Letter from Home

by Carolyn Hart
Carver County Library, hardcover, 262 pages

This is our CMSW summer read. Since I'll be discussing it more than two months from now, but don't want to give away any key plot points, . . . this will be a circumspect blog entry. I liked this story. A lot. It took 'til the very ending to find out the truth, and it wasn't what I expected.

I loved the character of Gretchen! There was such a good mix of innocence and maturity. I adored her grandmother, and especially liked how she modeled and lived her faith in God. It was so painful when Gretchen's friends started rejecting her, but it was believable.

Each chapter started with a portion of the letter (written in the modern time period), which I understood came from Barb. Then Gretchen's old-lady / modern thoughts as she is in the cemetery of her home town. The rest of each chapter told the story of the events of Summer 1944. I love this author's writing style! The sights, sounds, heat, etc. all came alive as I read - especially Gretchen's terror as she goes to the cabin in the woods alone. Very cool book!

I didn't like the resolution, though I was glad to find out the truth of Faye's murder. It reminded me of Lovely Bones, where resolution comes so much longer after the crime has been committed. This will be fun to discuss! (If I remember enough.)

Gretchen (G.G.) Gilman - 13 year old newspaper reporter for the Gazette
Chief Fraser - police chief at odds with the sheriff and county attorney, believes Clyde is innocent
Clyde Tatum - soldier home on leave, believed to have murdered his wife Faye
Faye Tatum - artist, mother, lover of life, unconventional woman
Cousin Hilda - comes to help run the restaurant, drill sergeant-type
Sergeant Petty - female police officer (because most men are away in the war)
Ralph Cooley - sleazy alcoholic reporter who used to write for the INS
Sheriff Moore - in tight with Durwood, wants to capture Clyde
Reverend Byars - nasty, mean-spirited pastor
Archer Street - where Gretchen lives with her Grandma / also the Tatums' street
Jim Dan Pulliam - teenager who was encouraged in his art by Faye
Sergeant Holliman - police officer who gets hurt during the breakin at the Tatums
Mayor Burkett - typical glory-hog politician
Donny Durwood - county attorney who aspires to high political office, married to one of elite society
Barb Tatum - daughter of murdered Faye Tatum, tragic figure
Lou Hopper - woman who runs the Blue Light
Mrs. Crane - Tatums' next door neighbor, who knew some secrets . . .

I hope I can remember well enough to discuss. Good book!