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Coast of Maine #2
Island of Refuge
On a morning in late summer Peter Glass arrives on the island, tired, sick and fleeing for his life. He meets Naomi, Zoe, and Jo. In a matter of only a few hours he develops a special friendship with Jo. When Jo is found murdered the following day, Peter is devastated. Into this mix Philip returns with promises to Naomi and Zoe that he will stay with them this time. Even though she has heard all of this before, she still hopes. As the police begin their rather extensive investigation, two states over Margot begins her own investigation of Jo, her former houseguest. What she discovers shatters her to her very core and intertwines the lives of the island dwellers as they seek to make peace with themselves, their lives, and God.
Eventually he would find a place where ghosts didn't batter his nights...
Peter Glass arrives one summer morning on a small island off the coast of Maine — tired, sick, and fleeing for his life. He finds refuge in an abandoned church and soon develops a special friendship with a young woman named Jo. But Peter's safe haven is shattered by tragedy when Jo is found murdered. Amidst the turmoil of suspicion, shock, and grief, Peter comes face-to-face with a host of the island's quirky inhabitants — the woman who waits for her rarely seen husband, the boatbuilder who still mourns for his dead wife the former pastor who lives in the church, and the elderly woman who is confidant to the island dwellers. Then Margot Douglas, proprietor of a Vermont fabric shop, begins her own investigation of the murder of Jo, her former housegueast. What Margot discovers shatters her to the core as she and the island's inhabitants seek to make peace with themsleves, their pasts, and God.
Eventually he would find a place where ghosts didn't batter his nights...
Peter Glass arrives one summer morning on a small island off the coast of Maine — tired, sick, and fleeing for his life. He finds refuge in an abandoned church and soon develops a special friendship with a young woman named Jo. But Peter's safe haven is shattered by tragedy when Jo is found murdered. Amidst the turmoil of suspicion, shock, and grief, Peter comes face-to-face with a host of the island's quirky inhabitants — the woman who waits for her rarely seen husband, the boatbuilder who still mourns for his dead wife the former pastor who lives in the church, and the elderly woman who is confidant to the island dwellers. Then Margot Douglas, proprietor of a Vermont fabric shop, begins her own investigation of the murder of Jo, her former housegueast. What Margot discovers shatters her to the core as she and the island's inhabitants seek to make peace with themsleves, their pasts, and God.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 29, 1999
8 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Linda Hall
92 books123 followersI write mystery novels and short stories. So far I have 20 in print - with more coming. My newest mystery series begins with Night Watch and introduces my new series character, boat captain Em Ridge.
Other series include the Corporal Roger Sheppard mysteries, The Teri Blake-Addison PI thrillers and the Fog Point mysteries, as well as a number of romantic suspense novels and short stories.
For information about sales, new releases, contests, plus a 'free' short story, I'd love for you to sign up for my newsletter: writerhall.com/newsletter
I grew up near the coast in New Jersey, and it was there that my love of the ocean was nurtured. I married a Canadian and have lived in Canada ever since - well, actually, I have lived in three countries: the U.S., Canada and for a short stint - Taiwan.
I hope you enjoy my books.
Other series include the Corporal Roger Sheppard mysteries, The Teri Blake-Addison PI thrillers and the Fog Point mysteries, as well as a number of romantic suspense novels and short stories.
For information about sales, new releases, contests, plus a 'free' short story, I'd love for you to sign up for my newsletter: writerhall.com/newsletter
I grew up near the coast in New Jersey, and it was there that my love of the ocean was nurtured. I married a Canadian and have lived in Canada ever since - well, actually, I have lived in three countries: the U.S., Canada and for a short stint - Taiwan.
I hope you enjoy my books.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 23, 2016
I enjoyed this atmospheric, brooding novel. It is set on a small island off the coast of Maine. I seem to have a fascination with books about Maine, not sure why. Peter Glass who has issues of guilt arrives on Lambs Island and ends up being taken in by those who live in the old church. Peter settles into the island lifestyle with this collection of characters all of whom have issues or secrets from their past. But when Jo, a young woman who arrives on the island with her baby, dies after Peter becomes friendly with her, suspicion falls on Peter. Is he responsible for her murder? That is the question. Or is it one of the others on the island and if so which one?
I liked the characters in this book, especially Naomi, Colin and Jeremiah. I wouldn’t call it a page turner as such but it was one I wanted to keep reading and I did get up at 2m and stayed up till 4am because I simply had to finish it. I liked some of the twists and turns in the story, even if I did figure them mostly out. I liked the writing which set the scene and effectively portrayed the characters. What I did find odd was the lack of inventiveness when it came to characters names. One of the things I was told when I first started writing was not to have two characters starting with the same initial or with similar names unless there was a good reason for it. Yet this novel has
Peter, Philip and Paul
Jo and Jane
Jeremiah and Jules
Margot and Martha
Chris and Colin
The characters were distinct enough not to get them mixed up, but it just struck me as odd given there were plenty of other names with different letters which could have been used. A minor point probably, but something that troubled me a little. That quibble aside, I found this an interesting read that presents a careful exploration of different personalities and believable characters, though at times I could have bopped Naomi for what she put up with. I’d be really interested to read another book by this author as I liked the writing style and the way the story played out. Loved this cover too.
I liked the characters in this book, especially Naomi, Colin and Jeremiah. I wouldn’t call it a page turner as such but it was one I wanted to keep reading and I did get up at 2m and stayed up till 4am because I simply had to finish it. I liked some of the twists and turns in the story, even if I did figure them mostly out. I liked the writing which set the scene and effectively portrayed the characters. What I did find odd was the lack of inventiveness when it came to characters names. One of the things I was told when I first started writing was not to have two characters starting with the same initial or with similar names unless there was a good reason for it. Yet this novel has
Peter, Philip and Paul
Jo and Jane
Jeremiah and Jules
Margot and Martha
Chris and Colin
The characters were distinct enough not to get them mixed up, but it just struck me as odd given there were plenty of other names with different letters which could have been used. A minor point probably, but something that troubled me a little. That quibble aside, I found this an interesting read that presents a careful exploration of different personalities and believable characters, though at times I could have bopped Naomi for what she put up with. I’d be really interested to read another book by this author as I liked the writing style and the way the story played out. Loved this cover too.
January 2, 2018
Lamb's Island, northern Maine & farthest
Eastern US land.
Murder mystery, melancholic.
Martha, the island matriarch, wrote diary entries that were interspersed throughout the book. I liked this writing "touch".
Eastern US land.
Murder mystery, melancholic.
Martha, the island matriarch, wrote diary entries that were interspersed throughout the book. I liked this writing "touch".
July 16, 2018
78 chapters
308 pages
First let me begin this review by saying that I read this book back in 2012. However, after I read a book, I always try to write out my feelings on the story when I finish. Sometimes, I’m moved to write a great deal to type up later. Other times, I just feel up to writing a very basic review. I never intended for it to take me almost six YEARS to get it on my GoodReads account, but it has. Obviously, by now, I don’t really remember much about the story, though sometimes my notes help jog my memory. So, if the following review doesn’t really say much or deal too much with the story or plot, that’s probably because I wasn’t moved by one or the other or both to write more than I did. However, such as it is I give to you.
My Review—Okay. I suppose because I guessed the mystery by the tenth, fifteenth chapter (they’re short chapters, mostly, so it could’ve been by the twentieth), I wasn’t too surprised by the ending. I was hoping Jeremiah would turn out to be Peter’s father, but, the way Linda Hall didn’t really sum up Jeremiah’s tale, I wondered if we’re supposed to believe him to be an angel. Who knows? One thing I’ll say is that, though I figured out the story/mystery, Linda Hall did have me wondering (twice) whether I would be right or if she’d purposefully thrown a couple false clues out to get you to veer off on one track only to find later you’d been misled with some red herrings. But no—no red herrings.
Grade: [didn’t give it one at the time and don’t remember the story AT ALL, so can’t do so now]
Excerpts:
- “…She spent her days creating things with her hands, combining unusual fabrics such as raw silk and cotton, satin and denim in her creations…” (118).
The fashion designer in me can only shake her head. Silk and cotton. Satin and denim. Ugh!!!! Oxymorons. Especially the last two. Denim is not to be—and never was MEANT to be—dressed up! It was and always should be for manual labor—a working man’s fabric, casual wear! On the whole, per denim, I side with Sophia Loren: “I don’t wear jeans” (paraphrased).
7/16/18—I think, reading the above excerpt, I understand why this book is not one I remember at all. I must’ve blocked it from my memory. Look, I wear jeans and have a denim jacket, so I don’t wholly subscribe to Sophia Loren’s quote, though I still wholeheartedly get her sentiment. But I grew up on Old Hollywood fashion—when fashion was actually fashionable, stylish. Not the crap (pardon my French) put out today. My fashion-designer mentress was Edith Head. I subscribe to her philosophy that one’s closet (wardrobe) should reflect one’s lifestyle. In other words, if you’re a mother of three boys and never have any reason to wear evening gowns and fancy jewelry, then your closet shouldn’t be overflowing with heels, chandelier earrings, and eveningwear. To have that basic black dress that you can dress up or down should be a staple in EVERY girl’s wardrobe, but someone who doesn’t often get fancy shouldn’t have fancy pieces accounting for half or more of her wardrobe, which too many women do. Women see something (most often, something some celebrity wears or is pushing), and they want it, never mind the fact that it’s a piece or pieces that you’ll NEVER wear and have NO NEED for! “But I saw [celebrity name here] wearing something similar on the red carpet. HSN had it for only [name price here]! So, of course, I had to get it!” Stock your wardrobe for your lifestyle, and you’ll always be presentable wherever you go.
Forgive me, I digressed. 😊 My main point is this, I get wearing denim. I’m not against it. I am not, however, a fashionista who counsels anyone to dress casualwear up, including denim! I don’t want a lot of “slut-shaming” reproofs, but I will say that it has only ever been certain ladies-of-the-night who make casualwear fancy! So, as this heroine is involved in pushing that hideous fad that is so popular today, I get why this book didn’t resonate with me.
- “…They were so far away from each other all the time, emotionally, spiritually, physically. Sex and intimacy are the glue that keeps a marriage together. That’s what the article had said…” (186).
Well, I don’t know who wrote the article in the book, but this is why Christians have no business consulting secularists about such subjects as marriage, etc. “Margot” [character in book] would’ve been much better reading Dr. Popcak’s "Holy Sex!" in which she’d find: “If sex is what’s holding your marriage together, what kind of marriage do you have to begin with?” [paraphrased].
- “That evening, wearing one of her own designs—an ankle-length knit dress in pale mauve with a hand-painted bodice—Margot held onto Paul’s [her husband] tuxedoed arm and walked around the grand ballroom…” (274).
Knit evening gown? Hand-painted bodice? Coupled with tuxedos and grand ballrooms? Oh, my! Major fashion faux pas—as in a big NO-NO! Knit should be treated as denim—avoid at all costs for eveningwear and especially when your man is wearing a tuxedo and you’re in any room with the word(s) “grand” and/or “ballroom” in the title! Generally, if you can’t see wearing it in, say, a scenario when heads of state or monarchs would be in attendance, then don’t wear it as formalwear. I don’t care WHAT celebrity wore the ghastly thing to an awards show, knit (especially hand-painted knit) should NEVER leave the beach or stadium or yacht or whatever casual event to which you’d wear Keds and skorts. Maybe I’d stretch it to a dress-down-Friday-at-the-office scenario. But NEVER to a formal event in a “grand ballroom” at which men in tuxedos will be present!
7/16/18—In the words of Etta James: “…and all I could do was cry.” And all I can do is reiterate: No WONDER I don’t remember this story at all!
I wrote in my 2012 comment that you should consider the event (which you should) to which the outfit will be worn. And if you’ll be surrounded by tuxedos in grand ballrooms, then don’t wear knit or denim. I wrote that if heads of state or monarchs would be in attendance… Well, here’s a better gauge: Go back and watch movies in which Edith Head did the costumes, especially for Grace Kelly or women opposite Cary Grant. Then do this: When you’re in a similar situation as “Margot,” ask yourself: WWGKoCGW? (What Would Grace Kelly or Cary Grant Wear?) I can pretty much guarantee you, Grace Kelly wouldn’t have been caught dead in a knit or denim evening gown nor would Cary Grant have escorted a date who wore either.
308 pages
First let me begin this review by saying that I read this book back in 2012. However, after I read a book, I always try to write out my feelings on the story when I finish. Sometimes, I’m moved to write a great deal to type up later. Other times, I just feel up to writing a very basic review. I never intended for it to take me almost six YEARS to get it on my GoodReads account, but it has. Obviously, by now, I don’t really remember much about the story, though sometimes my notes help jog my memory. So, if the following review doesn’t really say much or deal too much with the story or plot, that’s probably because I wasn’t moved by one or the other or both to write more than I did. However, such as it is I give to you.
My Review—Okay. I suppose because I guessed the mystery by the tenth, fifteenth chapter (they’re short chapters, mostly, so it could’ve been by the twentieth), I wasn’t too surprised by the ending. I was hoping Jeremiah would turn out to be Peter’s father, but, the way Linda Hall didn’t really sum up Jeremiah’s tale, I wondered if we’re supposed to believe him to be an angel. Who knows? One thing I’ll say is that, though I figured out the story/mystery, Linda Hall did have me wondering (twice) whether I would be right or if she’d purposefully thrown a couple false clues out to get you to veer off on one track only to find later you’d been misled with some red herrings. But no—no red herrings.
Grade: [didn’t give it one at the time and don’t remember the story AT ALL, so can’t do so now]
Excerpts:
- “…She spent her days creating things with her hands, combining unusual fabrics such as raw silk and cotton, satin and denim in her creations…” (118).
The fashion designer in me can only shake her head. Silk and cotton. Satin and denim. Ugh!!!! Oxymorons. Especially the last two. Denim is not to be—and never was MEANT to be—dressed up! It was and always should be for manual labor—a working man’s fabric, casual wear! On the whole, per denim, I side with Sophia Loren: “I don’t wear jeans” (paraphrased).
7/16/18—I think, reading the above excerpt, I understand why this book is not one I remember at all. I must’ve blocked it from my memory. Look, I wear jeans and have a denim jacket, so I don’t wholly subscribe to Sophia Loren’s quote, though I still wholeheartedly get her sentiment. But I grew up on Old Hollywood fashion—when fashion was actually fashionable, stylish. Not the crap (pardon my French) put out today. My fashion-designer mentress was Edith Head. I subscribe to her philosophy that one’s closet (wardrobe) should reflect one’s lifestyle. In other words, if you’re a mother of three boys and never have any reason to wear evening gowns and fancy jewelry, then your closet shouldn’t be overflowing with heels, chandelier earrings, and eveningwear. To have that basic black dress that you can dress up or down should be a staple in EVERY girl’s wardrobe, but someone who doesn’t often get fancy shouldn’t have fancy pieces accounting for half or more of her wardrobe, which too many women do. Women see something (most often, something some celebrity wears or is pushing), and they want it, never mind the fact that it’s a piece or pieces that you’ll NEVER wear and have NO NEED for! “But I saw [celebrity name here] wearing something similar on the red carpet. HSN had it for only [name price here]! So, of course, I had to get it!” Stock your wardrobe for your lifestyle, and you’ll always be presentable wherever you go.
Forgive me, I digressed. 😊 My main point is this, I get wearing denim. I’m not against it. I am not, however, a fashionista who counsels anyone to dress casualwear up, including denim! I don’t want a lot of “slut-shaming” reproofs, but I will say that it has only ever been certain ladies-of-the-night who make casualwear fancy! So, as this heroine is involved in pushing that hideous fad that is so popular today, I get why this book didn’t resonate with me.
- “…They were so far away from each other all the time, emotionally, spiritually, physically. Sex and intimacy are the glue that keeps a marriage together. That’s what the article had said…” (186).
Well, I don’t know who wrote the article in the book, but this is why Christians have no business consulting secularists about such subjects as marriage, etc. “Margot” [character in book] would’ve been much better reading Dr. Popcak’s "Holy Sex!" in which she’d find: “If sex is what’s holding your marriage together, what kind of marriage do you have to begin with?” [paraphrased].
- “That evening, wearing one of her own designs—an ankle-length knit dress in pale mauve with a hand-painted bodice—Margot held onto Paul’s [her husband] tuxedoed arm and walked around the grand ballroom…” (274).
Knit evening gown? Hand-painted bodice? Coupled with tuxedos and grand ballrooms? Oh, my! Major fashion faux pas—as in a big NO-NO! Knit should be treated as denim—avoid at all costs for eveningwear and especially when your man is wearing a tuxedo and you’re in any room with the word(s) “grand” and/or “ballroom” in the title! Generally, if you can’t see wearing it in, say, a scenario when heads of state or monarchs would be in attendance, then don’t wear it as formalwear. I don’t care WHAT celebrity wore the ghastly thing to an awards show, knit (especially hand-painted knit) should NEVER leave the beach or stadium or yacht or whatever casual event to which you’d wear Keds and skorts. Maybe I’d stretch it to a dress-down-Friday-at-the-office scenario. But NEVER to a formal event in a “grand ballroom” at which men in tuxedos will be present!
7/16/18—In the words of Etta James: “…and all I could do was cry.” And all I can do is reiterate: No WONDER I don’t remember this story at all!
I wrote in my 2012 comment that you should consider the event (which you should) to which the outfit will be worn. And if you’ll be surrounded by tuxedos in grand ballrooms, then don’t wear knit or denim. I wrote that if heads of state or monarchs would be in attendance… Well, here’s a better gauge: Go back and watch movies in which Edith Head did the costumes, especially for Grace Kelly or women opposite Cary Grant. Then do this: When you’re in a similar situation as “Margot,” ask yourself: WWGKoCGW? (What Would Grace Kelly or Cary Grant Wear?) I can pretty much guarantee you, Grace Kelly wouldn’t have been caught dead in a knit or denim evening gown nor would Cary Grant have escorted a date who wore either.
June 18, 2024
I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited, and it had a very annoying quirk: about 90% of the words that SHOULD have contained hyphens (twenty-fifth, stained-glass, etc.) contained COMMAS instead (twenty, fifth; stained, glass). I put it down to a computer glitch from a "global search and replace" function. It made reading very choppy.
The first half of the book, the only hyphens I saw were the ones dividing syllables at the end of a line of text. Then, random paragraphs contained normal, hyphenated words. Perhaps these paragraphs were added or corrected after the computer malfunction. I've read books by Ms. Hall before, and I believe she's too skilled a writer to tolerate this kind of massive error if she was aware of it.
The first half of the book, the only hyphens I saw were the ones dividing syllables at the end of a line of text. Then, random paragraphs contained normal, hyphenated words. Perhaps these paragraphs were added or corrected after the computer malfunction. I've read books by Ms. Hall before, and I believe she's too skilled a writer to tolerate this kind of massive error if she was aware of it.
February 20, 2020
Off the coast of Maine there is a small island. On that island there is an abandoned church. And in that church lives six homeless people, Jo, Collin, Peter, Jeremiah, Naomi, and Philip. As the story unfolds, so do their individual stories. One day Jo is murdered. And Philip comes and goes. Meanwhile the story of the Douglas family who live in another state becomes intertwined with theirs.
I really enjoyed this book in spite of the fact that there doesn't seem to be one main character (perhaps Naomi?) and the story is told from multiple points of view. The characters are well developed and the mystery builds as we get to know the characters.
I really enjoyed this book in spite of the fact that there doesn't seem to be one main character (perhaps Naomi?) and the story is told from multiple points of view. The characters are well developed and the mystery builds as we get to know the characters.
February 22, 2023
🇨🇦 CANADIAN AUTHOR 🇨🇦
I own many Linda Hall paperback books and I read them years prior to beginning my Goodreads account in 2017. I just added them all to Goodreads in 2023 because I’ve been doing an inventory of all the books I own.
I do not have specific dates read—or even which years I read them in. I know that I loved them all. I strongly recommend her books.
I own many Linda Hall paperback books and I read them years prior to beginning my Goodreads account in 2017. I just added them all to Goodreads in 2023 because I’ve been doing an inventory of all the books I own.
I do not have specific dates read—or even which years I read them in. I know that I loved them all. I strongly recommend her books.
January 21, 2020
Wonderful suspenseful read. Very enjoyable!
February 3, 2020
A real page-turner from the very beginning. Written by Nancha's college roommate. Good "beach" read.
March 5, 2023
First time with this Author. The mystery was enjoyable. Characters were a good mix .
May 10, 2016
One of Linda Hall's best books, if not the best. Set in small lonely island off the coast of Maine, an eccentric cast of characters end up living in a dilapidated and unused church. Each character is drawn expertly and each character hides a secret. Why did Peter Glass flee Alberta? Who is this strange young woman named Jo? Why does Naomi put up with her rarely seen husband? What is going on in the mind of Jeremiah as he peruses the extensive theological library. And what about Colin...and other islanders. Then there is a murder. The book reads very well and portrays a misty Maine mood that seems to pervade the story with multiple mysteries. Enjoyable read.
Read
February 2, 2011This book was okay. I Wasnt that into it as much as other books.
THis guy, is homeless, and then ends up at this church with 4 other girls. One of the girls has a little baby. Her name is Jo. One day, Jo disappeared. She might have been killed. Kinapped. But nobody knows. They go searching for her. If you wana learn more, read the book.
THis guy, is homeless, and then ends up at this church with 4 other girls. One of the girls has a little baby. Her name is Jo. One day, Jo disappeared. She might have been killed. Kinapped. But nobody knows. They go searching for her. If you wana learn more, read the book.
June 13, 2013
The story line in this book is amazing it makes you think its one person when its another. Its about a handful of lost people that come together as family in a broken down church and one of the islanders is killed. Everyone suspects everyone and once more and more happens they all think they have it solved to find out they were wrong. The story keeps you guessing.
Read
February 22, 2016This was a good book. Naomi and Zoe are distraught as police begin an extensive investigation of a friend's death.
August 4, 2015
Could not put it down. Read in one day.
December 29, 2016
I liked this. It turned out well.
January 14, 2017
I liked this book. It was a good solid suspense novel and I always like books that take place in Maine.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews