Mary E. Trimble

The Book of Two Ways, a novel by Jodi Picoult, kept me guessing from start to finish. Picoult has become one of my favorite authors and this novel reaffirmed my opinion of this fine writer. The contemporary novel takes place in Egypt and Boston.

Dawn Edelstein, nearing her forties, is one of thirty-six passengers who survive a plane crash. The survivors are seen by a doctor, then offered transportation to wherever they want to go. Surprisingly, Dawn chooses not to return to her home in Boston, but rather to Egypt in search of Wyatt Armstrong, a man she last saw fifteen years ago.

Dawn’s decision to go to Egypt is contrary to what one might expect. At their home in Boston is her husband, Brian, a physicist, and their teenage daughter, Meret. Dawn has a successful career as a death doula, in which she helps clients ease the transition between life and death. She has an interesting background. Years earlier, before marriage, Dawn studied at Yale in an Egyptian archaeology and social anthropology program. While there she met Wyatt Armstrong, an arrogant upperclassman from England. Dawn was not impressed, though he was obviously knowledgeable in Egyptian archaeology. Later, she worked three seasons in a doctorate program in Bersha, located in the middle of Egypt, where Wyatt was her supervisor, and where she was able to use her expertise in hieroglyphics. Now, fifteen years later, Wyatt is the director of the Egyptology program in Egypt. Dawn and Wyatt’s relationship takes a romantic turn and they discover one another in a different light.

As the story unfolds, we see Dawn’s seemingly happy home life in Boston with her husband, Brian, and their daughter, Meret. Dawn’s dedication to her profession as a death doula is evident as she assists a dying woman face death. Although teenage Meret has self-image problems, she and her mother have a close relationship.

Now, again in Egypt, Dawn has an opportunity to see what her life might have been, to revisit her one-time sought-after career, and the man she once fiercely loved.

The Book of Two Ways is an interesting title. It’s taken from an earlier Egyptian title that is one of the earliest known “guides to the beyond,” offering a spiritual map intended to help the deceased navigate the afterlife.

I was impressed with this novel, and also with the author’s obvious knowledge of Egyptian archaeology and social anthropology, and also the interpretation of hieroglyphics. The storyline is sometimes a bit confusing, but on the whole I enjoyed the journey as well as the concept of taking a fresh look at decisions that impact the rest of our lives.

Book Review: A Burnt-Out Case

Posted on January 5, 2026 by Mary

A Burnt-Out Case by Graham Greene (1904-1991) is a celebrated novel about a famous architect who has lost his zest for life.

Architect M. Querry is world-renowned for his magnificent churches. But he admits, the churches were not designed for the glory of God, but for the satisfaction of self. He suddenly finds himself indifferent to not only his work, but to life itself. He travels to a colony of lepers in the remote jungles of Africa to simply put in time, perhaps make himself useful in his final days.

Although at one time a religious man, Querry is now a disbeliever. He becomes friends with Doctor Colin, a fellow atheist, who encourages the famous architect to design a hospital for the lepers. Querry seeks no recognition for his work; in fact, avoids any fanfare at all. But greatness is hard to hide and once the word is out that he is in their midst, he is haunted by his own greatness. His life is further complicated by a local hypocritical plantation owner and his young, lonely and abused wife.

I very much enjoyed Graham Greene’s strong sense of place, which in this case was Africa. The author traveled some of the wildest and most volatile parts of the world allowing the reader to inhabit for a time the images he created. I consider this novel a classic and recommend it to anyone with an interest in the human spirit as well as a fascination with the mysteries of Africa.

Book Review: Well of Deception

Posted on December 29, 2025 by Mary

Well of Deception by Cynthia Leal Massey, a spell-binding novel inspired by true events, encompasses the decades from the Great Depression to the devastating drought of the fifties.

Leta Becker, although married, is often lonely. Her husband, Amos, a farmer, is moody and non-communicative, except when he is raging over trivial things. They have no children. Amos and Leta had a long fifteen-year courtship due to her parents’ dependence on her. Leta was thirty-seven when they married, Amos forty-four.

Amos often rails about their neighbor, Maggie Schneider. He claims that she is too outspoken, and resents her success in raising turkeys. Three neighboring farms share a well, and Amos claims Maggie and her husband Sam use more than their share of water because of those turkeys. Texas has experienced a long drought and the lack of water directly affects farmers and their livelihood.

Maggie Schneider, Becker’s neighbor, is known for her success in raising prized White Holland turkeys. Her husband, Sam, several years older than Maggie, adores his wife, and they have been happily married for twenty-two years. Sam often worries about his younger sister, Leta, but has no regard for her husband, Amos.

While feeding her turkeys one morning, Maggie is shot in the chest and dies within minutes. Many people heard the loud “bang,” but there are no witnesses to the murder. Coincidently, Amos Becker goes missing. It seems obvious that Amos is the killer, but what would drive a man to do such a thing? And why? Water shortage wouldn’t be a reason for murder, would it? And where is he? Posses haven’t been able to find him—could he have gone to Mexico?

Cynthia Leal Massey has written an intricate true-crime story that involves extended families and their history of insanity, accidental deaths, suicides…and now murder. Family loyalties are evident, but sometimes there are feuds within a family, or with extended families. The author does a good job of showing hardships of the times, and the unforgiving harshness of the land. Well of Deception is a complex story of many layers, a tale of a community riddled with intrigue and deception.

Book Review: Saving Her Prairie

Posted on December 22, 2025 by Mary

Saving Her Prairie, a novel by Heidi M. Thomas, is a gripping, relevant story of a young woman’s fight to protect her generations-old family land from human and animal predators. The contemporary story takes place in ranch country, Montana.

Dede Hume, twenty-three, is suddenly in charge of her family’s Montana cattle ranch. Her great-grandparents homesteaded the ranch in 1911 and following generations have maintained it as a successful, viable way of life. Her father has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and her parents want to take a once-in-a-lifetime vacation before the disease makes it impossible to do so. It’s a huge responsibility for Dede, even with the help of her younger brother. Tommy, twenty, is capable and willing to help, but is yearning to mingle with friends.

Running a successful ranch is hard work, but added to that burden is a threat from the Western Wildlands Preserve (WWP), a conservation group who want to create a big wildlife refuge in the area. Their goal is to produce a wide stretch of land, a nature reserve with no fences where bison and other wild animals can roam freely. Their plan involves purchasing three million acres of public and private land, a territory larger than Yellowstone National Park.

Ranchers are fighting the movement. Their job for generations has been to feed the nation. For years, ranchers have worked with the Bureau of Land Management to establish best conservation practices by building fences, rotating pastures, reducing overgrazing, and building water systems that benefit both livestock and wildlife.

One of the greatest dangers of letting bison roam free is that they are known carriers of brucellosis, a disease that affects cattle, leading to significant reproductive issues such as abortion, retained placenta, and infertility. Brucellosis can also be transmitted to humans, posing a public health risk.

When the WWP buys a neighboring ranch, Dede’s worst nightmare comes true. She finds a bull buffalo has broken through an adjoining fence, grazing with the ranch’s cattle. As it happens, Dirk Winslow, the foreman on that neighboring ranch, has shown an interest in Dede. Although she’s attracted to him, he has associations with WWP, so a relationship with him is out of the question. Or is it?

How can individual ranches fight against this all-consuming force that threatens cattle ranchers and subsequently the nation?

Saving Her Prairie is not only a well-written story of one young woman’s struggle to save her family’s ranch, but also a struggle for Montana ranchers’ way of life and their job to feed the nation. This book was an eye-opener for me, and I suspect will be for many readers. It’s stark reality is a wake-up call for action.

Book Review: Christmas Wishes

Posted on December 15, 2025 by Mary

Christmas Wishes, a novella by Carmen Peone, is related to the “Seven Tine Ranch Romance” series. The heart-warming contemporary story takes place in Eastern Washington on the Colville Indian Reservation.

Mandie Sellars, a single mom, dreams of becoming the Events Planner for the Seven Tine Ranch, a third-generation guest ranch. She is currently their head cook and is valued in that role. When her boss puts her in charge of a wedding, a last-minute Christmas Eve event, Mandie is elated to have the opportunity to prove herself worthy of the job. But there is a big problem—that’s when her own wedding was to take place.

Hudson Piccolo, Mandie’s fiancé, is everything Mandie wants…and needs. Her first husband left when he learned Mandie was pregnant with their daughter, Nona, now five years old. Hudson will be a wonderful husband to Mandie and a great, loving father to Nona.

But there is a hitch in their future plans. Hudson, an attorney, is dissatisfied with his current job of serving foreclosures. He has been offered a dream job at a lucrative environmental law firm in Seattle, a job that would deal with salmon protection in local lakes and streams. However, Mandie wants to live on the Reservation close to family. Living in a big city has no appeal to her; in fact, it frightens her.

Dealing with two weddings due to take place at the same time, and the possible change of jobs that would involve moving away from family and reservation life, has put a strain on Mandie and Hudson’s relationship.

Christmas Wishes is a fast-paced story about the value of faith and compromise, of having the courage to “let go and let God” guide their lives.

Book Review: Lasting Promise

Posted on December 8, 2025 by Mary

“There’s not any one of us who never had to face challenges. The difference is what you do about it.”—From Lasting Promise

Lasting Promise, a novel by Susanna Lane, the third book of the “Promise” series, takes place mostly in Dakota Territory, beginning 1879.

Gus Quaid has suffered the terrible loss of his wife. Ten years ago, she was taken by Brule Sioux during a raid at their ranch. As a way of searching for his wife, he works off and on as an Army scout, rounding up renegades. He longs to return to his horse ranch, but finding his beloved wife is of uppermost importance. When in a Fort Benton saloon, he eyes a fiery woman, a stunning beauty. Intrigued, he approaches her, but is soundly rejected.

Victoria (Tori) Barrett has been betrayed–twice–and is determined to not have that happen again. When she sees big, handsome Gus Quaid, she at first rebuffs him, but then sees a way out of her present situation. With Gus as her protector, she leaves Fort Benton bound for a destination far enough away that she can’t be found.

As Gus and Tori travel first by boat, then by train, they learn about one another, their desperation, fears, and weaknesses. They finally arrive in Ogallala, Nebraska and, to their surprise, they find common ground: two of Gus’s best friends, brothers, have a ranch there, and to Gus’s surprise the same ranch is owned by Tori’s family. But will her past catch up with her and ruin her future? Will Gus be able to overcome his terrible loss and have a life with Tori?

Lasting Promise is a story with many facets. Author Susanna Lane deals with the two diverse personalities with aplomb—Gus’s situation and heartbreak, and Tori’s fear and desperation. This story is captivating and at times gritty. Susanna Lane builds suspense while giving the reader a strong sense of place and attitudes of the times.

Book Review: Lost and Broken Things

Posted on December 1, 2025 by Mary

Lost and Broken Things, a novel by Linda Sandifer is a memorable account of loyalty and bravery set in Idaho’s vast back-country in the shadow of Blue Mountain, 1929.

Lily Statton, fourteen, and her brother Davy, eleven, have been tending sheep all summer. They camp out with Lily sleeping in the sheep wagon, Davy in a small tent. No one has brought them food for two weeks and they’re getting desperate. Lily and Davy aren’t actually brother and sister, they are both adopted. The two are loyal to each other though they really feel no loyalty from either their adoptive mother, or her latest husband, their so-called step-father.

Miranda Oakes, the kids’ adoptive mother, is preoccupied with running a sheep ranch, flirting with neighboring ranchers, and making one poor decision after another. One of her latest decisions was marrying Eddie, or Pretty Eddie as Lily and Davy call him. He is handsome, but mean, to them in particular, but also to animals and anyone who gets in his way. The only thing he really seems to care about is his sheep. Sheep mean money.

When the kids’ plight is brought to light, it becomes apparent that Miranda is missing. There are a few possibilities where she might be, but when Sheriff Jack Tanner is alerted of the situation, a search for her is organized.

Sheriff Jack Tanner has a deep sadness. While he was in France fighting World War I, his wife and baby died of influenza. He is attracted to Anne Blake, who served as a nurse in the War and later went back to school and became a doctor. But he can’t get over the loss of his wife and the baby he never saw.

Lost and Broken Things is an exceptionally fine story. The author describes with vivid detail the surrounding countryside. Conversations are realistic, heart-felt, and flow naturally. The story of the kids’ heart-rending plight, the meanness of their step-father, the selfishness of their adoptive mother, the heartache of the sheriff’s tragic loss, all meld into an inspiring novel of depth. I loved Lost and Broken Things and highly recommend it.

Book Review: The Fossil Hunter

Posted on November 24, 2025 by Mary

“We cannot control the situations that life presents us. We can only control how we respond to them.”—The Fossil Hunter

The Fossil Hunter, a novel by Irene Sandell, is a captivating story that takes place from years surrounding1905 and toggling to 2015, Texas.

In 2015, Meredith Bannon, 73, a flower child of the ‘60s, travels to Troubadour, Texas. It has been fifty years since she’s been there, years of highs and lows, mostly due to bad choices. Her grandmother Grace has passed away and has left the house on 200 acres to her. Meredith was raised in this house by her grandmother, which has left many unanswered questions about her own parents.

Meredith has mixed feelings when she sees the Victorian-style house with its tall white columns. It was already old when she lived there. But now she sees the home as an adult. Inside, it’s like a time-capsule, and memories come flooding back.

In 1905, Grace Freeman is ready for a change. She has taught in a one-room schoolhouse for eight years, and it’s time to move on. At the age of 24 she applies for secretarial school for young women in Fort Worth. She thrives on her new skills and sees the world opening up for her. After graduating, she accepts a position in Troubadour, Texas, working for an insurance company. She meets and falls in love with
a widower, Martin Durham, a barber and the town marshal. They move to the house where he’d lived with his wife, a large Victorian home. Martin is a kind, well respected man, but is adamant that a wife’s place is in the home, that a wife working outside the home is demeaning to her husband.

While both Meredith’s and her grandmother’s stories are unveiled, interesting discoveries of fossils are introduced: a fossil bed that is the largest in the world for Paleozoic fossils, estimated to be 298 million years old. In both women’s stories paleontologists work the fields where the fossils have been discovered.

I found The Fossil Hunter a story with meaningful messages. Times have changed but human needs remain basically the same. We need to be able to express ourselves, to learn, and to grow. There have been times when people can manage no more than survival. And it’s true that many people are content with just being, letting life play itself out. But to learn new things, to expand our knowledge and live up to our potential, that’s living life to the fullest. In The Fossil Hunter, we see both kinds of living. One, a life of poor choices, and the other of striving to learn, but chafing with restrictions. And along the way, we learn of fossils and the work of paleontologists. In The Fossil Hunter we experience the ancient, the old, and the new.

Book Review: Buckeye

Posted on November 17, 2025 by Mary

Buckeye, a novel by Patrick Ryan is a mesmerizing story of two midwestern families that span from just before World War II to the late twentieth century.

In Bonhomie, Ohio, population 6,000, young men are leaving to serve in the military. Some will go to Europe, and later, to the South Pacific. Cal Jenkins tries to enlist, but because he has a deformity—one leg is shorter than the other—the army won’t accept him. Instead, he volunteers for the Citizens Defense Corps. He marries Becky, who has a spiritual gift: she is a seer who can contact the dead. She doesn’t capitalize on her gift, she offers her services for free, helping people connect with lost loved ones. At times, Cal is annoyed with the steady stream of people who come to their home seeking Becky’s comfort.

When Margaret Salt was a baby, she was left at a Bonhomie orphanage with no name or explanation. Although she was placed in homes a few times, she was always returned. She’s treated well at the orphanage, but longs to live a normal life, an exciting life. She dreams of living in a big glamorous city, like Columbus. As soon as she becomes an adult, she moves to Columbus and loves the glamor of city life. She meets and later marries handsome Felix Salt, but is bitterly disappointed when his new job takes him to the small town of Bonhomie, the very town she’d hoped to escape.

War raged in the South Pacific, and Felix is called to serve on a ship that delivers supplies needed for the war effort. He had served 2 ½ years when the ship is struck by a torpedo. Felix is rescued but suffers from much more than his physical injuries.

During all the turmoil of war, chance encounters become a driving force that transform the lives of these two families over generations.

Buckeye is an amazing, sweeping novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. The war years took their toll in many ways, both on the battlefields and at home. Secrets are not kept forever and when they surface the pain can be overwhelming and life-changing. This novel is about life and loss, and about bringing truth to light with understanding and forgiveness.

Book Review: All the Forgivenesses

Posted on November 10, 2025 by Mary

All the Forgivenesses, a novel by Elizabeth Hardinger, begins in the Appalachian hills in southeast Kentucky, 1906. It’s a story of strength in the face of deep poverty, and inspired by the author’s own family history.

Albertina “Bertie” Winslow, fifteen, is the third child and the oldest daughter in the family. She has two older brothers, a younger brother, two younger sisters, and twin baby brothers. Bertie works alongside her mother, cooking, cleaning and taking care of the younger children. Her unreliable father, a so-called horse trader, is often drunk and mean. The older boys leave home to make their own way, but obviously to get away from their father.

The family moves to a run-down farm in Missouri. Bertie’s mother is chronically ill and when she dies, Bertie takes on the responsibility of the housework, her four younger siblings and their unreliable father. Although she attended school in her early years, it’s only a faint memory. She’s needed at home. To make money, Bertie kills and dresses chickens, takes in ironing, does whatever she can to put food on the table. Bertie’s a capable girl and knows how to run a household, but she’s soon overwhelmed. The oldest of her younger sisters, Dacia, is resentful and stubborn, making Bertie’s life even more difficult. To add to her burden, Bertie harbors grief and guilt over past family tragedies.

Bertie has one friend, Alta Bea, a little older than Bertie, who is from a comparatively rich family. Alta Bea’s story is threaded throughout Bertie’s life, and although their backgrounds are entirely different, they remain friends.

When Bertie is sixteen, she marries Sam Frownfelter, a hard-working young man in the draying business. Sam owns a springboard wagon pulled by two mules and hauls goods for pay. He loves music and plays the fiddle. Sam willingly provides for Bertie’s younger siblings, and is a steadying force when dealing with family conflicts.

Bertie, Sam and the children eventually move to the Kansas oil fields. They rent an old run-down house that hasn’t been lived in for years. Sam works in the oil fields, hauling machinery, spare parts and pipe, using 10- or 12-horse teams. Although money isn’t as scarce as before, Bertie is plagued by her sister Dacia’s hateful attitude. Sam remains a constant, steady influence despite the upheaval so often present in their lives.

I found All the Forgivenesses an engrossing story of courage in the face of deep poverty and emotional upheavals. Though easy to read, the story, written in first person, is told in Appalachian dialect, and was inspired by the author’s own family lore. I found the story to be a good reminder of what stark poverty looks like and how deep it runs. This is a captivating novel of family loyalty, redemption, and resilience.