Helpful Score: 7
This was a very good read. A little different writing then Krueger's O'connor books. The story is based in a small MN town, written in the first person of a 13 year old pastor's son. It showed how people deal with life differently when a child disappears from a family. Even more important is how a pastor and his family deals with it. The book showed the human side of all of us. Krueger does a great job of taking the reader into society in the early 1960's.
Helpful Score: 7
It took me awhile to get into this book and I almost gave up on it. I'm so glad I didn't. By the middle of the book I couldn't put it down and it turned out to be an emotional and satisfying book for me. There is a mystery to be solved but I feel the story is more about feelings and human reaction to hard times. I had the mystery worked out before it was revealed but that did not distract from the book.
Helpful Score: 6
Kent's publishers were worried when he said he wanted to write this book; they worried for nothing. This is a "can't put down" book. It brought me back to my childhood in so many ways. The diversity of characters is excellently blended into each other's lives. As a writer Kent is one of the best. I would read anything he writes. Must read, a great book.
Helpful Score: 4
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Started it and, for the most part, did not stop until I was finished. Primarily what I would term a "character novel", but certainly the mystery of the deaths is a strong, continuing thread. Felt Kreuger's style of prose was well suited to the subject matter and as someone else said, "this is one I will remember".
Helpful Score: 1
Glad I started reading this book to get me out of my reading rut. It is an interesting story about a family in the 60's in MN. I enjoy his Cork O'Connor mystery series.