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carolpk's review against another edition
2.0
Vicky Dleany writes two mystery series with many fans of each, The Constable Molly Smith Series and The Klondike Mystery Series I haven't read either but having heard so many good things about her writing and not wanting to commit to a series I decided to try this stand-alone More Than Sorrow.
There are really two stories here, one taking place in present Prince Edward County, Ontario and the other in the same locale, more specifically, the same house and its root cellar, 1786. Hannah Manning, a war journalist has suffered a traumatic brain injury and has been sent to recover at her sister's and brother-in-law's farm in their 200 year-old farmhouse. Recovery is painfully slow and as Hannah continues to have bouts of awful headaches which she calls Omar. Her brother-in-law resents her stay as money is tight. He allows her to go through some old letters in the attic written by loyalists, the original settlers of his home. These in turn, lead Hannah to the farm root cellar and it is here where she experiences some strange happenings, hallucinations or visions, part of her brain trauma she thinks. This, the second story, taking place in the 1700's becomes far more interesting to me than Hannah's present day life and its own mystery. The letters give title to the story
"I read more letters. Lives lived. Lives full of pain and death. The death of a precious daughter in infancy, a son crushed beneath a wagon,crops failing, valuable animals falling ill.
Sorrow, always sorrow.
I pulled myself up short. I was projecting onto these people. These letters were also about the price of brad and a visit from Aunt Martha.
Life was more than sorrow.
It had to be more than sorrow."
If the rest of the writing was as good as this I'd have become a fan. I found the present day story uneven, the characters over the top and not very interesting, particularly Hannah, and the plot was a stretch for me. I can see the possibility of series here but I'm not apt to read it. To be fair, I'd like to try one of the series books, perhaps, The Klondike, before I give up on this author.
There are really two stories here, one taking place in present Prince Edward County, Ontario and the other in the same locale, more specifically, the same house and its root cellar, 1786. Hannah Manning, a war journalist has suffered a traumatic brain injury and has been sent to recover at her sister's and brother-in-law's farm in their 200 year-old farmhouse. Recovery is painfully slow and as Hannah continues to have bouts of awful headaches which she calls Omar. Her brother-in-law resents her stay as money is tight. He allows her to go through some old letters in the attic written by loyalists, the original settlers of his home. These in turn, lead Hannah to the farm root cellar and it is here where she experiences some strange happenings, hallucinations or visions, part of her brain trauma she thinks. This, the second story, taking place in the 1700's becomes far more interesting to me than Hannah's present day life and its own mystery. The letters give title to the story
"I read more letters. Lives lived. Lives full of pain and death. The death of a precious daughter in infancy, a son crushed beneath a wagon,crops failing, valuable animals falling ill.
Sorrow, always sorrow.
I pulled myself up short. I was projecting onto these people. These letters were also about the price of brad and a visit from Aunt Martha.
Life was more than sorrow.
It had to be more than sorrow."
If the rest of the writing was as good as this I'd have become a fan. I found the present day story uneven, the characters over the top and not very interesting, particularly Hannah, and the plot was a stretch for me. I can see the possibility of series here but I'm not apt to read it. To be fair, I'd like to try one of the series books, perhaps, The Klondike, before I give up on this author.
candyflynn's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
chantale's review against another edition
3.0
A journalist recovering from brain trauma from a car bombing in Afghanistan is recuperating on her sister's farm. Hanna suffers from blackouts and (real?) visions of the previous farmhouse tenants. She hides these episodes from her sister and doctor but can't account for missing parts in her day.
A neighbour's reclusive Afghan house guest whom Hanna befriends goes missing and turns up murdered. Hanna who can't place herself the day of the crime is a suspect.
Interesting parts historical pioneer novel and mystery.
A neighbour's reclusive Afghan house guest whom Hanna befriends goes missing and turns up murdered. Hanna who can't place herself the day of the crime is a suspect.
Interesting parts historical pioneer novel and mystery.
kayrenm's review against another edition
3.0
Quick read about a location I love (Price Edward County) and some information about the Loyalists which I don't know a lot about. The plot was a little choppy and ending perhaps obvious, but worth the read.
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