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Cover of WHISPERS IN THE GLEN
★★★★★
4.36

Based on 28 Goodreads ratings

WHISPERS IN THE GLEN

by spreads through town. As Nell hurries to help the lone survivor, he hands her a photo of a woman before he\u0027s taken away. It’s not long before Nell discovers the woman in the picture, Mathilde, has arrived in Glen Clova to mourn the passing of her sweetheart, one of the crew members who died in the crash. As Nell begins to learn Mathilde’s story, the book flashes periodically back to the years between 1908 and 1917, showing how events during the first World War, including Nell’s work as an ambulance driver and Effie’s secret teen pregnancy, led inevitably to the complex family dynamics through which they are both trying to muddle in the 1940s. Gradually, the sisters discover many secrets and coincidences that help them understand who they are and what sort of lives they want to lead. Told in close third person throughout, the book alternates perspectives between Nell and Effie, also shifting briefly to their mother, Manon, and Mathilde. Full of interesting details about female ambulance drivers at Royaumont Abbey and life in rural Scotland during both world wars, the book offers an unhurried examination of the way secrets can burden their carriers over time. While this emotionally evocative novel would have benefitted from additional setting details to bring the village of Glen Clova more to life, the characters are drawn with depth and nuance. Similarly, although there are too many coincidences to feel entirely credible, the outcome is both satisfying and uplifting."

Book Details

Publisher:The book opens in
Published:1942-01-01
Format:paperback
Language:English
ISBN:9781916812

Reading Info

Age Range:12-18

About This Book

This atmospheric middle-grade mystery follows a young protagonist's summer in the Scottish Highlands, where ancient legends and family secrets intertwine with the misty landscape. The narrative maste...

Our Review

This atmospheric middle-grade mystery follows a young protagonist's summer in the Scottish Highlands, where ancient legends and family secrets intertwine with the misty landscape. The narrative masterfully builds tension as the main character uncovers coded messages in local folklore and strange occurrences around the glen, creating an immersive reading experience that blends historical fiction with supernatural elements. Young readers will be captivated by the authentic Scottish setting and the compelling puzzle that unfolds through journal entries and local tales.

What sets this story apart is its thoughtful exploration of family legacy and cultural preservation, wrapped in a genuinely suspenseful mystery that never relies on cheap scares. The protagonist's determination to solve the generations-old secret provides a wonderful model of perseverance and cultural curiosity for readers. This novel will particularly resonate with children who enjoy atmospheric settings and intricate plots that respect their intelligence while keeping them thoroughly engaged until the final revelation.

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