Someone to Blame by C.S Lakin
September 10th 2010 by Zondervan
September 10th 2010 by Zondervan
Paperback, 368 Pages
Review Copy
Book Synopsis
In the wake of heartrending family tragedies, Matt and Irene Moore move with their fourteen-year-old daughter, Casey, to a small town. Their goal is to get far away from the daily reminders that leave each of them raw and guilt-ridden. Their hope is to find redemption, repair, and renewal. Instead, the threads that hold them together unravel even more. Breakers, a small community perched on the rocky coast of the Pacific Northwest, is draped with cold isolation that seems to mirror the hearts. As they settle into their new life, old grief settles with them. Matt is always on edge and easily angered, Irene is sad and pensive, and Casey is confused and defiant. They've once more set the stage for calamity. Into this mix comes Billy Thurber, a young drifter with his own conflicts, whose life unexpectedly entangles with the Moores'.
His arrival in Breakers parallels a rash of hateful and senseless crimes, and soon the whole town -- eager for someone to blame -- goes after Thurber with murderous intent. Out of this dangerous chaos, however, the Moores find unexpected grace and healing in a most unlikely way. (Cfba)
Review
A Weary couple and their young teenage daughter are haunted by tragic events and under the spirit of heaviness they try to pick up the pieces and move on by making a home in a small town called The Breakers. Matt and Irene are both bone tired, exhausted from life and reek of calamity. After the loss of their two sons, silence begins to fill everyday life, but their silence is louder than any words spoken as accusations are flung but never uttered. Anger is abundant and the tragedy has permanently damaged all of them, we as readers get pieces of the story as Matt, Irene and Casey share the dreaded details of that fateful night when they lost Jessie and the events that take place after. The story itself is a dark and dreary one. The cold winds coming in from Alaska to the thick fog on the roads and in the characters hearts set the tone to wonderfully bring me into the depression and pain these people were going through. Add in a shifty stranger that begins freaking the townsfolk out and you have the recipe for a chilling read and a suspenseful mystery.
Someone to Blame was a story that seriously overwhelmed me, moved me, brought tears to my eyes and floored me with the talent of storytelling. It was a true page turner and one I read late into the night. With a fast moving plotline, in-depth characters and a message of grace and forgiveness woven softly between the pages that truly gave this story its uniqueness. I don’t have clue how a parent feels after the death of a child nor do I ever want to feel it. Irene’s description of free falling, of never touching bottom and Matt’s physical pain and anger made it real for me as the reader. I felt the panic, the heartache, I felt on more than one occasion reading this my tears welling up and spilling with that sick feeling when something is wrong with your child or when you know danger for them is around the corner. I went on the emotional journey with all of these characters and grew to love their misgivings, their failures, their courage and triumph. An absolute beautifully haunting novel.
Rating
A Weary couple and their young teenage daughter are haunted by tragic events and under the spirit of heaviness they try to pick up the pieces and move on by making a home in a small town called The Breakers. Matt and Irene are both bone tired, exhausted from life and reek of calamity. After the loss of their two sons, silence begins to fill everyday life, but their silence is louder than any words spoken as accusations are flung but never uttered. Anger is abundant and the tragedy has permanently damaged all of them, we as readers get pieces of the story as Matt, Irene and Casey share the dreaded details of that fateful night when they lost Jessie and the events that take place after. The story itself is a dark and dreary one. The cold winds coming in from Alaska to the thick fog on the roads and in the characters hearts set the tone to wonderfully bring me into the depression and pain these people were going through. Add in a shifty stranger that begins freaking the townsfolk out and you have the recipe for a chilling read and a suspenseful mystery.
Someone to Blame was a story that seriously overwhelmed me, moved me, brought tears to my eyes and floored me with the talent of storytelling. It was a true page turner and one I read late into the night. With a fast moving plotline, in-depth characters and a message of grace and forgiveness woven softly between the pages that truly gave this story its uniqueness. I don’t have clue how a parent feels after the death of a child nor do I ever want to feel it. Irene’s description of free falling, of never touching bottom and Matt’s physical pain and anger made it real for me as the reader. I felt the panic, the heartache, I felt on more than one occasion reading this my tears welling up and spilling with that sick feeling when something is wrong with your child or when you know danger for them is around the corner. I went on the emotional journey with all of these characters and grew to love their misgivings, their failures, their courage and triumph. An absolute beautifully haunting novel.
Rating
Someone to Blame is recommended to adults and contains: Violence (some graphic) suicide, death, grief, depression, alcohol and drug use, sensuality situations (nothing graphic) and handling forgiveness
4/5- Christian Fiction- Mystery
Thanks to Zondervan/Cfba for review copy
About the Author
C. S. Lakin is a novelist and professional copyeditor and writing coach. She is currently working on her eleventh novel, a contemporary family saga drawn from the biblical story of Jacob. Someone to Blame(Zondervan), an intense relational drama and winner of the 2009 First Novel contest, released in October 2010, and she is also the author of the allegorical adult fantasy series The Gates of Heaven, featuring The Wolf of Tebron and the upcoming release The Map Across Time (March 2011). She is currently completing her tenth novel and developing a dog memoir of epic proportion.
Wow, this one sounds really intense and emotionally challenging, I love those kind of books. This isn't my typical read, but I love brilliant characters that force you to feel, and it sounds like this story is overflowing with them. Fantastic review Tina!
ReplyDeleteI don't read nearly enough Christian fiction, and as I'm trying to get in touch with my Catholic roots more, I think this sounds fabulous, deep, and powerful. Brilliant review, Tina! I'm adding this to my pile :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful review. This sounds moving and compelling. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete