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A Kind of Hush
2022 SILVER MEDAL WINNER READERS' FAVORITE ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS, LITERARY FICTION
2022 WINNER INTERNATIONAL FIREBIRD BOOK AWARDS, LITERARY FICTION
2022 FINALIST NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARDS, MYSTERY
A Kind of Hush explores whether there is a gray area between right and wrong. The Mackie family is enjoying an outing when tragedy strikes. One parent, their teenage daughter, and seven-year-old son survive. Was this a horrific accident or something more heinous and if so whodunnit and whydunit? The novel centers around how each character reacts and handles the circumstances and revelations surrounding the incident.
2022 WINNER INTERNATIONAL FIREBIRD BOOK AWARDS, LITERARY FICTION
2022 FINALIST NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARDS, MYSTERY
A Kind of Hush explores whether there is a gray area between right and wrong. The Mackie family is enjoying an outing when tragedy strikes. One parent, their teenage daughter, and seven-year-old son survive. Was this a horrific accident or something more heinous and if so whodunnit and whydunit? The novel centers around how each character reacts and handles the circumstances and revelations surrounding the incident.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 3, 2021
13 people are currently reading
4916 people want to read
About the author
JoDee Neathery
2 books83 followersJoDee Neathery, drawing from her Southern California and Texas roots,
plucked a few personalities off the family tree, encasing their world inside fictional
events to create her debut award-winning literary novel, Life in a Box published July 2017. Her latest work - a 2022 finalist in the 16th annual National Indie Excellence Awards - A Kind of Hush - is a literary mystery full of intrigue and unforgettable characters exploring whether there is a gray area between right and wrong as a moment in time changed a family forever. Follow the Mackie's journey toward growth and recovery and embrace the insight, innocence, and wisdom of a seven-year-old boy who is instrumental in pulling the family forward.
JoDee spent her professional life in the banking industry, prior to branching
out into the executive recruiting business. Upon relocating to East Texas, JoDee spent six years handling public relations for a non-profit, writing freelance articles for the
newspaper, trade publications, newsletters, installation ceremony scripts, and
sadly a few obituaries.
Her dream “job” has been chairing, writing minutes, and reviews for her ninety-three
member book club, Bookers, for eighteen years. "My book club was instrumental in my writing journey....they believed in me before I did."
She also enjoys a byline, Back Porch Musings, a lighthearted view of life
in general, in an area newspaper.
She and her husband live in close proximity to their only daughter, son-in-law,
two grandsons, a bird dog, four cats, a donkey, and a few head of cattle.
plucked a few personalities off the family tree, encasing their world inside fictional
events to create her debut award-winning literary novel, Life in a Box published July 2017. Her latest work - a 2022 finalist in the 16th annual National Indie Excellence Awards - A Kind of Hush - is a literary mystery full of intrigue and unforgettable characters exploring whether there is a gray area between right and wrong as a moment in time changed a family forever. Follow the Mackie's journey toward growth and recovery and embrace the insight, innocence, and wisdom of a seven-year-old boy who is instrumental in pulling the family forward.
JoDee spent her professional life in the banking industry, prior to branching
out into the executive recruiting business. Upon relocating to East Texas, JoDee spent six years handling public relations for a non-profit, writing freelance articles for the
newspaper, trade publications, newsletters, installation ceremony scripts, and
sadly a few obituaries.
Her dream “job” has been chairing, writing minutes, and reviews for her ninety-three
member book club, Bookers, for eighteen years. "My book club was instrumental in my writing journey....they believed in me before I did."
She also enjoys a byline, Back Porch Musings, a lighthearted view of life
in general, in an area newspaper.
She and her husband live in close proximity to their only daughter, son-in-law,
two grandsons, a bird dog, four cats, a donkey, and a few head of cattle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
September 4, 2025
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
A KIND OF HUSH by JoDee Neathery is a fictional family drama and suspense story that follows a family through tragedy, family drama, healing, and compassion while trying to determine the correct choices and consequences of their actions. There are a lot of gray areas and complex circumstances throughout this standalone fictional story that kept me questioning what I would have done in the same situations.
This story starts awhile after a family tragedy. The Mackie family loses their middle son, Boo, to a choking accident while his older ten-year-old sister, Willa, is babysitting. The family is just starting to come back together, but there is still deep-rooted blame from mother to daughter and back from daughter to mother.
The family goes to a local park and waterfall where another tragedy occurs. Both parents and their teenage daughter, Willa fall down a shale drop. Their youngest seven-year-old son, Gabe, is hiding by a tree. Was this an accident? If not, who did it and why?
Each character in this story is given a voice. They discuss and react to the circumstances of the fall and the revelations surrounding the fall. There are other players involved in the family’s lives that work to help them heal and find justice for the dead parent. I have to say that the character I truly loved was Gabe. His sense of love, wonder, and innocence even throughout all the upheaval of the other characters gave me moments of laughter and a feeling of wonder. He is one of those children that is young but has an old soul and he was a good break from all the others. This book will keep you questioning decisions made and if you would make the same.
I highly recommend this fictional drama and suspense, and the conclusion still has me waffling.
A KIND OF HUSH by JoDee Neathery is a fictional family drama and suspense story that follows a family through tragedy, family drama, healing, and compassion while trying to determine the correct choices and consequences of their actions. There are a lot of gray areas and complex circumstances throughout this standalone fictional story that kept me questioning what I would have done in the same situations.
This story starts awhile after a family tragedy. The Mackie family loses their middle son, Boo, to a choking accident while his older ten-year-old sister, Willa, is babysitting. The family is just starting to come back together, but there is still deep-rooted blame from mother to daughter and back from daughter to mother.
The family goes to a local park and waterfall where another tragedy occurs. Both parents and their teenage daughter, Willa fall down a shale drop. Their youngest seven-year-old son, Gabe, is hiding by a tree. Was this an accident? If not, who did it and why?
Each character in this story is given a voice. They discuss and react to the circumstances of the fall and the revelations surrounding the fall. There are other players involved in the family’s lives that work to help them heal and find justice for the dead parent. I have to say that the character I truly loved was Gabe. His sense of love, wonder, and innocence even throughout all the upheaval of the other characters gave me moments of laughter and a feeling of wonder. He is one of those children that is young but has an old soul and he was a good break from all the others. This book will keep you questioning decisions made and if you would make the same.
I highly recommend this fictional drama and suspense, and the conclusion still has me waffling.
January 28, 2022
A Kind Of Hush is the type of book that even after you put it down you are still thinking about it.
A terrible tragedy has happened in a family, an accident that was never meant to happen.
A child chokes to death when a sister is watching him and her life will never be the same.
Her mother blames her and she can not escape that encompassing sadness and guilt she feels.
Left in the family are the parents and the other siblings who are the sister and a younger brother.
My favorite character is Gabe, maybe because I have a son named Gabe. Gabe's character really goes through a lot, he is wise beyond his years. He is at the point where he questions things and needs someone to talk to. I think he knows more than he is letting on.
A second tragedy occurs in this family and it will never be the same again.How do we know when enough is enough? How would we act when we've reached our breaking point?
We see how the outcome of these tragedies affect the whole family . The book had a very surprising ending I must say. I highly recommend this book and hope to see Gabe in another book soon. He is special!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own,
A terrible tragedy has happened in a family, an accident that was never meant to happen.
A child chokes to death when a sister is watching him and her life will never be the same.
Her mother blames her and she can not escape that encompassing sadness and guilt she feels.
Left in the family are the parents and the other siblings who are the sister and a younger brother.
My favorite character is Gabe, maybe because I have a son named Gabe. Gabe's character really goes through a lot, he is wise beyond his years. He is at the point where he questions things and needs someone to talk to. I think he knows more than he is letting on.
A second tragedy occurs in this family and it will never be the same again.How do we know when enough is enough? How would we act when we've reached our breaking point?
We see how the outcome of these tragedies affect the whole family . The book had a very surprising ending I must say. I highly recommend this book and hope to see Gabe in another book soon. He is special!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own,
June 13, 2022
340 pages
4 stars
It took me several days of thinking about this book before I began to write this review.
Matt and Summer Mackie suffer a terrible incident. Their six-year old son choked on a piece of candy and subsequently died. He was supposedly in the case of his elder sister, ten-year old Willa at the time. Summer thoughtlessly blamed Willa for the death. Willa naturally became very upset and withdrew from her parents, especially Summer.
Some time later, Summer decides that the family, now including the precocious Gabe, should take a mini-vacation to a park. While at the park, another accident occurs. Tumbling down the side of a mountain, Matt suffers a serious head injury and other traumas, Willa receives broken ribs and an arm, and Summer dies of her injuries.
Enter Sheriff McAlister and his chief deputy Connor Boyle. Their investigation turns over a few suspects. Based on her hostility is Willa, Summer’s ex-husband Brad and a local offender named Victor.
Victor is causing the police all kinds of problems. He is stalking Willa, or was it Summer? He keeps eluding the police, and getting more fearful, Matt decides to take Gabe and Willa to Texas for a while to stay with Summer’s parents, Margo and Patrick.
Matt is not allowed to fly, so he and his sister-in-law Starla, a songwriter, drive from New York to Texas.
The book also tells the reader Victor’s story from his point of view. (Which is very interesting.)
This book is engaging and flows along nicely. It is well written and plotted. I liked the characters, in the end, I almost liked Victor. I raised my eyebrows in a few spots. Coming from a dysfunctional family, I am always suspicious of happy families. My weakness, not the book’s. I admit I was disappointed in the ending. I expected more somehow.
I want to thank NetGalley and Imagery Lit for forwarding to me a copy of this very good book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
4 stars
It took me several days of thinking about this book before I began to write this review.
Matt and Summer Mackie suffer a terrible incident. Their six-year old son choked on a piece of candy and subsequently died. He was supposedly in the case of his elder sister, ten-year old Willa at the time. Summer thoughtlessly blamed Willa for the death. Willa naturally became very upset and withdrew from her parents, especially Summer.
Some time later, Summer decides that the family, now including the precocious Gabe, should take a mini-vacation to a park. While at the park, another accident occurs. Tumbling down the side of a mountain, Matt suffers a serious head injury and other traumas, Willa receives broken ribs and an arm, and Summer dies of her injuries.
Enter Sheriff McAlister and his chief deputy Connor Boyle. Their investigation turns over a few suspects. Based on her hostility is Willa, Summer’s ex-husband Brad and a local offender named Victor.
Victor is causing the police all kinds of problems. He is stalking Willa, or was it Summer? He keeps eluding the police, and getting more fearful, Matt decides to take Gabe and Willa to Texas for a while to stay with Summer’s parents, Margo and Patrick.
Matt is not allowed to fly, so he and his sister-in-law Starla, a songwriter, drive from New York to Texas.
The book also tells the reader Victor’s story from his point of view. (Which is very interesting.)
This book is engaging and flows along nicely. It is well written and plotted. I liked the characters, in the end, I almost liked Victor. I raised my eyebrows in a few spots. Coming from a dysfunctional family, I am always suspicious of happy families. My weakness, not the book’s. I admit I was disappointed in the ending. I expected more somehow.
I want to thank NetGalley and Imagery Lit for forwarding to me a copy of this very good book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
November 19, 2022
In Jodee’s yet gripping novel, a tragedy thrusts a young family into the heart of a police inquiry. Summer still finds it illogical to forgive Willa, her only child, due to her inability to move past the unintended passing of her older son, Griff. Soon after, the Mackie family readies for an expedition to move on, but disaster strikes again, leaving one family member dead. Deputy Sheriff Boyle begins to suspect them. Indeed, something is amiss, but what could it be? Who is responsible for the unnatural death?
This literary mystery novel comprises a wholesome abundance of themes. There's trauma, family drama, redemption, love wars, and contrition finely laced in the pages of this novel. The plot sells itself entirely. Unfortunately, the lengthy and over-the-top explanations transcended with a good story.
The author’s attempt to give off a well-developed tale left her throwing long narratives of places, like the overwhelming descriptions of some New York restaurants. I could not pinpoint how such excesses served the plot. I think this book requires a little touch of editing to allow the beauty of the book to flourish.
Looking past these things, I enjoyed the book. It was a very satisfying read. I would recommend this book to family drama buffs. Readers of mystery, thriller, and suspense novels, would relish this book. Finally, I am rating A Kind Of Hush 4 out of 5 stars.
This literary mystery novel comprises a wholesome abundance of themes. There's trauma, family drama, redemption, love wars, and contrition finely laced in the pages of this novel. The plot sells itself entirely. Unfortunately, the lengthy and over-the-top explanations transcended with a good story.
The author’s attempt to give off a well-developed tale left her throwing long narratives of places, like the overwhelming descriptions of some New York restaurants. I could not pinpoint how such excesses served the plot. I think this book requires a little touch of editing to allow the beauty of the book to flourish.
Looking past these things, I enjoyed the book. It was a very satisfying read. I would recommend this book to family drama buffs. Readers of mystery, thriller, and suspense novels, would relish this book. Finally, I am rating A Kind Of Hush 4 out of 5 stars.
September 26, 2021
This book was a surprise to me. I occasionally start by liking a story and then lose interest but I very seldom follow the opposite path where I'm turned off by the beginning and then grow more attached to it. This is one that I did grow to love by the end. The initial tragedy and then the subsequent one were hard to get through but with the many wonderful characters (especially Gabe and Matt) and the great pacing of the story really made it for me. A solid recommend.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
September 14, 2021
Tragedy strikes twice in A Kind of Hush. This literary novel begins with a family in mourning. The accidental death of one of the Mackie children has touched each of the remaining family members in different ways, but none of them are the same as they were before the incident. Gabriel is four years old, but is wise beyond his years. He feels the loss of his older brother as well as the isolation from his mother who has retreated into herself. His sister Willa has changed drastically. She feels responsible for Griff’s death as she was with him when he choked to death. Their father Matt is just trying to keep his family from imploding.
The family embarks on a trip to a local hiking trail to see the waterfalls, in hopes to begin to heal. Sadly, mom Summer falls from a cliff to her death. Willa and Matt are injured as well. Gabriel is unscathed physically, but his life will never be the same. Was Summer’s death a tragic accident or was she murdered?
Matt’s memory of the incident is gone due to his head injury. Willa doesn’t really know what happened either. When the police become involved, the security cameras show two persons of interest. One is the ex-husband of Summer who is Willa’s father and the other is a felon that Summer, as a battered women advocate, helped convict.
Fearing for the children’s lives with the felon still at large, the small family retreats to Matt’s family home in Texas after an incident following Summer’s funeral. Will the remaining members of the family be safe? Can they heal both physically and mentally?
A Kind of Hush is one of the best books I have read this year. The characters are outstanding and the plot is everything a literary novel should and could be. The mystery of what happened on the trail by the waterfall is answered by the end of the book in a most surprising way. I could not put this book down. Little Gabe is a character that will stick with readers long after the last pages are read.
This is JoDee Neathery’s second literary novel, the first being the award-winning Life in a Box. I have not read it, but plan to add it to the top of my “to be read stack”. A Kind of Hush is a book I will remember and highly recommend for anyone who loves to get lost in an outstanding novel with unforgettable characters.
DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from Reedsy Discovery in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Copyright © 2021 Laura Hartman
The family embarks on a trip to a local hiking trail to see the waterfalls, in hopes to begin to heal. Sadly, mom Summer falls from a cliff to her death. Willa and Matt are injured as well. Gabriel is unscathed physically, but his life will never be the same. Was Summer’s death a tragic accident or was she murdered?
Matt’s memory of the incident is gone due to his head injury. Willa doesn’t really know what happened either. When the police become involved, the security cameras show two persons of interest. One is the ex-husband of Summer who is Willa’s father and the other is a felon that Summer, as a battered women advocate, helped convict.
Fearing for the children’s lives with the felon still at large, the small family retreats to Matt’s family home in Texas after an incident following Summer’s funeral. Will the remaining members of the family be safe? Can they heal both physically and mentally?
A Kind of Hush is one of the best books I have read this year. The characters are outstanding and the plot is everything a literary novel should and could be. The mystery of what happened on the trail by the waterfall is answered by the end of the book in a most surprising way. I could not put this book down. Little Gabe is a character that will stick with readers long after the last pages are read.
This is JoDee Neathery’s second literary novel, the first being the award-winning Life in a Box. I have not read it, but plan to add it to the top of my “to be read stack”. A Kind of Hush is a book I will remember and highly recommend for anyone who loves to get lost in an outstanding novel with unforgettable characters.
DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from Reedsy Discovery in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Copyright © 2021 Laura Hartman
August 31, 2021
A Kind of Hush is an intriguing story penned by the author Jodee Neathery. Story is set in Buffalo, New York. This is the story of Mackie's family, a family of five. Matt and Summer are the parents of their three kids: Willa, Griff and Gabriel aka Gabe. Once, Summer left Griff in Willa's care just for fifteen minutes and the tragedy happened due to which the family lost Griff forever. Summer blamed Willa for Griff's death.
As the story progresses, the parents resume their jobs. They planned a trip near Zoar Valley Gorge. The family didn't know that the tragedy would strike again. Rescue team recovered Summer's body and Matt was disoriented with brain trauma. The family was taken to the hospital for treatment and investigation kept on going side by side. Summer's sister Starla Jordan was shocked to see the ashen face of her younger sister. Grab a copy of this book to know if the truth comes out.
The storyline is amazing. It kept me on the edge as I read it. I was curious to know what will happen next. Cover photo of the book is nice and the title is suitable. The author has written the characters well and narration is smooth. I appreciate the dialogs as they are clear and I was easily able to follow the story. The story is full of different emotions. Go ahead with this novel without thinking twice. I am sure you would love the story.
As the story progresses, the parents resume their jobs. They planned a trip near Zoar Valley Gorge. The family didn't know that the tragedy would strike again. Rescue team recovered Summer's body and Matt was disoriented with brain trauma. The family was taken to the hospital for treatment and investigation kept on going side by side. Summer's sister Starla Jordan was shocked to see the ashen face of her younger sister. Grab a copy of this book to know if the truth comes out.
The storyline is amazing. It kept me on the edge as I read it. I was curious to know what will happen next. Cover photo of the book is nice and the title is suitable. The author has written the characters well and narration is smooth. I appreciate the dialogs as they are clear and I was easily able to follow the story. The story is full of different emotions. Go ahead with this novel without thinking twice. I am sure you would love the story.
December 5, 2022
‘The color gray, a blend of two dominant colors, makes a peaceful presence - serenity’
Texas author JoDee Neatherly has had a career in banking, the recruiting business, public relations for a non-profit, writing freelance articles for newspapers, trade publications, newsletters, and chairing, writing minutes, and reviews for her ninety-three member book club, Bookers, for the past thirteen years. She also enjoys a byline, Back Porch Musings, a light-hearted view of life in general, in an area newspaper. Her debut was LIFE IN A BOX, and now she adds to her growing stature as an author A KIND OF HUSH.
The rhapsodic quality of her prose delivers this family story with sentient authority as the opening of the story suggests: ‘Gabriel Mackie had just celebrated his fourth birthday the first time he visited the whisper room, a windowless enclave with lavender walls brimming with daydreams, obscured form reality. All he knew for certain was that his older brother, Griff, nicknamed Boo, was gone. His bedroom at the end of the long hallway had been transformed into a guest room…’ Inviting the reader to discover the meaning of this poetic stream, the author condenses the plot well, as follows: ‘Matt and Summer Mackie with children Willa and Gabe are enjoying a June outing at nearby Zoar Valley Gorge, an area showcasing waterfalls, forests, shale cliffs, and a whitewater creek running through the ravine, when tragedy strikes. One parent survives along with their teenage daughter and seven-year-old son found hiding in the woods. Was this a tragic accident or something more heinous, and if so, whodunnit and whydunit? Set in Buffalo, New York, and in the Big Bend area of Texas, the heart of the novel centers on how survivors deal with the circumstances and subsequent revelations surrounding the incident. But as each one begins to piece together the events of that day a mantle of ambiguity—a kind of hush—hangs between them like a live grenade without its pin.’
Clearly, JoDee has the gift for exploring and resolving family grief and the permutations of a tragedy that alter perceptions and interactions. Superb writing from a rising author. Recommended
Texas author JoDee Neatherly has had a career in banking, the recruiting business, public relations for a non-profit, writing freelance articles for newspapers, trade publications, newsletters, and chairing, writing minutes, and reviews for her ninety-three member book club, Bookers, for the past thirteen years. She also enjoys a byline, Back Porch Musings, a light-hearted view of life in general, in an area newspaper. Her debut was LIFE IN A BOX, and now she adds to her growing stature as an author A KIND OF HUSH.
The rhapsodic quality of her prose delivers this family story with sentient authority as the opening of the story suggests: ‘Gabriel Mackie had just celebrated his fourth birthday the first time he visited the whisper room, a windowless enclave with lavender walls brimming with daydreams, obscured form reality. All he knew for certain was that his older brother, Griff, nicknamed Boo, was gone. His bedroom at the end of the long hallway had been transformed into a guest room…’ Inviting the reader to discover the meaning of this poetic stream, the author condenses the plot well, as follows: ‘Matt and Summer Mackie with children Willa and Gabe are enjoying a June outing at nearby Zoar Valley Gorge, an area showcasing waterfalls, forests, shale cliffs, and a whitewater creek running through the ravine, when tragedy strikes. One parent survives along with their teenage daughter and seven-year-old son found hiding in the woods. Was this a tragic accident or something more heinous, and if so, whodunnit and whydunit? Set in Buffalo, New York, and in the Big Bend area of Texas, the heart of the novel centers on how survivors deal with the circumstances and subsequent revelations surrounding the incident. But as each one begins to piece together the events of that day a mantle of ambiguity—a kind of hush—hangs between them like a live grenade without its pin.’
Clearly, JoDee has the gift for exploring and resolving family grief and the permutations of a tragedy that alter perceptions and interactions. Superb writing from a rising author. Recommended
March 7, 2022
Tragedy and Triumph can blur the line!!
What a magnetic story in A Kind of Hush by JoDee Neathery. I have become a big fan of this author! Whatever this author writes, I read, and this is the first book of this author that I've read. Wow! This author brings the story to life. It's a life altering story when secrets linger in a family and all of a sudden, the world turns upside down, and shakes the family to their core. The picturesque Zoar Valley Gorge, is not just a beautiful waterfall that splashes into the ravine, but something that holds a lot of secrets, and danger. The story brings the reader on a superb journey. This is a magnificent story that kept this reader turning the pages. This title is a definite attention grabber, so much I couldn't put it down. It’s one of those embraceable stories. It’s definitely un-put-downable! I was so honored to read this work. Simply masterful. The title drew me in, but the story made me stay. A Kind of Hush is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to reading many more books by this author.
What a magnetic story in A Kind of Hush by JoDee Neathery. I have become a big fan of this author! Whatever this author writes, I read, and this is the first book of this author that I've read. Wow! This author brings the story to life. It's a life altering story when secrets linger in a family and all of a sudden, the world turns upside down, and shakes the family to their core. The picturesque Zoar Valley Gorge, is not just a beautiful waterfall that splashes into the ravine, but something that holds a lot of secrets, and danger. The story brings the reader on a superb journey. This is a magnificent story that kept this reader turning the pages. This title is a definite attention grabber, so much I couldn't put it down. It’s one of those embraceable stories. It’s definitely un-put-downable! I was so honored to read this work. Simply masterful. The title drew me in, but the story made me stay. A Kind of Hush is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to reading many more books by this author.
April 7, 2022
A kind of hush is a mystery thriller and suspense story. It is set in Buffalo, New York, and is about Matt and Summer with their children enjoying an outing when something horrible happens to create an epic survival story.
I liked how the book was formatted. It was elegant and complemented the text. The story is written well and filled with thrilling descriptive writing.
I predominantly enjoyed the story of how strong you can be to deal with heartache hardship and still survive certain circumstances.
I look forward to reading more from this author and recommend this book to thriller fiction fans.
I liked how the book was formatted. It was elegant and complemented the text. The story is written well and filled with thrilling descriptive writing.
I predominantly enjoyed the story of how strong you can be to deal with heartache hardship and still survive certain circumstances.
I look forward to reading more from this author and recommend this book to thriller fiction fans.
August 25, 2022
I did like the book and thought the original plot should have been the main focus.I’m missing something. Some holes in the story here. And way to much description and side story telling for me made the book boring in places. It’s wrapped up at the end somewhat but not in a satisfactory way. How do people young or old live with some facts they uncover so complacently. And there’s still a “ bad” guy living the life.
May 11, 2022
A Kind of Hush is a family drama set in Buffalo, New York, and Big Bend, Texas. The Mackie family is enjoying an outing at Zoar Valley Gorge when a tragedy occurs. With only one parent surviving to raise Willa and Gabe, the novel shows insight into how the survivors deal with the uncertainty of the details of events that lead to the accident. Was it an accident? Each begins to wonder and question while they piece together their truths and an unsettling unspoken silence that develops amongst the family speaks volumes to themselves and each other.
I enjoyed all the things the book brought to the table. The family dynamics aspect lured me in but the suspense of the mystery is what drove me to continue on just one more chapter not wanting to put it down. Each character was fully developed and added a different viewpoint that made the story all the more interesting. I am from Texas and was excited to read about Big Bend in the novel as it is a familiar place to me personally. And the plot twists were well executed to where I felt their full desired effect.
I would recommend this book for fans of true crime shows and Mare of Easttown. Fans of investigation shows will feel familiar with the plot but intrigued by the spotlight on the dynamics of the family once something like this occurs that you rarely hear about or see. As a fan of any type of mystery, I thoroughly enjoyed this fresh take and am looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
I enjoyed all the things the book brought to the table. The family dynamics aspect lured me in but the suspense of the mystery is what drove me to continue on just one more chapter not wanting to put it down. Each character was fully developed and added a different viewpoint that made the story all the more interesting. I am from Texas and was excited to read about Big Bend in the novel as it is a familiar place to me personally. And the plot twists were well executed to where I felt their full desired effect.
I would recommend this book for fans of true crime shows and Mare of Easttown. Fans of investigation shows will feel familiar with the plot but intrigued by the spotlight on the dynamics of the family once something like this occurs that you rarely hear about or see. As a fan of any type of mystery, I thoroughly enjoyed this fresh take and am looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
December 30, 2021
A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself. The line as stated above bears a rather poignant relationship with the overall theme and context of the book at hand and how relevance can be traced have been briefly delineated below.
Delving further, the length of the book remains to be 340 pages and the overall theme revolves around the time when Matt and Summer Mackie are having their fair share of family time, but all that seemed good was only momentous until the stroke of tragedy. The book has been further divided into 36 Chapters. The first chapter is titled “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” which sets the storyline at Buffalo, New York, and for the beginning instance, the stress is laid upon the two children and similarly showcases interactions shared among the couple. As the chapters progress further, the elements of gripping content remain to be ever-present in every chapter of the book as a sense of mystery and suspense easily gets created in every chapter. In addition to the same, the title of each of the chapter to an extent add to the excitement level of the book as can be seen from the titles like “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room”, “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” etc.
The writing style of the book remains to be something that adds to the existing strength of the book as the whole style is marked with “Simplicity of Expression” and this element remains constant throughout. Additionally, the narration style of the book has also been kept contemporaneous to the instances that are depicted in the book which adds to the engaging nature of the book.
Delving further, the length of the book remains to be 340 pages and the overall theme revolves around the time when Matt and Summer Mackie are having their fair share of family time, but all that seemed good was only momentous until the stroke of tragedy. The book has been further divided into 36 Chapters. The first chapter is titled “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” which sets the storyline at Buffalo, New York, and for the beginning instance, the stress is laid upon the two children and similarly showcases interactions shared among the couple. As the chapters progress further, the elements of gripping content remain to be ever-present in every chapter of the book as a sense of mystery and suspense easily gets created in every chapter. In addition to the same, the title of each of the chapter to an extent add to the excitement level of the book as can be seen from the titles like “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room”, “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” etc.
The writing style of the book remains to be something that adds to the existing strength of the book as the whole style is marked with “Simplicity of Expression” and this element remains constant throughout. Additionally, the narration style of the book has also been kept contemporaneous to the instances that are depicted in the book which adds to the engaging nature of the book.
August 21, 2021
A very interesting book which explores how different perspectives can lead to a different interpretation of a shared experience. The characters are fascinating and to see their relationships change through the life of the book is a big part of this book’s appeal. I found the pace at times slow but nevertheless recommended reading for people who like mysteries which bring strong focus on characterisation. ,
July 31, 2021
Another great read from JoDee Neathery. She has a gift for description that puts you right in the room with interesting characters and a storyline that keeps you reading!
August 21, 2024
I understand that there are many processes to pass through when grieving the loss of a loved one, and this book touches on each of them, but what resonates with me most is the blame game. Most especially when their loss is our fault, we try to push the blame on someone else. In this case, Summer blames her daughter Willa for the death of her son Griff, even though she is to blame for putting strain on the family relationship. After a year, they try to mend their family bond by going on a family trip. But an incident happened that left Summer dead, Matthew her husband with a severe brain injury, and Willa unconscious. Their seven-year-old son Gabriel was unharmed but left with trauma from the incident, and he may be the only real witness to what happened.
The Kind of Hush by JoDee Neathery is a book filled with unsaid truth, thoughts that are kept silent in order to believe a lie. And a moral grey area between what is right and wrong, all in a bid to protect a loved one. In this book, we see how grief affects every member of a family and the extent to which each one suffers.
The Kind of Hush by JoDee Neathery is a book filled with unsaid truth, thoughts that are kept silent in order to believe a lie. And a moral grey area between what is right and wrong, all in a bid to protect a loved one. In this book, we see how grief affects every member of a family and the extent to which each one suffers.
August 23, 2022
An emotional tale about a family. This story is well told and includes well crafted characters and a mostly engaging plot. Not for those seeking a light story. I can see why it was up for some awards.
Thanks very much for the free review copy for review!!
Thanks very much for the free review copy for review!!
August 13, 2021
Excellent views on how to handle life and death. Thanks JoDee
May 21, 2022
3.5 stars.
A Kind of Hush by JoDee Neathery is a family-centric novel about grief and healing.
The Mackie family has already experienced one tragedy when a hiking trip results in the death of a parent. The remaining family members try to navigate their way through mourning their loss while trying to understand the cause of the accident. While oldest daughter Willa is defiant and angry, her brother Gabe finds healthy ways to cope with his pain. Their grandparents and aunt assist them during this terrible time and the death of their loved one is a reminder of how fragile life can be.
The local sheriff’s office believes they know who might be responsible but their suspect proves to be quite slippery. This person leads them on quite the chase as he manages to elude them at every turn. He also manages to convince people along the way that he is quite harmless but some of them can see past his helpful, innocent façade.
A Kind of Hush is a unique family drama with interesting characters. The storyline is intriguing but the pacing is occasionally slow because of overly detailed passages. The overall tone is lighter than expected and some aspects of the story are more realistic than others. JoDee Neathery brings the various settings and characters vibrantly to life and readers will be satisfied with the novel’s conclusion.
A Kind of Hush by JoDee Neathery is a family-centric novel about grief and healing.
The Mackie family has already experienced one tragedy when a hiking trip results in the death of a parent. The remaining family members try to navigate their way through mourning their loss while trying to understand the cause of the accident. While oldest daughter Willa is defiant and angry, her brother Gabe finds healthy ways to cope with his pain. Their grandparents and aunt assist them during this terrible time and the death of their loved one is a reminder of how fragile life can be.
The local sheriff’s office believes they know who might be responsible but their suspect proves to be quite slippery. This person leads them on quite the chase as he manages to elude them at every turn. He also manages to convince people along the way that he is quite harmless but some of them can see past his helpful, innocent façade.
A Kind of Hush is a unique family drama with interesting characters. The storyline is intriguing but the pacing is occasionally slow because of overly detailed passages. The overall tone is lighter than expected and some aspects of the story are more realistic than others. JoDee Neathery brings the various settings and characters vibrantly to life and readers will be satisfied with the novel’s conclusion.
September 7, 2022
JoDee Neathery's novel is a whodunit that depicts the life of a family who has been through a lot of crying, sleepless nights, heartaches, and twists. The Mackie family was horrified when Griff Mackie, six, died while in the care of his sister, Willa Mackie. After three years, the Mackies began to pick themselves up and resume their efforts to mend their broken hearts and partially fractured family ties. Matt, Summer, Willa, and Gabe Mackie decided to spend quality time together at Zoar Valley Gorge. Gabe, seven, needed to use the restroom and was excused to do so as his family waited on him.
Gabe returned to his family members' absence. The sound of the rescue squad chopper roused a sleeping Gabe as night fell and daylight came. Summer Mackie, Gabe's mother, was discovered face down in the sea beneath the cliff, while Matt and his daughter, Willa, were severely injured. What happened during Gabe's absence that resulted in his mother's death? Will the Mackie family be able to cope with the loss of another family member? To learn more, read JoDee Neathery's A Kind of Hush.
This is one of the best crime thrillers I've read in years. There are some aspects of this work that I enjoy and value. Among these are the numerous quotes included by the author in each chapter. When intensely focused on, all of the sections echoed the emotions felt by the character at the time. I must applaud Neathery for her genuine character development. The characters were not forced into the scenes at any point; they simply appeared. Although the names of the characters were numerous, they were easy to recall because each had a definite job to play to avoid confusing the reader.
With Summer Mackie's untimely death, everyone was pointing fingers. Because the entire Mackie family was present at the scene, including Summer, Matt, Willa, and Gabe, they are all considered suspects. Aside from that, the other suspects made me wonder why any of them would ever want to conduct such a heinous murder. Every step of the investigation revealed a new suspect; thus my mind was on a ridiculous rollercoaster of thoughts, with the constant question of "who will it be?" The sequences in which the entire Mackie family grieved the loss of a loved one while attempting to rebuild themselves as a family adjusting to the new normal were quite moving. Those passages were so wonderfully written that they matched not only the Mackies' emotions, but also the emotions of friends, acquaintances, and even the officials at The Erie County Sheriff's Department.
I was so moved by the book that I felt as if the author had drawn me into it, and I was a part of the acceptance and healing process. In at least six chapters, I shaded tears. The book didn't start slowly; there were events as early as the first chapter. As I progressed through the middle pages, the pace of the events slowed. Then, as if I were climbing a hill, reaching the summit, and then rapidly plummeting, I kept flipping over the pages of the book to find out what happened next. Gabe Mackie was my favorite character. Although he is a child, I respect his simplicity and outlook on life. I appreciate the upbeat attitude he brings to the table.
There was nothing I didn't like about this book. It had everything a crime-thriller book should have, and I believe it's unique.
There are no grammatical or typographical errors in this book. It had been carefully edited. I rate A Kind Of Hush 5 out of 5 stars since I have no objections to it.
I recommend this book to forensic and crime resolution enthusiasts, adults, and even young readers under the supervision of an adult, as it may be distressing to them. However, younger readers can choose and practice a variety of traits and information about lifestyle and activities. Some scenes contained elements of the Christian religion; yet, this does not conflict with the book's primary message.
Gabe returned to his family members' absence. The sound of the rescue squad chopper roused a sleeping Gabe as night fell and daylight came. Summer Mackie, Gabe's mother, was discovered face down in the sea beneath the cliff, while Matt and his daughter, Willa, were severely injured. What happened during Gabe's absence that resulted in his mother's death? Will the Mackie family be able to cope with the loss of another family member? To learn more, read JoDee Neathery's A Kind of Hush.
This is one of the best crime thrillers I've read in years. There are some aspects of this work that I enjoy and value. Among these are the numerous quotes included by the author in each chapter. When intensely focused on, all of the sections echoed the emotions felt by the character at the time. I must applaud Neathery for her genuine character development. The characters were not forced into the scenes at any point; they simply appeared. Although the names of the characters were numerous, they were easy to recall because each had a definite job to play to avoid confusing the reader.
With Summer Mackie's untimely death, everyone was pointing fingers. Because the entire Mackie family was present at the scene, including Summer, Matt, Willa, and Gabe, they are all considered suspects. Aside from that, the other suspects made me wonder why any of them would ever want to conduct such a heinous murder. Every step of the investigation revealed a new suspect; thus my mind was on a ridiculous rollercoaster of thoughts, with the constant question of "who will it be?" The sequences in which the entire Mackie family grieved the loss of a loved one while attempting to rebuild themselves as a family adjusting to the new normal were quite moving. Those passages were so wonderfully written that they matched not only the Mackies' emotions, but also the emotions of friends, acquaintances, and even the officials at The Erie County Sheriff's Department.
I was so moved by the book that I felt as if the author had drawn me into it, and I was a part of the acceptance and healing process. In at least six chapters, I shaded tears. The book didn't start slowly; there were events as early as the first chapter. As I progressed through the middle pages, the pace of the events slowed. Then, as if I were climbing a hill, reaching the summit, and then rapidly plummeting, I kept flipping over the pages of the book to find out what happened next. Gabe Mackie was my favorite character. Although he is a child, I respect his simplicity and outlook on life. I appreciate the upbeat attitude he brings to the table.
There was nothing I didn't like about this book. It had everything a crime-thriller book should have, and I believe it's unique.
There are no grammatical or typographical errors in this book. It had been carefully edited. I rate A Kind Of Hush 5 out of 5 stars since I have no objections to it.
I recommend this book to forensic and crime resolution enthusiasts, adults, and even young readers under the supervision of an adult, as it may be distressing to them. However, younger readers can choose and practice a variety of traits and information about lifestyle and activities. Some scenes contained elements of the Christian religion; yet, this does not conflict with the book's primary message.
April 27, 2022
After reading the blurb for this book my interest was certainly piqued. As I have said before- any mystery that involves potential murder and a who dunnit theme is definitely up my street.
The story starts with a trip for the Mackie family to Zoar Valley Gorge, where they intended to spend some family time together. However, tragedy strikes almost straight away, and Summer loses her life. But what happened? Was she pushed or did she fall? Throughout the rest of the novel, you follow the Mackie family through their grief and their search to find out what happened on that fateful day.
The first thing to say is that overall, I did enjoy the book, I thought it was interesting and I did look forward to picking it up to read. There were some really well-rounded characters, Gabe in particular was well thought out and added a lot to the story. The descriptions of the different settings in this novel were also very detailed and for someone who doesn't live in America, really helped me visualise where events took place.
However, the book seemed to be overly long and I felt like in some places the copy could have been very heavily shortened and we would have still got the same out of the story. I also felt that it took far too long to get to the bottom of what happened at the gorge and this was almost forgotten about until the very end, and then felt like it was rushed to its conclusion. There were also points where things that had no real overall effect to the plot, were described in far too much detail, also at times people's feelings were leaned extremely heavily upon and it took away from my enjoyment of the story.
Perhaps some of it I didn't get- felt like there were quite a lot of things that were very American. I would suggest toning these down for appeal to a wider audience.
But in conclusion I did really enjoy the story and characters and would definitely read another book by the author.
The story starts with a trip for the Mackie family to Zoar Valley Gorge, where they intended to spend some family time together. However, tragedy strikes almost straight away, and Summer loses her life. But what happened? Was she pushed or did she fall? Throughout the rest of the novel, you follow the Mackie family through their grief and their search to find out what happened on that fateful day.
The first thing to say is that overall, I did enjoy the book, I thought it was interesting and I did look forward to picking it up to read. There were some really well-rounded characters, Gabe in particular was well thought out and added a lot to the story. The descriptions of the different settings in this novel were also very detailed and for someone who doesn't live in America, really helped me visualise where events took place.
However, the book seemed to be overly long and I felt like in some places the copy could have been very heavily shortened and we would have still got the same out of the story. I also felt that it took far too long to get to the bottom of what happened at the gorge and this was almost forgotten about until the very end, and then felt like it was rushed to its conclusion. There were also points where things that had no real overall effect to the plot, were described in far too much detail, also at times people's feelings were leaned extremely heavily upon and it took away from my enjoyment of the story.
Perhaps some of it I didn't get- felt like there were quite a lot of things that were very American. I would suggest toning these down for appeal to a wider audience.
But in conclusion I did really enjoy the story and characters and would definitely read another book by the author.
June 19, 2022
It’s the families first public outing since the death of their beloved seven-year-old son Griffin and it’s meant to take their mind off their grief. It does take their mind off the grief of losing Griffin because now they will lose summer Willow struggling with her feelings towards her mother after so long being blamed for Griffin‘s death, Matt is trying hard to get his head around living his life without the only woman he’s ever loved and poor little three-year-old Gabriel will put it on himself to bring sunshine back to everyone’s life. During all of this Sheriff Cooper is looking for a man named Victor Burke. Summer testified against him and although he was acquitted it didn’t stop him from stalking her teenage daughter Willow and sheriff Cooper wants to know did he push summer off the cliff or dead someone else do it? I thought this book was a thriller but it’s more literary fiction. If you like domestic settings watching families go through the emotions of grief in finding new hope in life you will love “a kind of hush.” There is a mystery to be solved and that is what happened on the cliff and what is the clicking noise gave keep telling Bucky he heard that day? It isn’t an action packed mystery but a mystery still in all. I thought this book flowed along nicely and although not the book I was hoping for I still enjoyed it. Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review but all opinions are definitely my own I was given this book by Net Galley in the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily. #NetGally, #A kind of hush,#Joe Dimitri
January 9, 2023
A Kind of Hush written by the author JoDee Neathery is a captivating story. It hooked my attention from the first page itself. It is a family drama that features the Mackie family. The Mackie family recently lost their kid Griff. They are still grieving for his loss. Summer, Griff's mother left him for fifteen minutes in care of her daughter Willa. These fifteen minutes changed their life for the worse. Summer is now playing the blame game and she blames Willa for the death of Griff. Gabe Mackie misses his brother.
After three years, the family took a trip near Zoar Valley Gorge. An unfortunate incident happened there. Matt, Summer and Willa fell off a cliff. Summer couldn't survive the fall. Sheriff Conner Boyle is investigating the case and is determined to find the truth.
This is a gripping story. The characters are written well and would stay in my head for a long time. The storyline is interesting. The backdrop setting is nice. JoDee's writing style is fantastic. Those who love reading stories involving suspense, family-drama should get their hands on this one.
After three years, the family took a trip near Zoar Valley Gorge. An unfortunate incident happened there. Matt, Summer and Willa fell off a cliff. Summer couldn't survive the fall. Sheriff Conner Boyle is investigating the case and is determined to find the truth.
This is a gripping story. The characters are written well and would stay in my head for a long time. The storyline is interesting. The backdrop setting is nice. JoDee's writing style is fantastic. Those who love reading stories involving suspense, family-drama should get their hands on this one.
December 1, 2022
Do you ever start reading a novel and get chills from the cynical aura cast over the characters? Seven-year-old Gabe Mackie is the only one that escapes the drama pressing on the Mackie family, but he has another world he enters when he needs an escape. A Kind of Hush by JoDee Neathery is suspenseful, tender, and touches on the dark side of nature. I enjoyed watching the budding relationship between Starla and deputy sheriff Conner, but can it withstand the wild tempest of this investigation? Will Willa recover from the hatred she felt for her mother and herself? Multiple relationship issues are unraveling and building while hunting for a killer. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.
April 28, 2022
Going in, I had pretty high expectations for this book, as the Goodreads rating at the time of writing is above a 4.5. However, I had a few issues with the book that stopped me from enjoying it as much as others seem to. Perhaps I wasn’t in the mood for a mystery at the time of reading, or maybe this book is simply meant for a different audience. After I finished reading I saw the book described as a “literary” novel, different from my expectation for a more concrete mystery, which could have also affected my feelings. I feel the need to say all this up front because some people really seem to enjoy this book, and while my review might come off as negative, this story does hit home for a lot of other readers.
The first thing that jumped out to me in a negative way was the writing itself. I felt like the book could have used another set of eyes before it was published, as there were many times I had to read a sentence over again to gain understanding of what it was trying to say. Similarly, in most of the conversations between characters, I had to read back to decipher whom was talking to whom, as it was not clear. Furthermore, this book was filled with a lot of rather specific details which ruined the immersion for me; I often stopped reading to search the internet to see if something was indeed true. Those details almost felt inconsequential to the story; long descriptions of New York restaurants filled pages but served no purpose in the plot.
In addition to the writing, the characters threw me off as well; almost all of them acted in unbelievable ways. For example, one of the main characters was a young boy of no more than 10. Despite all that had happened in his life, he never acted out, never threw any tantrums, and was always the voice of wisdom to the adults. While I’ve never been a parent, this combination of things didn’t seem realistic. Similarly, the teenage character did nothing BUT throw tantrums. At one point, someone finds out their spouse was cheating on them, and they had a completely calm reaction. Most people would swear or yell or go into their fight/flight/freeze response, but not this character. In addition, all the characters (every single one) had some kind of sad story. Deaths in the family, cancer, or other unfortunate events plagued every single character; it got to the point I was rolling my eyes every time something happened because no one could escape the author’s wrath.
While there were a lot of negatives, there were a few positive notes. I appreciated all of the pets in the story, and how some of them acted as characters in their own right. Unlike some of the characters, the portion of the story that involved running a small business felt realistic. While most of the story just felt like it was there, there were small elements of the story that felt interesting. Specifically, at one point a story of a desk on top of a mountain is told. I could have read way more about this concept, and might have even prefered a story centering around this concept instead of the one we got.
Overall, I felt like this was a book with weak characters and a lot of extra fluff added to make it a longer novel. If this book had been edited for clarity and characters that felt more realistic, it could have been at least an average read for me; as it is, it only scraped up two stars.
This story was provided by the author in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my opinions of the book nor the content of my review.
The first thing that jumped out to me in a negative way was the writing itself. I felt like the book could have used another set of eyes before it was published, as there were many times I had to read a sentence over again to gain understanding of what it was trying to say. Similarly, in most of the conversations between characters, I had to read back to decipher whom was talking to whom, as it was not clear. Furthermore, this book was filled with a lot of rather specific details which ruined the immersion for me; I often stopped reading to search the internet to see if something was indeed true. Those details almost felt inconsequential to the story; long descriptions of New York restaurants filled pages but served no purpose in the plot.
In addition to the writing, the characters threw me off as well; almost all of them acted in unbelievable ways. For example, one of the main characters was a young boy of no more than 10. Despite all that had happened in his life, he never acted out, never threw any tantrums, and was always the voice of wisdom to the adults. While I’ve never been a parent, this combination of things didn’t seem realistic. Similarly, the teenage character did nothing BUT throw tantrums. At one point, someone finds out their spouse was cheating on them, and they had a completely calm reaction. Most people would swear or yell or go into their fight/flight/freeze response, but not this character. In addition, all the characters (every single one) had some kind of sad story. Deaths in the family, cancer, or other unfortunate events plagued every single character; it got to the point I was rolling my eyes every time something happened because no one could escape the author’s wrath.
While there were a lot of negatives, there were a few positive notes. I appreciated all of the pets in the story, and how some of them acted as characters in their own right. Unlike some of the characters, the portion of the story that involved running a small business felt realistic. While most of the story just felt like it was there, there were small elements of the story that felt interesting. Specifically, at one point a story of a desk on top of a mountain is told. I could have read way more about this concept, and might have even prefered a story centering around this concept instead of the one we got.
Overall, I felt like this was a book with weak characters and a lot of extra fluff added to make it a longer novel. If this book had been edited for clarity and characters that felt more realistic, it could have been at least an average read for me; as it is, it only scraped up two stars.
This story was provided by the author in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my opinions of the book nor the content of my review.
Read
August 28, 2021I loved reading “A Kind of Hush” & would recommend it to any one. JoDee’s sensitivity & humor are throughout. I highlighted passages I thought were especially beautifully written & showed sincere
feelings I’d like to express when in a given situation.
feelings I’d like to express when in a given situation.
April 2, 2022
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: A Kind of Hush
Author: JoDee Neathery
Star Rating: 3 Stars
Number of Readers: 17
Stats
Editing: 6/10
Writing Style: 5/10
Content: 7/10
Cover: 4/5
Of the 17 readers:
9 would read another book by this author.
15 thought the cover was good or excellent.
11 felt it was easy to follow.
9 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 1 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
6 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
9 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“I enjoyed this family drama. It´s thought-provoking with a strong mystery element to it. I loved that there were so many twists which unsettled me as a reader – which is a good thing.” Female reader, aged 44
“Although the story is marred by the odd overly long sentence, it´s still an interesting read. The characters, particularly Gabe, are very well-developed, and there´s plenty of mystery as to what happened which will keep you turning the page. I think, possibly, the dialogue could do with a little work; it felt a little wooden in parts.” Female reader, aged 38
“This is not the most cheerful of novels, but it is an enthralling read. Also, it´s thought-provoking in terms of how a family must try to deal with a tragedy. Plot-wise/character-wise, it´s very strong. But it´s let down by the writing style. Too slow, overly descriptive and a lack of pace, particularly in the first half. I enjoyed it though.” Male reader, aged 63
To Sum It Up:
‘A powerful family drama with strong characterization.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: A Kind of Hush
Author: JoDee Neathery
Star Rating: 3 Stars
Number of Readers: 17
Stats
Editing: 6/10
Writing Style: 5/10
Content: 7/10
Cover: 4/5
Of the 17 readers:
9 would read another book by this author.
15 thought the cover was good or excellent.
11 felt it was easy to follow.
9 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 1 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
6 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
9 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“I enjoyed this family drama. It´s thought-provoking with a strong mystery element to it. I loved that there were so many twists which unsettled me as a reader – which is a good thing.” Female reader, aged 44
“Although the story is marred by the odd overly long sentence, it´s still an interesting read. The characters, particularly Gabe, are very well-developed, and there´s plenty of mystery as to what happened which will keep you turning the page. I think, possibly, the dialogue could do with a little work; it felt a little wooden in parts.” Female reader, aged 38
“This is not the most cheerful of novels, but it is an enthralling read. Also, it´s thought-provoking in terms of how a family must try to deal with a tragedy. Plot-wise/character-wise, it´s very strong. But it´s let down by the writing style. Too slow, overly descriptive and a lack of pace, particularly in the first half. I enjoyed it though.” Male reader, aged 63
To Sum It Up:
‘A powerful family drama with strong characterization.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
October 28, 2023
First, I want to thank JoDee Neathery for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.
WOW!! JoDee Neathery blew me away with her latest A Kind Of Hush! This book was fast paced, heart wrenching, intensely suspenseful, lots of twists and turns, and totally addicting. This is one book that once you start you won’t want to put down.
I was all smiles when I saw that A Kind Of Hush was set in Buffalo, NY. This is my hometown where I was born, raised and still live. JoDee referenced many prominent locations, sports teams, political figures and even famous OJ Simpson! She also educated her readers on some of Buffalo’s history. Some even I didn’t know about.
Instantly, my heartstrings were pulled tightly meeting 4 year old Gabriel! He was my favorite character of them all as he was the sweetest! My heart broke for all that he lost within this book.
JoDee brings up some very important issues and life lessons in A Kind Of Hush.
A Kind Of Hush is incredibly well written that will have you on the edge of your comfy chair. It is one book you must add to your TBR list!
WOW!! JoDee Neathery blew me away with her latest A Kind Of Hush! This book was fast paced, heart wrenching, intensely suspenseful, lots of twists and turns, and totally addicting. This is one book that once you start you won’t want to put down.
I was all smiles when I saw that A Kind Of Hush was set in Buffalo, NY. This is my hometown where I was born, raised and still live. JoDee referenced many prominent locations, sports teams, political figures and even famous OJ Simpson! She also educated her readers on some of Buffalo’s history. Some even I didn’t know about.
Instantly, my heartstrings were pulled tightly meeting 4 year old Gabriel! He was my favorite character of them all as he was the sweetest! My heart broke for all that he lost within this book.
JoDee brings up some very important issues and life lessons in A Kind Of Hush.
A Kind Of Hush is incredibly well written that will have you on the edge of your comfy chair. It is one book you must add to your TBR list!
Read
September 28, 2021Another great book by JoDee Neathery. A mystery yes but with a different twist. All the usual Neathery details to get you into each of the characters. Locations and details that are familiar but used by the author in different ways. With an ending that doesn’t keep you hanging but may not be what you expected.
September 4, 2025
From the very first chapter, A Kind of Hush grips the reader with a sense of unease that never truly lets go. JoDee Neathery has crafted a story that balances tragedy, mystery, and the complicated bonds of family, all against a backdrop that feels as vivid as the characters themselves.
The novel begins with what seems like a simple family outing, a trip to the Zoar Valley Gorge. It’s a place described with breathtaking beauty—waterfalls, rocky cliffs, and nature in its raw form. But this trip becomes the fulcrum of the entire book when disaster strikes. The Mackie family plummets from the cliffs, and the accident sets off a ripple of questions that no one can immediately answer. One parent survives, but the children are traumatized, and suspicions begin to take shape. Was it truly an accident, or something darker?
What makes this novel so engaging is the way Neathery handles perspective. She doesn’t hand the reader an easy answer. Instead, the narrative moves between different voices and experiences, layering in doubt, grief, and the raw struggle to move forward after unthinkable loss. Each character is carefully drawn, not as stock figures in a mystery but as real, flawed, and deeply human individuals. Willa, the teenage daughter, and Gabe, the young boy, especially stand out. Their innocence clashes with the shadows of what they have lived through, and their development throughout the novel is both heartbreaking and hopeful.
The writing shines in its descriptions of setting. Neathery contrasts the lush, dangerous beauty of New York’s Zoar Valley with the expansive ruggedness of Big Bend, Texas. Place is never just background here—it shapes the mood, reflects the emotions of the characters, and emphasizes the distance between what was lost and what might be rebuilt. It is clear that the author has a deep appreciation for landscape, and she uses it to mirror the turbulence of her characters’ lives.
At its core, this is a story about secrets and silence. The title itself, A Kind of Hush, is a clue to what Neathery explores: how families cover wounds, how communities whisper and speculate, and how truth is often obscured not just by malice but by the desperate need to protect. The hush is not just about what is said aloud, but about what is never voiced at all.
Pacing is handled with care. The book does not rush. Instead, it lingers on the aftermath, on the uncertainty, on the shifting sands of trust. This slower rhythm works to the novel’s advantage, allowing the reader to sink into the Mackies’ world and to wrestle with the same doubts that haunt the characters. As suspicions swirl, you find yourself constantly rethinking what really happened that day at the gorge.
Another strength is how Neathery avoids turning this into a straightforward whodunit. While mystery propels the plot, it’s not the only driving force. The emotional depth is equally important. Themes of survival, resilience, and the blurred line between guilt and innocence are explored with nuance. The author is interested not just in the answer to the central question—accident or crime—but in how living under that shadow reshapes the lives of everyone involved.
By the time the story shifts toward its conclusion, the reader has been put through a storm of emotions: anger, pity, frustration, and even moments of warmth. The resolution satisfies without tying every thread neatly, which feels honest given the subject matter. Life rarely gives us perfect closure, and this novel honors that truth.
For readers who enjoy stories where family drama intersects with psychological suspense, this book is a perfect fit. It’s not loud or overly dramatic in its approach; instead, it works like a quiet storm, gradually building tension while keeping the focus on character and emotional truth.
JoDee Neathery has written a thought-provoking, memorable novel that lingers long after the last page. It raises questions about the weight of silence, the fragility of trust, and the resilience required to carry on after tragedy. It’s a story that asks you to sit with discomfort, to reflect on the gray areas of morality, and to acknowledge that even in the most painful circumstances, life presses forward.
A Kind of Hush is more than a mystery—it’s an exploration of the human heart under pressure, of the choices we make to protect those we love, and of the consequences when those choices are shrouded in secrecy.
The novel begins with what seems like a simple family outing, a trip to the Zoar Valley Gorge. It’s a place described with breathtaking beauty—waterfalls, rocky cliffs, and nature in its raw form. But this trip becomes the fulcrum of the entire book when disaster strikes. The Mackie family plummets from the cliffs, and the accident sets off a ripple of questions that no one can immediately answer. One parent survives, but the children are traumatized, and suspicions begin to take shape. Was it truly an accident, or something darker?
What makes this novel so engaging is the way Neathery handles perspective. She doesn’t hand the reader an easy answer. Instead, the narrative moves between different voices and experiences, layering in doubt, grief, and the raw struggle to move forward after unthinkable loss. Each character is carefully drawn, not as stock figures in a mystery but as real, flawed, and deeply human individuals. Willa, the teenage daughter, and Gabe, the young boy, especially stand out. Their innocence clashes with the shadows of what they have lived through, and their development throughout the novel is both heartbreaking and hopeful.
The writing shines in its descriptions of setting. Neathery contrasts the lush, dangerous beauty of New York’s Zoar Valley with the expansive ruggedness of Big Bend, Texas. Place is never just background here—it shapes the mood, reflects the emotions of the characters, and emphasizes the distance between what was lost and what might be rebuilt. It is clear that the author has a deep appreciation for landscape, and she uses it to mirror the turbulence of her characters’ lives.
At its core, this is a story about secrets and silence. The title itself, A Kind of Hush, is a clue to what Neathery explores: how families cover wounds, how communities whisper and speculate, and how truth is often obscured not just by malice but by the desperate need to protect. The hush is not just about what is said aloud, but about what is never voiced at all.
Pacing is handled with care. The book does not rush. Instead, it lingers on the aftermath, on the uncertainty, on the shifting sands of trust. This slower rhythm works to the novel’s advantage, allowing the reader to sink into the Mackies’ world and to wrestle with the same doubts that haunt the characters. As suspicions swirl, you find yourself constantly rethinking what really happened that day at the gorge.
Another strength is how Neathery avoids turning this into a straightforward whodunit. While mystery propels the plot, it’s not the only driving force. The emotional depth is equally important. Themes of survival, resilience, and the blurred line between guilt and innocence are explored with nuance. The author is interested not just in the answer to the central question—accident or crime—but in how living under that shadow reshapes the lives of everyone involved.
By the time the story shifts toward its conclusion, the reader has been put through a storm of emotions: anger, pity, frustration, and even moments of warmth. The resolution satisfies without tying every thread neatly, which feels honest given the subject matter. Life rarely gives us perfect closure, and this novel honors that truth.
For readers who enjoy stories where family drama intersects with psychological suspense, this book is a perfect fit. It’s not loud or overly dramatic in its approach; instead, it works like a quiet storm, gradually building tension while keeping the focus on character and emotional truth.
JoDee Neathery has written a thought-provoking, memorable novel that lingers long after the last page. It raises questions about the weight of silence, the fragility of trust, and the resilience required to carry on after tragedy. It’s a story that asks you to sit with discomfort, to reflect on the gray areas of morality, and to acknowledge that even in the most painful circumstances, life presses forward.
A Kind of Hush is more than a mystery—it’s an exploration of the human heart under pressure, of the choices we make to protect those we love, and of the consequences when those choices are shrouded in secrecy.
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