Book Review - HAWTHORN WOODS
Hawthorn Woods by Patrick Canning captured my interest immediately. This story reads as a mystery with a little drama intertwined. I was invited to read and review this story by the publisher. The provided summary sounded exactly like the type of story I enjoy so I was excited to get into this one.
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Summary:
Hawthorn Woods begins with Francine visiting her sister in the Midwest from San Francisco following a heartbreaking divorce. She has been struggling since her husband left her and hopes that a change of scenery will help. Francine will be spending 2 weeks house sitting for her sister while she's out of town with her husband.
Before leaving town, Francine's sister introduces her to her friend Laura Jean. Laura Jean is the busy body of the neighborhood who can't wait to introduce Francine to all of the neighbors as well as play matchmaker with a new (temporary) transplant.
Very quickly, however, strange things start to happen in "peaceful" Hawthorn Woods. A neighbor throws a drink in Francine's face. This is followed by the President of the neighborhood's pet goat being killed and other odd things.
FRANCINE HADDIX - PRIVATE EYE
As a young girl, Francine read all of the Nancy Drew Mystery books and used to pretend she was a private eye like Nancy Drew. After the goat was killed in the neighborhood, she decides she is going to put her detective hat on and find out who killed the innocent animal. Right away she feels she has a multitude of possible suspects as there are some odd people living in Hawthorn Woods.
Unbeknownst to Francine, her nephew, Charlie begins to help her solve the mysteries in the neighborhood. Without intention, Francine starts to form a friendship with the renter, Michael Bruno who Laura Jean thought would be a great distraction for Francine. Another neighbor, Roland Gerber becomes an unlikely confident for Francine as he's willing to listen to her sorrows about her ex-husband and offer poignant advice.
REVIEW:
The story of Hawthorn Woods takes the reader down a road of unexpected twists and turns while throwing in an unanticipated love story and a shocking revelation at the end. You'll get to know these characters and become anxious to learn how the mysteries and the story plays out.
Some books grab my attention immediately and some take a few chapters to get me excited to keep reading. This story had my attention from the first chapter. Right away I was sad for Francine and rooting for her to move past her failed marriage. I was a little nervous about the Nancy Drew Mystery aspect of the story - as an avid reader, those stories feel a bit CHEESY at my age, but the author created a mystery to unravel that kept the reader engaged.
This is a story that I would recommend if you like mystery and drama. It was easy to read and definitely a page turner.
Until my next review...
What have you read lately? Please share some good reads for me to dive into next. I love referrals!
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