When their mother dies, two sisters go to live with their father. But his home is a tent, his life is the keeping of bees, and one of the sisters has stopped talking. Also, there’s a body in the river.

Sam doesn’t believe in ghosts or lost voices. Ollie can’t get away from them. But all could still be well until Bear comes under suspicion of murder. Then a town’s prejudice incites a child’s curiosity. And the ghost wants her killer found.

A voiceless child might find it just as hard to be heard as one who can speak. A voiceless bee can’t prove who harmed the hive. And a voiceless ghost can’t answer. But there might be ways, and there might be more to life than can be seen. Good, bad and in between, the characters of this tale prove that good people make mistakes, and that mistakes can be forgiven. Even bees move on and try again. But If someone refuses to move…

Evocative scenery, believable characters of all ages, heart-breaking plot, and a haunting touch of magical realism—this mystery has it all and I really enjoyed it.

Disclosure: A friend knew I’d like it so she loaned it to me. Thank you! ( )

Unique, and completely engaging, "Crooked River" is a wonderful debut work from author Valerie Geary. Told in the alternating voices of two sisters, fifteen-year old Sam and ten-year old Ollie, this is a mystery, a family drama, and so much more. An involving story line and compelling characters combined with beautifully descriptive writing will hold readers enthralled until the last page is turned. While Sam and Ollie's parents loved each other, they couldn't live together. The children lived with their mother in Eugene, Oregon while their father, Bear, settled in rural Oregon, living in a teepee and working as a beekeeper. He rented the land from good people, Zeb and Franny, whose friendship was like family to Bear and his daughters. Every summer, Sam would come to stay with her father. When Ollie was old enough to spend the summer, she chose instead to go to camp with her friends. Things changed forever when the girls' mother suddenly died from a heart attack and they were sent to live with their father on a trial basis. If things didn't work out, the girls would find a permanent home with their mother's parents. Adjusting to the new arrangement is somewhat of a challenge, especially for Ollie, who has not spoken since her mother's death. While Ollie may not be talking, she still sees plenty--including ghostly beings called "Shimmerings" who speak to her. One day, the sisters find the body of a dead woman floating in Crooked River. Sam tries to catch hold of the woman's body, but the river, swollen by rain and melting snow carries her away. When circumstantial evidence implicates Bear in death, the girls decide to keep their discovery a secret. However, Bear is arrested for the murder, and the girls must fight for their father's innocence and for the future of their family. "Crooked River" is a recommended reader's treat, and I look forward to more work from the talented Valerie Geary.

Book Copy Gratis Amazon Vine ( )

What a riveting story. I abandoned all other reading endeavors to finish this book because it was just plain good.

A fascinating journey through the minds of two sisters: sharp-witted, courageous Sam & poetic, contemplative Ollie. Their relationship is rich and complex, but not sentimental. The cadence of Geary’s writing is effortless and almost mesmerizing, like the hum of a lazy hive. I was absorbed in the story from start to finish. The characters and setting are quiet and unassuming, but I was perpetually surprised by the story and felt the nagging itch of unease until the very end. ( )

Crooked River by Valerie Geary is an incredible debut novel. I absolutely loved this mystery/ghost story/sister tale and very highly recommend it.

It is the summer of 1988 and two sisters, Sam, 15, and Ollie, 10, are now living in teepees with their reclusive father, "Bear," in a meadow surrounded by bee hives outside of the small town of Terrebone, Oregon. Sam loves the meadow and knows the area because has spent every summer for the last three years with Bear in his meadow and helped with the bees, but this is Ollie's first summer there. Now the girls are going to live with their father full time after their mother died of a heart attack on July 4th. Ollie has not spoken since their mother died.

Trying to help Ollie accept the new living arrangements and maybe start talking, Sam takes her down to Crooked River to swim. At the river they find a dead woman's body. When Sam tries to pull it ashore, she sends it on down the river instead. Ollie doesn't say a word as Sam puzzles out what to do, if she should tell someone or not. When they get back to their camp, Sam finds a jacket that looks like it has blood on it. Could Bear be responsible for the murder? Or, as Sam believes in her heart, is he really simply a victim of circumstances?

Ollie may not be talking, but she's thinking and watching what is going on around her, including Shimmerings, the spirits of dead people who she can see and hear around her. Since her mother's funeral, the Shimmering that looks like her mom has been following Ollie. Since they found the body, an angry Shimmering with bared teeth has been following Sam. Ollie knows that Bear is innocent. She tries unsuccessfully to communicate her thoughts to Sam through various means, but she simply can't talk and tell Sam why and what to do or the Shimmerings might take over her voice completely.

I was completely immersed in this well-written tale and felt the suspense ratchet up with each chapter. The chapters in the novel alternate between the voice of Sam and Ollie as the girls try to find clues and piece out what to do and how to prove to local law enforcement that their father is innocent. Even though it will be easy for readers to predict who the real killer is, the enjoyment was in the two sisters trying to work out the mystery and discover how to prove their father's innocence. I understood the reaction of the girls. I was emotionally invested in following Sam and Ollie's story to the end.

The writing in Crooked River is sublime. Sam and Ollie have different voices in the narrative and you will find yourself wanting the girls to succeed, to make it. The writing is also wonderfully descriptive in establishing the setting. I felt like I was in the meadow, hearing the bees, feeling the heat during the end of the summer. I was in that small town. I understood the time and place. I will be anxiously awaiting another novel by Valerie Geary.

Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of William Morrow for review purposes ( )

Ever since I was a young reader I have loved books about kids overcoming evil and coming of age. Beginning with to kill a mockingbird and this afternoon continuing with Crooked River. I can't get enough of them. With innocence coupled with a unjaded view of the world, honesty with a belief in right and wrong sets he ground work for the best stories.
This book is yet another wonderful debut. ( )