Official Review: Where the River Runs Deep by Lynne Handy

Please use this sub-forum to discuss any crime, thriller, mystery or horror books or series.
Forum rules
Authors and publishers are not able to post replies in the review topics.
Post Reply
MarisaRose
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 1444
Joined: 03 Sep 2016, 15:34
Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... 665">Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban</a>
Currently Reading: The Family Upstairs
Bookshelf Size: 435
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-marisarose.html
Latest Review: The Magic Shard by eelonqa K harris
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU

Official Review: Where the River Runs Deep by Lynne Handy

Post by MarisaRose »

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Where the River Runs Deep" by Lynne Handy.]
Book Cover
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review


Where the River Runs Deep by Lynne Handy is a mystery set in the small North Carolina town of Cherapee. Maria, a non-native, decides to spend her summer in Cherapee participating in a writer’s retreat. Her decision is not only spurred by the urging of a close friend; upon learning of her husband’s infidelity, Maria is ready for an escape. Cherapee reunites Maria with an old college friend, Bo, who has traveled to the quaint southern town to investigate a series of murders involving the town’s prominent family. Little does Maria know that she will soon be pulled into the investigation, and her idea of a calm summer filled with writing will fall to the wayside.

There is a great deal to like about this book, but the author’s articulate and expressive writing style was by far my favorite element. Told in the first person perspective, the author quickly creates an emotional connection between Maria, the narrator, and the reader. The intensity of Maria’s anxiety as she deals with unfamiliar surroundings, the potential loss of her marriage, meeting new people, and the general eeriness of Cherapee radiate off each page. Further, Maria is a poet, and her narration is simply poetic. The connection between the author’s written word and the main character is so clear, one can’t help but think Maria is a real person.

Although there are a few mysteries surrounding the murder of various subjects, the main mystery of this story involves Cherapee and its unpleasant history. When I finished the novel, at first I felt parts of the murder mystery were lacking: there was no way for the reader to solve the murders based on the information provided. However, when I contemplated the story as a whole, it dawned on me that the more important mystery, the mystery surrounding this narrow-minded southern town, was not only more interesting, but also detectable as the plot progressed. Therefore, I thought the author was incredibly successful in delivering an intriguing and page-turning mystery.

Lastly, I greatly enjoyed that Maria is not a typical protagonist for a mystery; she is not a detective and she has no experience in the field. Maria is portrayed as a normal person experiencing personal upheaval and looking for an escape. Yet her escape leads her through significantly more disorder than she could have imagined, and the character adequately displays appropriate emotions in these circumstances. As an outsider, Maria has a keen perspective of Cherapee, and even more so given her relationship with one of its natives, Amen, a prisoner she met while teaching a prison poetry class. Her help in solving the mystery of the town and the murders was plausible. I was fascinated by the intricate web the author wove between Maria, her past, her personal circumstances, and her growth during her time in Cherapee.

Where the River Runs Deep proved to be engaging, emotional and thought-provoking. My only complaint is that I wish I could have spent more time with Maria and her poetic narrative. This book succeeds as a character study, a cultural reflection, and, of course, as a mystery, which is why I award it 4 out of 4 stars. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy non-procedural mysteries and thrillers with a strong female narrator.

******
Where the River Runs Deep
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Like MarisaRose's review? Post a comment saying so!
User avatar
Marissa Michael
Posts: 1106
Joined: 25 Oct 2017, 06:42
Currently Reading: Carrie
Bookshelf Size: 585
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-marissa-michael.html
Latest Review: Heartaches 3 by H.M. Irwing
2024 Reading Goal: 5
2024 Goal Completion: 60%

Post by Marissa Michael »

What an insightful review! This brought to my remembrance to my previous reading which is Bag of Bones one of Stephen King‘s book. I can sense there is a little replica between these 2 stories. I am sure that I will enjoy reading this story.
"Read in order to live." ~Gustave Flaubert
"Fiction reveals truths that reality obscures." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
MarisaRose
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 1444
Joined: 03 Sep 2016, 15:34
Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... 665">Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban</a>
Currently Reading: The Family Upstairs
Bookshelf Size: 435
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-marisarose.html
Latest Review: The Magic Shard by eelonqa K harris
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU

Post by MarisaRose »

ParadoxicalWoman wrote: 09 Dec 2017, 07:53 What an insightful review! This brought to my remembrance to my previous reading which is Bag of Bones one of Stephen King‘s book. I can sense there is a little replica between these 2 stories. I am sure that I will enjoy reading this story.
Thank you for commenting! I too have read Bag of Bones, and though there may be some similarities in setting and tone, the author's prose really sets this one apart.
User avatar
Anjum
Posts: 245
Joined: 05 Jun 2017, 09:49
Bookshelf Size: 18
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-anjum.html
Latest Review: "The Elf Brief" by Jordan David

Post by Anjum »

Wow! A girl without a detective background solving a mystery really sounds interesting. I think that I am gonna give it a try. Thanks for the review.
Latest Review: "The Elf Brief" by Jordan David
User avatar
Mercelle
Posts: 1348
Joined: 31 May 2017, 03:44
Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... 10262">The Wisdom and Peace of the Teachings of the Tao Te Ching</a>
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 204
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mercelle.html
Latest Review: The Future of Finance and Money by K. Braeden Anderson

Post by Mercelle »

Maria sounds like an amazing character. Solving a mystery is surely a unique way to deal with heartbreak.
"The minimum requirement for a dream is a safe place to lay your head."
~OluTimehin Adegbeye
User avatar
kandscreeley
Special Discussion Leader
Posts: 11683
Joined: 31 Dec 2016, 20:31
Currently Reading: Believarexic
Bookshelf Size: 486
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kandscreeley.html
Latest Review: The Elf Revelation by Jordan David

Post by kandscreeley »

I love that Maria is a normal person. Sounds like an interesting story with some great writing. Nice review. Thanks.
A book is a dream you hold in your hands.
—Neil Gaiman
User avatar
inaramid
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 1222
Joined: 04 Nov 2017, 11:22
Currently Reading: Siege and Storm
Bookshelf Size: 144
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-inaramid.html
Latest Review: The Fourth Kinetic by Brady Moore

Post by inaramid »

I liked your analysis of Maria's character and how you pointed out how she's not the typical detective you'd find in many books. That's the part I find the most intriguing about this. I'm definitely putting this on my must-read list. Thank you!
User avatar
powergirl
Posts: 158
Joined: 31 Oct 2017, 09:54
Currently Reading: The One
Bookshelf Size: 59
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU

Post by powergirl »

A good story about murder,treachery,romance and race relations!!!
"To be or not to be that's the question" William Shakespeare
User avatar
bookowlie
Special Discussion Leader
Posts: 9071
Joined: 25 Oct 2014, 09:52
Favorite Book: The Lost Continent
Currently Reading: The Night She Went Missing
Bookshelf Size: 442
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-bookowlie.html
Latest Review: To Paint A Murder by E. J. Gandolfo

Post by bookowlie »

What a wonderful review of what sounds like a great book! I like that you first thought the mystery parts were lacking and, after thinking about it more, you had a different perspective. I find that it's hard to stop thinking about a really good book, long after finishing the last page. :)
"The best way out is always through" - Robert Frost
User avatar
Sahani Nimandra
Posts: 2045
Joined: 27 Nov 2017, 22:49
Favorite Book: Harry Potter and The Sorceress Stone
Currently Reading: Man of the World
Bookshelf Size: 698
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-sahani-nimandra.html
Latest Review: I once had a Farm in Ireland by Siggy Buckley
Reading Device: Huawei

Post by Sahani Nimandra »

Wow sounds revolutionary! The twist of murder and mystery adds credit to this well structured book.
Thank you for the review!
The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid! - Jane Austen :techie-studyingbrown:
User avatar
MrsCatInTheHat
Posts: 3817
Joined: 31 May 2016, 11:53
Favorite Book: Cry the Beloved Country
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 376
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mrscatinthehat.html
Latest Review: Marc Marci by Larry G. Goldsmith
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
Publishing Contest Votes: 0

Post by MrsCatInTheHat »

I love strong female protagonists. The overall storyline sounds like it would me up at night, trying to get to the end.
Life without a good book is something MrsCatInTheHat cannot imagine.
User avatar
hrwheeler
Posts: 6
Joined: 24 Nov 2017, 11:25
Bookshelf Size: 3
Reading Device: B00KC6I06S

Post by hrwheeler »

Great review, thank you, looking forward to reading it.
User avatar
spookkyfoxx
Posts: 18
Joined: 29 Dec 2017, 21:04
Currently Reading: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Bookshelf Size: 12
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-spookkyfoxx.html
Latest Review: Toxic Side Effect by Sandy Magner

Post by spookkyfoxx »

As someone who hated growing up in a "narrow-minded southern town", I love the idea of this book! I will definitely have to check it out, thanks for the great review!!
CalHull
Posts: 12
Joined: 03 Jan 2018, 18:58
Currently Reading: Health Tips, Myths, and Tricks
Bookshelf Size: 15
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-calhull.html
Latest Review: "The 11.05 Murders" by Brian O'Hare

Post by CalHull »

I love books where the setting is almost a character in itself, and from your review it seems like Cherapee fits that bill, so I’m probably going to give this book a try.
Latest Review: "The 11.05 Murders" by Brian O'Hare
Post Reply

Return to “Crime, Thrillers, Mystery and Horror Books”