The story gripped me—held me fast. Horrors that no one wants to think about played across the page and all without giving the kinds of details that readers don’t need. For that, I was grateful.

So with all that, why did I find it hard to read such a fabulous story?

Note: Links in this post are likely affiliates–small commission for me but no extra expense to you.  Additionally, I requested a review copy of this book. This review is what I thought of it.

Here’s My Verdict on The Mending of Lillian Cathleen

In The Mending of Lillian Cathleen, Linda Brooks Davis writes a compelling tale of family secrets, miscarriages of justice, the threat of what would become “The Great War,” and the horrible reality of sex-trafficking.

Too often, we like to think of those beautiful, glorious days of the Edwardian period as too genteel for the horrors of modern life, but sin lived and thrived in the “good old days” just as it does now.

[click_to_tweet tweet=”With careful skill, excellent research, and enough twists and turns to keep the most eager mystery and suspense lover happy, this historical novel has just the right amount of all but one element.” quote=”With careful skill, excellent research, and enough twists and turns to keep the most eager mystery and suspense lover happy, this historical novel has just the right amount of all but one element.”]

That one made it almost made me put it down at every page.

Seriously, I had to force myself to read this book. And it’s not the author’s fault.

Her writing style, written in any other tense would have made this one of the best books I read all year. I’d have overlooked a first-person POV without much trouble. While I don’t enjoy books written in the first-person much, sometimes it’s the best choice for a story.

But present tense makes my teeth itch, and because of it, my natural inclination is to give what is otherwise an excellent book two stars.

That’s not fair or just. The only thing I don’t like about it isn’t the author’s fault. She told an excellent story and she told it well.

I just had to fight to make it through it at all. Confession time: I know I skimmed parts. Although I tried hard not to, it happened.

Look, I can’t give this book five stars. I can’t. But I will give it four because I requested a review copy and it’s only right that I give it a fair review. And fair means that I review without personal bias for things that the author cannot help.  And Ms. Davis can’t help that she chose the one style that makes me curl into fetal position and beg not to have to finish.

[click_to_tweet tweet=”I recommend this book for historical fiction lovers, those who love to see people fighting for the downtrodden, for mystery and suspense aficionados, and for people who aren’t annoyed by books written in the present tense. ;)” quote=”I recommend this book for historical fiction lovers, those who love to see people fighting for the downtrodden, for mystery and suspense aficionados, and for people who aren’t annoyed by books written in the present tense. ;)”]