When Silence Sings

Sarah Loudin Thomas writes Appalachia, especially Depression Era Appalachia.  Her newest offering, When Silence Sings, brings Jonah, Jesus, and the Hatfields and McCoys to life in ways that were never expected.

Colman Harpe hears things most other people cannot. When he hears a voice telling him to preach to the McLeans, his first thought is to go the other way.  One of the McLeans shot his cousin, Caleb, in the back over a card game. It's just one more volley in the feud between the Harpes and McLeans.

There is a power struggle between Webb Harpe and Serepta McLean, the leaders of the two families.  Webb wants Serepta's bootlegging operation and Serepta wants nothing more than power and wealth.  The demise of Serepta's hold on her family begins when both of her sons steal her liquor from her and one of them ends up dead.  Colman has been preaching to the family in a brush arbor meeting, but he still feels the burden to talk to Serepta. 

I have deeply appreciated every book that Sarah has written.  She writes with a depth often not seen in many books of this genre. She knows her setting well, and researches the history of the area to make her plots realistic.  Her characters are not only believable, but reach to the emotions of the readers, whether with love or dislike.

This is a five star book, with two thumbs up, and a song in the silence.

My thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley.com for providing the galley I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are my own.