Lynda McDaniel

I really enjoyed this book. Much as I loved the mystery side of it, what I particularly loved about it was the special relationship between the two main characters.

There are two narrators, recounting an event from some twenty years previously. One is Della, an ex reporter who decides to give up the pressure of her Washington job and settles for country life in the Appalachian countryside. The other is Abit. Unusual name? Yes. But I won't spoil it for you! Abit is a young teenager who is best described in modern terms as 'on the spectrum'. Della and Abit share a very special relationship: no, nothing salacious. Just special. Della sees qualities in Abit his parents overlook. Watching his development over the course of the book was just lovely.

The event that binds them is Della's discovery of a dead girl whilst walking her dog. The local police dismiss it as a suicide. But Della's investigative instincts as a journalist ignite. There's more to it. With the help of young Abit, friends and her ex husband, they aim to get to the bottom of the tragedy.

This has a solid plot cushioned by Abit and Della's friendship. Beautifully and perfectly executed and written.

I was a smidge disappointed to get to the end, further evidence of the author's skill. She manages to pull you right into the story, into the scenery and into Appalachian life to the point that you not only feel as if you're there, but actually really want to be.… (altro)

I was totally smitten by the first novel in this series. Abit, Della and Alex cocooned me in the Appalachian backdrop, and no sooner had I finished their first 'case', I was more than a little eager for their company again.

We've moved on four years, and Abit has returned to education, previously curtailed by his father due to Abit's 'slowness'. It all goes well until a spot of bother with a girl. Not the 'bun in the oven' sort of bother. Something a bit more serious: fraud and con artists. And this 'nice' young girl, with her partner and mother-in-law, cunningly put Abit in the frame. His first port of call for help is Della and Alex, who arm their fledgling with a car, some intel and a 'you can do this on your own' shove. Abit is twenty years old, he's smart, he's resourceful: as far as they're concerned, he can find the lowlifes who have been ripping people off left, right and centre, but they'll be on call if things get tough.

The first novel was narrated by Abit and Della in equal measure. Here, Abit takes the helm throughout: a sort of a nod to his maturity and schooling. And he's a good storyteller! His solo journey to seek justice and prove his innocence results in an experience of learning, revelation…and a rather pretty little Irish colleen.

Book 2 is always tricky when its predecessor is a five-star act to follow. But McDaniel has cracked it with flying colours. Book 3 is already on my Kindle, at Chapter 1, ready to be devoured!… (altro)

I was a little upset towards the end of this book, as the title caught my eye: Appalachian Trilogy. Trilogy—three: oh no! And this is the third book. I think I might cry.

I've thoroughly enjoyed this little series. And talk about character development! Abit, described by his father as 'a bit slow', just continues to grow. He has a such a refreshingly straightforward outlook on life. Things are what they are. There's a clear divide between right and wrong. He's loyal, thoughtful, committed, steadfast (sorry, Abit, I've pinched one of your words). Hmm...sounds like the perfect man!

McDaniel's trilogy is a treasure. Characters are colourful, entertaining, diverse, likeable. The plots in each book are well structured, well developed and complete. In this book, Abit and Della…whom I would describe as Abit's surrogate mother and saviour…are on the trail of a young mother who has upped and offed without a trace, leaving her two young children and their father, Enoch. The nature of her disappearance forces suspicion to fall on, amongst others, Enoch. But Della is like a dog with a bone, and she is determined to find out where the missing mother is and the person responsible. The trail goes cold, but two years later, coincidence plays into Della's hands.

Ten years are neatly parcelled in this book. There's icing on the cake in the form of Abit's and Fiona's relationship. One teensy crack in that icing, though: a little snippet of information Abit's mother reveals. I'll leave that there.

My half-hour nightly reading before lights out have been spent in the very best company. What will I do now?… (altro)