MAGIC HOUR
BY KRISTIN HANNAH
REVIEWED BY LINDA WICKLUND
As
you may have noticed Ms. Hannah is one of my
favorite authors. Mainly because her writing is so
beautifully descriptive and she often writes about
the struggles of women trying to help others which
in turn helps them to heal. This novel is no
exception.
The theme of this book is very special and unique.
It centers around two sisters who are very
different, but have a common goal. Trying to help
a tiny six-year-old girl who appears one afternoon
"hidden high in the autumn-colored leaves of the
maple tree." The little child will not speak and
holds a snarling wolf pup in her arms.
The story begins with one of the sisters, Julia
Cates, a psychiatrist who lives in Los Angeles
going to court to respond to a charge that she was
partially responsible for the suicide of one her
patients who killed three of her friends and then
herself. She is exonerated that morning, but
unfortunately her reputation and practice are
ruined.
Meanwhile, her sister Ellie Barton, who is the
Police Chief in their hometown of Rain Valley in
the Pacific Northwest is dealing with the little
girl in the Maple tree who won't come down! Ellie
had read all kinds of manuals about police
procedures and dealing with murder and mayhem, but
there was nothing to prepare her for a silent
child and a snarling wolf pup. She needs help and
that would be her sister Julia.
Julia and Ellie then take on the extremely
difficult task of finding this abused and battered
child's family. Alice (the name they give her) is
malnourished, dehydrated, and covered with
evidence of severe physical abuse including
ligature marks on one ankle indicating she'd been
tied for a long period of time.
With infinite patience and love, Julia and Ellie
work tirelessly to save this beautiful child and
discover her past. It is a story you will long
remember as one of tender healing and recovery as
Julia makes remarkable progress with one word at a
time - safe.
I hope you enjoy this beautiful story of two
sisters saving Alice and themselves as well.
Happy reading! |