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Book Reviews of The Mourning Hours

The Mourning Hours
The Mourning Hours
Author: Paula Treick DeBoard
ISBN-13: 9780778319610
ISBN-10: 077831961X
Publication Date: 5/31/2016
Pages: 336
Edition: Reissue
Rating:
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 6

3.7 stars, based on 6 ratings
Publisher: MIRA
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

6 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

laurapolk avatar reviewed The Mourning Hours on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Kirsten is an ordinary kid living the good life on a Wisconsin farm with her parents and older brother & sister. While watching her family play on a summer softball league, she meets Stacy Lemke, a pretty & popular girl who has eyes for Kirsten's older brother. Not just a little manipulative, Stacy soon becomes a regular part of their lives. Stacy's spoiled nature soon makes it's appearance and Kirsten witnesses some private situations between her brother, Johnny, who is a star high school wrestler with a short fuse and Stacy. When Stacy disappears after a date with Johnny, during a snowstorm, all fingers are pointed in his direction and Kirsten begins questioning what her brother is actually capable of.

It was a decent book. I liked it but wasn't crazy about it. I like a good suspense, but felt that there was some information revealed at the end of the book that should have been presented much earlier in the story. There was no tie there and the ending just didn't seem to make sense to me (that's all I can say without spoiling it for you)
reviewed The Mourning Hours on
This book was suspenseful and a page turning. She did a great job with character development.
reviewed The Mourning Hours on
A great read from an up and coming author. Can't wait for her next book.
nightprose avatar reviewed The Mourning Hours on + 112 more book reviews
This novel drew me in immediately. I did not want to put it down. The setting is a rural farm community in Wisconsin, which I can relate to. The characters are believable, and people I could care about.

Kirsten Hammarstrom and her siblings are drawn back to their family farm by a tragedy. Many years ago, tragedy tore the Hammarstrom family apart, dividing them as well as their community. Kirsten recalls the events that occurred when she was only nine years old.

Kirsten looked up to her brother Johnny, a high school sports hero. She also idolized his popular, wealthy girlfriend. Both families had mixed feelings, as the couple became inseparable. Pampered Stacy was very controlling and demanding. She often interfered with Johnny's goals and responsibilities.

Young Kirsten began to notice and hear things that no one else did. She observed odd conversations and interactions between the young couple. These things concerned and confused her, especially when Stacy suddenly goes missing. Johnny is the last one to have seen her. As the investigation ensues, the town becomes divided and the families literally become torn apart. The case goes unsolved.

Now, years later the Hammarstrom family must come together and face each other through another tragedy. The events and betrayals that tore them all apart are dredged back up. Ultimately, by coming together their questions are finally answered.

I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend this novel. I hope for more like this from author Paula Treick DeBoard.
reviewed The Mourning Hours on + 12 more book reviews
I have to admit, I didn't think we'd ever find out what happened to Stacy Lemke and the author would leave us hanging. However, the last 50 pages of the book are the best and I couldn't stop reading. As an only child, I don't think I can appreciate the book as much, but I did enjoy it.
reviewed The Mourning Hours on
This was honestly an astounding story of a family and the tragedy that tainted and changed all their lives from the day of the occurrence until the death of an abandoned family member! Told from the youngest family member with deep understanding of what she was learning and experiencing during their lives. The book is written well, the plot scary and heartbreaking --- really good read with a disturbing ending!