Today I am reviewing Beneath Still Waters by Cynthia A. Graham for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
About the book (from the publisher): The swamps and bayous around Cherokee Crossing, Arkansas have always been dark and mysterious, but on this summer day two boys stumble across the remains of a baby girl, headless and badly decomposed. Hick Blackburn, a reluctant sheriff with a troubled past, is called to the scene. With nothing to go on but the baby’s race and sex, the task of discovering who she is and how she died challenges all of Hick’s investigative skills. But Hick faces a deeper challenge. The vision of the infant has left him shattered, a reminder of a war crime he has tried to lock away, a crime that has begun to eat away at the edges of his life, destroying him one relationship at a time.
Set in the wake of World War II, Beneath Still Waters is a lyrical and haunting tale about the loss of innocence, the resilience of love, and the lengths to which people will go to survive.
My review: I really loved this gem of a novel. I was hooked from the first page and, at 215 pages, it turned out to be a fairly fast read. That was because I was riveted by the story, by the town of Cherokee Crossing and by the characters that came to life on the page.
It’s set in the years immediately following Word War II, and that placement in time is pivotal to the plot. Hick, the young sheriff, has recently returned from the war after enlisting at the age of 18. The Hick who comes back to Arkansas is not the same young man who left and the haunting memories he has of the war are taking over his life.
Graham has given us two parallel storylines; the war and the mark it has left on Hick, as well as the case he is investigating. She quite skillfully weaves these stories together. All of the supporting characters are strongly realized and Hick, the protagonist, is beautifully and heartbreakingly written.
In terms of setting, Graham has vividly created the world of a small and poor southern town in the years after the war. Cherokee Crossing is a character in and of itself. Her descriptions of place and time, land and water, are rich and eloquent. I felt I was there. I could see it all.
That doesn’t always happen in a novel.
Can Hick fight the demons and dreams that are haunting him? Can the mysterious death of a baby girl be solved?
I often think of my dad and the young men like him who enlisted at the young age of 18. So young, so innocent, so unprepared for the horrors of war. I think that’s why I found the character of Hick to be so compelling. Graham has written a powerful story of loss and sorrow and love and the need for redemption.
About the author: Cynthia A. Graham has a B.A. in English from the Pierre Laclede Honors College of the University of Missouri in St. Louis. She was the winner of several writing awards during her academic career and her short stories have appeared in both university and national literary publications. Cynthia is a member of the Historical Novel Society, the St. Louis Writer’s Guild, the Missouri Writer’s Guild, and Sisters in Crime. Beneath Still Waters is her first novel.
Unfortunately, there was no book giveaway in conjunction with this review, so I’m going to give away my copy of the book. I really want one of you to get the chance to read it. Don’t worry! My copy is in good condition!
Just leave a comment on this post before 9 pm on Friday, April 1st and I will choose the winner.
Happy Wednesday.
This sounds like a really interesting mystery – adding to my Amazon list – thanks!
Claudia, thanks for reviewing and suggesting this book. I need something new to engage my imagination and the time period and setting for this novel sound perfect. I, too, am adding it to my list.
Very nice of you to give your book away to one of us. Sounds like a good book.
Thank you
Great review, Claudia. I’m adding this book to my list.
Thank you Claudia for a chance to win this book. It does sound like a great story. Doris
Hi Claudia, this sounds like a very good book. Like others, I’m adding it to my list of TBR (to be read). Hope your winds have died down (ours finally did) and that the sun is shining for you and Don today.
Claudia, thanks for this review. It sounds like a book I would enjoy. Love your blog!
That sounds fascinating. I love it when there are two or more plots going at the same time, as so often happens in the mysteries I watch on PBS. I love seeing how the seemingly twisted, unrelated storylines become untangled and exposed at the end. Who doesn’t love a good mystery! Thanks for the review.
Sounds like a great story. I would love to win.
That is a strong favorable review for a first time novelist – I imagine we will see much more of her work in the future. Sounds like an interesting read.
Hmm. Sounds like a good read!!
It does sound like a good read. Thank you for parting with your copy!
Hugs,
Debbie
This sounds like a really good story. I will add to my TBR list!! I stopped at the thrift store yesterday looking for some Pat Conroy books and found 2, Beach Music and The Water is Wide! Can’t wait to start one as soon as I finish my current library books.
hugs,
Linda
This sounds like an exceptional read. Whether I win or not, I will be reading this book.
Have a great day!
Susan
Your review of this book has pulled me in and it sounds like a story told in just the way I’d like.
That sounds like a fascinating read! I’ll be putting this on my TBR list. Thanks for the chance to win it though! ;)
Sounds like a great read and I will add to my “hold” list at the library!! Thanks for the review.
I’ve never been disappointed when I read a book which you have reviewed. I too will be reading this one. Thanks for the chance to win your copy!
Two reasons for wanting to read this book – I’m a southern girl and love to read stories about the south. Two, my dad told me stories of one of my uncle’s that went to war when he was 18 (WW2). He did not make it home, was killed during the March to Bataan and is buried in Manila. If I don’t win, I think this will book will be causing a trip to BAM or BN..
Thanks for the great review.
Thanks for this captivating and wonderful feature and giveaway. Your review was excellent.
Thank you for a chance to win this book. Your recommendations are always great reads!
Sounds like a very interesting story. Great review. Thanks for the chance to win.
Sounds like a good book. Not one I have seen on the new releases at my library. Thanks for the opportunity to enter the giveaway.
Claudia…I would love to receive and read this book. My step father (for 46 years) was in the Army and served in WWII. He often told me and my three sons, so many stories of when he was over seas. Now that he is gone, I very much appreciate all of those stories, and have always appreciated his service to our country. I think reading this story, from another point of view, would be more than interesting, now that I have read your take on the book. Bonnie in rainy Wisconsin, where the temps feel like 38 degrees. Where is Spring???
I would love to read this book.
Thank you,
Linda
Your recommendations have given me hours of enjoyment. I’d love to read this book but my library doesn’t have it on order so I’m hoping to win.
I love can’t-put-down reads, and this sounds like one. I’d love to read it.
You’re very kind to offer your copy to a lucky reader.
My Daddy was one of those young soldiers too Claudia..Thanks for the chance to win!
I have added this to my reading list also. The time period appeals to me. I like historic suspense in books.
Sounds intriguing. I’m interested.
This sounds like a book I would love to read. Thank you for giving away your copy!
Sounds like a good read!
I really appreciate your book reviews. Thanks
Sounds very interesting. I love mysteries. Don’t know much about that part of the country. I like to learn about different parts of the USA through fiction books and then I follow up with research on my own.
I think this book will be an interesting read. I love fiction and haven’t been in the reading mood lately. I am currently only reading War and Peace that I received for Christmas several years ago. It is a very hard read and I can only read about 2 pages at a time on my lunch hour. I haven’t had the urge to read for a while. If I ever finish it I will go on social media and announce it to the world. My husband challenged me to read it and I will finish it.
So please pick me so I can have a new book to read and get my reading mojo back to finish War & Peace. I am half way through. I just need something to motivate me to get to the end.
Thank you for this great review which made me add this book to my list as well!
Look forward to reading this book.
I can no longer hold up a printed book for long due to mobility issues, so I’ve taken your word for it and bought the Kindle version. I have a flip-over Kindle case and can prop it up and read without having to hold the book. So, don’t add my name to the list from which the winner of the book will be chosen. However, I wanted to thank you for the review.
Thanks for being a part of the tour!
I received the book in the mail yesterday and I can’t wait to begin reading it! Thanks very much Claudia! Have a wonderful weekend!
So glad it arrived, Maureen. Enjoy!