Helpful Score: 2
The other reviewers have covered the plot numerous times, so I won't get into that too much. The book starts out with Marielle's wedding at Holly Oak and all the local women who knew Susannah gossiping about Marielle, which I personally found to be a bit of a turn off.
This is also a book that has two story lines; one in the present day involving Marielle and the other in the past involving Susannah. I'm not sure if it's just me, but, many books that have two story lines are hard for me to really get into. I find I have to be really interested in both stories. When reading, I found that I was more entertained with Susannah's story than with Marielle's and I found it hard to keep reading.
The story also contained a bit of a haunting aspect to it as some of the residents in Fredericksburg believed the house (Holly Oak) was haunted. Many (the gossips around the area) believed the ghost of Susannah haunted Holly Oak. From the blurp on the back of the book one would think that this book would have more about a ghost and/or hauntings of the past.
Since this book did not contain any graphic or mature situations, it could be read by most audiences. Though, since the two stories revolve around women and their emotions, I believe probably this book would be more enjoyed by women.
Overall, it's not a bad story and there were parts I found enjoyable about the history of the house and area. Though, it's not one I think I'd read again.
This is also a book that has two story lines; one in the present day involving Marielle and the other in the past involving Susannah. I'm not sure if it's just me, but, many books that have two story lines are hard for me to really get into. I find I have to be really interested in both stories. When reading, I found that I was more entertained with Susannah's story than with Marielle's and I found it hard to keep reading.
The story also contained a bit of a haunting aspect to it as some of the residents in Fredericksburg believed the house (Holly Oak) was haunted. Many (the gossips around the area) believed the ghost of Susannah haunted Holly Oak. From the blurp on the back of the book one would think that this book would have more about a ghost and/or hauntings of the past.
Since this book did not contain any graphic or mature situations, it could be read by most audiences. Though, since the two stories revolve around women and their emotions, I believe probably this book would be more enjoyed by women.
Overall, it's not a bad story and there were parts I found enjoyable about the history of the house and area. Though, it's not one I think I'd read again.
Helpful Score: 1
A Sound Among the Trees by Susan Meissner revolves around an old antebellum Fredericksburg mansion, Holly Oak, that survived the Civil War. It is currently owned by Adelaide McClane, the great-granddaughter of Susannah Page, who was rumored to be a Civil War spy for the Union. With that rumor floats the superstitions that the house is haunted by Susannah's ghost. Or, according to Adelaide, the house wants a pardon or bears a grudge for all that went on in its tragic past, and the revenge is taken out on the women of the house, making them suffer tormentingly. Adelaide herself "lost" her daughter, Caroline, then her granddaughter, Sara, to a horrible accident, and lastly a freak accident herself.
I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down.
I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down.
Helpful Score: 1
This was a very good book by Susan Meissner. It is the story of one family's history and the beautify antebellum home they live in, and the misfortune that seems to fall upon them throughout the generations. I found the story interesting and enjoyable. I would recommend A Sound Among theTrees to others.
Marielle Bishop becomes the second wife of Carson Bishop and inherits much more than step children when she moves into the home he shared with his first wife. She joins the ready made family of Carson, his two children, and his first wifes grandmother, Adelaide. She also learns of the legends associated with the old southern mansion they all live in which includes tales of a great grandmother who was thought to be a Civil War spy for the North and whose ghost supposedly haunts the home. Feeling somewhat out of place and curious, Marielle begins to explore the house and look for clues to the past while Adelaide faces her own fears.
When I started reading this book it soon became apparent that it was not what I had expected the story line to be and I was not sure I would like it at all. But the more I read, the more it reminded me of the old Daphne du Maurier novel Rebecca. I continued reading and found it to become more and more interesting as I delved deeper into the book. I particularly liked the section of Susannahs letters and would have preferred that the entire book be her story. But all of the elements of a good suspense story were there with a satisfying conclusion. Marielles husband left a lot to be desired but if you can get past his non-involvement with his new wife and his lack of personality, the rest of the characters are interesting. My only criticism of the book would be the use of a medium and the obsession with ghosts and the supernatural. That really does not fit into the category of Christian fiction. It only contains the slightest mention of God with no reference to salvation or living a Christian life. While I dont think a book needs to be overly preachy to get the point across I expect more for one to be called Christian fiction. It is still a good read for those who like mysteries, but I would not recommend it as a Christian book.
I received this complimentary copy from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group through their Blogging for Books program. A positive review was not required and the opinions expressed here are my own.
When I started reading this book it soon became apparent that it was not what I had expected the story line to be and I was not sure I would like it at all. But the more I read, the more it reminded me of the old Daphne du Maurier novel Rebecca. I continued reading and found it to become more and more interesting as I delved deeper into the book. I particularly liked the section of Susannahs letters and would have preferred that the entire book be her story. But all of the elements of a good suspense story were there with a satisfying conclusion. Marielles husband left a lot to be desired but if you can get past his non-involvement with his new wife and his lack of personality, the rest of the characters are interesting. My only criticism of the book would be the use of a medium and the obsession with ghosts and the supernatural. That really does not fit into the category of Christian fiction. It only contains the slightest mention of God with no reference to salvation or living a Christian life. While I dont think a book needs to be overly preachy to get the point across I expect more for one to be called Christian fiction. It is still a good read for those who like mysteries, but I would not recommend it as a Christian book.
I received this complimentary copy from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group through their Blogging for Books program. A positive review was not required and the opinions expressed here are my own.
A Sound Among the Trees is the newest novel by Susan Meissner. It is a current day novel that tells the story of a family dealing with the past. Holly Oak is the name of the family home in Fredricksburg, Virginia. The home saw the turbulent days of the War Between the States and tragic way the war torn families apart.
Marielle comes to Holly Oak when she marries Carson. She agrees to live at Holly Oak for the sake of Carson's children from his deceased wife, whose grandmother still lives there. As Marielle becomes apart of the Holly Oak family she learns the history of the house and the women who had come before her, some with seemingly troubled pasts. While Marielle and Caroline clean out Sara's (Carson's first wife) are studio, they uncover letters and journals that shed new light on the history of the house.
This novel is well written and captivating. The intertwining of the history and modern day story are seamlessly done. The characters are lively and believable. The story does bog down a bit when it seems the reader will be left to read a pile of dusty letters long hidden and forgotten. The letters do answer many of the questions that had been hinted at throughout the years and solve mysteries that had thought to be held by the house.
Disclaimer: I received this book from Waterbrook Press as a member of the Blogging for Books program. All opinions expressed are my own.
Marielle comes to Holly Oak when she marries Carson. She agrees to live at Holly Oak for the sake of Carson's children from his deceased wife, whose grandmother still lives there. As Marielle becomes apart of the Holly Oak family she learns the history of the house and the women who had come before her, some with seemingly troubled pasts. While Marielle and Caroline clean out Sara's (Carson's first wife) are studio, they uncover letters and journals that shed new light on the history of the house.
This novel is well written and captivating. The intertwining of the history and modern day story are seamlessly done. The characters are lively and believable. The story does bog down a bit when it seems the reader will be left to read a pile of dusty letters long hidden and forgotten. The letters do answer many of the questions that had been hinted at throughout the years and solve mysteries that had thought to be held by the house.
Disclaimer: I received this book from Waterbrook Press as a member of the Blogging for Books program. All opinions expressed are my own.
This is yet another book that I have had a hard time deciding what I think of it. I was intrigued by what I thought this book was going to be, a good ghost story. But in the end that is not what it was at all. Despite this however, it was an interesting story to read. At the finale of the book though I had to admit that I have no idea what the author was going for, and no idea what the story was meant to mean.
We start with the marriage of Marielle and Carson. They have moved into Holly Oak, the family estate of his deceased first wife, and where he has been living with his children and his deceased wife's grandmother. They have decided to live in the family home because this is what the kids know and will be less of a transition for them. Once there, Marielle starts hearing stories about the ghost of Susannah Page. Susannah was suspected of being a Union spy during the civil war, despite her marriage to a Confederate offier. The stories go that she is haunting the house, and exacting revenge on the women who inhabit Holly Oak by bringing tragedy and dismay to their lives.
So far, this was all good and intriguing plot. But that's when it took a strange turn and went from being a fun ghost story to....well I'm not quite sure what. I think the author was trying to teach me some lesson about something but I was thrown through such a loop that I have no idea what. So in the end I have to give this 3 stars. Because, while I enjoyed the story being told, it was so fragmented that I was just confused after closing the book.
We start with the marriage of Marielle and Carson. They have moved into Holly Oak, the family estate of his deceased first wife, and where he has been living with his children and his deceased wife's grandmother. They have decided to live in the family home because this is what the kids know and will be less of a transition for them. Once there, Marielle starts hearing stories about the ghost of Susannah Page. Susannah was suspected of being a Union spy during the civil war, despite her marriage to a Confederate offier. The stories go that she is haunting the house, and exacting revenge on the women who inhabit Holly Oak by bringing tragedy and dismay to their lives.
So far, this was all good and intriguing plot. But that's when it took a strange turn and went from being a fun ghost story to....well I'm not quite sure what. I think the author was trying to teach me some lesson about something but I was thrown through such a loop that I have no idea what. So in the end I have to give this 3 stars. Because, while I enjoyed the story being told, it was so fragmented that I was just confused after closing the book.
