The subject matter for this book is the aftermath of a school shooting in a small town in the U.S. The story is told from the point of view, mostly, of two people: Jennifer, whose son Bobby was one of the victims, and Charlotte, the town mayor who is trying to get the town back to some kind of normal.

I like the way we see both women’s points of view. Charlotte’s husband, Jordan, is the school principal who (supposedly) saved a bunch of children’s lives and confronted the shooter. However, there are secrets and lies in that statement.

If I’m honest, I was very underwhelmed with this book. I’ve read two fiction books on the same subject matter before (Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult and Only Child by Rhiannon Navin), and both were much, much better than this one. They were on a different level altogether. That is, partly, because the characters in this book are all two dimensional. Where I could have been incredibly moved (I should have been), I was kind of bored. I didn’t believe in the characters. I wanted to know more about how people in the town were affected. I just didn’t connect with any of the characters. In addition, I can’t really say what the plot is. Nothing really happens.

On top of all this, I didn’t think the author was very good at writing. Her editor, if she had one, was slack. I constantly found myself confused over which character was speaking. It wasn’t set out clearly. Plus, every time the author wrote “who” she added an “m.” Now, I know, sometimes, it should be “whom,” but she had that every single time. Very irritating! For example, “Whom is that knocking on the door?” That kind of thing.

All of this doesn’t add up to a very favourable review. However, I didn’t entirely hate this book. I was interested to find out what Jordan’s secret would be (although, it wasn’t too hard to guess, as it turned out). I wanted to see Jenn accept that Charlotte was doing the right thing and really did have the good of the town at her heart.

So, overall, I don’t recommend this book. The really good thing about it is it’s not too long.

People who want a quick read that doesn't really get them thinking too hard.

Ummmm. It was short.

The author's writing style and how badly edited the book is. I didn't like the characters. They didn't work.

Read something I know I will enjoy.

Frustrated. Annoyed. Bored.

Steena Holmes. I see she has actually written a number of books. I was thinking this was her first when I read. But, she has quite a few books (and quite a few good reviews).

It doesn't hold your interest. There are plot holes and the characters are two dimensional.

Interested in buying this? Support Writing.Com by making your purchase of Stillwater Rising   from Amazon.Com!

Created Oct 25, 2021 at 5:34am • Submit your own review...