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Phantom Hollow #2
Never Look Back
Forgiveness is one thing, but who really forgets?
Ivy Griffith has been released from jail after serving time for covering up the strangulation death of a high school classmate ten years earlier. She's paid her debt to society. Kicked her drug habit. She's making a fresh start.
Problem is, everyone in her hometown of Jacob's Ear, Colorado, knows what she did. And her seven-year-old son, Montana, won't stop probing about the father he has never met-the man Ivy was too stoned to even remember.
Plagued by her own shame and her little boy's cries for male affirmation, Ivy is thrilled when Rue Kessler takes an interest in Montana and her. Maybe, just maybe, he's the answer to prayer she's been waiting for.
But Rue has a shadow hanging over his past and is suspected in a rash of bizarre, brutal beatings. He denies any involvement, and Ivy believes him-until she discovers he and Montana have kept a secret from her.
At a loss for what to believe or where to turn, Ivy's on the verge of despair and wonders if even God has given up on her. Or is something bigger at play here-something being orchestrated outside of her control that's about to bring down the curtain on everything including her past?
Ivy Griffith has been released from jail after serving time for covering up the strangulation death of a high school classmate ten years earlier. She's paid her debt to society. Kicked her drug habit. She's making a fresh start.
Problem is, everyone in her hometown of Jacob's Ear, Colorado, knows what she did. And her seven-year-old son, Montana, won't stop probing about the father he has never met-the man Ivy was too stoned to even remember.
Plagued by her own shame and her little boy's cries for male affirmation, Ivy is thrilled when Rue Kessler takes an interest in Montana and her. Maybe, just maybe, he's the answer to prayer she's been waiting for.
But Rue has a shadow hanging over his past and is suspected in a rash of bizarre, brutal beatings. He denies any involvement, and Ivy believes him-until she discovers he and Montana have kept a secret from her.
At a loss for what to believe or where to turn, Ivy's on the verge of despair and wonders if even God has given up on her. Or is something bigger at play here-something being orchestrated outside of her control that's about to bring down the curtain on everything including her past?
322 pages, Paperback
First published October 16, 2007
46 people are currently reading
308 people want to read
About the author
Kathy Herman
34 books243 followersBest-selling suspense novelist Kathy Herman has written twenty novels—including the Secrets or Roux River Bayou Series, Sophie Trace Series, the Seaport Suspense Series, and the Phantom Hollow Series—since retiring from her family’s Christian bookstore business. She and her late husband Paul have a blended family of three grown children. Kathy lives in the Northwest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
February 2, 2017
Excellent read!
After serving six months for covering up a murder, Ivy Griffith is now a free woman. She's determined to keep on a good path and to raise her now seven-year-old son Montana as well as possible, with the help of her parents. It took awhile for them to warm up to her after her ten years of drug addiction, but they are now convinced she's past it. Her brother Rusty however, is not. He's cold and distant to his once beloved sister because of the hell she put the family through, and his coldness toward Montana exacerbates the boy's yearning for his biological father.
A wave of newcomers to town also brings violence. Senior citizens are beaten nearly to death in their own homes, bring fear to the small town for the first time. Two of the newcomers, Rue and Don, are there through a Christian second chances program to do construction work on the Christian camp Ivy's parents run. Montana takes to both men quickly, and they (Rue in particular) not only befriend him, but teach him about construction work in the process.
As the beatings escalate, local law enforcement is hard pressed to figure things out, but if they don't, nobody in the town is safe. As new men in town and as former substance abusers, Rue and Don fall under suspicion. It becomes difficult for Ivy, who has fallen for Rue and vice versa.
I enjoyed the resolution. I suspected who the criminal might be, but there was enough doubt sowed by the author to make the big reveal satisfying when it happened.
After serving six months for covering up a murder, Ivy Griffith is now a free woman. She's determined to keep on a good path and to raise her now seven-year-old son Montana as well as possible, with the help of her parents. It took awhile for them to warm up to her after her ten years of drug addiction, but they are now convinced she's past it. Her brother Rusty however, is not. He's cold and distant to his once beloved sister because of the hell she put the family through, and his coldness toward Montana exacerbates the boy's yearning for his biological father.
A wave of newcomers to town also brings violence. Senior citizens are beaten nearly to death in their own homes, bring fear to the small town for the first time. Two of the newcomers, Rue and Don, are there through a Christian second chances program to do construction work on the Christian camp Ivy's parents run. Montana takes to both men quickly, and they (Rue in particular) not only befriend him, but teach him about construction work in the process.
As the beatings escalate, local law enforcement is hard pressed to figure things out, but if they don't, nobody in the town is safe. As new men in town and as former substance abusers, Rue and Don fall under suspicion. It becomes difficult for Ivy, who has fallen for Rue and vice versa.
I enjoyed the resolution. I suspected who the criminal might be, but there was enough doubt sowed by the author to make the big reveal satisfying when it happened.
October 15, 2017
This author has a gift with being able to write a great suspense story. The characters are believable and likeable. The mystery aspect keeps you guessing and anxious to keep the pages turning.
I don't often read suspense/mystery because they can be quite predictable. Kathy Herman's novels are a wonderful exception. I can always count on her to provide a story that goes much deeper than a typical who-done-it.
I'm anxious to start the next book in the series.
I don't often read suspense/mystery because they can be quite predictable. Kathy Herman's novels are a wonderful exception. I can always count on her to provide a story that goes much deeper than a typical who-done-it.
I'm anxious to start the next book in the series.
March 10, 2008
Second in a Christian mystery series. Not as good as the first, but definitely worth reading.
October 11, 2025
Wow! I don't know how I've gone all these years and never heard of Kathy Herman books, but this is a fantastic read! A guest co-host on my Christian Fiction podcast recommended this book. While suspense is my personal favorite genre to read, I tend to not focus on the genre much on the podcast because, in my experience, suspense books are not usually deep and there's usually not much "talkworthy" enough in them to fill an entire podcast episode. But I agreed to "Never Look Back, and boy, am I glad I did!
It is rich with topics such as, when you've repented of your sins, you need to learn to forgive yourself, too. I've never been one to gravitate to books that center around characters who've struggled with drug and/or alcohol use because often times these characters don't want to clean up their act, and it ends up being a bouncing act between rehabilitation and falling off the wagon again (I know that's probably real life when it comes to overcoming addiction, something I've never dealt with, but it's a process I don't find entertaining to read in a book). I loved the sensitive touch that the author used on the topic, and showed people who had been mired in such a life and who really were, finally, working on turning their lives around.
Ms. Herman is skilled at writing Christian themes into the book in a way that it is seamless and natural but not so heavy-handed that it comes across as cringe or preachy. Now, most nonbelievers will see this as preachy because they don't like the name of God unless it's used as a profanity, so we'll take them out of the equation since they're not the target audience. But even for me as a believer, I've read books that come across as extremely preachy. There is a skill in writing Christian themes into a book in way that it just beautifully flows. Not every Christian Fiction author that I've read has that skill, but Ms. Herman does (at least in this book. I can't speak for her others since I've not read them.) There are major Christian themes in this book, and it was perfectly executed.
If you haven't already, do yourself a favor and pick up a Kathy Herman book. I don't think you'll regret it. I look SO forward to the discussion on this book that will air on the podcast in November 2025. Highly recommend this book!
It is rich with topics such as, when you've repented of your sins, you need to learn to forgive yourself, too. I've never been one to gravitate to books that center around characters who've struggled with drug and/or alcohol use because often times these characters don't want to clean up their act, and it ends up being a bouncing act between rehabilitation and falling off the wagon again (I know that's probably real life when it comes to overcoming addiction, something I've never dealt with, but it's a process I don't find entertaining to read in a book). I loved the sensitive touch that the author used on the topic, and showed people who had been mired in such a life and who really were, finally, working on turning their lives around.
Ms. Herman is skilled at writing Christian themes into the book in a way that it is seamless and natural but not so heavy-handed that it comes across as cringe or preachy. Now, most nonbelievers will see this as preachy because they don't like the name of God unless it's used as a profanity, so we'll take them out of the equation since they're not the target audience. But even for me as a believer, I've read books that come across as extremely preachy. There is a skill in writing Christian themes into a book in way that it just beautifully flows. Not every Christian Fiction author that I've read has that skill, but Ms. Herman does (at least in this book. I can't speak for her others since I've not read them.) There are major Christian themes in this book, and it was perfectly executed.
If you haven't already, do yourself a favor and pick up a Kathy Herman book. I don't think you'll regret it. I look SO forward to the discussion on this book that will air on the podcast in November 2025. Highly recommend this book!
June 8, 2023
This is a very good book. It’s about a mother who was in jail for a murder and than was released to take care of her son Montana. I think Montana is a wonderful name. The moms name is Rue which is also a wonderful name. Montana was so excited to receive a puppy for Christmas. I do recommend this book as a good book to read. There was a happy ending to the book.
November 17, 2023
I'm a fan. I now know where the Kathy Herman section is in the library, and I head there as I finish each of her books. This one had such a theme - God's forgiveness is complete and full. Ms. Herman didn't try to sanitize her characters, she presented them raw and real. I really enjoyed this book.
July 16, 2019
This book was fine for an easy, quick read. I thought this book was very predictable. I figured out a lot of the ending in the first couple chapters. Not my favorite.
October 7, 2019
It was good
This turned out to be a good story. It took me awhile to relate to the characters. But by the end I really liked Rue and Ivy. Wish I would have read book 1.
This turned out to be a good story. It took me awhile to relate to the characters. But by the end I really liked Rue and Ivy. Wish I would have read book 1.
March 7, 2021
Excellent read. Exciting plot. Engaging characters.
Read
March 12, 2021Great second book for this serious. Makes me want to reread the 3rd book. Best part is if you pick it up without reading book 1 you can still enjoy.
August 30, 2022
Such a great writer. Good, clean page turning suspense!
February 25, 2023
The second book in the Phantom Hollow series. Easy read. Christian fiction mystery.
April 20, 2025
Great Christian writer!
October 12, 2025
Will read more from this author!
May 22, 2020
Great read.
Mystery background to the story of who is behind all the beatings and robberies taken place in Jacob's Ear.
New characters are introduces and you find yourself wondering which ones of them are behind it.
I did however had suspected who it was and turned out to be right but that didnt spoil the story for me. I enjoyed the book.
Mystery background to the story of who is behind all the beatings and robberies taken place in Jacob's Ear.
New characters are introduces and you find yourself wondering which ones of them are behind it.
I did however had suspected who it was and turned out to be right but that didnt spoil the story for me. I enjoyed the book.
March 2, 2017
Worst book I've read maybe ever. Terrible writing, cheesy, and mindless. I felt like I was reading a made for TV movie. Just not my thing.
May 28, 2012
Ivy Griffith has been in prison because she covered up the death of a high school classmate ten years ago. Having gained control over her drug habit and having paid her debt to society for her crime, she wants to begin afresh.
In her heart beats that of a loving mother of her seven-year-old son, Montana, and Ivy wants to keep him safe from her past and give him a safe future. But Montana needs and wants a male influence in his life and that influence presents himself in the form of Rue Kessler.
Is Rue just what Ivy and Montana need and what she's been praying for, or is he going to bring further trouble into their lives? After all, Rue's history is not all that stellar.
Author, Kathy Herman, brings to the pages characters with real troubles and real life situations and reveals their very real struggles. The characters discover the depth of God's forgiveness for themselves and others. They discover the beauty of second chances.
A good read and a good array of characters and plot. I really like Montana. A little boy with a big heart - one to cherish as his mother, Ivy, does.
DISCLOSURE: I borrowed this book from the local public library. All opinions expressed here are my own.
In her heart beats that of a loving mother of her seven-year-old son, Montana, and Ivy wants to keep him safe from her past and give him a safe future. But Montana needs and wants a male influence in his life and that influence presents himself in the form of Rue Kessler.
Is Rue just what Ivy and Montana need and what she's been praying for, or is he going to bring further trouble into their lives? After all, Rue's history is not all that stellar.
Author, Kathy Herman, brings to the pages characters with real troubles and real life situations and reveals their very real struggles. The characters discover the depth of God's forgiveness for themselves and others. They discover the beauty of second chances.
A good read and a good array of characters and plot. I really like Montana. A little boy with a big heart - one to cherish as his mother, Ivy, does.
DISCLOSURE: I borrowed this book from the local public library. All opinions expressed here are my own.
December 17, 2014
Quote from this book: "Let us never be deceived into thinking that the magnitude of our sin negates His grace, for grace just abounds all the more."
While I love the reminders of God's grace, I thought this book was predictable and a bit puerile but that could have more to do with the Christian book aspect. Ivy tells Rue, a stranger to her and her young son that he can't take her son out alone and then feels the need to justify her reasons as though she was guilty of hurting Rue's feelings. She then lets him take her son out at night alone to view the stars. What responsible parent does that? Conversations go round and round regarding Rue and Ivy's possible relationship and the two of them staying clean from drugs and alcohol. Also oft-repeated is talk about the person responsible for attacking the citizens and why two possible suspects remain on the sheriff's radar. The guilty party was easy to figure out early on. No surprise there. In fact there were no surprises in the entire book.
I don't know how many more times the author could have used the phrase "Bobby popped a pink bubble."
While I love the reminders of God's grace, I thought this book was predictable and a bit puerile but that could have more to do with the Christian book aspect. Ivy tells Rue, a stranger to her and her young son that he can't take her son out alone and then feels the need to justify her reasons as though she was guilty of hurting Rue's feelings. She then lets him take her son out at night alone to view the stars. What responsible parent does that? Conversations go round and round regarding Rue and Ivy's possible relationship and the two of them staying clean from drugs and alcohol. Also oft-repeated is talk about the person responsible for attacking the citizens and why two possible suspects remain on the sheriff's radar. The guilty party was easy to figure out early on. No surprise there. In fact there were no surprises in the entire book.
I don't know how many more times the author could have used the phrase "Bobby popped a pink bubble."
June 2, 2012
While the characters of this book were pretty boring, the book itself was very good.
I loved the message it had on forgiveness of others and forgiving yourself.
This was a great easy read, and one that lifted my spirits.
I am anxious to read the rest of the series.
Being the second in a trilogy, the book can also stand alone, and I love that in sequels.
The story was kind of predictable. By the middle of the book, the mystery was clear as day.
But for the non-heavy, easy read, I really enjoyed Never Look Back
I loved the message it had on forgiveness of others and forgiving yourself.
This was a great easy read, and one that lifted my spirits.
I am anxious to read the rest of the series.
Being the second in a trilogy, the book can also stand alone, and I love that in sequels.
The story was kind of predictable. By the middle of the book, the mystery was clear as day.
But for the non-heavy, easy read, I really enjoyed Never Look Back
February 8, 2017
This is the second book in the "Phantom Hollow" series. I read the first book and wasn't blown away by it. I found the first one very predictable but I also was drawn into the lives of the characters so I decided to finish the series.
I liked this book a bit more than the first. Even though I still didn't find it suspenseful, this time I thought the ending would be different than it turned out to be.
I liked this book a bit more than the first. Even though I still didn't find it suspenseful, this time I thought the ending would be different than it turned out to be.
April 11, 2008
Found this on the new book shelves at the library. Christian fiction, but only because they talk about praying and God working in our lives. It was ok, quick read, but I figured out all the "twists and turns" before they actually happened. Which is part of the reason I do not read a lot of mysteries.
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November 12, 2011Although this book is a little bit predictable at times, they are quick reads and hard to put down once you get started. I'm enjoying the character development and the messages the book sends. My mother-in-law lent me the first book and I didn't even realize it was a series until I found the next book at the library!
October 21, 2015
I really enjoyed the 2nd book in Kathy Herman's Phantom Hollow series. I like the characters and each new one that has been brought in and how they connect. Kathy is great with her twists and turns in each of her books. I highly recommend this book and series from Kathy and I look forward to finishing the series with the next book The Grand Scheme.
August 21, 2008
Awesome follow up to Ever Present Danger. Her writing is so much fun to read. I easily get lost in the world of Jacob's Ear. The messages and storylines in the book are so captivating. And the suspense she throws in just puts the icing on the cake! I will read anything this woman writes.
July 5, 2010
great 3-book series
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July 14, 2010I read this series out of order, so i had a hard time keeping things straight, but I did like most of the characters and was very pleased that Momtana ended up with a complete family.
Read
August 16, 2010The second in the series...a bit more preachy than I would like...not as good as the first...I will finish the series.
April 19, 2011
I loved this one. I had never read anything by Kathy Herman until this one. My husband ordered book 1 and 3 for me as well and I am waiting for them to arrive. I am a new fan of Kathy Herman.
July 28, 2011
I really liked this book. Now I do have to read the other two in this series.
August 14, 2011
I didn't realize it was a series book(#2), so I'll have to get #1. It was a good Christian based book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews