it for me. The book started strong and then my attention waivered and then the book grabbed me again. An interesting part of this book for me was the perceptions, snap judgements, secrets and guilt of a young girl and how these things continue to affect (and shape) her life. The small town, itself is a character with its secrets, it's gossip, its prejudice, it's judgement and it's memory.
There is a sense of tension and heaviness to this book. The weight of secrets, silence and guilt. There are beautiful passages and apt title. There is a darkness to this book. It's heavy and you can feel the emotion seeping through the pages.
A winning debut which is both thought provoking and atmospheric.
"Repentance never looked more beautiful."
Thank you to Penzler Publishers and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Mary Grace Dobbs, the first female sheriff of her rural hometown, has been waiting for salvation for twenty-four years. After her parent’s deaths when she was eleven-year-old, she went to live with her aunt and uncle and cousin, Noah who had a fondness for killing small animals. Everything changed for her when Nadia moved to town. She finally had a best friend! But things changed when Nadia then another classmate went missing never to be seen again.
"Wickedness never goes unpunished. Sooner or later, the piper must be paid."
Macy being the won sheriff did not go over so well with the locals. Small towns have long memories. Then a man returns to town and another sixth grader goes missing. Coincidence? Hmm, one thing is for sure - prejudice and secrets are all around. For a religious, church going town, they have forgotten their bible verses - John 15:12 ““This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." (English Standard Version of the Bible).
"It's not the Devil they should fear. It's something worse. God's wrath."
This book had an interesting ebb and flow to it for me. The book started strong and then my attention waivered and then the book grabbed me again. An interesting part of this book for me was the perceptions, snap judgements, secrets and guilt of a young girl and how these things continue to affect (and shape) her life. The small town, itself is a character with its secrets, it's gossip, its prejudice, it's judgement and it's memory.
There is a sense of tension and heaviness to this book. The weight of secrets, silence and guilt. There are beautiful passages and apt title. There is a darkness to this book. It's heavy and you can feel the emotion seeping through the pages.
A winning debut which is both thought provoking and atmospheric.
"Repentance never looked more beautiful."
Thank you to Penzler Publishers and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
November 30, 2020
Deep in the heart of Bible Belt Arkansas lies the town of Repentance. This is a ‘God fearing’ place where in 1995 two girls disappear and history seems to be repeating itself in 2019. Central to the story is Mary Grace Dodds, now Sheriff of Repentance and who was 11 when her sixth grade companions went missing.
This is a very dark story full of a sense of foreboding, of chills, of the devil riding back into town and all hell let lose. It has all the ingredients of a good psychological thriller. The central protagonist is Mary Grace, who partly narrates, who is riddled with guilt over past events, she’s struggling internally with the conflict between good and evil yet strives in adulthood to uphold the law. At times her story is so sad as she feels she does not belong, she’s full of self recrimination but is her guilt real or imaginary? The other essential ingredients are also there with an atmosphere of suspense and tension which it’s got in abundance. There’s a real edginess in the storytelling, an aura of something building to a crescendo with the elements being used cleverly and biblically to add to the tension and panic. The spotlight on this town is horribly fascinating too. For a place that professes to godliness it sure is a boiling cauldron of bigotry, secrets, lies and bare faced hypocrisy as we have racism, homophobia and bullying. It’s medieval in its attitude towards sin with rumourmongering adding to the narrow minded prejudice so there should be a whole truckload of Repentance. As the story reaches its very dramatic end and the truth spills out it’s very shocking and begs so many unanswerable questions of whether evil and sin is passed on through generations.
So, why four stars and not five? There are so many characters to get your head around, there is so much guilt and angst it loses some impact after a while and it’s convoluted in places.
Overall though, this is an astonishingly good debut which I have no hesitation recommending to fans of this genre. I look forward to reading what the author comes up with next.
With thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers : Scarlet for the arc for an honest review.
This is a very dark story full of a sense of foreboding, of chills, of the devil riding back into town and all hell let lose. It has all the ingredients of a good psychological thriller. The central protagonist is Mary Grace, who partly narrates, who is riddled with guilt over past events, she’s struggling internally with the conflict between good and evil yet strives in adulthood to uphold the law. At times her story is so sad as she feels she does not belong, she’s full of self recrimination but is her guilt real or imaginary? The other essential ingredients are also there with an atmosphere of suspense and tension which it’s got in abundance. There’s a real edginess in the storytelling, an aura of something building to a crescendo with the elements being used cleverly and biblically to add to the tension and panic. The spotlight on this town is horribly fascinating too. For a place that professes to godliness it sure is a boiling cauldron of bigotry, secrets, lies and bare faced hypocrisy as we have racism, homophobia and bullying. It’s medieval in its attitude towards sin with rumourmongering adding to the narrow minded prejudice so there should be a whole truckload of Repentance. As the story reaches its very dramatic end and the truth spills out it’s very shocking and begs so many unanswerable questions of whether evil and sin is passed on through generations.
So, why four stars and not five? There are so many characters to get your head around, there is so much guilt and angst it loses some impact after a while and it’s convoluted in places.
Overall though, this is an astonishingly good debut which I have no hesitation recommending to fans of this genre. I look forward to reading what the author comes up with next.
With thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers : Scarlet for the arc for an honest review.
March 23, 2021
What a wild ride! This book was like a rollercoaster. The beginning was like that steep hill : kind of slow, kind of uncomfortable. Knowing exciting things are going to come but beginning to question if you want to be on this rollercoaster after all. The second half of the story was when the roller coaster gets crazy. The twists, the turns, the steep drops, the unexpected, the adrenaline, the pulse pounding and the conclusion of this ride... mind blowing!
The story starts off with a duel timeline bouncing between present and past events. In the present Mary Grace is the sheriff of her small Arkansas town, she also has a teenage daughter Felicity. In the past Mary Grace is a sixth grader in the same small town, never feeling as though she has truly fit in and finally has made a friend in Nadia. The two timelines while 20 years apart mirror one another as young girls start disappearing from the town. The second half funnels into a single timeline the present day as Mary Grace investigates the disappearances. This also kicks up a lot of Mary Grace’s insecurities and memories of the past.
this story had a great sense of place. This small town was so oppressive and so hard to completely understand for this city girl. The town seemed steeped in religion however these 11-year-old girls seemed mature beyond their years. And I’m thinking the entire town missed the love thy neighbor sermon, because racism and homophobia seem to be running rampid. None of the characters were tremendously likable although I did want things to work out for Mary Grace. The turn this story took was unexpected and even over a week later I’m trying to process it. A compelling debut with a wild ending.
This book in emojis 🎢 🥎 ✝️ 🌳 🤯
*** Big thank you to Scarlet Suspense for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
The story starts off with a duel timeline bouncing between present and past events. In the present Mary Grace is the sheriff of her small Arkansas town, she also has a teenage daughter Felicity. In the past Mary Grace is a sixth grader in the same small town, never feeling as though she has truly fit in and finally has made a friend in Nadia. The two timelines while 20 years apart mirror one another as young girls start disappearing from the town. The second half funnels into a single timeline the present day as Mary Grace investigates the disappearances. This also kicks up a lot of Mary Grace’s insecurities and memories of the past.
this story had a great sense of place. This small town was so oppressive and so hard to completely understand for this city girl. The town seemed steeped in religion however these 11-year-old girls seemed mature beyond their years. And I’m thinking the entire town missed the love thy neighbor sermon, because racism and homophobia seem to be running rampid. None of the characters were tremendously likable although I did want things to work out for Mary Grace. The turn this story took was unexpected and even over a week later I’m trying to process it. A compelling debut with a wild ending.
This book in emojis 🎢 🥎 ✝️ 🌳 🤯
*** Big thank you to Scarlet Suspense for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
July 21, 2020
SAVING GRACE introduces us to a town of harrowing secrets — and its sheriff, Mary Grace Dobbs, doesn't even know that the worst of these secrets are hers. An ingenious, multi-generational plot reaches a terrifying crescendo you won't easily forget.
March 16, 2021
4.5/5
Wow Debbie Babitt, look at this amazing debut novel you wrote!! I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved Saving Grace. This book is heavy on religion which I didn't have any issues with, and I thought it was very interesting how it tied into every thread of the story. The first half of the book is more of a slow burn, but once you get to the second half things really start to ramp up and this one ends with a BANG. It made me think, made me mad, made me laugh at times, and overall, just really made me wonder why the people were making the choices they did.
I don't know if I really loved Mary Grace, but I felt awful for her and was happy to see a woman in a position of power in a novel. Being as she's a sheriff, there is a bit of a procedural feel as well as mystery elements while being a thriller at its core. I loved the way Babitt wrote Saving Grace which is broken into parts as well as two time periods. There are a lot of characters which will probably confuse some readers, but somehow, I managed to keep them all straight and didn't have any issues. The biggest thing for me was how almost every chapter would end on a cliffhanger and that kept me saying 'one more chapter' pretty dang near the entire book. It was a very quick read and I am excited to see what this author is going to write next!
Thank you to the publisher and Let's Talk Books Promo for my free copy. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
Wow Debbie Babitt, look at this amazing debut novel you wrote!! I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved Saving Grace. This book is heavy on religion which I didn't have any issues with, and I thought it was very interesting how it tied into every thread of the story. The first half of the book is more of a slow burn, but once you get to the second half things really start to ramp up and this one ends with a BANG. It made me think, made me mad, made me laugh at times, and overall, just really made me wonder why the people were making the choices they did.
I don't know if I really loved Mary Grace, but I felt awful for her and was happy to see a woman in a position of power in a novel. Being as she's a sheriff, there is a bit of a procedural feel as well as mystery elements while being a thriller at its core. I loved the way Babitt wrote Saving Grace which is broken into parts as well as two time periods. There are a lot of characters which will probably confuse some readers, but somehow, I managed to keep them all straight and didn't have any issues. The biggest thing for me was how almost every chapter would end on a cliffhanger and that kept me saying 'one more chapter' pretty dang near the entire book. It was a very quick read and I am excited to see what this author is going to write next!
Thank you to the publisher and Let's Talk Books Promo for my free copy. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 9, 2020
Saving Grace is a big, southern gothic thriller packed with secrets. The characters jumped off the page, drawing me in until it was impossible to put down. Original, dark, and staggering.
March 22, 2021
Are people "born bad" or do they have a choice in the matter - that is the overwhelming theme of this book - and it is chilling. The last third blew my mind and made up for several small annoyances throughout the book. It is definitely not for the faint of heart in regard to darkness - it is a very heavy, dark, Southern gothic thriller - and my inky, black soul ate it up!
You know from the start that twenty-four years earlier, two sixth-grade girls disappeared in the small town of Repentance, Arkansas. Mary Grace Dobbs remembers it all very well, as one of the missing girls was her best friend, and the other was her nemesis. Even then, Repentance was a small town that lived and breathed its name - an outwardly religious, devout community; but the truth was there were a myriad of issues brewing beneath the surface. The main suspect in the girls' disappearance was a drifter mechanic, Darryl Stokes, who just so happened to be the only black man in town. Even after someone else was arrested, the cloud of suspicion never left Stokes. He eventually left town, but after more than two decades, he returns and within weeks, another sixth-grade girl goes missing. Mary Grace is now the town's sheriff and still struggling with guilt over the fact that she was the one to initially point a finger at Stokes. Proving what really happened two decades before and what is currently taking place, will forever change the town and Mary Grace as well.
The story unfolds via a dual timeline . One follows Mary Grace in 1995, taking the reader back to her childhood, fraught with loneliness and despair. The second focuses on Sheriff Mary Grace's investigation into more disappearances, which uncovers shocking skeletons in more than one closet. The story held my attention from the beginning, but I did find some of the initial chapters to be somewhat choppy and disjointed (with a lot of characters), and I was confused several times as to which timeline I was in. Still though, there was just enough foreshadowing in both timelines that I knew something big was coming, and it kept me going even through a few of the slower, uneven parts. Patience is the key with this one - and trust me - it's worth it!
There was more than a fair share of stereotyping, which is a pet peeve of mine, although in this one, it ended up working well with the theme, so I didn't take much issue with it overall. The blurb also made me leery initially because it talks about one of the characters killing animals, but it was a minor part of the book, and it wasn't family pets or anything of that nature, so it was not overly disturbing. Can we just talk about that ending though?! Whoa. The twists at the end were so unexpected that a day and a half later, my brain is still trying to process it all.
I have wavered back and forth between 4 and 5 stars - even as I'm writing this. The last part of the book makes it one of my favorite "shock" reads in 2021 so far, but I can't discount the slow, uneven beginning (honestly, if I hadn't read several reviews saying to stick with it, I may have put it aside for the time being). Overall, though, this is a gripping debut with a shocking ending! 4 read-this-one-for-yourself stars.
You know from the start that twenty-four years earlier, two sixth-grade girls disappeared in the small town of Repentance, Arkansas. Mary Grace Dobbs remembers it all very well, as one of the missing girls was her best friend, and the other was her nemesis. Even then, Repentance was a small town that lived and breathed its name - an outwardly religious, devout community; but the truth was there were a myriad of issues brewing beneath the surface. The main suspect in the girls' disappearance was a drifter mechanic, Darryl Stokes, who just so happened to be the only black man in town. Even after someone else was arrested, the cloud of suspicion never left Stokes. He eventually left town, but after more than two decades, he returns and within weeks, another sixth-grade girl goes missing. Mary Grace is now the town's sheriff and still struggling with guilt over the fact that she was the one to initially point a finger at Stokes. Proving what really happened two decades before and what is currently taking place, will forever change the town and Mary Grace as well.
The story unfolds via a dual timeline . One follows Mary Grace in 1995, taking the reader back to her childhood, fraught with loneliness and despair. The second focuses on Sheriff Mary Grace's investigation into more disappearances, which uncovers shocking skeletons in more than one closet. The story held my attention from the beginning, but I did find some of the initial chapters to be somewhat choppy and disjointed (with a lot of characters), and I was confused several times as to which timeline I was in. Still though, there was just enough foreshadowing in both timelines that I knew something big was coming, and it kept me going even through a few of the slower, uneven parts. Patience is the key with this one - and trust me - it's worth it!
There was more than a fair share of stereotyping, which is a pet peeve of mine, although in this one, it ended up working well with the theme, so I didn't take much issue with it overall. The blurb also made me leery initially because it talks about one of the characters killing animals, but it was a minor part of the book, and it wasn't family pets or anything of that nature, so it was not overly disturbing. Can we just talk about that ending though?! Whoa. The twists at the end were so unexpected that a day and a half later, my brain is still trying to process it all.
I have wavered back and forth between 4 and 5 stars - even as I'm writing this. The last part of the book makes it one of my favorite "shock" reads in 2021 so far, but I can't discount the slow, uneven beginning (honestly, if I hadn't read several reviews saying to stick with it, I may have put it aside for the time being). Overall, though, this is a gripping debut with a shocking ending! 4 read-this-one-for-yourself stars.
March 16, 2021
An Inherited Evil
This story twists and turns from the beginning to the end, it keeps you in suspense throughout the book. It is a page turning thriller you won't be able to put down.
Grace, a sheriff in a small town in Arkansas has a twenty four year old secret. She knows she is evil, she is the reason her parents are dead. Now the evil has returned twenty four years later.
She has no idea the secrets being held, nor the evil that will be revealed. It is the worse snowstorm in history. A young sixth grade girl goes missing. Twenty four years ago two six graders went missing and were found dead.
A black man returns right before the girl goes missing, the same one that was a suspect twenty four years ago in the first disappearance of the two girls. Is he guilty of the abduction and where is the young girl? The town has him convicted already, but Grace is sure he is innocent.
In the investigation of the girl's disappearance she learns something that will chill her to the core. She must do the unthinkable to stop the evil. Will she have the courage?
I enjoyed this book and I would recommend it.
Thanks to Debbie Babitt, Penzler Publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to read and advanced copy of the book for an honest review.
This story twists and turns from the beginning to the end, it keeps you in suspense throughout the book. It is a page turning thriller you won't be able to put down.
Grace, a sheriff in a small town in Arkansas has a twenty four year old secret. She knows she is evil, she is the reason her parents are dead. Now the evil has returned twenty four years later.
She has no idea the secrets being held, nor the evil that will be revealed. It is the worse snowstorm in history. A young sixth grade girl goes missing. Twenty four years ago two six graders went missing and were found dead.
A black man returns right before the girl goes missing, the same one that was a suspect twenty four years ago in the first disappearance of the two girls. Is he guilty of the abduction and where is the young girl? The town has him convicted already, but Grace is sure he is innocent.
In the investigation of the girl's disappearance she learns something that will chill her to the core. She must do the unthinkable to stop the evil. Will she have the courage?
I enjoyed this book and I would recommend it.
Thanks to Debbie Babitt, Penzler Publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to read and advanced copy of the book for an honest review.
abandoned-books
January 30, 2021I think the author did a fantastic job capturing the tone of rural Alabama in the mid-nineties. I definitely heard the narrator’s voice in a southern accent in my head! Unfortunately, I’m merely skimming at this point. Feeling desperate to get a book over with is never a good sign.
After 39% of the ebook, I need to just step away and recognize that I am not the right reader for this. I’m not remotely immersed in the story and I find myself constantly distracted. I do feel that it’s laden with unnecessary details. I wish I could have connected with what’s going on.
This is more drama than mystery - in fact, no mystery has developed yet - and that may be a perfect fit for someone else out there.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my digital review copy. All opinions are my own.
After 39% of the ebook, I need to just step away and recognize that I am not the right reader for this. I’m not remotely immersed in the story and I find myself constantly distracted. I do feel that it’s laden with unnecessary details. I wish I could have connected with what’s going on.
This is more drama than mystery - in fact, no mystery has developed yet - and that may be a perfect fit for someone else out there.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my digital review copy. All opinions are my own.
March 14, 2021
Wow! What a debut by this author to watch. Atmospheric and eerie, complex and twisty, this one has all the things that make a great psychological thriller, plus a character you will root for!
December 10, 2020
There is so much that could be said about this book. Honestly I found that the first 70% or so dragged at times and was a bit confusing with so many different characters mentioned. I’m used to alternate time periods in books but in this one, I had a little difficulty following what was going on. The last 30% however completely blew me away and made the whole read completely worth it. There were several plot twists that I did not see coming and enjoyed immensely. My advice to readers is to stick with this because the payoff in the end is well worth it!
Many thanks to Edelweiss, Netgalley, Scarlet and Debbie Babitt for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Many thanks to Edelweiss, Netgalley, Scarlet and Debbie Babitt for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 9, 2020
This is a terrific novel, full of inventive, memorable characters, and fast-paced well-written prose. Highly recommended!
November 13, 2020
Scarlet has put out some amazing titles this year, and 2021 is shaping up to be another fantastic queue. From the cover to the blurb, I was eager to request this one and excited to be approved.
In the tightknit town of Repentance, Arkansas, Mary Grace wrestles her personal demons while trying to maintain law and order. A mother with a troubled past, Mary Grace struggles to find the balance between good and evil, convinced she's damned but striving to do the right thing. When a man from her past resurfaces in Repentance, the line between memory and present-day, she falls headfirst into turmoil. A young girl is missing, just like her best friend who went missing all those years ago, and if history has its way, events will be repeated. And someone else may end up dead.
I loved this book. I finished it in one sitting and regret nothing.
Mary Grace is a dynamic protagonist with edge and grace. She's not a hero, but you want to root for her, largely because of Babitt's diction and storytelling prowess. MG's voice is nostalgic yet pointed. Her observations about the world are dictated by her own self-reflection, a fact that felt so relatable and authentic in my reading.
My favorite parts of this book were the coming-of-age flashbacks. We see Mary Grace navigating through the toughest part of adolescence: body changes, the end of childhood imagination, and the intricacies that come with the friendships between young girls. One particular moment reminded me of a highly-recognized scene from Stephen King's Carrie, but instead of relying on sensationalism of the embarrassment, it's a stark, brutal moment in puberty many women have encountered, and I think many readers will relate to, or at the very least empathize, with Mary Grace's churning emotions.
Along with its entertaining and gripping plot, there's also some insightful commentary on social issues, among them: bullying, suicide, mental health, racism, sexuality, classism, and all the discriminations that arise when "the way it's always been" meets transition head on. Given our current climate, this read feels timely and oh-so important.
At its heart, Saving Grace is a story about identity, damnation, redemption, and the lengths we go to in order to find ourselves. Are people both good and evil? Can a person be forgiven and still remain damned? A fast-paced psychological suspense with layered twists that will keep you on your toes until the very last line, Saving Grace is a 2021 must-read.
I'd recommend this title to anyone looking for a strong female protagonist narrative, fans of Carrie or Dolores Claiborne, or anyone who loves a good coming-of-age mystery.
Big thanks to Scarlet and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for honest review consideration.
In the tightknit town of Repentance, Arkansas, Mary Grace wrestles her personal demons while trying to maintain law and order. A mother with a troubled past, Mary Grace struggles to find the balance between good and evil, convinced she's damned but striving to do the right thing. When a man from her past resurfaces in Repentance, the line between memory and present-day, she falls headfirst into turmoil. A young girl is missing, just like her best friend who went missing all those years ago, and if history has its way, events will be repeated. And someone else may end up dead.
I loved this book. I finished it in one sitting and regret nothing.
Mary Grace is a dynamic protagonist with edge and grace. She's not a hero, but you want to root for her, largely because of Babitt's diction and storytelling prowess. MG's voice is nostalgic yet pointed. Her observations about the world are dictated by her own self-reflection, a fact that felt so relatable and authentic in my reading.
My favorite parts of this book were the coming-of-age flashbacks. We see Mary Grace navigating through the toughest part of adolescence: body changes, the end of childhood imagination, and the intricacies that come with the friendships between young girls. One particular moment reminded me of a highly-recognized scene from Stephen King's Carrie, but instead of relying on sensationalism of the embarrassment, it's a stark, brutal moment in puberty many women have encountered, and I think many readers will relate to, or at the very least empathize, with Mary Grace's churning emotions.
Along with its entertaining and gripping plot, there's also some insightful commentary on social issues, among them: bullying, suicide, mental health, racism, sexuality, classism, and all the discriminations that arise when "the way it's always been" meets transition head on. Given our current climate, this read feels timely and oh-so important.
At its heart, Saving Grace is a story about identity, damnation, redemption, and the lengths we go to in order to find ourselves. Are people both good and evil? Can a person be forgiven and still remain damned? A fast-paced psychological suspense with layered twists that will keep you on your toes until the very last line, Saving Grace is a 2021 must-read.
I'd recommend this title to anyone looking for a strong female protagonist narrative, fans of Carrie or Dolores Claiborne, or anyone who loves a good coming-of-age mystery.
Big thanks to Scarlet and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for honest review consideration.
March 14, 2021
Saving Grace is a well written gripping thriller told in two time frames set in small remote mountain town Arkansas, where time has stood still, where townsfolk live by fear of religion and superstitions, and where generational secrets continue to haunt decades later.
Saving Grace is Babitt’s debut novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. She wrote this book masterfully with depths of detail about the effects of childhood popularity, bullying, grief, loss, friendships and belonging, that can affect multi-generations.
The southern gothic suspense of Babitt’s writing style is so visceral and palpable, I was so drawn to this story about the missing girls from 24 years ago and then in the present as history repeats itself.
I highly recommend this book, and one not to be missed for any fans of small town atmospheric thriller and suspense reads.
Saving Grace is Babitt’s debut novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. She wrote this book masterfully with depths of detail about the effects of childhood popularity, bullying, grief, loss, friendships and belonging, that can affect multi-generations.
The southern gothic suspense of Babitt’s writing style is so visceral and palpable, I was so drawn to this story about the missing girls from 24 years ago and then in the present as history repeats itself.
I highly recommend this book, and one not to be missed for any fans of small town atmospheric thriller and suspense reads.
May 22, 2021
So much suspense! Full review soon!
October 11, 2020
Wonderful debut thriller from Debbie Babitt that had me keep reading late into the night to get to the deep dark secret at the end. Great character development of the main characters, from young school girls through adulthood, and the secrets that were kept in a small town community down South. Well done.
November 15, 2020
Absolutely phenomenal read. Every page kept me wanting more. I can't wait for more releases! 10/10 recommend!
January 25, 2021
I thought this book was going to be just another story set in the old, small town South- full of misogynists, racists and religious zealots.
While that is the environment of the story, it definitely takes an unexpected turn. I would have never guessed the ending. It’s a jaw dropper.
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The story is told in dual timelines: 1995 and present day
Grace was orphaned at age 11. She had no friends, was bullied and always felt alone. One day, a new girl joined her 6th grade class and they became best friends.
The girl disappears. Shortly thereafter, another classmate disappears.....
Present day: Grace is now the town Sheriff. The first female to ever hold the position and most of the town still believes it’s no position for a woman.
A 6th grader goes missing..... Is history repeating itself?
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Samantha Downing calls it a “Southern Gothic Thriller” on the cover and that’s such an apt description. It’s tense, dark and unique
While that is the environment of the story, it definitely takes an unexpected turn. I would have never guessed the ending. It’s a jaw dropper.
_________________________________
The story is told in dual timelines: 1995 and present day
Grace was orphaned at age 11. She had no friends, was bullied and always felt alone. One day, a new girl joined her 6th grade class and they became best friends.
The girl disappears. Shortly thereafter, another classmate disappears.....
Present day: Grace is now the town Sheriff. The first female to ever hold the position and most of the town still believes it’s no position for a woman.
A 6th grader goes missing..... Is history repeating itself?
_________________________________
Samantha Downing calls it a “Southern Gothic Thriller” on the cover and that’s such an apt description. It’s tense, dark and unique
April 22, 2021
The town is Repentance and the sheriff is searching for redemption.
Mary Grace, former chief deputy, was sworn in as sheriff when her predecessor suffered an aneurysm. Readers are aware that something happened twenty-four years ago when Mary Grace was a sixth grader and the story gradually comes out. Mary Grace blames herself for a lot of things that happened in her childhood and that story comes out too. So how is that related to current missing sixth graders?
I felt the ominous vibe of the book right from the start and the story became compelling to me. For a long time, there was no mention of who Felicity's father was and I was absolutely sure that would be a big clue. Well, there are plenty of twists in this one. In fact, I was shocked several times by what happened and it's pretty hard to surprise me.......suspicious person that I am.
This is the second book in a row where I didn't want the story to end as it did but I get it. Good debut! I think this is a writer I will be looking for in the future.
Mary Grace, former chief deputy, was sworn in as sheriff when her predecessor suffered an aneurysm. Readers are aware that something happened twenty-four years ago when Mary Grace was a sixth grader and the story gradually comes out. Mary Grace blames herself for a lot of things that happened in her childhood and that story comes out too. So how is that related to current missing sixth graders?
I felt the ominous vibe of the book right from the start and the story became compelling to me. For a long time, there was no mention of who Felicity's father was and I was absolutely sure that would be a big clue. Well, there are plenty of twists in this one. In fact, I was shocked several times by what happened and it's pretty hard to surprise me.......suspicious person that I am.
This is the second book in a row where I didn't want the story to end as it did but I get it. Good debut! I think this is a writer I will be looking for in the future.
November 30, 2020
You need to add this gripping new debut to your radar now. Coming March 2021 is the story of disappearances of children decades apart. And a child who is now a woman and the first female sheriff of her town is the one to try and to get to the bottom of these vanishings. And secrets of the past must be bring about unspeakable truths.
The writing is superb and the story is so intriguing that I couldn’t stop reading. It is a book that has made me dying to see what’s becoming next from this Author. She will be on my Auto-Buy Author list.
The writing is superb and the story is so intriguing that I couldn’t stop reading. It is a book that has made me dying to see what’s becoming next from this Author. She will be on my Auto-Buy Author list.
Read
March 20, 2021This story follows Mary Grace from childhood into adulthood in her small mountain town of Repentance. I have heard such great things about this book and that the ending is crazy, unfortunately I struggled with the content as well as the writing style. This book has a lot of religious aspects to the plot and I just didn't like how it was done, this a very much me thing and don't enjoy this in my reading. I also struggled with the writing in that there are multiple time lines and I didn't feel like they were separated well and wasn't sure what time line I was reading. Thank you to Penzler Publishers and Netgalley for my gifted copy for review.
March 11, 2021
Told in multiple timelines, you get an in-depth view of what zealotry and hatred can do in a small town. The beginning was fairly slow and it was a little hard to get into but the back half of the novel more than made up for it. In a “what the hell just happened” type of finish, Babbitt really delivered a solid debut.
November 16, 2020
Read my full review here: https://www.howdidthatbookend.com/sav...
This debut novel by Debbie Babitt blew me away. If you like a good southern-based thriller/drama and coming-of-age story, you are going to love this book.
Saving Grace is a story about finding your identity in a town that wants to put you in your place. It examines whether people can be both good and evil, and whether forgiveness is enough to absolve you of your sins.
As promised by Scarlet Books, Mary Grace is one of my favorite protagonists in a long time. While she is no hero, regularly referring to herself as wicked for reasons both real and imagined, Babitt pulls the reader in and arranges them firmly on Mary Grace’s team. Past tense Mary Grace has some regrets, but current-day Mary Grace is a strong woman who loves her town and struggles to bring it peace. She isn’t perfect, but that only proves to make her more relatable.
I finished this suspenseful read in just over a day, eager to get to the end and learn all of the town’s secrets. The plot was well thought out and I did not guess the ending, which is the mark of a good, unique thriller for me. Many red herrings kept me guessing right to the end.
This book touches on a lot of important social issues: bullying, racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, and suicide and mental health. The town of Repentance is way behind the times, even in the present day chapters. The commentary on all different kinds of discrimination feels extremely fitting in today’s climate. Unwed female teachers are still referred to by first name. One man becomes a scapegoat just because he’s different from everyone else in Repentance, with his storyline coming to a head in a way that is particularly timely. I appreciated watching Mary Grace go from a kid making racist comments just because she had heard the adults in her life say them, to a woman who can think for herself who regrets the racist child she was.
Though this has nothing to do with the story itself, I was bothered by one aspect of the formatting. Throughout Part 1, the book switches back and forth between "then" and "now" chapters, with the Then chapters told by Mary Grace in the first person and the Now chapters following her as an adult but told in the third person. In Part 2, most chapters remain in the present day, with the exception of Chapter 38. This flashback is italicized and shows Mary Grace as a child told in third person omniscient. Why wasn't this chapter formatted the same as the rest of the “Then” chapters, with Mary Grace in the first person? The multiple changes in narration and timeline were a little jarring at times.
This debut novel by Debbie Babitt blew me away. If you like a good southern-based thriller/drama and coming-of-age story, you are going to love this book.
Saving Grace is a story about finding your identity in a town that wants to put you in your place. It examines whether people can be both good and evil, and whether forgiveness is enough to absolve you of your sins.
As promised by Scarlet Books, Mary Grace is one of my favorite protagonists in a long time. While she is no hero, regularly referring to herself as wicked for reasons both real and imagined, Babitt pulls the reader in and arranges them firmly on Mary Grace’s team. Past tense Mary Grace has some regrets, but current-day Mary Grace is a strong woman who loves her town and struggles to bring it peace. She isn’t perfect, but that only proves to make her more relatable.
I finished this suspenseful read in just over a day, eager to get to the end and learn all of the town’s secrets. The plot was well thought out and I did not guess the ending, which is the mark of a good, unique thriller for me. Many red herrings kept me guessing right to the end.
This book touches on a lot of important social issues: bullying, racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, and suicide and mental health. The town of Repentance is way behind the times, even in the present day chapters. The commentary on all different kinds of discrimination feels extremely fitting in today’s climate. Unwed female teachers are still referred to by first name. One man becomes a scapegoat just because he’s different from everyone else in Repentance, with his storyline coming to a head in a way that is particularly timely. I appreciated watching Mary Grace go from a kid making racist comments just because she had heard the adults in her life say them, to a woman who can think for herself who regrets the racist child she was.
Though this has nothing to do with the story itself, I was bothered by one aspect of the formatting. Throughout Part 1, the book switches back and forth between "then" and "now" chapters, with the Then chapters told by Mary Grace in the first person and the Now chapters following her as an adult but told in the third person. In Part 2, most chapters remain in the present day, with the exception of Chapter 38. This flashback is italicized and shows Mary Grace as a child told in third person omniscient. Why wasn't this chapter formatted the same as the rest of the “Then” chapters, with Mary Grace in the first person? The multiple changes in narration and timeline were a little jarring at times.
March 21, 2021
I love a debut author and Babbitt managed to knock it out of the park with this one. Saving Grace was both atmospheric and thought provoking which made for great discussions during our @letstalkbookspromo buddy read.
I was impressed with how Babitt managed to make the town of Repentance a character in the book, through the small town’s secrets, prejudices, and gossip.
The story is written in dual timelines alternating past and present, which created more tension and suspense.
I love that Mary Grace despite a difficult childhood, losing her parents, and guilt surrounding their deaths manages to grow up and become the first female sheriff in Repentance and a single mother raising her daughter.
In the past, Mary Grace meets a new friend at school, Nadia. They become fast friends but Nadia seems more mature than Mary Grace and does some risky things. Despite Nadia’s faults, Mary Grace is happy to have a best friend after all the bullying she endured at school. Suddenly Nadia disappears and soon another 6th grader disappears.
The unsolved cases follow Mary Grace into her job as sheriff. When a man who some felt might have been responsible for the missing girls returns to town. The town is in an uproar fueled by ignorance and prejudice. Shortly after his arrival another girl goes missing. Mary Grace must solve all 3 cases. Unfortunately the answers may be too close to home.
The book is all about good and evil and whether you can be both at the same time and the tough decisions we are forced to make.
I enjoyed this book so much. If you like small town settings, missing persons and a different twist on a coming of age story grab this book. It’s full of plot twists and the end will blow your mind.
Thank you @scarletsuspense @penzlerpub and @debbiebabitt for my advanced copy of the book to review. I can’t wait for your next book.
December 3, 2020
Book Review: “Saving Grace” by Debbie Babitt (@debbiebabitt). ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5 Star Rating!
•
WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW.
That’s how I felt when I finished the book.
Just imagine my jaw literally on the floor.
Mouth wide open, completely shook.
•
This book switches between past and present (which I always love), and focuses on Mary Grace who was in sixth grade when two girls from her school disappeared (past), but then became the sheriff of her small town in Arkansas and had to work toward solving a case where two more sixth graders disappeared (present).
•
Thoughts I had while reading Saving Grace:
1. Page 109- “and the plot thickens”.
2. Page 160- “love the sense of humor”.
3. Page 183- “I don’t trust him one bit”.
4. Page 185- “another girl gone”.
5. Page 253- “wow, didn’t see that coming”.
6. Page 267- *cue my mouth falling to the ground*.
7. Page 275- “the one part of the storyline I actually guessed correctly”.
8. Page 288- “she really lied this time”.
9. Page 314- “WOWOWOWOWOW”!
10. Page 320- “literally speechless”.
•
After finishing this, I sat on my couch and thought back to the thrillers that I have read throughout 2020. There have been a few good ones: The Night Swim, The Last Flight, and “Don’t Look For Me”. “Saving Grace” by Debbie Babitt is up there with my favorite thrillers of the year and will hands down be in my Top 10 Books of 2020 (even though this doesn’t publish until March 2021)💁🏼♀️😍
•
WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW.
That’s how I felt when I finished the book.
Just imagine my jaw literally on the floor.
Mouth wide open, completely shook.
•
This book switches between past and present (which I always love), and focuses on Mary Grace who was in sixth grade when two girls from her school disappeared (past), but then became the sheriff of her small town in Arkansas and had to work toward solving a case where two more sixth graders disappeared (present).
•
Thoughts I had while reading Saving Grace:
1. Page 109- “and the plot thickens”.
2. Page 160- “love the sense of humor”.
3. Page 183- “I don’t trust him one bit”.
4. Page 185- “another girl gone”.
5. Page 253- “wow, didn’t see that coming”.
6. Page 267- *cue my mouth falling to the ground*.
7. Page 275- “the one part of the storyline I actually guessed correctly”.
8. Page 288- “she really lied this time”.
9. Page 314- “WOWOWOWOWOW”!
10. Page 320- “literally speechless”.
•
After finishing this, I sat on my couch and thought back to the thrillers that I have read throughout 2020. There have been a few good ones: The Night Swim, The Last Flight, and “Don’t Look For Me”. “Saving Grace” by Debbie Babitt is up there with my favorite thrillers of the year and will hands down be in my Top 10 Books of 2020 (even though this doesn’t publish until March 2021)💁🏼♀️😍
December 12, 2020
Saving Grace by Debbie Babitt
This is the debut novel by an author who certainly has found her talent. I was drawn to this book by the blurb and the very first sentence in the description by the publisher. “I’m the only one who knows what happened to those girls”. I am so grateful to the publisher for allowing me to read this book because it blew me away in every way possible. The writing has all of the elements needed for a Psychological thriller with characters who are well developed and easy to follow yet flawed to make them realistic. This book is full of suspense that is certain to keep the reader guessing. We are told the story from the protagonists point of view with flashbacks that are well written and very descriptive that allow the reader to follow along through her life and watch her grow. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves this genre.
Thank you to netgalley as well as the author/publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
This is the debut novel by an author who certainly has found her talent. I was drawn to this book by the blurb and the very first sentence in the description by the publisher. “I’m the only one who knows what happened to those girls”. I am so grateful to the publisher for allowing me to read this book because it blew me away in every way possible. The writing has all of the elements needed for a Psychological thriller with characters who are well developed and easy to follow yet flawed to make them realistic. This book is full of suspense that is certain to keep the reader guessing. We are told the story from the protagonists point of view with flashbacks that are well written and very descriptive that allow the reader to follow along through her life and watch her grow. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves this genre.
Thank you to netgalley as well as the author/publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
January 26, 2021
Mary Grace is the newly appointed sheriff in her small hometown of Repentance, Arkansas. While she tries her best to uphold the law, she cannot shake her guilty conscience. When she was 11 yrs old, 2 girls disappeared and were later found murdered. Mary Grace feels responsible and guilty for harboring secrets.
Flash forward to present time and another girl has gone missing under Mary Grace’s watch. When she finally finds out the truth...she is completely torn on how to handle it. Does she do her duty as sheriff or does she do everything she can to keep secrets buried???
This is a good suspense novel! There were quite a few twists towards the end and I have to admit that I was shocked by who the killer turned out to be. Thank you so much @scarletsuspense for gifting us this advanced readers copy of Saving Grace by Debbie Babitt! I was surprised to find out that this is Debbie Babitt’s debut novel. Her writing style is effortless and engaging!
*Please visit our link in bio to see all the books we highlight on IG through our Amazon storefront
Flash forward to present time and another girl has gone missing under Mary Grace’s watch. When she finally finds out the truth...she is completely torn on how to handle it. Does she do her duty as sheriff or does she do everything she can to keep secrets buried???
This is a good suspense novel! There were quite a few twists towards the end and I have to admit that I was shocked by who the killer turned out to be. Thank you so much @scarletsuspense for gifting us this advanced readers copy of Saving Grace by Debbie Babitt! I was surprised to find out that this is Debbie Babitt’s debut novel. Her writing style is effortless and engaging!
*Please visit our link in bio to see all the books we highlight on IG through our Amazon storefront
April 2, 2021
From the hauntingly dark recesses of the main character's mind, recalling the past, I was introduced to evil and hopeful redemption overall. The story strays and winds a bit; just as a lazy river does. The setting is a town that reads unfamiliarity; yet I feel as if I have been there. The darkness slowly engulfs and creeps over what we know and accept as good and upstanding citizens; yet lurking within changes begin and things do happen.
The story line has its ups and downs as all good books have offer and the characters seem to be more than dimensional objects that have lives and breath. Powerful words are written for powerful characters.
I must agree that the I was riveted by the explosive secrets revealed while my heart pounded until the very last word of the last chapter and page of the book!
It is a debut novel that requires your attention as you do not want to miss anything... a must read!
The story line has its ups and downs as all good books have offer and the characters seem to be more than dimensional objects that have lives and breath. Powerful words are written for powerful characters.
I must agree that the I was riveted by the explosive secrets revealed while my heart pounded until the very last word of the last chapter and page of the book!
It is a debut novel that requires your attention as you do not want to miss anything... a must read!
April 3, 2021
Fabulous read from cover to cover. Deeply textured and layered thriller with more twists and turns than an inverted, sidewinder rollercoaster. I couldn't put Debbie Babbitt's, Saving Grace down. As a reader of thousands of best sellers over the years, ranging from Tom Clancy, John Grishom, Daniel Silva, and James Patterson, "Saving Grace" is as fine a read as any of the aforementioned authors. To those who enjoy reading thrillers and best sellers who keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish, Debbie Babbitt's "Saving Grace: is clearly and undeniably your drug or cocktail of choice; today, tomorrow, or whenever you have the common sense to buy this book! So, get it, read it, and be prepared for a cliffhanger, and thrill every minute. Post script. I loved this book so much, I'm going to read it again so I don't miss many of the nuanced cadences replete throughout.
December 2, 2020
I think this author has a lot of potential. For me though, I felt there was too much going on in this book. Too many subplots, too many characters, and too many instances of details changing. I can overlook all of that, but I cannot overlook the theme of being born in sin or the dark ending this story had. Those took away two stars. Overall I wish I hadn’t gotten an ARC because I feel like with some editing and a more realistic ending this book could have been great.
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