I declare this to be a most wonderful, clean work of historical fiction. It is about the fifith or sixth Lynn Austin novel I've ever read and I'd say her work just keeps getting better and better.
In this narrative there are two time frames. One is from back in the 1880's while the 'current' one, is well, now. The setting is in a small logging town in Michigan. The story describes those logging times, the wealth and danger and what turned out to be a conservationist's worse nightmare. It also speaks of the care and concern embodied in Dr. John Wagner and his wife Hannah, along with her most unusual friend Kate Abernathy, the lumber baron's wife. There is added mystery when Kate inexplicably disappears.
In the 'current' time a reader will find David and Ashley, along with other townsfolk and the intrepid Frieda, the 'doll' instigator of restoration of the 150 year old mansion. Readers are led through the restoration process in a most interesting way with the excitement and satisfaciton of purpose fulfilled.
Austin also tackles the ups and downs of married life, of pro-choice vs pro-life issues; belief in Jesus and trust in God, child loss, physical abuse and the horrendous treatment of women in those days endured.
Overall, I found this story to be quite a comprehensive work but also very down to earth. There were tears as well as laughter. My interest was held throughout the pages until the very end. I have been totally satisfied with this narrative and was sorry to have to say 'good-bye' to all those believable characters. I will savor this story for some time to come.
Definitely, I give this a 5-Star rating!
~ Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger ~
October 2025
Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.
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