Barbara M. reviewed on + 147 more book reviews
I had read "Tidewater Blood," which was the first book with the Charles LeBlanc character, about five years ago. Although I don't remember a lot of the story, I recall that the book was a page turner. I expected this book to be the same. The book starts out with Charles LeBlanc and his girlfriend "Blackie" driving from MT, where they live out in the woods, to West Virginia where they both grew up.
Upon their arrival in WV, they learn that "Aunt Jessie" (not related to Charlie or Blackie but called "Aunt Jessie" by everyone) recently died and that Esmeralda, a "wild woman" who lives in the woods caused Jessie's death. Esmeralda, who had been captured, was housed at a state institution and had been unresponsive to anyone interacting with her.
Charlie, who has a special interest in Esmeralda, doesn't believe she's responsible for Jessie's death and goes on a quest to clear her. In doing so, he crosses paths with a new, wealthy family to the area, and begins to suspect that one (or more) may be involved in Jessie's death.
My high hopes for this book were soon dashed. I had only gotten about 1/3 of the way through it and found myself frustrated and ready to throw in the towel. The story is very slow moving, and Charlie is not very likeable. Blackie is rough around the edges but brooks no nonsense from anyone and is straightforward and honest.
POSSIBLE SPOILER: Although Charlie supposedly considers Blackie his soul mate, he has a tryst with another woman and then lies about it to Blackie, who quickly figures it out almost the moment Charlie returns. The book ends with Blackie taking off for parts unknown (possibly FL) with Charlie intent on tracking her down. END OF SPOILER
The way this book ends leads the reader to believe that there will be a subsequent book with these characters. "Tidewater Blood" was published in 1998 and "Wild Thorn" in 2002. According to a bio of the author, the only book published after 2002 was "Lies" in 2005 and that is not a Charlie LeBlanc book. The author died in 2009 so it doesn't appear that we'll know if Charlie ever found Blackie. Even though I didn't particularly like "Wild Thorn," I would likely have read any sequel to it.
Upon their arrival in WV, they learn that "Aunt Jessie" (not related to Charlie or Blackie but called "Aunt Jessie" by everyone) recently died and that Esmeralda, a "wild woman" who lives in the woods caused Jessie's death. Esmeralda, who had been captured, was housed at a state institution and had been unresponsive to anyone interacting with her.
Charlie, who has a special interest in Esmeralda, doesn't believe she's responsible for Jessie's death and goes on a quest to clear her. In doing so, he crosses paths with a new, wealthy family to the area, and begins to suspect that one (or more) may be involved in Jessie's death.
My high hopes for this book were soon dashed. I had only gotten about 1/3 of the way through it and found myself frustrated and ready to throw in the towel. The story is very slow moving, and Charlie is not very likeable. Blackie is rough around the edges but brooks no nonsense from anyone and is straightforward and honest.
POSSIBLE SPOILER: Although Charlie supposedly considers Blackie his soul mate, he has a tryst with another woman and then lies about it to Blackie, who quickly figures it out almost the moment Charlie returns. The book ends with Blackie taking off for parts unknown (possibly FL) with Charlie intent on tracking her down. END OF SPOILER
The way this book ends leads the reader to believe that there will be a subsequent book with these characters. "Tidewater Blood" was published in 1998 and "Wild Thorn" in 2002. According to a bio of the author, the only book published after 2002 was "Lies" in 2005 and that is not a Charlie LeBlanc book. The author died in 2009 so it doesn't appear that we'll know if Charlie ever found Blackie. Even though I didn't particularly like "Wild Thorn," I would likely have read any sequel to it.
