Hawthorn Woods by Patrick Canning

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Hawthorn Woods

by Patrick Canning

Published by Smith Publicity on August 4, 2020
Genres: Historical Thriller
Pages: 295
Format: Kindle
Goodreads
BookBub
Get Your Copy at: Amazon, Book Depository

Summer, 1989. Reeling from a catastrophic divorce she just can’t seem to leave behind, Francine Haddix flees San Francisco for a two-week stay at her sister’s house in Hawthorn Woods, Illinois. The quaint neighborhood of shady trees and friendly neighbors seems like the perfect place to sort through her pain and finally move on with her life—but the tranquility doesn’t last long.

Beginning with a complete stranger throwing a drink in her face at her own welcome party, Francine soon discovers the supposedly idyllic suburb is hiding a disturbing number of mysteries. Why is the handsome-ish guy next door lying about who he is? What’s hidden in the back of the teenage troublemaker’s shed? Who wrote a threatening message in blood? Which of the smiling neighbors has a secret they’d kill to keep?

Seeking to reclaim a natural passion for sleuthing numbed by her divorce, Francine rewrites her prescription from one of relaxation to one of investigation. If she can detect the lies, follow the clues, and remember how to trust herself, she might get to the bottom of what’s so very wrong in Hawthorn Woods. She might even be able to believe the future can be good again—assuming she lives long enough to be in it.

Hawthorn Woods by Patrick Canning is a suspense-filled mystery that carries us through a neighborhood plagued with old prejudice and prideful people.

Will Francine and Charlie figure out what is going on in Hawthorn Woods before they are in danger too?

Francine

Francine is a hairdresser from San Francisco who is house and baby-sitting in Hawthorn Woods while her sister and brother-in-law are vacationing in Paris. She is recently divorced and is hoping to figure out what her next step in life will be. She gets involved in solving the crazy things that are happening in this lovely quiet neighborhood.

I found Francine such a relatable character. She has such passion and warmth, with flaws that aren’t always seen. Francine has the ability to, at times, see beyond the facade that people present to us. She fancies herself a grown-up Nancy Drew. I was rooting for her from the minute that drink hits her in the face.

The Mystery

Many mysteries are going on in this story. It starts with a woman throwing a drink in Francine’s face at her sister’s bon voyage party. Then there is a goat murdered, a writer who may or may not be a writer investigating someone in the neighborhood, an attack on a dog, a shed full of animal bones, and an abusive father stalking his family. Let’s say that Hawthorn Woods isn’t as quiet as it seems.

Four Stars

My rating for Hawthorn Woods by Patrick Canning is four stars.

I immensely enjoyed the back and forth of the mysteries. Francine is a wonderful main character with a surprising amount of courage. I loved the setting and time period. It reminded me of how easy things were before technology took over our lives. The author does a brilliant job of weaving the stories of the neighborhood into one fine mystery.

I recommend this book to all you mystery readers out there.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Hawthorn Woods by Patrick Canning.

Until the next time,

 

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