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Clara Marsh is begrafenisondernemer. Ze brengt haar eenzame dagen door tussen de doden, die ze zo mooi mogelijk maakt en altijd een laatste groet meegeeft met bloemen uit haar eigen tuin. Ooit heeft zij op deze manier ook een ongeïdentificeerd meisje begraven, dat vermoord was aangetroffen in de nabijgelegen bossen. Als er jaren later plotseling een verband lijkt te bestaan tussen dit naamloze meisje en Trecie, een verwaarloosd kind dat een tijdlang rond het huis van Clara speelde maar ineens spoorloos verdwijnt, raakt Clara ongewild betrokken bij het onderzoek.
301 pages, Paperback
First published August 12, 2008
64 people are currently reading
6418 people want to read
About the author
Amy MacKinnon
9 books76 followersAmy MacKinnon lives outside of Boston with her husband, three children, two cats, and their English bulldog, Babe.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 481 reviews
March 31, 2019
This is a beautifully written atmospheric mystery by Amy Mackinnon that immerses the reader in the life, work and rituals at a funeral parlour. It's a book that I fervently wish I had never read, and I did seriously consider dropping the book at around 20%, but I just could not let it go. There are just some books that manage to get past my self protective defences, this was one of them, and it takes some time to recover from reading this book. I read a lot of dark, disturbing and unsettling fiction, but the characters and the themes of child and sexual abuse, paedophiles, grief, sorrow, neglectful parents, and broken people and lives, inescapably seeped into me here, with all its unadulterated horror. Clara Marsh is an expert and experienced undertaker who takes pride in providing dignity and respect to the dead, choosing flowers from her garden for each that seem apt for each person. The intricate details and procedures of Clara's profession are provided, much of which are rather hard to stomach.
Clara is close to no-one, she lets no-one in, she is perfectly at ease in her underworld inhabited only by the dead, welcoming each newly dead entrant, busying herself in the familiar routines and rituals. 3 years ago, she prepared the body of Precious Doe, an unidentified murdered child, this unsolved case haunts Detective Mike Sullivan, a man struggling to come to terms with the death of his wife, Jenny, killed by a drunk driver. Mike insists on pursuing leads on Precious, but for Clara, the dead are dead, there is no benefit in disturbing them, so she is inclined to be unco-operative and not so truthful in answer to his questions. For Mike, the dead are not dead, and he is reluctant to let injustice pass. A young girl, Tecie, begins to frequent and play in the funeral parlour, latching onto Clara, into whom she intuits a kindred soul. Clara recognises the similarity between them, her life and profession means she is familiar with girls like Tecie, with problematic mothers with drug and drink issues, families known to children services and the police. She is reluctant to create a bond with Tecie, until she becomes aware of the danger the child is in, working with Mike to solve the mystery of Precious and find Tecie, which is to inexorably bring death knocking at her door.
MacKinnon brings the character of Clara vibrantly alive, a woman who has suffered such knocks, tragedy, abuse and trauma in the world that she has withdrawn from life altogether, preferring the company of the dead. Her disturbingly ghastly religious grandmother with whom she lived after the death of her mother has a lot to answer for. Clara is close only to Linus and Alma, the compassionate owners of the funeral parlour, and who regard Clara as their daughter, even though she cannot bear any physical expressions of their love for her. Clara's drive to help Tecie is an effort to provide succour to the child within her who received no such help. A delicate and tentative relationship begins to form between Clara and Mike, both such sorrowful and damaged souls, but is it strong enough to survive the dangers they face? Highly recommended read, and if you are interested in the work of undertakers and the running of funeral parlours, this provides a fascinating picture of what it entails. Many thanks to Orion.
Clara is close to no-one, she lets no-one in, she is perfectly at ease in her underworld inhabited only by the dead, welcoming each newly dead entrant, busying herself in the familiar routines and rituals. 3 years ago, she prepared the body of Precious Doe, an unidentified murdered child, this unsolved case haunts Detective Mike Sullivan, a man struggling to come to terms with the death of his wife, Jenny, killed by a drunk driver. Mike insists on pursuing leads on Precious, but for Clara, the dead are dead, there is no benefit in disturbing them, so she is inclined to be unco-operative and not so truthful in answer to his questions. For Mike, the dead are not dead, and he is reluctant to let injustice pass. A young girl, Tecie, begins to frequent and play in the funeral parlour, latching onto Clara, into whom she intuits a kindred soul. Clara recognises the similarity between them, her life and profession means she is familiar with girls like Tecie, with problematic mothers with drug and drink issues, families known to children services and the police. She is reluctant to create a bond with Tecie, until she becomes aware of the danger the child is in, working with Mike to solve the mystery of Precious and find Tecie, which is to inexorably bring death knocking at her door.
MacKinnon brings the character of Clara vibrantly alive, a woman who has suffered such knocks, tragedy, abuse and trauma in the world that she has withdrawn from life altogether, preferring the company of the dead. Her disturbingly ghastly religious grandmother with whom she lived after the death of her mother has a lot to answer for. Clara is close only to Linus and Alma, the compassionate owners of the funeral parlour, and who regard Clara as their daughter, even though she cannot bear any physical expressions of their love for her. Clara's drive to help Tecie is an effort to provide succour to the child within her who received no such help. A delicate and tentative relationship begins to form between Clara and Mike, both such sorrowful and damaged souls, but is it strong enough to survive the dangers they face? Highly recommended read, and if you are interested in the work of undertakers and the running of funeral parlours, this provides a fascinating picture of what it entails. Many thanks to Orion.
January 10, 2025
Breathe... one... two... three...
TETHERED
by Amy MacKinnon
No spoilers. 5 stars. This is my third time reading this remarkable little book. I would classify this story as a thought-provoking mystery...
Clara Marsh...
... is an introverted mortician. She has had some serious hard knocks for her young age but has managed a sort of life for herself at the Bartholomew Funeral Home...
Most people she meets view Clara's life as odd, and some would say she must be lonely. When asked what she believes, she says...
...I believe it is important to breathe... one... two... three...
In the course of her everyday business...
she becomes acquainted with a detective trying to solve a child's murder. Clara handled the girl's funeral...
Eventually...
She finds herself more involved in solving the crime than her antisocial self would like to be and becomes aware of more at-risk children in need of saving...
Clara is extremely uncomfortable with a child who has chosen the funeral home as her place to play and hang out. Clara doesn't know how to talk to children...
5 stars for this well-written novel. I found the story to be very bizarre yet believable. This is not a story for everyone, but it is well researched and interesting; like staring as you pass a bad car accident, it is often cringeworthy.
If you liked this story, try WOMAN OF THE DEAD by Bernhard Aichner for another excellent mortician murder mystery.
TETHERED
by Amy MacKinnon
No spoilers. 5 stars. This is my third time reading this remarkable little book. I would classify this story as a thought-provoking mystery...
Clara Marsh...
... is an introverted mortician. She has had some serious hard knocks for her young age but has managed a sort of life for herself at the Bartholomew Funeral Home...
Most people she meets view Clara's life as odd, and some would say she must be lonely. When asked what she believes, she says...
...I believe it is important to breathe... one... two... three...
In the course of her everyday business...
she becomes acquainted with a detective trying to solve a child's murder. Clara handled the girl's funeral...
Eventually...
She finds herself more involved in solving the crime than her antisocial self would like to be and becomes aware of more at-risk children in need of saving...
Clara is extremely uncomfortable with a child who has chosen the funeral home as her place to play and hang out. Clara doesn't know how to talk to children...
5 stars for this well-written novel. I found the story to be very bizarre yet believable. This is not a story for everyone, but it is well researched and interesting; like staring as you pass a bad car accident, it is often cringeworthy.
If you liked this story, try WOMAN OF THE DEAD by Bernhard Aichner for another excellent mortician murder mystery.
January 25, 2019
4☆ Atmospheric Crime Mystery
The Unforgotten is a fabulous crime fiction, Mystery with a dash of thriller.
When I read the blurb for The Unforgotten I was very intrigued. The first thing that jumped out at me, was that the main character is a female undertaker that spends most of her life with the deceased.
It's not something I've come across before and it created a chilling atmospheric blurb that didn't disappoint!
Clara is an undertaker which really is the perfect job for her. She hasn't had the easiest of upbringing and has left her with no self confidence and a difficulty in connecting with others.
She prefers to be alone, so working with the deceased suits her.
When Clara comes across Trecie a young girl who happens to be playing in the funeral parlour, she slowly lets down her guard and warms to her.
Detective Mike Sullivan is also interested in Trecie, he seems to think she might just be connected to a body of a young lady that was brutally murdered several years ago.
Between the two of them they become embroiled in a dangerous mystery to try and work out how they are connected, and who killed Precious Doe.
I really warmed to Clara, I had the greatest respect for her, I couldn't do her job. I was there when my nan took her last breath and it has haunted me ever since.
I liked Mike despite his tortured soul, he was determined and persistent at getting a result for Precious Doe and laying her memory to rest.
I do hope we get to see more from him.
Despite figuring things out, I really liked the uniqueness of the plot.
It's a refreshing change to feature a funeral parlour and a undertaker and Detective working alongside each other.
Two very different characters that just clicked.
The Unforgotten Is an atmospheric eerie read, that was a lil chilling at times, the characters were well written, complex and likeable, the plot was compelling, twisty, unique, and drew me in.
I definitely recommend reading this Enthralling Crime Mystery,
I do hope this might be the start of a fabulous new series and a unique duo?
Thank you to Trapeze Books for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2019/0...
The Unforgotten is a fabulous crime fiction, Mystery with a dash of thriller.
When I read the blurb for The Unforgotten I was very intrigued. The first thing that jumped out at me, was that the main character is a female undertaker that spends most of her life with the deceased.
It's not something I've come across before and it created a chilling atmospheric blurb that didn't disappoint!
Clara is an undertaker which really is the perfect job for her. She hasn't had the easiest of upbringing and has left her with no self confidence and a difficulty in connecting with others.
She prefers to be alone, so working with the deceased suits her.
When Clara comes across Trecie a young girl who happens to be playing in the funeral parlour, she slowly lets down her guard and warms to her.
Detective Mike Sullivan is also interested in Trecie, he seems to think she might just be connected to a body of a young lady that was brutally murdered several years ago.
Between the two of them they become embroiled in a dangerous mystery to try and work out how they are connected, and who killed Precious Doe.
I really warmed to Clara, I had the greatest respect for her, I couldn't do her job. I was there when my nan took her last breath and it has haunted me ever since.
I liked Mike despite his tortured soul, he was determined and persistent at getting a result for Precious Doe and laying her memory to rest.
I do hope we get to see more from him.
Despite figuring things out, I really liked the uniqueness of the plot.
It's a refreshing change to feature a funeral parlour and a undertaker and Detective working alongside each other.
Two very different characters that just clicked.
The Unforgotten Is an atmospheric eerie read, that was a lil chilling at times, the characters were well written, complex and likeable, the plot was compelling, twisty, unique, and drew me in.
I definitely recommend reading this Enthralling Crime Mystery,
I do hope this might be the start of a fabulous new series and a unique duo?
Thank you to Trapeze Books for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2019/0...
June 25, 2017
This ended up being not too bad. The beginning was a bit slow. Then I wondered "what the hell" because I wasn't sure if the main character was nuts or not. Then it picked up and became a bit of a page turner for me. So 3.5 *
October 16, 2018
As soon as I read the blurb for this book I knew it was one I had to read. I don't think I've ever read a book where the main character has worked in an undertakers and I'm sure I'm not the only one who has a bit of a morbid fascination with what the role entails.
I have to say that when I die, I hope I have someone like Clara taking care of my body. She gives her job her all and deals with her clients with the utmost respect. As we get to know Clara though, this is just the caring type of person she is. She is a bit of a loner and likes to just get her job done and then go home for the day. That all changes when she starts getting involved with the little girl that she finds playing in the funeral parlour.
Mike is a great detective. He is battling with his own demons but he is another character that goes above and beyond in his job. You can tell he is another caring soul of which stands out throughout the novel.
To a certain extent, the story was slightly too predictable for me. I guessed very early on a couple of things that I think we're supposed to be twists or surprises later on. Saying that, the story in itself is still a very compelling one and one that I did really enjoy. I think what sells this book is the very unique story line and for me that more than made up for working things out early on.
The Unforgotten is an enthralling read that will draw you in and keep you there. Clara is a great character, there is just something about her that has you championing for her. I really enjoyed this story and can't wait to see what else the author comes up with.
My thanks to Trapeze and NetGalley for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
I have to say that when I die, I hope I have someone like Clara taking care of my body. She gives her job her all and deals with her clients with the utmost respect. As we get to know Clara though, this is just the caring type of person she is. She is a bit of a loner and likes to just get her job done and then go home for the day. That all changes when she starts getting involved with the little girl that she finds playing in the funeral parlour.
Mike is a great detective. He is battling with his own demons but he is another character that goes above and beyond in his job. You can tell he is another caring soul of which stands out throughout the novel.
To a certain extent, the story was slightly too predictable for me. I guessed very early on a couple of things that I think we're supposed to be twists or surprises later on. Saying that, the story in itself is still a very compelling one and one that I did really enjoy. I think what sells this book is the very unique story line and for me that more than made up for working things out early on.
The Unforgotten is an enthralling read that will draw you in and keep you there. Clara is a great character, there is just something about her that has you championing for her. I really enjoyed this story and can't wait to see what else the author comes up with.
My thanks to Trapeze and NetGalley for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
August 11, 2008
This book came into the library yesterday and I read the first few pages while cataloging it--I can't wait to read more! Ms. MacKinnon has put together beautiful sentences, paragraphs and I'm confident a beautiful novel.
I can't think of any other novels with undertakers as the main character, although I'm sure there are some. Reading about something new is always a plus. The book's cover is intriguing. So far, I love everything about this new novel.
Wow, I've finished this haunting novel, but it will stay with me for a long time. Uncomfortable topics handled in such a way that by the end you don't have to hate anyone except the actual evil one. And I didn't guess "whodunit" until Ms. MacKinnon wanted me to know, well done.
I can't think of any other novels with undertakers as the main character, although I'm sure there are some. Reading about something new is always a plus. The book's cover is intriguing. So far, I love everything about this new novel.
Wow, I've finished this haunting novel, but it will stay with me for a long time. Uncomfortable topics handled in such a way that by the end you don't have to hate anyone except the actual evil one. And I didn't guess "whodunit" until Ms. MacKinnon wanted me to know, well done.
December 23, 2008
I have so many questions, not just about the ending which seemed abrupt and unnecessarily so, but also with the basic plot line of the story. Were we to believe that Trecie was Baby Doe? Were Linus and the Reverend complicit in her death? There were so many bread crumbs dropped along the way, but very few that led anywhere.
Clara was a very intriguing character and I would have looked forward to following her life in a new town so I question the author's choices in the end. Perhaps she lost sight of Clara in the glaring absurdity of that final, chapter. I know I did.
Clara was a very intriguing character and I would have looked forward to following her life in a new town so I question the author's choices in the end. Perhaps she lost sight of Clara in the glaring absurdity of that final, chapter. I know I did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2008
This was a very compelling and multilayered novel with beautiful, damaged characters. The story was so intriguing that, much to my dismay because I had to get up early, I found myself reading into the morning hours because I couldn't close the book without knowing what happened next. I also found it fascinating because of my family history. My grandfather was an undertaker, and we grew up in an old Victorian house and played in the basement where the caskets were stored. My grandfather's profession was always presented as a distinguished and serious public service and I felt Ms. MacKinnon captured that with sensitivity and respect.
October 31, 2018
An emotionally charged read with a unique insight via the character of Clara, both a joy to read but very melancholy.
Looking forward to expanding my review for the upcoming tour. One to watch. Beautifully different and prose that digs deep.
Looking forward to expanding my review for the upcoming tour. One to watch. Beautifully different and prose that digs deep.
August 26, 2011
I do not understand the extremely high ratings for this book. It was not that I found it a bad book but rather a rather mediocre book, neither one thing nor another - not really crime, not really supernatural thriller.
The plot seemed very predictable and I found some of the literary devices annoying, the bracketed characteristics of flowers (repetitive) added very little to the story and became rather annoying after a while.
There were passages which showed that the author can really write very well, but these were rather few and I was glad when the whole thing was tied up at the end, though this wasn't soon enough.
The plot seemed very predictable and I found some of the literary devices annoying, the bracketed characteristics of flowers (repetitive) added very little to the story and became rather annoying after a while.
There were passages which showed that the author can really write very well, but these were rather few and I was glad when the whole thing was tied up at the end, though this wasn't soon enough.
August 16, 2008
I'm realizing I'm terrible at updating my GoodReads picks...come to my website and listen to the interview with Amy and how I gush all over her about Tether--I loved this book!
July 5, 2008
I received this book, and finished it within 3 days, while working full time. I was hooked from the first sentence, and the writing was great. The main character is an undertaker, who has flaws, and I came to know her and understand her. This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. Even when I wasn't reading, the book's characters and plots were on my mind. I have not been this "hooked" into a book for a long time. What a find this is, I hope it will not be too long before the author publishes another book.
November 26, 2008
This is the most fascinating book I've read in a long time. The author took a rather simple, almost trite, mystery and lifted it up through her stunning writing and the creation of an unforgettable and (almost) entirely sympathetic central character. The character, one of the most complex ever to grace the page, is an undertaker, and my skin crawled at times during the book, but I kept turning the pages and was glad I did. I also cried. As a writer, I was floored by MacKinnon's use of description. I don't like a lot of detail when I read, but MacKinnon's judicious use of detail--especially in the way it helped me understand the characters--was spot on. I look forward to reading more from this author.
March 5, 2013
This is a spooky new novel about a young woman undertaker (you learn "more than you want to know" about the job of preparing bodies) and her relationship with a mysterious little girl who suddenly starts visiting her and then vanishing. You wonder if this is a ghost, but you are also caught up in the mysteries of the undertaker's own eerie past. Great writing and a gripping read!
January 25, 2019
The Unforgotten is an unique and emotional crime story that i will definitely be thinking about for a while.
The setting of the book in an undertakers is an unusual one and it was fascinating to learn more about what they do. The preparation of a body for burial is not one I’ve thought much about before and I enjoyed learning more about the process that they go through. Some of these details are a bit graphic and stomach churning though so its probably best to avoid if you are squeamish!
I wasn’t sure about the main character Clara at first as she came across as being quite emotionless and standoffish, especially towards Trecie. As we discover more about her past though it becomes obvious that her experience have shaped how she acts now. I found myself warming to her as the book goes on, especially with her attempts to befriend the little girl which i though were quite heartwarming.
The book starts off slow but soon gathers pace with lots of twists and turns that keep the readers attention. I felt that the book focused more on the human element on the story rather than the investigation which made me feel more invested in the story as i got to know the characters very well. The story of the little girls is an emotional one and my heart broke for all that they had experienced. As a mother of three I can’t understand how anyone could do that to their children and I often found myself tearing up whilst reading.
I must admit that I did guess elements of where the story was going but this didn’t put me off as I was so enjoying the story that it was interesting to watch it all unravel. The final twist did take me by surprise though and I thought it was quite shocking which i always love when a book manages to take me by surprise.
The Unforgotten is a fantastic debut and I look forward to reading more from this author. If you like emotional, gripping crime fiction then you’ll love this book.
Huge thanks to Tracy Fenton for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Orion for my copy of this book via Netgalley.
The setting of the book in an undertakers is an unusual one and it was fascinating to learn more about what they do. The preparation of a body for burial is not one I’ve thought much about before and I enjoyed learning more about the process that they go through. Some of these details are a bit graphic and stomach churning though so its probably best to avoid if you are squeamish!
I wasn’t sure about the main character Clara at first as she came across as being quite emotionless and standoffish, especially towards Trecie. As we discover more about her past though it becomes obvious that her experience have shaped how she acts now. I found myself warming to her as the book goes on, especially with her attempts to befriend the little girl which i though were quite heartwarming.
The book starts off slow but soon gathers pace with lots of twists and turns that keep the readers attention. I felt that the book focused more on the human element on the story rather than the investigation which made me feel more invested in the story as i got to know the characters very well. The story of the little girls is an emotional one and my heart broke for all that they had experienced. As a mother of three I can’t understand how anyone could do that to their children and I often found myself tearing up whilst reading.
I must admit that I did guess elements of where the story was going but this didn’t put me off as I was so enjoying the story that it was interesting to watch it all unravel. The final twist did take me by surprise though and I thought it was quite shocking which i always love when a book manages to take me by surprise.
The Unforgotten is a fantastic debut and I look forward to reading more from this author. If you like emotional, gripping crime fiction then you’ll love this book.
Huge thanks to Tracy Fenton for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Orion for my copy of this book via Netgalley.
January 18, 2019
What a little gem this was and such a refreshing aspect and character who told the storyline! I was intrigued by a story being told by an undertaker as I’ve not read anything like it before.
The last line of the first chapter and the last line of the chapter with the second body chilled me, I had a strong suspicion it was coming but still it got me. And then this story started to weave its magic on me and kept its hooks tightly on me as we read and learn.
There was something special about Clara, the MC, the undertaker. She is so innocent and almost doe eye. She leads a simplistic life after her childhood and shuts herself off from everyone. I felt for her in one bit when she overheard people talking about her that just made me so sad for her, but she didn’t want my sympathy. With her character, you get an insight to behind the scenes at an undertaker and the magic they weave on the departed, to get them to look how you would remember them. Can not even fathom how someone can do that job but she does it so well.
Like I mentioned the story had me gripped, as Detective Mike Sullivan still grieving from the loss of his wife, is relentless at his job and can not let sleeping dogs lie. His tenacity is what drives the book for me, still trying to solve a case of a little girl who died three years prior and probing Clara for information still.
Now as an avid reader you begin to see the signs of where the book is going to go. This never bothers me as I’m always so proud when I guess right (she still puffing her chest out). For me, it has and always will be the adventure and the journey we go on, how we get to the end and how the characters react. Here it was no different, I kind of knew where it was going, but it was the journey that Clara and Mike went on that had me compelled to get to the end. That is a sign of some awesome writing! I was fascinated by how this was all to play out and this book delivered with a shock and a punch!
August 9, 2019
What a hauntingly raw story that discusses difficult subject matters! This is definitely a story that stay's with you long after you finish reading it. It is unlike anything that I have read. The author has a way of drawing you in and keeping you turning the pages of this dark story. I enjoyed it very much!
September 9, 2025
Vond het begin moeilijk om doorheen te komen, moest echt even in hrt verhaal komen. Maar toen ik er eenmaal in zat vond ik het heel mooi hoe je echt werd meegenomen in de gedachte van het hoofdpersonage. Het einde vond ik dan weer een beetje tegenvallen. Had graag willen weten hoe het nou verder is afgelopen met het hoofdpersonage. Het verhaal zelf was dan wel weer spannend en zat vol wendingen die je niet verwacht.
June 29, 2016
Se c’è una cosa con cui Clara si sente davvero a proprio agio, quelli sono i cadaveri. Per lei, truccare e preparare quei corpi ormai senza vita, rendere loro giustizia e restituirli, presentabili, a coloro che li hanno così tanto amati, è più di una semplice occupazione. Clara se ne prende cura e, allo stesso modo, lascia che loro si prendano cura di lei: perché Clara fatica a vivere in un mondo di cui non riesce a sentirsi interamente parte, un mondo che, nel corso della sua breve vita, le ha già tolto così tanto, e i morti rappresentano per lei un rifugio sicuro e familiare di cui fare tesoro.
“Immagino che altre figlie ripensino ai genitori scomparsi, quando sentono il ritornello di una vecchia canzone o prendono tra le mani il prezioso libro di fiabe posato sul comodino del loro bambino. A me succede quando trasformo un cadavere malconcio in qualcuno di nuovamente familiare.”
Al di fuori di quella sua intima quotidianità fatta di fiori e formaldeide, però, se ne staglia un’altra di gran lunga peggiore, una realtà terribilmente oscura che odora di sangue e dolore. Perché, nella mente di Clara Marsh, il ricordo del cadavere di una bambina ritrovato completamente deturpato e poi abbandonato in un bosco vicino, è ancora fin troppo fresco. E, ora che nell’impresa di pompe funebri in cui lavora da tempo, ha fatto la sua apparizione un’altra ragazzina, la misteriosa Trecie, per Clara tutto diventa ancora più pesante e complicato.
“Gli esseri umani – in realtà tutti gli animali – sono nati per cercare la vita ed evitare la morte. Suppongo di essere un’anomalia.”
Una storia molto particolare e delicata, raccontata da una penna profondamente evocativa e intensa, che sa quello che fa e che è in grado avvincere la mente del lettore sin dalle primissime pagine. Una conclusione forse un po’ troppo sbrigativa, ma un nucleo centrale che merita di essere molto più conosciuto di quanto non sia.
Decisamente consigliato.
Recensione completa: http://questionedilibri.altervista.or...
Blog: http://questionedilibri.altervista.org/
“Immagino che altre figlie ripensino ai genitori scomparsi, quando sentono il ritornello di una vecchia canzone o prendono tra le mani il prezioso libro di fiabe posato sul comodino del loro bambino. A me succede quando trasformo un cadavere malconcio in qualcuno di nuovamente familiare.”
Al di fuori di quella sua intima quotidianità fatta di fiori e formaldeide, però, se ne staglia un’altra di gran lunga peggiore, una realtà terribilmente oscura che odora di sangue e dolore. Perché, nella mente di Clara Marsh, il ricordo del cadavere di una bambina ritrovato completamente deturpato e poi abbandonato in un bosco vicino, è ancora fin troppo fresco. E, ora che nell’impresa di pompe funebri in cui lavora da tempo, ha fatto la sua apparizione un’altra ragazzina, la misteriosa Trecie, per Clara tutto diventa ancora più pesante e complicato.
“Gli esseri umani – in realtà tutti gli animali – sono nati per cercare la vita ed evitare la morte. Suppongo di essere un’anomalia.”
Una storia molto particolare e delicata, raccontata da una penna profondamente evocativa e intensa, che sa quello che fa e che è in grado avvincere la mente del lettore sin dalle primissime pagine. Una conclusione forse un po’ troppo sbrigativa, ma un nucleo centrale che merita di essere molto più conosciuto di quanto non sia.
Decisamente consigliato.
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Blog: http://questionedilibri.altervista.org/
January 1, 2018
I'm still a little confused about involvement. Despite that I was really sucked into this story. It helped that the audiobook was narrated by Rebecca Lowman. She is on my list of top 3 female narrators. Love her.
August 30, 2008
Dark, but not as sinister as Sharp Objects. When not tending to bodies, Clara tends her garden and hides from her painful past. But when a mysterious and lonely little girl begins to hang out at the funeral parlor, Clara becomes involved in saving her.
There is not an excess word here - it is sparse yet still rich. It has a touch of Margot Livesay (think Eva Moves the Furniture) but with a tinge of old school Patricia Cornwell.
I know, an odd mix, but it totally works.
I reserved mine at the library, but I'm planning to buy one so I can loan it out. That's how much I liked it.
There is not an excess word here - it is sparse yet still rich. It has a touch of Margot Livesay (think Eva Moves the Furniture) but with a tinge of old school Patricia Cornwell.
I know, an odd mix, but it totally works.
I reserved mine at the library, but I'm planning to buy one so I can loan it out. That's how much I liked it.
August 17, 2008
Amy uses much description in Tethered and writes beautifully, however, I like things to move a bit faster and found myself skipping over many 'descriptive' paragraphs. I wanted to get to the bones of the story; but to do this, I had to remove layer upon layer of description.
I loved the premise for the novel; a great story line. I look forward to reading her next book.
I loved the premise for the novel; a great story line. I look forward to reading her next book.
October 3, 2008
This is one of my favorite reads this year. The book is beautifully written and filled with wonderful characters. I think I may have even fallen in love with Mike. I found myself thinking about this book during the times I was unable to actually be reading it and could not wait to get back to it again. I was actually sorry to finish it. I highly recommend it!
August 31, 2008
Beautifully written with sympathetic characters and an imaginative story line. Although the novel does deal with child abuse, the squeamish can probably read it because the graphic parts take place off screen.
May 27, 2013
For some reason I've been putting this book off for quite a while now. It surely started off intriguing, and the writing was really smooth and easy to follow, but still, I couldn't get myself to read more than a chapter in one sitting. Until yesterday, when I decided it was about time I got done with it. And then something happened; I was immersed into this book to the point where I had to finish it or else I wouldn't be able to go to sleep at all. It was that good. Tethered tells a story that is both tragic and beautiful. And while it treats subjects that are sore and painful to read about, it manages to keep that tiny streak of hope throughout. I don't know how I would have managed to get to the end of this story without that hope which Amy MacKinnon lets seep through her narrative--because, without it, the realization what horrors and atrocities humans are capable of inflicting to each other would have been too much for me to bear.
And the characters.. Oh, the characters! Clara is so complicated, and yet so believable and so likable in her imperfection. She's an epitome of all the that women had to go through and endure over the centuries; all the hardships and the humiliation that have been so readily assigned to females, just because of their gender, seems to have surfaced in her character, even if she is a modern-day woman. But so has the strength and will to fight and withstand. The dichotomy of her character is what makes her truly remarkable. She keeps going, keeps fighting, one way or another, she chooses to live and ascertain herself. It hit me hard while reading about Clara how easy of a life I've had myself--and that for many women around the world such a life is not a given. As for Mike, he's easily one of the best male characters I've encountered lately. Smart, caring, tender, forgiving--the author certainly made him easy to fall for. She also gives us some great secondary characters who were vital for the plot, but not just superficially, not in the least. This is a multilayered story and each layer has its own heroes and villains, so even the secondary characters were wonderfully developed and contributed significantly to my experience with this book.
The only thing I disliked about Tethered was the fact that it was a bit too graphic for my taste. Though I understand this was probably inevitable given the topic of the book, I personally try to steer clear of stuff like that. I should probably go back to it some day; I can't shake off this feeling that there's more to it than I managed to see during this first encounter. It is a very good book nonetheless and I'm truly happy I had the chance to read it.
And the characters.. Oh, the characters! Clara is so complicated, and yet so believable and so likable in her imperfection. She's an epitome of all the that women had to go through and endure over the centuries; all the hardships and the humiliation that have been so readily assigned to females, just because of their gender, seems to have surfaced in her character, even if she is a modern-day woman. But so has the strength and will to fight and withstand. The dichotomy of her character is what makes her truly remarkable. She keeps going, keeps fighting, one way or another, she chooses to live and ascertain herself. It hit me hard while reading about Clara how easy of a life I've had myself--and that for many women around the world such a life is not a given. As for Mike, he's easily one of the best male characters I've encountered lately. Smart, caring, tender, forgiving--the author certainly made him easy to fall for. She also gives us some great secondary characters who were vital for the plot, but not just superficially, not in the least. This is a multilayered story and each layer has its own heroes and villains, so even the secondary characters were wonderfully developed and contributed significantly to my experience with this book.
The only thing I disliked about Tethered was the fact that it was a bit too graphic for my taste. Though I understand this was probably inevitable given the topic of the book, I personally try to steer clear of stuff like that. I should probably go back to it some day; I can't shake off this feeling that there's more to it than I managed to see during this first encounter. It is a very good book nonetheless and I'm truly happy I had the chance to read it.
December 2, 2008
I have high praise for this novel, not because it was published on my birthday, but because it exemplifies the best of what a praiseworthy novel must offer: character, setting, plot and language. MacKinnon combines these focuses in "Tethered" into art and artistry.
Clara, who is highly introverted from an unkind childhood, connects better with the dead than the living and finds her perfect peace among the bodies she prepares for burial at the funeral home where she works.
But there's a child predator on the loose. Mike, a policeman trying to come to grips with his own grief over a family tragedy, is trying to track down the man responsible for the death of an unidentified girl whom he refers to as "Precious Doe." He needs help, both human compassion and professional expertise, but Clara cannot give it. Yet, she must, for more kids are missing, and she knows their pain.
This well-researched story is both a mystery and a love story. MacKinnon's blunt, highly controlled prose reminds me of the writing of Kent Haruf in "Plainsong" and is a perfect fit for her protagonist and the cold basement room where she prepares the dead for a rest she fears she'll never know.
If I worked for the New York Times, I would have included this book on the newspaper's recent list of 100 notable books for 2008. It cries out to be read and understood, and when you finish reading it, you will be transformed by the experience.
Clara, who is highly introverted from an unkind childhood, connects better with the dead than the living and finds her perfect peace among the bodies she prepares for burial at the funeral home where she works.
But there's a child predator on the loose. Mike, a policeman trying to come to grips with his own grief over a family tragedy, is trying to track down the man responsible for the death of an unidentified girl whom he refers to as "Precious Doe." He needs help, both human compassion and professional expertise, but Clara cannot give it. Yet, she must, for more kids are missing, and she knows their pain.
This well-researched story is both a mystery and a love story. MacKinnon's blunt, highly controlled prose reminds me of the writing of Kent Haruf in "Plainsong" and is a perfect fit for her protagonist and the cold basement room where she prepares the dead for a rest she fears she'll never know.
If I worked for the New York Times, I would have included this book on the newspaper's recent list of 100 notable books for 2008. It cries out to be read and understood, and when you finish reading it, you will be transformed by the experience.
September 21, 2008
Tethered, is a debut novel (just 257 pages) by Amy MacKinnon; it was released last month. The premise intrigued me:
Clara Marsh, is an emotionally fragile woman who works as an undertaker in Brockton, MA. She does not believe in God. When asked what she does believe, she responds by saying "I believe it is important to breathe". She spends her solitary life among the dead, preparing their last baths and bidding them farewell with a bouquet from her own garden. Her carefully structured life shifts when she discovers a neglected, possibly abused young girl playing in the funeral parlor, desperate for a friend.
Clara's ordered life changes even more when a detective starts questioning her about a body she prepared three years earlier. The body was of an unidentified young girl found murdered in the woods nearby. Unclaimed by family, the community christened her Precious Doe. Is there a link between the young girl who seeks the funeral parlor as a sanctuary to the same people who killed Precious Doe?
The best parts of this book for me were its fabulous cover art, and the detailed descriptions of life as an undertaker. I'm not disappointed that I read this book, however, the story itself I found boring. Perhaps it was because, I just finished another new debut novel that I totally loved: Tomato Girl; Jayne Pupek.
Clara Marsh, is an emotionally fragile woman who works as an undertaker in Brockton, MA. She does not believe in God. When asked what she does believe, she responds by saying "I believe it is important to breathe". She spends her solitary life among the dead, preparing their last baths and bidding them farewell with a bouquet from her own garden. Her carefully structured life shifts when she discovers a neglected, possibly abused young girl playing in the funeral parlor, desperate for a friend.
Clara's ordered life changes even more when a detective starts questioning her about a body she prepared three years earlier. The body was of an unidentified young girl found murdered in the woods nearby. Unclaimed by family, the community christened her Precious Doe. Is there a link between the young girl who seeks the funeral parlor as a sanctuary to the same people who killed Precious Doe?
The best parts of this book for me were its fabulous cover art, and the detailed descriptions of life as an undertaker. I'm not disappointed that I read this book, however, the story itself I found boring. Perhaps it was because, I just finished another new debut novel that I totally loved: Tomato Girl; Jayne Pupek.
January 7, 2016
Update 9/3/14: I just realized the main character in this book has the same name as one of the founders of the Tri-State Crematory. The main character in this book works in the funeral industry. Interesting coincidence or did the author do this on purpose? Hmm.
Review:
Reading this book was a weird experience. It wasn't the book's fault. I've never read Tethered before, so of course most of it was new to me. But there were certain parts that I know I've read before. Or maybe I'm just having book déjà vu again. But some parts were sort of specific in their familiarity, like the description of a character eating chicken wings, and the final scene with the bad guy. And the bad guy himself, really. WEIRD.
Anyway, I really, really liked the descriptive writing style. The whole book was infused with melancholy. So if you're into that kind of thing, maybe you should give this a try.
This was a four star read for me, but then I decided to dock half a star for the ending. It wasn't a bad ending, but I wanted a little more, hmm, solidity? A little more conclusion with my conclusion, you know?
I went to check the author's page so I could read her other books. But she only has one!!!! *dies*
3.5 stars.
Review:
Reading this book was a weird experience. It wasn't the book's fault. I've never read Tethered before, so of course most of it was new to me. But there were certain parts that I know I've read before. Or maybe I'm just having book déjà vu again. But some parts were sort of specific in their familiarity, like the description of a character eating chicken wings, and the final scene with the bad guy. And the bad guy himself, really. WEIRD.
Anyway, I really, really liked the descriptive writing style. The whole book was infused with melancholy. So if you're into that kind of thing, maybe you should give this a try.
This was a four star read for me, but then I decided to dock half a star for the ending. It wasn't a bad ending, but I wanted a little more, hmm, solidity? A little more conclusion with my conclusion, you know?
I went to check the author's page so I could read her other books. But she only has one!!!! *dies*
3.5 stars.
November 7, 2008
A riveting debut, Tethered is a story about a quiet, reclusive undertaker, Clara Marsh, who unwittingly gets swept into an unsolved murder mystery involving Precious Doe, an unidentified little girl that Clara herself compassionately prepared for burial a few years earlier. As the mystery deepens, Clara is forced to confront her own doubts about God and what happens to a soul after a body has been buried. What I found truly remarkable about Tethered was MacKinnon’s respect for faith. While this book isn’t about Christianity, I was struck that it wasn’t against it either, which I admit I was almost expecting. While some of the more haunting aspects of the novel might seem too supernatural for some readers of faith, what Tethered does is inspire the reader to believe that faith is actually possible. Sometimes if we are blessed to see it, God pulls back the veil just a little, just enough to remind us that He is here with us. It’s refreshing to see a mainstream novel pay respect to the very real struggle that humans have with faith even as we desire to believe. To its readers Tethered will hint of the very real possibility of what some of us are already blessed to know, that God exists.
by Tina Ann Forkner
by Tina Ann Forkner
February 6, 2013
Tethered is hard for me to rate. I'm going back and forth between 2 and 3 stars. But I'm leaning towards 2. Yep, definitely 2 stars. Here's my reasoning as to why...SPOILERS!!
Clara. I really don't like Clara. I know the author is trying to get across how hard of a life Clara has had, and that's why she is the way she is. But I still don't like her. There's nothing at all to like about her, which leads me to my next irritation. Why and how does Mike like her?! He lost his wife. How could someone like Clara, who is about as warm as a dead fish, attract him? I don't get it. I don't understand at all why he has feelings towards her. Even if they are working together to crack a case. Which brings me to my next point. It was so painfully obvious who the "mystery caller" was. I knew right away. It was also totally obvious who "Victor" was , as well as who "Precious Doe" actually is. I was annoyed to find out that I was right on everything. The only thing I found compelling about the book was the fact that Clara worked in a funeral home. I really love that line of work, so I enjoyed that aspect. That's why it gets more than 1 star. Bottom line, it's a slow going story with a very unlikable and unrelatable character, story was predictable as well. I would not recommend it.
Clara. I really don't like Clara. I know the author is trying to get across how hard of a life Clara has had, and that's why she is the way she is. But I still don't like her. There's nothing at all to like about her, which leads me to my next irritation. Why and how does Mike like her?! He lost his wife. How could someone like Clara, who is about as warm as a dead fish, attract him? I don't get it. I don't understand at all why he has feelings towards her. Even if they are working together to crack a case. Which brings me to my next point. It was so painfully obvious who the "mystery caller" was. I knew right away. It was also totally obvious who "Victor" was , as well as who "Precious Doe" actually is. I was annoyed to find out that I was right on everything. The only thing I found compelling about the book was the fact that Clara worked in a funeral home. I really love that line of work, so I enjoyed that aspect. That's why it gets more than 1 star. Bottom line, it's a slow going story with a very unlikable and unrelatable character, story was predictable as well. I would not recommend it.
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