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My Brother’s Keeper
Seventeen-year-old Jerrod has struggled with the guilt of his actions for an event that took place almost a year ago. His friends have abandoned him, his family ignores him, and he lost his best friend. To make matters worse, he was unable to access records that may have revealed his father’s whereabouts. His youngest sister, Ella, guides Jerrod as he tries to learn and accept secrets his family has tried to hide. However, a sinister spirit may be influencing Ella’s actions, and it has an agenda of its own.
Paperback
First published June 26, 2020
2 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Courtnee Turner
13 books225 followersCourtnee Turner is the award-winning, multi-genre author of My Brother's Keeper, Solomon's Tears, and Rasputin's Scorn, in addition to several short stories that have been anthologized. Readers have recently been impressed with The Secrets of Copperheads and Fireflies and The Tears in the Water.
The culture and views of her Tennessee home have forced her to find her own perspective. While she may embrace the traditions of her area, she has set non-negotiable boundaries, especially against sweet tea and unannounced visitors. Courtnee graduated with multiple undergraduate degrees and a master's degree and developed unique ways of dividing the personalities of the people in her life to create quirky, relatable characters. Courtnee lives with her numerous children and believes there is a story in every experience.
Instagram @pale_woods_mysteries
Facebook Courtnee Turner Hoyle, Author
In addition to writing about her hometown and traveling with her characters, Courtnee is a travel planner. You can visit her Facebook account, Courtnee’s Magical Vacations.
The culture and views of her Tennessee home have forced her to find her own perspective. While she may embrace the traditions of her area, she has set non-negotiable boundaries, especially against sweet tea and unannounced visitors. Courtnee graduated with multiple undergraduate degrees and a master's degree and developed unique ways of dividing the personalities of the people in her life to create quirky, relatable characters. Courtnee lives with her numerous children and believes there is a story in every experience.
Instagram @pale_woods_mysteries
Facebook Courtnee Turner Hoyle, Author
In addition to writing about her hometown and traveling with her characters, Courtnee is a travel planner. You can visit her Facebook account, Courtnee’s Magical Vacations.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 27, 2021
My Brother’s Keeper (A Pale Woods Mystery Book 1)
This small-town supernatural mystery is the first in a two-book series by author Courtnee Turner Hoyle. Set in the town of Erwin near the mountains of eastern Tennessee, the book’s plot centers around a family tragedy, but as the pages unfold, secret after secret emerges, and all is not what it appears to be. In the dark, scary woods behind their school, something sinister threatens the lives of a single mother and her children.
I found the novel’s simple, well-written prose easy to read and I loved the plot twists, which Hoyle weaved in seamlessly. What makes this a great read is the author’s skill at taking the reader down one path only to blind them to the truth as another emerges, and just when you think the mystery is solved, Hoyle’s unleashes something else entirely. The true mystery behind this novel will not only surprise and please the reader, it will lead them to the next book in the series.
This small-town supernatural mystery is the first in a two-book series by author Courtnee Turner Hoyle. Set in the town of Erwin near the mountains of eastern Tennessee, the book’s plot centers around a family tragedy, but as the pages unfold, secret after secret emerges, and all is not what it appears to be. In the dark, scary woods behind their school, something sinister threatens the lives of a single mother and her children.
I found the novel’s simple, well-written prose easy to read and I loved the plot twists, which Hoyle weaved in seamlessly. What makes this a great read is the author’s skill at taking the reader down one path only to blind them to the truth as another emerges, and just when you think the mystery is solved, Hoyle’s unleashes something else entirely. The true mystery behind this novel will not only surprise and please the reader, it will lead them to the next book in the series.
August 24, 2020
My family and I have the tradition of cuddling up at night to read a story before bed. We are avid book readers. We have been enjoying this book for several weeks now, and my children beg every night for me to NOT STOP reading. They hang on every word, and they are completely enthralled.
Not only do my children enjoy this book, but it has been wonderful to read a novel that my husband and I haven't been able to predict every twist and turn. Every chapter keeps you guessing and the detailed descriptions make you feel like you are there in the story. I can see every detail of the setting.
This is our favorite book we have ever read. I highly recommend this story for anyone who wants to have a little mystery in their life. Take a break from the cookie cutter novels and enjoy a book you won't want to put down.
I hope they make this book into a movie!
Not only do my children enjoy this book, but it has been wonderful to read a novel that my husband and I haven't been able to predict every twist and turn. Every chapter keeps you guessing and the detailed descriptions make you feel like you are there in the story. I can see every detail of the setting.
This is our favorite book we have ever read. I highly recommend this story for anyone who wants to have a little mystery in their life. Take a break from the cookie cutter novels and enjoy a book you won't want to put down.
I hope they make this book into a movie!
September 12, 2021
When Jerrod Miller first began recounting the past few years of his life, I wasn't quite sure what I was in for. The narrative seemed to jump from the present to the past as most in media res stories do, but I wasn't put off by having to piece together the clues that would lead me to better understand this story. I was pulled into the mystery of Pale Woods and of the Miller family, and Hoyle's organic storytelling made it easy to keep reading.
This novel hits differently when you experience it through various lenses, as I did. As a lover of spooky and mysterious stories, I appreciated the effort put into the atmosphere and world-building. I liked that I had to be patient and allow things to fall into place in order for me to understand what was happening. Although I was able to guess at a plot twist, it didn't distract me from my enjoyment or make me wish the story would hurry along.
What really gutted me in regards to this book was the fact that our narrator and protagonist, Jerrod, suffers more than any child ever should. His suffering is such that even most adults would be unable to bear it, and the realism of his character made him all the more heartbreaking. As a mother of two, I cannot even begin to imaging my children having to make the kinds of decisions and realizations that Jerrod and his siblings did.
There is a dark undertone to this story which becomes enticingly supernatural as it progresses, but it is the stark and unflinching portrayal of a family's all too human suffering that is the real source of horror in this story. As the Miller family bonds begin to fray and tear, so does their grasp on reality loosen, allowing in a terrifying and heavy power.
Read this novel, and have your teenagers read it. It poses some difficult and yet important questions that anyone would benefit from considering.
This novel hits differently when you experience it through various lenses, as I did. As a lover of spooky and mysterious stories, I appreciated the effort put into the atmosphere and world-building. I liked that I had to be patient and allow things to fall into place in order for me to understand what was happening. Although I was able to guess at a plot twist, it didn't distract me from my enjoyment or make me wish the story would hurry along.
What really gutted me in regards to this book was the fact that our narrator and protagonist, Jerrod, suffers more than any child ever should. His suffering is such that even most adults would be unable to bear it, and the realism of his character made him all the more heartbreaking. As a mother of two, I cannot even begin to imaging my children having to make the kinds of decisions and realizations that Jerrod and his siblings did.
There is a dark undertone to this story which becomes enticingly supernatural as it progresses, but it is the stark and unflinching portrayal of a family's all too human suffering that is the real source of horror in this story. As the Miller family bonds begin to fray and tear, so does their grasp on reality loosen, allowing in a terrifying and heavy power.
Read this novel, and have your teenagers read it. It poses some difficult and yet important questions that anyone would benefit from considering.
July 24, 2021
Thank you, Courtnee, for the free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
My Brother’s Keeper is a charming book. It’s that kind of book that makes you want to grab a cup of tea and spend the night reading it. The story caught my attention from the beginning; there was a constant mystery about why things were the way they were. When Jerrod kept saying about the day that changed his life: everyone shunned him and stopped talking with him; I was interested in finding out why. The twist at the end shocked me, and I had to re-read the whole book to find out how I missed the truth that was before me all the time! If anything, this tells you how Courtnee is a brilliant storyteller.
I loved the characters so much, Ella, Sydney, and of course. Jerrod. They felt so real to me. The story was smoothly written and easy to read, and I loved the author’s voice. I noticed, too, that the description of places and settings was vivid and detailed.
Overall, I enjoyed reading the story so much, the twist at the end broke my heart, and I kept thinking about it long after reading the last page. I can’t wait to read the next book (My brother’s keeper is a standalone book, but the series will continue with the family).
My Brother's Keeper is a well-written mystery story that will hook you from the first page to the last one
My Brother’s Keeper is a charming book. It’s that kind of book that makes you want to grab a cup of tea and spend the night reading it. The story caught my attention from the beginning; there was a constant mystery about why things were the way they were. When Jerrod kept saying about the day that changed his life: everyone shunned him and stopped talking with him; I was interested in finding out why. The twist at the end shocked me, and I had to re-read the whole book to find out how I missed the truth that was before me all the time! If anything, this tells you how Courtnee is a brilliant storyteller.
I loved the characters so much, Ella, Sydney, and of course. Jerrod. They felt so real to me. The story was smoothly written and easy to read, and I loved the author’s voice. I noticed, too, that the description of places and settings was vivid and detailed.
Overall, I enjoyed reading the story so much, the twist at the end broke my heart, and I kept thinking about it long after reading the last page. I can’t wait to read the next book (My brother’s keeper is a standalone book, but the series will continue with the family).
My Brother's Keeper is a well-written mystery story that will hook you from the first page to the last one
October 18, 2020
Who doesn’t love a good mystery? Especially one that leaves the reader entirely enriched by all the beautiful details the author sprinkles like bread crumbs throughout the story.
My Brother’s Keeper: A Pale Woods Mystery by Courtnee Turner Hoyle takes you quite the adventure – one with so many twists and turns that you will be guessing till the end trying to piece this mystery. It’s been quite some time since I’ve read a mystery novel that can leave me constantly questioning and provide an unpredictable ending!
What breathes life into the story is the narrator and protagonist, seventeen-year-old Jerrod. The more you learn about Jerrod’s past, the more you can’t help but ache for him. Wanting not to spoil too much of the plot because there is a lot to unpack, I encourage mystery lovers to check this book out and find out for yourself why Jerrod is blamed and for what.
If you feel like you can’t find the right book to hold your interest, I highly recommend giving this novel a go. It’s smooth pacing and perfect timing on revealing information is what makes it a real page-turner!
I loved the story, and I think the story is best for kids twelve and up. I can’t wait for book two!
My Brother’s Keeper: A Pale Woods Mystery by Courtnee Turner Hoyle takes you quite the adventure – one with so many twists and turns that you will be guessing till the end trying to piece this mystery. It’s been quite some time since I’ve read a mystery novel that can leave me constantly questioning and provide an unpredictable ending!
What breathes life into the story is the narrator and protagonist, seventeen-year-old Jerrod. The more you learn about Jerrod’s past, the more you can’t help but ache for him. Wanting not to spoil too much of the plot because there is a lot to unpack, I encourage mystery lovers to check this book out and find out for yourself why Jerrod is blamed and for what.
If you feel like you can’t find the right book to hold your interest, I highly recommend giving this novel a go. It’s smooth pacing and perfect timing on revealing information is what makes it a real page-turner!
I loved the story, and I think the story is best for kids twelve and up. I can’t wait for book two!
October 10, 2020
I am always interested in books written in or around my county so this book was a treat for me.
As a first novel by this author I was impressed by the way the book flowed. I found myself wanting to comfort Jerrod, hug his sister Ella and smack his Mother and sister Sydney. I enjoyed getting to know the whole Miller family and seeing them though Jerrod’s eyes.
Great storyline and cast of characters. You wanted to know the answer’s to Jerrod’s question’s as much as he did! It was a well planned book from the first chapter to the very end.
I am looking forward to book two in this exciting new series. I am sure “Pinky Swear” will be a treat to all readers including me!!!
As a first novel by this author I was impressed by the way the book flowed. I found myself wanting to comfort Jerrod, hug his sister Ella and smack his Mother and sister Sydney. I enjoyed getting to know the whole Miller family and seeing them though Jerrod’s eyes.
Great storyline and cast of characters. You wanted to know the answer’s to Jerrod’s question’s as much as he did! It was a well planned book from the first chapter to the very end.
I am looking forward to book two in this exciting new series. I am sure “Pinky Swear” will be a treat to all readers including me!!!
January 12, 2021
This book will make you want to cuddle up for a while and get lost in the story and mystery that Courntee Turner Hoyle has created.
It has such deep themes such as redemption and the power of secrets, overcoming the past, and so much more while also being a fabulous mystery at its core.
Don't miss this one!
It has such deep themes such as redemption and the power of secrets, overcoming the past, and so much more while also being a fabulous mystery at its core.
Don't miss this one!
August 14, 2021
It is a really good book and It is really interesting.
October 20, 2021
My Brother’s Keeper by Courtnee Turner Hoyle is the first book I read by this author. Although when I started reading, I couldn’t figure out where this one was going but I am glad I kept reading!! I could not put it down! The story appears real and well developed with a little bit of the paranormal in there. The characters and storyline have detailed descriptions that are very good. This is a twisty mystery that will keep you guess right up to a shocking unexpected ending!
Thank you Courtnee Turner Hoyle for a copy of your intriguing book in exchange for my honest review.
#mybrotherskeeper #courtneeturnerhoyle #littlecreek
Thank you Courtnee Turner Hoyle for a copy of your intriguing book in exchange for my honest review.
#mybrotherskeeper #courtneeturnerhoyle #littlecreek
July 28, 2022
Wow this was another fantastic read by this author. Great job Courtnee. Loved it.
November 22, 2021
This book sucked me right in, I just had to know what in the world happened. And then, when I found out, I was speechless! Any book that can leave me speechless gets 5 stars. Absolutely loved it.
February 6, 2022
Sometimes when you pick up a book, you have certain expectations. You expect a set path, a set pace, a certain type of character, and a journey that is specifically laid out in your mind.
You start reading.
It begins exactly as you expect it to.
Then, you turn the page and your world shifts.
That is My Brother’s Keeper. It shifted. I stayed awake. I cried. I wanted to throw the book at the wall, but I just kept going. My heart aches for these characters. Jerrod, Josh, Emma, and Sydney are etched into my heart.
I learned about myself in Miranda’s journey as their mom, though I didn’t expect to. Her heartache was something I glossed over at first, and I was upset with her. Then I felt it so deeply. Her journey and choices so deeply impacted each of her children’s lives and choices.
I am so glad that I’ll get to visit these characters again in Pinky Swear!
You start reading.
It begins exactly as you expect it to.
Then, you turn the page and your world shifts.
That is My Brother’s Keeper. It shifted. I stayed awake. I cried. I wanted to throw the book at the wall, but I just kept going. My heart aches for these characters. Jerrod, Josh, Emma, and Sydney are etched into my heart.
I learned about myself in Miranda’s journey as their mom, though I didn’t expect to. Her heartache was something I glossed over at first, and I was upset with her. Then I felt it so deeply. Her journey and choices so deeply impacted each of her children’s lives and choices.
I am so glad that I’ll get to visit these characters again in Pinky Swear!
January 27, 2022
Thank you Courtnee Turner Hoyle for a free copy in exchange of an honest review. This is the first book in Pale Woods Mystery Series. The story revolves around family, loss, mental health and most importantly love. Even though I guessed a vital point of the story early on, the actual revelation broke my heart. The flashback was very lengthy and kind of slows down the story. But I still enjoyed reading the book. It has hints of paranormal experience but nothing too scary. I will definitely read the next books in the series.
October 12, 2021
What a emotional, soul seeking mystery that affected a family
until the truth was revealed. You felt the emotions of the characters as if they were
you’re own family. The story grips you and take your breathe away. I read it
in one day because I couldn’t put it down. From page one it grabs you until
the last page. Looking forward to reading book 2
until the truth was revealed. You felt the emotions of the characters as if they were
you’re own family. The story grips you and take your breathe away. I read it
in one day because I couldn’t put it down. From page one it grabs you until
the last page. Looking forward to reading book 2
July 21, 2021
This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Read
April 20, 2023Author Courtnee creates an unpredictable story where you empathize with Jerrod while wanting to fix so many situations. This is an easy to read story you will not want to put down. I equate this book to a podcast that gives you the cliff hanger at the end of chapters you want to press play on immediately!
October 24, 2024
It reminded me of my childhood, I was born a twin and It reminded me of how connected I felt with my twin brother, who died at birth. even though he died, I always felt he and I were, are, one spirit merged.
April 30, 2025
A journey through tragedy, grief, and loss. Uncovering dysfunctional family secrets throughout the twists and turns. Highly emotional and thought provoking, with some supernatural forces between characters that lead to an ability to move forward and onward. Surprising and enjoyable.
December 30, 2021
A surprise twist ending that I didn't see coming.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews