A really wonderful book. Threw you right into the reality of life with a non-verbal child/young adult, and with a mystery at its core. Top 10 of the year potential. Beautifully and sensitively written.

What can you do after visiting Shrewsbury Abbey but re-read a Cadfael book? This has never been one of my favourites of the series, but it grew on me on this reading.I felt for the characters, even the unlikeable ones, and

the ending is a tragedy

Enjoyable, and I liked the alternating points of view. I found myself both sympathising with the characters and understanding their motivations, even when I thought their actions were wrong. A good look at race and expectations (also gender to some extent).

Fascinating and informative, although a bit heavy going in places.

This began as enjoyable but slow to get going, but once it did, it was hard to put down. Heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time. Believable, mostly likeable characters, some a bit quirky.
Definite top 10 of the year potential, and will definitely re-read.

Very slow, and not much happened. I like character-driven books, but I do like SOMETHING to happen!

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would, although I don't think it can compete with To Kill a Mockingbird. The characters were believable and mostly likeable, although the undercurrent of racism couldn't be ignored. It felt like an accurate portrayal of many people's views at the time.

Evocative and - in places - infuriating portrayal of small town America in the early 1960s where racism and racial discrimination is just a taken for granted part of life. Interesting storyline and believable young characters.

Another great Three Dahlias mystery with more insight into the characters. The loos at a film set with its intrigues, gossip and jealousy was fascinating, and the relationship between the three leads just gets better and better.

This would have got fewer stars if it had been narrated by anyone else, but Andy Serkis could read me the phone book and I'd enjoy it.
Maybe I would have followed it better on the page, but with so many names and characters, I really didn't know what was going on at least half the time. Beautiful language and imagery though.