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Book Review of In High Places

In High Places
reviewed on + 109 more book reviews


Patrick Nolan and his father, Kevin, enjoyed a close father son bonding time as they climb the rocks in the mountain hamlet of Seneca Rocks. They are renewed, revitalized, and making plans to return with Patricks mother, Laurie, soon. Laurie doesnt climb, but Patrick and Kevin want to show off to her. However, when they return home, something horrible has happened

Their neighbor met them at the car with the bad news. He noticed smoke coming from the garage, and by the time the police got there, Laurie was dead. They believe it was suicide, even though Laurie left no note. She was just sitting in the closed garage, with the car running.

After a period of grief, Patrick and Kevin decide to pull up their roots and move to Seneca Rocks. There Kevin opens a climbing store. But they havent run far enough from their grief, and years later, Lauries death still haunts them. Will they ever find closure from this grief?

In High Places is a wonderfully written story full of colorful imagery, and realistic characters. Patrick didnt have much of a relationship with God, as his family wasnt believers, but God and Christianity still was woven expertly into the story. I loved Patrick and Kevin and felt for them when they learned Laurie had died. I could feel their grief.

The story is difficult to read at first. The first chapter is full of climbing terms which Im unfamiliar with, but it is full of hope. The second chapter made it very difficult for me to continue reading, but once I made it past that chapter I was able to enjoy the rest of the book. If you pick up In High Places, you will enjoy a well-told story, and might even learn something about yourself, or find a message you can hang on to. $18.99 hardcover. 318 pages.