What is it about?
In her most emotionally charged novel to date, New York Times bestselling author Heather Gudenkauf explores the unspoken events that shape a community, the ties between parents and their children and how the fragile normalcy of our everyday life is so easily shattered.
In the midst of a sudden spring snowstorm, an unknown man armed with a gun walks into an elementary school classroom. Outside the school, the town of Broken Branch watches and waits.
Officer Meg Barrett holds the responsibility for the town's children in her hands. Will Thwaite, reluctantly entrusted with the care of his two grandchildren by the daughter who left home years earlier, stands by helplessly and wonders if he has failed his child again. Trapped in her classroom, Evelyn Oliver watches for an opportunity to rescue the children in her care. And thirteen-year-old Augie Baker, already struggling with the aftermath of a terrible accident that has brought her to Broken Branch, will risk her own safety to protect her little brother.
As tension mounts with each passing minute, the hidden fears and grudges of the small town are revealed as the people of Broken Branch race to uncover the identity of the stranger who holds their children hostage.
My Thoughts...
three out of five stars
I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read, which surprised me due to the subject matter. I liked the characters, especially the children. They had such a sense of protection for each other. I really wanted to know more about the mother and felt like that character wasn't developed enough, especially the relationship with her father.
I didn't figure out who the gunman was until almost 3/4 of the way through the book and even after I figured it out, I still questioned my belief until I knew for sure.
Overall, it was a great book and I would have given it four stars if there hadn't been so many loose ends left.
No comments:
Post a Comment