Once Upon A Romance's Review Of...
The Summer Bones by Katherine Smith
onceuponaromance.net
Reviewer: Connie Payne
Title: The Summer Bones - First in the Danny Haase mystery series
Author: Katherine Smith
Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
ISBN: 1-5937-4255-X
Release Date: 2005
Genre/Sub-genre: Romantic Suspense/Mystery
Year/Setting: Present Day - Indiana
Overall rating: 3.9
Sexual content rating: Subtle
Katherine's Website:
www.katherinesmith.net
Some of the cast of characters:
- Victoria Paulsen – her twin sister, Emily, is missing. And this isn’t unusual in itself until things don’t add up to two and two. (There seemed to be none of the "twin connection" you often hear about in this story)
- Michael Roberts – Victoria’s wanna be fiancé.
- Damon Paulsen – cousin to Victoria and Emily. He works the family farm with his Grandfather. He has a few burdens he’s been carrying.
- Danny Haase – family friend and lead investigator on this case. He has his own problems going on, too.
- Ronald Sims – Emily’s husband, who may be abusive and possessive, but is certainly paranoid. Perhaps with reason, or is it the artist in him painting pictures that aren’t there?
- Gram and Grandpa Paulsen – she’s experiencing either dementia or Alzheimer’s. He’s tired and worn, but won’t give up his role as head of the family or that of his position on his farm.
These are a few of the people you’ll meet when you read The Summer Bones. I didn’t want to list them all and maybe risk giving out pertinent details to the story. Some of them may have a few secrets. Some of them may know more than they’re letting on regarding Emily and the family. Some of them may bring things to light that could be explosive. And does Emily’s disappearance have anything to do with the finding of a local 16-year old girl’s body? There seems to be some similarities between the two cases.
Ms. Smith weaves a very detailed story leaving nothing out from thoughts and action to description. And to some, the descriptions may be a bit too much. Her prose is at times elaborate, and once in a while seemingly out of place (I’d say it would be up to each reader to decide that), which may also be a bit too much for some.
But I have to say, even with the detailed descriptions and the elaborate prose, I’m glad to have read The Summer Bones. Katherine Smith puts new and unusual twists and turns on what could be the normal missing persons plot. As the story unravels the finger is pointed in several different directions. Secrets are revealed. Truths are faced. And the ending? Don’t assume anything until the last page.
Connie
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