Christy J. (southernsassygirl) reviewed The Pink Bonnet (True Colors, Bk 2) on + 180 more book reviews
Anyone who has read Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate knows the infamous history of Georgia Tann and the Tennessee Children's Home Society. You'd have to be completely heartless not to be affected by the stories that resulted from this place's dark history of black market adoptions and ruthless child kidnappings. Since I live in the area where this history took place, I am probably more fascinated with it than most. It's not that I enjoy reading the horrors of this time (because they are atrocious), but I am thankful that this woman and her unethical practices were finally brought to an end.
I have slowly been making my way through the True Colors series by Barbour Publishing, but did not realize that one of the books featured a fictional story amidst the very real history of the Tennessee Children's Home Society. From the very first chapter, it is a heartbreaking tale, and as a mom, I know that if placed in the same situation, I would move heaven and earth to get my children back. Such is the case with Cecile Dowd. Due to her persistence and the help of legal assistant, Percy Vance, they are on a mission to find Cecile's daughter and bring her home.
For those interested in separating fact from fiction, there are several mentions of actual Memphis landmarks and individuals that helped Georgia Tann continue her moneymaking scheme. There is also a very helpful author's note at the end.
It's also worth noting that this story is available as an audiobook. While I am normally a huge fan of this particular narrator, her accents and interpretation of the characters were a bit overdone for my taste. Memphis is a Southern city, but we don't all speak like a bunch of uneducated, backwoods hicks. There were a few instances where I got this impression from the narrator, and it tarnished my enjoyment of an otherwise great story.
I have slowly been making my way through the True Colors series by Barbour Publishing, but did not realize that one of the books featured a fictional story amidst the very real history of the Tennessee Children's Home Society. From the very first chapter, it is a heartbreaking tale, and as a mom, I know that if placed in the same situation, I would move heaven and earth to get my children back. Such is the case with Cecile Dowd. Due to her persistence and the help of legal assistant, Percy Vance, they are on a mission to find Cecile's daughter and bring her home.
For those interested in separating fact from fiction, there are several mentions of actual Memphis landmarks and individuals that helped Georgia Tann continue her moneymaking scheme. There is also a very helpful author's note at the end.
It's also worth noting that this story is available as an audiobook. While I am normally a huge fan of this particular narrator, her accents and interpretation of the characters were a bit overdone for my taste. Memphis is a Southern city, but we don't all speak like a bunch of uneducated, backwoods hicks. There were a few instances where I got this impression from the narrator, and it tarnished my enjoyment of an otherwise great story.
Liz Tolsma has written an impressive novel in the True Colors: Historical Stories of American Crime series. I have read some, but not all, of Tolsma's previous books because they have dealt with the Holocaust. While she is an excellent writer and handles that subject in a compelling way, I just have a hard time reading stories in that setting, so I was excited to try this one. Although still not a subject easy to read about, Tolsma has written a fascinating page turner that combines fiction with real-life events. I was engaged emotionally from page one of this action-packed story and could hardly put it down.
The Pink Bonnet reads like a wonderful suspense thriller, until it sinks in that it is based on historical true crime â the story of Georgia Tann, who ran a Memphis adoption agency from 1924 to 1950; then it becomes chilling and haunting. Children she perceived to be from inadequate homes or parenting situations were literally stolen and given to families who could pay well. Even those who were supposed to care â politicians and others in authoritative positions â were corrupt and easily bribed to turn a blind eye. That this could go on for 25 years is horrifying.
Into this backdrop we meet Cecile Dowd, a young widow with the odds stacked against her, struggling to care for her three- year-old daughter Millie. Cecile is a loving mother and making things work out, when suddenly she is betrayed by a âconcernedâ neighbor and Millie falls into the hands of Georgia Tann. Cecile and Millie are characters every reader will be drawn to, so easy to connect with. And then there's Percy, a lawyer working with Tann, who begins to suspect that all is not right with this adoption agency. I loved the connection between Cecile and Percy, a sweet and growing relationship in an otherwise dark story. I also appreciated the spiritual overtones of God's unrelenting seeking for us.
The Pink Bonnet is a riveting, suspense-filled story that drove me to do some online research into this crime. I look forward to much more of Liz Tolsma's writing. Recommended.
I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
The Pink Bonnet reads like a wonderful suspense thriller, until it sinks in that it is based on historical true crime â the story of Georgia Tann, who ran a Memphis adoption agency from 1924 to 1950; then it becomes chilling and haunting. Children she perceived to be from inadequate homes or parenting situations were literally stolen and given to families who could pay well. Even those who were supposed to care â politicians and others in authoritative positions â were corrupt and easily bribed to turn a blind eye. That this could go on for 25 years is horrifying.
Into this backdrop we meet Cecile Dowd, a young widow with the odds stacked against her, struggling to care for her three- year-old daughter Millie. Cecile is a loving mother and making things work out, when suddenly she is betrayed by a âconcernedâ neighbor and Millie falls into the hands of Georgia Tann. Cecile and Millie are characters every reader will be drawn to, so easy to connect with. And then there's Percy, a lawyer working with Tann, who begins to suspect that all is not right with this adoption agency. I loved the connection between Cecile and Percy, a sweet and growing relationship in an otherwise dark story. I also appreciated the spiritual overtones of God's unrelenting seeking for us.
The Pink Bonnet is a riveting, suspense-filled story that drove me to do some online research into this crime. I look forward to much more of Liz Tolsma's writing. Recommended.
I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
