“Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore?”—Henry Ward Beecher
Right on, Henry Ward, right on. I can get behind a guy who’s all about God’s love and books, books, and more books. Weeks ago, I got a big hankerin’ for some new reads. Entranced, my car headed west towards Barnes & Noble—I was powerless to turn around. The flesh was weak. Inside, when I read this claim about debut novel Shadows of Pecan Hollow, I felt defenseless: “Set in 1970-90s Texas, a mesmerizing story about a fierce woman and the partner-in-crime she can’t escape, perfect for listeners of Where the Crawdads Sing and Valentine.” They had me at the promise of “perfect” for listeners of Crawdads.
I liked 13-year-old orphan, Kit Walker. She’s lost—understandably so—but she’s gritty, determined, and has a backbone that commands both respect and envy. Of course, she’s a child, which means she’s also vulnerable. When Kit meets Manny, a charming con-artist, her life bolts from despairing to pretty twisted. I couldn’t agree more with the Publishers Weekly reviewer who explains, “Much melodrama ensues, including some gratuitous violence. Nevertheless, Frost offers plenty of punchy lines. It’s uneven, but there’s promise here.” Speaking of promise, I don’t think this was “perfect” for listeners of Where the Crawdads Sing. Nope, can’t go there. Crawdads was special. Sharee and I agree Pecan Hollow was entertaining. But in the great expanse of stars, it’s lost somewhere in the 3’s.