My rating: 2.5/5
Buried secrets resurface in the quaint town of Gossamer Grove, that exposes the iniquities of a community whose intention to ignore truth stifles their ability to redeem and forgive. The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond by Jamie Jo Wright is a story comprising a mystery that uncovers the dangers of deception, the sting of unrighteous judgement, and the power of redemption.
Written with a dual timeline approach, with a century separating each period, gives the story an element of historical fiction, while being primarily a mystery. The Reckoning of Gossamer Pond is comprised of two main characters, a century apart, with similar challenges. Annalise Forsythe is the main character in present day Gossamer Grove, who’s lived much of her life attempting to ignore a shameful secret that has stolen her peace and stifled her Christian faith. When a dead body is discovered in a trailer home of a recluse in the community, it sets off a trail of events that threatens to expose century old secrets within a prominent family in the community. The discovery of the dead body also exposed the victim’s active research into the lives of the prominent family as well as his unusual interest in Annalise. When a former friend returns to Gossamer Grove unexpectedly after 12 years of absence, she is forced to acknowledge her painful past and finally heal the broken heart she has ignored for so long. Her journey towards discovering the reasoning for the victim’s peculiar interest in her, threatens to expose her secret and places her life in danger.
Libby Sheffield is the main character in the period a century prior to the present day. While working alongside her father at the local newspaper, she receives a mysterious note anonymously sent, informing of a death not yet occurred in Gossamer Grove. When a dead body is discovered the next day, a series of events occur that expose several lies and a scandal involving prominent members of the community. Amongst the exposures is the threat of the unveiling of a betrayal she has attempted to keep hidden. Her determination to unearth the killer could prove life threatening.
Although the plot seemed interesting in the synopsis, the novel failed to remain intriguing throughout the entire story. There were times when the pacing was dull and slow. The suspense did not get interesting until the last 10 percent of the book. In addition, this novel is categorized as Christian fiction; however, I was disappointed in the lack of inclusion of the Christian faith in the story. Although the novel deals primarily with the importance of forgiveness of oneself and others, as well as the significance of grace, these themes were not solely depicted being rooted in Christ. Grace and forgiveness towards others seemed to be encouraged because one needed grace and forgiveness themselves. More of an emphasis needed to be placed on the power of forgiveness and grace through Christ Jesus. There were several characters who were members of the clergy, yet this did not equate to adequate faith content. There was no portrayal of characters exhibiting faith in Jesus, little mention of characters having a personal relationship with Christ, and no depiction of their restoration of faith in Christ that was abandoned as a result of life challenges. This novel included only a sprinkle of Jesus in a story comprised of mostly mystery and murder. I do not recommend this.
