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Camino Island #3
Camino Ghosts
In this new thriller on Camino Island, popular bookseller Bruce Cable tells Mercer Mann an irresistible tale that might be her next novel. A giant resort developer is using its political muscle and deep pockets to claim ownership of a deserted island between Florida and Georgia. Only the last living inhabitant of the island, Lovely Jackson, stands in its way. What the developer doesn’t know is that the island has a remarkable history, and locals believe it is cursed…and the past is never the past…
304 pages, Hardcover
First published May 28, 2024
About the author
John Grisham
431 books82.3k followersJohn Grisham is the author of forty-nine consecutive #1 bestsellers, which have been translated into nearly fifty languages. His recent books include The Judge's List, Sooley, and his third Jake Brigance novel, A Time for Mercy, which is being developed by HBO as a limited series.
Grisham is a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and was honored with the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction.
When he's not writing, Grisham serves on the board of directors of the Innocence Project and of Centurion Ministries, two national organizations dedicated to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. Much of his fiction explores deep-seated problems in our criminal justice system.
John lives on a farm in central Virginia.
Grisham is a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and was honored with the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction.
When he's not writing, Grisham serves on the board of directors of the Innocence Project and of Centurion Ministries, two national organizations dedicated to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. Much of his fiction explores deep-seated problems in our criminal justice system.
John lives on a farm in central Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,123 reviews
June 12, 2024
In the third installment of the Camino series, John Grisham takes us on an adventure within an adventure. Our favorite writer duo is on their honeymoon, but it doesn't take long for Mercer to stumble upon a mystery that's just too juicy to ignore.
Now, here's the twist: while this one isn't my top pick of the series, I still found it pretty enjoyable. Grisham's storytelling magic is still very much alive, making it a fun read despite being my least favorite of the bunch.
So, if you're up for a honeymoon that turns into anything but romance, Camino Ghosts is worth checking out. Grisham proves once again that he's a master at keeping us entertained!
Now, here's the twist: while this one isn't my top pick of the series, I still found it pretty enjoyable. Grisham's storytelling magic is still very much alive, making it a fun read despite being my least favorite of the bunch.
So, if you're up for a honeymoon that turns into anything but romance, Camino Ghosts is worth checking out. Grisham proves once again that he's a master at keeping us entertained!
June 2, 2024
4.5⭐ (update: rounded up to 5⭐️)
With an intriguing plot that combines elements of literary and historical fiction, courtroom drama and a touch of suspense thrown into the mix and its cast of interesting characters (old and new) Camino Ghosts by John Grisham is a compelling read.
The third book in the author’s Camino Island series begins with author Mercer Mann's wedding with Thomas, with whom she has been in a relationship for over three years. In attendance are Mercer’s friends from the island, among whom is Bruce Cable, owner of Bay Books. Mercer is looking for inspiration for her third novel and Bruce suggests the story of the Dark Isle – a now uninhabited island between Florida and Georgia that was once home to a community of runaway slaves. The last living descendant of Dark Isle, Ms. Lovely Jackson, now in her eighties, lives on Camino Island after having left Dark Isle in 1955, when she was fifteen years old, with her mother. Lovely had self-published a book about the island and its history – only a few copies of which were sold at Bruce’s bookstore. The now deserted island has caught the attention of greedy property developers with grand plans for the island, possessing both the political backing and the money to see their plans through. Lovely, who has refused any monetary compensation from the developers, plans to prove her ownership of Dark Isle, hoping to thwart their plans and protect the land where her ancestors are buried. The island is believed to be cursed and it is rumored that many who tried to step foot on the island were never seen again. Bruce encourages Mercer to meet with Lovely to discuss the possibilities of Mercer authoring a book of non-fiction about the island – a proposal Lovely eventually accepts.
As the narrative progresses we follow Mercer, as she commences her research, hoping to find facts that would help Lovely’s case; Bruce, as he taps into his vast network of contacts to gather information on the property developers and their allies; and Lovely and her legal team – retired lawyer Steven Mahon and his “ace paralegal” Diane Krug- as they prepare for the ensuing legal battle
There is no doubt that John Grisham is a master storyteller and though I’ve always been a fan of the author, I'll admit that his Camino Island books were never among my favorites. I'm glad to say Camino Ghosts changed that! The narrative moves at a consistent pace with Nalla’s story - both heartbreaking and captivating on account of the rich historical perspective and the ‘lore of the island -shared in chapters interspersed throughout the novel. I enjoyed getting to know Lovely and found the history of Dark Isle and Lovely's stories of life on the island fascinating. I've never been particularly fond of Mercer, but Bruce , as always, is an interesting character. Mahon and Diane made a formidable team and I loved Diane’s dedication and her go-getter attitude. Despite the serious themes of this novel, the author injects a healthy dose of lightheartedness (Gifford Knox was a hoot!) to keep the novel from becoming too heavy.
Definitely the strongest of all three books in the series, in my humble opinion, this exceptionally well-written, immersive novel is a departure from Grisham’s signature legal thrillers and though not a "legal thriller" per se, I did enjoy the courtroom scenes and I loved how the author chose to end this story.
I always look forward to reading more from John Grisham and now will be eagerly awaiting the next installment in this series.
Many thanks to Doubleday Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
With an intriguing plot that combines elements of literary and historical fiction, courtroom drama and a touch of suspense thrown into the mix and its cast of interesting characters (old and new) Camino Ghosts by John Grisham is a compelling read.
The third book in the author’s Camino Island series begins with author Mercer Mann's wedding with Thomas, with whom she has been in a relationship for over three years. In attendance are Mercer’s friends from the island, among whom is Bruce Cable, owner of Bay Books. Mercer is looking for inspiration for her third novel and Bruce suggests the story of the Dark Isle – a now uninhabited island between Florida and Georgia that was once home to a community of runaway slaves. The last living descendant of Dark Isle, Ms. Lovely Jackson, now in her eighties, lives on Camino Island after having left Dark Isle in 1955, when she was fifteen years old, with her mother. Lovely had self-published a book about the island and its history – only a few copies of which were sold at Bruce’s bookstore. The now deserted island has caught the attention of greedy property developers with grand plans for the island, possessing both the political backing and the money to see their plans through. Lovely, who has refused any monetary compensation from the developers, plans to prove her ownership of Dark Isle, hoping to thwart their plans and protect the land where her ancestors are buried. The island is believed to be cursed and it is rumored that many who tried to step foot on the island were never seen again. Bruce encourages Mercer to meet with Lovely to discuss the possibilities of Mercer authoring a book of non-fiction about the island – a proposal Lovely eventually accepts.
As the narrative progresses we follow Mercer, as she commences her research, hoping to find facts that would help Lovely’s case; Bruce, as he taps into his vast network of contacts to gather information on the property developers and their allies; and Lovely and her legal team – retired lawyer Steven Mahon and his “ace paralegal” Diane Krug- as they prepare for the ensuing legal battle
There is no doubt that John Grisham is a master storyteller and though I’ve always been a fan of the author, I'll admit that his Camino Island books were never among my favorites. I'm glad to say Camino Ghosts changed that! The narrative moves at a consistent pace with Nalla’s story - both heartbreaking and captivating on account of the rich historical perspective and the ‘lore of the island -shared in chapters interspersed throughout the novel. I enjoyed getting to know Lovely and found the history of Dark Isle and Lovely's stories of life on the island fascinating. I've never been particularly fond of Mercer, but Bruce , as always, is an interesting character. Mahon and Diane made a formidable team and I loved Diane’s dedication and her go-getter attitude. Despite the serious themes of this novel, the author injects a healthy dose of lightheartedness (Gifford Knox was a hoot!) to keep the novel from becoming too heavy.
Definitely the strongest of all three books in the series, in my humble opinion, this exceptionally well-written, immersive novel is a departure from Grisham’s signature legal thrillers and though not a "legal thriller" per se, I did enjoy the courtroom scenes and I loved how the author chose to end this story.
I always look forward to reading more from John Grisham and now will be eagerly awaiting the next installment in this series.
Many thanks to Doubleday Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
June 4, 2024
I did read this book during a flight from Toronto to Tokyo.
It’s a fast read.
Good premise but I thought it was written in a rush and the writing was very repetitive, and I was also totally detached from the characters, so I’m giving it 3 stars.
I will come back later to add a proper review (or not).
I was expecting a lot more.
It’s a fast read.
Good premise but I thought it was written in a rush and the writing was very repetitive, and I was also totally detached from the characters, so I’m giving it 3 stars.
I will come back later to add a proper review (or not).
I was expecting a lot more.
May 26, 2024
Master Southern storyteller John Grisham, the author of the famous Camino Island series— Camino Island(#1) and Camino Winds (#2) with his latest, CAMINO GHOSTS (#3) — A bookstore owner, author, attorney, and an elderly long time resident come together to unearth the history of the past in a quest for justice in this captivating novel.
About...
Set on Camino Island (North Florida/Southern Georgia), the book opens with a lively wedding between Mercer Mann and Thomas.
Bruce Cable, the owner of Bay Bookstore, has an idea for Mercer (author) for a new book about Dark Isle, north of Camino Island. It is one of two smaller barrier islands between Florida and Georgia that has never been developed—only three miles long and a mile wide with pristine beaches.
It has a lot of history, and around 1750, it became a haven for runaway slaves from Georgia, which was then ruled by the British and allowed slavery. Florida was under the Spanish flag, and though slavery was not against the law, runaways from Georgia and the British colonies were granted sanctuary. There was a long-running fuel between the two countries about what to do with the slaves who escaped to Florida.
In 1760, a slave ship returning from West Africa was preparing to land in Savannah when there was a story. A ship from Virginia called Venus with around four hundred slaves. Many died at sea, and conditions were unimaginable. It finally went down about a mile out to sea near Cumberland Island. A few washed ashore in the storm on Dark Island (Dark Isle) and were taken in by the runaways from Georgia in the small community. Two hundred years went by and everyone died or moved away and now deserted.
This promoted the self-published nonfiction self-published book The Dark History of Dark Isle by Lovely Jackson, an 80-year-old resident and the last living heir to Dark Isle. She is a customer of the store.
Presently, many developers are trying to cash in on the land for a resort. Florida real estate developers and vultures are looking for undeveloped beaches that are now prime. Lovely claims she was born on the Dark Isle in 1940 and left there with her mother when she was 15 years old. She claims to be the sole owner.
From condos, resorts, golf courses, and a casino from a rogue corporation in Miami, announcing a six-hundred-million-dollar resort on Dark Isle now known as Panther Cay.
How will they stop the development and prove Lovey is the owner? On top of this, there is Nalla, an African witch doctor with some sort of voodoo priestess known to put a curse on the outsiders. Lovey's story follows the enslavement of one of her ancestors, a young mother named Nalla, who was kidnapped by slave traders. She lost her child, husband, family, and everything.
Bruce thinks this is a great idea for a book. Mercer and Thomas are on their honeymoon in Scotland with Lovey's book in hand. Soon, Mercer's curiosity is spiked. They must earn Lovey's trust to put this story out there for the world to see, create awareness, and protect her rights and those of her ancestors.
My thoughts...
Bruce, Mercer, a retired attorney, and others gather to fight for Lovey and her ancestors under the heir's property in this intense and fascinating legal thriller with signature Grisham courtroom scenes. With a blending of family drama, historical, legal, literary, mystery, suspense, and a few ghosts, Grisham's Southern storytelling shines in CAMINO GHOSTS , the finale of the riveting Camino Island series. My favorite of the series.
Recs...
Heir property is a fascinating topic today for those caught up in this land ownership battle that targets the poor and rural areas. (David vs. Goliath) If you enjoyed Camino Ghosts, I highly recommend the following books about this topic: Terah Shelton Harris's Long After We Are Gone, Wanda M. Morris's What You Leave Behind, and Brea Baker's Rooted: The American Legacy of Land Theft and the Modern Movement for Black Land Ownership (non-fiction).
As an avid long-time Grisham fan, this is another superb addition to this engrossing trilogy. While CAMINO GHOSTS can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the books in order to learn more about all the fascinating characters. A must-read!
Thanks to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced reading copy for review purposes.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: May 28, 2024
May 2024 Must-Read Books
May Newsletter
About...
Set on Camino Island (North Florida/Southern Georgia), the book opens with a lively wedding between Mercer Mann and Thomas.
Bruce Cable, the owner of Bay Bookstore, has an idea for Mercer (author) for a new book about Dark Isle, north of Camino Island. It is one of two smaller barrier islands between Florida and Georgia that has never been developed—only three miles long and a mile wide with pristine beaches.
It has a lot of history, and around 1750, it became a haven for runaway slaves from Georgia, which was then ruled by the British and allowed slavery. Florida was under the Spanish flag, and though slavery was not against the law, runaways from Georgia and the British colonies were granted sanctuary. There was a long-running fuel between the two countries about what to do with the slaves who escaped to Florida.
In 1760, a slave ship returning from West Africa was preparing to land in Savannah when there was a story. A ship from Virginia called Venus with around four hundred slaves. Many died at sea, and conditions were unimaginable. It finally went down about a mile out to sea near Cumberland Island. A few washed ashore in the storm on Dark Island (Dark Isle) and were taken in by the runaways from Georgia in the small community. Two hundred years went by and everyone died or moved away and now deserted.
This promoted the self-published nonfiction self-published book The Dark History of Dark Isle by Lovely Jackson, an 80-year-old resident and the last living heir to Dark Isle. She is a customer of the store.
Presently, many developers are trying to cash in on the land for a resort. Florida real estate developers and vultures are looking for undeveloped beaches that are now prime. Lovely claims she was born on the Dark Isle in 1940 and left there with her mother when she was 15 years old. She claims to be the sole owner.
From condos, resorts, golf courses, and a casino from a rogue corporation in Miami, announcing a six-hundred-million-dollar resort on Dark Isle now known as Panther Cay.
How will they stop the development and prove Lovey is the owner? On top of this, there is Nalla, an African witch doctor with some sort of voodoo priestess known to put a curse on the outsiders. Lovey's story follows the enslavement of one of her ancestors, a young mother named Nalla, who was kidnapped by slave traders. She lost her child, husband, family, and everything.
Bruce thinks this is a great idea for a book. Mercer and Thomas are on their honeymoon in Scotland with Lovey's book in hand. Soon, Mercer's curiosity is spiked. They must earn Lovey's trust to put this story out there for the world to see, create awareness, and protect her rights and those of her ancestors.
My thoughts...
Bruce, Mercer, a retired attorney, and others gather to fight for Lovey and her ancestors under the heir's property in this intense and fascinating legal thriller with signature Grisham courtroom scenes. With a blending of family drama, historical, legal, literary, mystery, suspense, and a few ghosts, Grisham's Southern storytelling shines in CAMINO GHOSTS , the finale of the riveting Camino Island series. My favorite of the series.
Recs...
Heir property is a fascinating topic today for those caught up in this land ownership battle that targets the poor and rural areas. (David vs. Goliath) If you enjoyed Camino Ghosts, I highly recommend the following books about this topic: Terah Shelton Harris's Long After We Are Gone, Wanda M. Morris's What You Leave Behind, and Brea Baker's Rooted: The American Legacy of Land Theft and the Modern Movement for Black Land Ownership (non-fiction).
As an avid long-time Grisham fan, this is another superb addition to this engrossing trilogy. While CAMINO GHOSTS can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the books in order to learn more about all the fascinating characters. A must-read!
Thanks to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced reading copy for review purposes.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: May 28, 2024
May 2024 Must-Read Books
May Newsletter
June 7, 2024
A hard beginning with a fantastical end.
March 25, 2024
This third installment of Grisham’s Camino Island series finds author Mercer Mann, friend of bookshop owner Bruce Cable, stumped when trying to come up with an idea for her next book. Bruce introduces her to a small nonfiction piece written by 80 year old local resident, Lovely Jackson. Lovely, the descendent of slaves who settled on Dark Island off the coast of Camino Island, has resided on the bigger island since 1955, leaving the smaller one uninhabited. Yet, as the last inhabitant, she claims Dark Island is hers and when a big, unscrupulous corporation wants to develop Dark Island including putting a Casino on it, Bruce facilitates her fight for the home of her ancestors.
Grisham is a talented story teller and this book does not disappoint. A quick, compelling read, Lovely is a captivating character. Grisham does an excellent job of capturing the development frenzy that is Florida…the greed of the corporations, the questionable practices of the politicians, the disregard for the environment, the highway sprawl of businesses. He also acknowledges how the electorate can be so easily manipulated.
The history of the difference between the British and Spanish owned colonies as relates to slavery is fascinating. When you read Lovely’s account of the realities of the slave trade, you can’t help but wonder, as did Mercer, how our forebears could have tolerated such cruel treatment of those who were kidnapped and enslaved.
This does work as a standalone, although reading the first two in the series gives a broader background of the repeating characters and provides context for some of the references made in this book to action that took place in prior ones.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #DoubledayBooks for the DRC
Grisham is a talented story teller and this book does not disappoint. A quick, compelling read, Lovely is a captivating character. Grisham does an excellent job of capturing the development frenzy that is Florida…the greed of the corporations, the questionable practices of the politicians, the disregard for the environment, the highway sprawl of businesses. He also acknowledges how the electorate can be so easily manipulated.
The history of the difference between the British and Spanish owned colonies as relates to slavery is fascinating. When you read Lovely’s account of the realities of the slave trade, you can’t help but wonder, as did Mercer, how our forebears could have tolerated such cruel treatment of those who were kidnapped and enslaved.
This does work as a standalone, although reading the first two in the series gives a broader background of the repeating characters and provides context for some of the references made in this book to action that took place in prior ones.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #DoubledayBooks for the DRC
May 31, 2024
Did not finish. It was so boring, I gave up. It’s sad because it could have been a good book.
April 13, 2024
I've read nearly all John Grisham books, including the first two books in this series. And for nearly every one, my complaint has been consistent. There is an excellent premise, a compelling story, and the ending falls flat. It either ends too sudden or it just doesn't seem as satisfying as it should for the build up. Unfortunately, this story is no different. Great premise with excellent storytelling. The characters were interesting, the legal aspect of the story seemed legit and reasonable. But again, the trial ended in a manner that seemed just too good to be true. The ending fell a little flat and the story somewhat ended in my opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley, John Grisham, and Doubleday for the advanced reading copy.
Thank you to NetGalley, John Grisham, and Doubleday for the advanced reading copy.
June 12, 2024
No question - it's John Grisham so I have to read it. I do love his books. I found this one to be quite different.
Description:
In this new thriller on Camino Island, popular bookseller Bruce Cable tells Mercer Mann an irresistible tale that might be her next novel. A giant resort developer is using its political muscle and deep pockets to claim ownership of a deserted island between Florida and Georgia. Only the last living inhabitant of the island, Lovely Jackson, stands in its way. What the developer doesn’t know is that the island has a remarkable history, and locals believe it is cursed… and the past is never the past…
My Thoughts:
Lovely Jackson's tragic heritage was fascinating. The conditions she and her mother and ancestor faced were extremely difficult and some were horrifying. The curse on the island played an integral part. I found Lovely to be intriguing and quite a character. It was easy for me to be on her side throughout the book. I enjoyed the plot and felt it moved well marrying the past to the present to provide the full picture. I recommend to anyone who likes legal thrillers.
Thanks to Doubleday Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
In this new thriller on Camino Island, popular bookseller Bruce Cable tells Mercer Mann an irresistible tale that might be her next novel. A giant resort developer is using its political muscle and deep pockets to claim ownership of a deserted island between Florida and Georgia. Only the last living inhabitant of the island, Lovely Jackson, stands in its way. What the developer doesn’t know is that the island has a remarkable history, and locals believe it is cursed… and the past is never the past…
My Thoughts:
Lovely Jackson's tragic heritage was fascinating. The conditions she and her mother and ancestor faced were extremely difficult and some were horrifying. The curse on the island played an integral part. I found Lovely to be intriguing and quite a character. It was easy for me to be on her side throughout the book. I enjoyed the plot and felt it moved well marrying the past to the present to provide the full picture. I recommend to anyone who likes legal thrillers.
Thanks to Doubleday Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.
June 13, 2024
While the Camino Island books are far from my favourite Grisham books, these are starting to grow on me and I’m really enjoying Mercer and the gang of authors that reside on Camino Island. It feels like a warm hug to me when I go back to these characters. Just the thought of a close knit island with a group of friends who are best selling authors seems like very cool premise to me.
These books always feels so unlike Grishams other writings, even though this one had the courtroom drama this time, unlike the other two, it all still feels very different.
It seems like I’ve read a lot about slaves and African American rights lately and I’m getting a bit of a burnout from it if I’m being honest. It’s a lot to take in. Overall this is still great, and as always, I’m a Grisham fan for life! 4 stars.
These books always feels so unlike Grishams other writings, even though this one had the courtroom drama this time, unlike the other two, it all still feels very different.
It seems like I’ve read a lot about slaves and African American rights lately and I’m getting a bit of a burnout from it if I’m being honest. It’s a lot to take in. Overall this is still great, and as always, I’m a Grisham fan for life! 4 stars.
June 6, 2024
The audiobook is narrated by Whoopi Goldberg. If I had have known that, I would have never bought it. Nails on a chalkboard! I’d rather have ice picks jammed in my ears than listen to this Illuminati puppet.
June 1, 2024
It was boring. Kept waiting for something to happen and nothing did. Kind of disappointing for a Grisham novel
June 15, 2024
In June 2017, John Grisham published an offbeat novel – “Camino Island” - that wasn’t a legal thriller focusing on lawyers. Instead, he took aim at the world of bookstores, publishing, and writers. It began with a skillful heist of five John F. Fitzgerald manuscripts from a secure vault below Princeton’s Firestone Library. The manuscripts end up in a secondary black market and a young female writer, Mercer Mann, is hired to go undercover an investigate Bruce Cable, the popular independent bookstore owner of Bay Books on Camino Island and prominent dealer in rare books that is thought to have or know who is in possession of the manuscripts.
I thought the book was interesting and well worth the read. However, there were many other readers who just didn’t get into it the way I did.
In April 2020, Grisham published a follow-up novel – “Camino Winds” - that was focused on a murder mystery occurring during a destructive storm. This time Hurricane Leo tears through the island, leaving devastation, ruin, and flooding in its wake. Following the hurricane, Bruce and his buddies discover that their fellow thriller writing friend, Nelson Kerr, appears to be an apparent victim of murder after suffering several suspicious strikes to the head from a blunt instrument.
I thought the second book was a leisurely read but thin, slow and drawn out in almost casual manner. There was no real drama or tension in solving Kerr’s murder, which mostly takes place away from the island, a bit poorly developed, and several key plot points occur offscreen (which was fairly frustrating at times).
Now, in May 2024, Grisham returns to the island for a third novel – “Camino Ghosts” – focusing on a legal battle for ownership of a nearby deserted island called Dark Isle. The first combatant is a giant resort developer, Tidal Breeze, trying to build a resort and casino complex by flexing its political connections, deep pockets, and a relentless willingness to play dirty. The second combatant is eighty-year-old Lovely Jackson, the last living survivor that lived on the island, and carrying the entire history and legacy of previously escaped slaves.
Even though Lovely has written a book about the history of her people and openly laid claim to Dark Isle, she is just an obstacle to be removed by Tidal breeze one way or another. Even the belief that the locals have in the island being cursed is not enough to turn back the powerful corporation, its team of lawyer, lobbyists, and state politicians. This time, Mercer, Thomas, Bruce, and the rest of their team are facing impossible odds, ultimate power, and insatiable greed…
Let me start off by saying that I have rarely read a bad Grisham novel. He is such an excellent writer that he makes everything sound good, and this is a decent book. However, as much as I like the Camino Island characters, this book is more interesting than compelling. Rather than being a thriller, it’s more like a cross between Grisham-lite and a Grisham cozy mystery. I don’t mean to sound critical, but this is a quick 292-page Spring/Summer read that comes across more casual and formula-Matic than is intended. It is an easy two or three-evening read that feels causal and lacks much of the intensity that comes with most of Grisham’s legal thrillers.
As you can tell by those comments, the good news is that this one is much better than the last one – “Camino Winds” by far. The story is tighter, more focused, and key moments take place onstage rather than offstage. For me, Grisham’s flashback stories of the runaway slaves living and surviving on the island were some of my favorite parts of the book, even more so than the legal fighting and maneuvering between the good guys and the bad guys.
On the other hand, there is also some real constructive criticism too. I found that the strength and heart of this book. Without that history intertwined with the current day legal battle, the first two-thirds of the book felt more like a leisurely small-town cozy mystery than a legal drama. More style than substance at times.
There’s no doubt that Grisham knows how to tell a story that readers enjoy. He is a master storyteller that has written more winners than I can name off the top of my head. However, with this one the outcome never really felt like it was in doubt, nor were the twists and turns as tension filled as his earlier legal thrillers. I also think that he could have done more with this, including more depth and removing some of the mechanical plotting.
That is until the last 30 – 40 pages, when Grisham finds a way to kick into a higher gear and up the emotional ante. He finds a way to bring everything home in the end with a bittersweet and melancholy ending that is the right one. For me, this improved my overall thoughts on the book in a material way. My heart strings were tugged in a sentimental and reflective way that few writers can pull off, and Grisham is one of those who can.
Overall, Grisham’s better than average is equivalent to most everyone else’s good. That was the case for me with “Camino Ghosts”. The first two thirds were 3 stars, and the last third improved to four stars, giving it an overall rating of a little more than 3 out of 5 stars. That’s my story and I am sticking to it…
I thought the book was interesting and well worth the read. However, there were many other readers who just didn’t get into it the way I did.
In April 2020, Grisham published a follow-up novel – “Camino Winds” - that was focused on a murder mystery occurring during a destructive storm. This time Hurricane Leo tears through the island, leaving devastation, ruin, and flooding in its wake. Following the hurricane, Bruce and his buddies discover that their fellow thriller writing friend, Nelson Kerr, appears to be an apparent victim of murder after suffering several suspicious strikes to the head from a blunt instrument.
I thought the second book was a leisurely read but thin, slow and drawn out in almost casual manner. There was no real drama or tension in solving Kerr’s murder, which mostly takes place away from the island, a bit poorly developed, and several key plot points occur offscreen (which was fairly frustrating at times).
Now, in May 2024, Grisham returns to the island for a third novel – “Camino Ghosts” – focusing on a legal battle for ownership of a nearby deserted island called Dark Isle. The first combatant is a giant resort developer, Tidal Breeze, trying to build a resort and casino complex by flexing its political connections, deep pockets, and a relentless willingness to play dirty. The second combatant is eighty-year-old Lovely Jackson, the last living survivor that lived on the island, and carrying the entire history and legacy of previously escaped slaves.
Even though Lovely has written a book about the history of her people and openly laid claim to Dark Isle, she is just an obstacle to be removed by Tidal breeze one way or another. Even the belief that the locals have in the island being cursed is not enough to turn back the powerful corporation, its team of lawyer, lobbyists, and state politicians. This time, Mercer, Thomas, Bruce, and the rest of their team are facing impossible odds, ultimate power, and insatiable greed…
Let me start off by saying that I have rarely read a bad Grisham novel. He is such an excellent writer that he makes everything sound good, and this is a decent book. However, as much as I like the Camino Island characters, this book is more interesting than compelling. Rather than being a thriller, it’s more like a cross between Grisham-lite and a Grisham cozy mystery. I don’t mean to sound critical, but this is a quick 292-page Spring/Summer read that comes across more casual and formula-Matic than is intended. It is an easy two or three-evening read that feels causal and lacks much of the intensity that comes with most of Grisham’s legal thrillers.
As you can tell by those comments, the good news is that this one is much better than the last one – “Camino Winds” by far. The story is tighter, more focused, and key moments take place onstage rather than offstage. For me, Grisham’s flashback stories of the runaway slaves living and surviving on the island were some of my favorite parts of the book, even more so than the legal fighting and maneuvering between the good guys and the bad guys.
On the other hand, there is also some real constructive criticism too. I found that the strength and heart of this book. Without that history intertwined with the current day legal battle, the first two-thirds of the book felt more like a leisurely small-town cozy mystery than a legal drama. More style than substance at times.
There’s no doubt that Grisham knows how to tell a story that readers enjoy. He is a master storyteller that has written more winners than I can name off the top of my head. However, with this one the outcome never really felt like it was in doubt, nor were the twists and turns as tension filled as his earlier legal thrillers. I also think that he could have done more with this, including more depth and removing some of the mechanical plotting.
That is until the last 30 – 40 pages, when Grisham finds a way to kick into a higher gear and up the emotional ante. He finds a way to bring everything home in the end with a bittersweet and melancholy ending that is the right one. For me, this improved my overall thoughts on the book in a material way. My heart strings were tugged in a sentimental and reflective way that few writers can pull off, and Grisham is one of those who can.
Overall, Grisham’s better than average is equivalent to most everyone else’s good. That was the case for me with “Camino Ghosts”. The first two thirds were 3 stars, and the last third improved to four stars, giving it an overall rating of a little more than 3 out of 5 stars. That’s my story and I am sticking to it…
May 28, 2024
*** Happy Publication Day ***
Expert storyteller John Grisham has done it again. In this visit with the characters introduced in "Camino Island," Grisham blends the tragedy of slavery with the current era of developers' greed into a compelling new read.
Lovely Jackson, the last descendant of escaped enslaved people who made the remote Dark Island their home for generations, tells her story in a self-published book that catches the attention of Camino Island bookstore owner Bruce Cable. When developers propose to build a resort community and casino on the now-vacant Dark Island, the question of ownership arises. Does Lovely own the island, or does the State of Florida? Enter author Mercer Mann and environment lawyer Steven Mahon, who join Lovely's uphill battle to share her story and preserve the island's historical significance.
This fascinating read made me uncomfortable at times because of the telling of Africans captured and enslaved. Painful or not, it is a dark period in history of and one that should not be swept under the carpet. Grisham adeptly tells of the terror and mistreatment suffered by those who were captured. Add courtroom drama to this, and you will have a recipe for an engaging story, as only John Grisham can tell.
4.5 stars.
Thank you, NetGalley and Doubleday, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is May 28, 2024.
Expert storyteller John Grisham has done it again. In this visit with the characters introduced in "Camino Island," Grisham blends the tragedy of slavery with the current era of developers' greed into a compelling new read.
Lovely Jackson, the last descendant of escaped enslaved people who made the remote Dark Island their home for generations, tells her story in a self-published book that catches the attention of Camino Island bookstore owner Bruce Cable. When developers propose to build a resort community and casino on the now-vacant Dark Island, the question of ownership arises. Does Lovely own the island, or does the State of Florida? Enter author Mercer Mann and environment lawyer Steven Mahon, who join Lovely's uphill battle to share her story and preserve the island's historical significance.
This fascinating read made me uncomfortable at times because of the telling of Africans captured and enslaved. Painful or not, it is a dark period in history of and one that should not be swept under the carpet. Grisham adeptly tells of the terror and mistreatment suffered by those who were captured. Add courtroom drama to this, and you will have a recipe for an engaging story, as only John Grisham can tell.
4.5 stars.
Thank you, NetGalley and Doubleday, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is May 28, 2024.
March 4, 2024
Camino Ghost is the third book in this series, and easily the best. When developers try to stake claim to an uninhabited island off the coast of Florida, book store owner Bruce Cable contacts the last known resident, an elderly descendant of slaves and author of a book about her experiences on the island in an effort to thwart the development. What follows is a fascinating tale of slave trading, island curses, and the fight to preserve the island. Featuring author John Grisham’s trademark courtroom battles, absolutely fascinating characters and a story that flows so easily, the plot totally engages the reader from start to finish. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 14, 2024
This Camino Island series is a perfect summer fun read! I like Bruce and his Bay Book Store, and Mercer Mann the authoress. This book deals with slaves captured in Africa in 1700's and shipwrecked off the coast of Florida, with a few survivors swimming to a small island where they lived quietly but free. An interesting story with a legal twist of little guy (in this case a descendant of the African people captured) vs the big developer. Had wondered if this was based on an actual case.
June 8, 2024
BOOK REVIEW: Camino Ghosts by John Grisham
Series: Camino | Book 3
2024 Publication Date: May 28
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐
Best Legal Thriller Books
T.I.M.E. Favorite Books To Read
T.I.M.E. Best Book Club Books
T.I.M.E. Best Books By Genre | Thriller
T.I.M.E. Most Anticipated Books Of 2024
Pages: 295
Genre: Thriller
Sub-Genre: Legal Thriller
T.I.M.E. Jalapeno Rating:️ N/A
Time Period: Contemporary | 1750
Location: Florida (US)
Publisher: Doubleday Books
--------------------
All my book reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at thisismyeverybody.com/blog/what-book-...
♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.
// COME ON OVER & SAY HELLO!...
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Series: Camino | Book 3
2024 Publication Date: May 28
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐
Best Legal Thriller Books
T.I.M.E. Favorite Books To Read
T.I.M.E. Best Book Club Books
T.I.M.E. Best Books By Genre | Thriller
T.I.M.E. Most Anticipated Books Of 2024
Pages: 295
Genre: Thriller
Sub-Genre: Legal Thriller
T.I.M.E. Jalapeno Rating:️ N/A
Time Period: Contemporary | 1750
Location: Florida (US)
Publisher: Doubleday Books
--------------------
All my book reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at thisismyeverybody.com/blog/what-book-...
♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.
// COME ON OVER & SAY HELLO!...
Website: https://thisismyeverybody.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisIsMyEver...
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thisismyeve...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisismyeve...
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thisismyever...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisismyever...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/t_everybody
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisismyevery...
And let's be friends here on Goodreads too!... ✨😎✨
June 1, 2024
Camino Ghosts, the third installment in John Grisham's Camino Island series, left me feeling underwhelmed. As a fan of Grisham's previous works, I had high expectations for this novel, but unfortunately, it fell short of delivering the gripping storytelling and suspense that I have come to associate with the author. I haven't been particularly crazy about the Camino island series although I did enjoy Book 2 much more than book 1 or this one (book 3)
March 18, 2024
This is very low key considering it is from John Grisham, but it is his contribution to the growing literary universe including tributes to those who perished under the scourge of slavery. It is also the third in a series from a writer who usually produces standalones. Returning to Camino Island, with characters encountered in two earlier novels, we encounter Lovely Jackson, descendant of slaves and only living former inhabitant of Dark Isle, having left there in 1955 at the age of 15. Enter Tidal Shores, Grisham's villain per his usual style in the form of a predatory land developer, looking to create a bridge to the island and furnishing it with casinos and high priced condos. Again, this is Grisham's usual style of big guy vs little guy. Descriptions of the original ancestor's capture and her middle passage horrors are the hardest, but the efforts of the heroes of the current age to set these events right provide smooth reading. Grisham does a fine job of "... [taking] the past, with all its complexities, and [tying it] to the present, with all its conflicts." ...
July 5, 2024
4 stars
Ever seen "Goodreads" mentioned in a novel. I hadn't, until now. Leave it to Grisham to put that little surprise into his novel .
And surprised I was. This was the last subject that I expected in the third novel of the "Camino" series. And for me, the most enjoyed book of that series.
This one has lawyers, a corrupt corporation, an underprivileged community, a trial and an author writing the story. The characters are relatable and the back story of the novel held my interest. The type story where you pick a side and then continue to read in hopes that they prevail.
Besides mentioning Goodreads in this novel, Grisham also mentions a 'long standing book store' in the D.C. area called Politics & Prose, that hosts a large number of author reads and interviews. A real place that I continually peruse for virtual shows.
Ever seen "Goodreads" mentioned in a novel. I hadn't, until now. Leave it to Grisham to put that little surprise into his novel .
And surprised I was. This was the last subject that I expected in the third novel of the "Camino" series. And for me, the most enjoyed book of that series.
This one has lawyers, a corrupt corporation, an underprivileged community, a trial and an author writing the story. The characters are relatable and the back story of the novel held my interest. The type story where you pick a side and then continue to read in hopes that they prevail.
Besides mentioning Goodreads in this novel, Grisham also mentions a 'long standing book store' in the D.C. area called Politics & Prose, that hosts a large number of author reads and interviews. A real place that I continually peruse for virtual shows.
June 2, 2024
John Grisham books are always worth reading and this one has a very interesting theme. That said, I felt even at approximately 300 pages it could have been much shorter and still told the story well. Dark Isle a long deserted island between Florida and Georgia had a history of being home to a group of slaves who washed ashore after a shipwreck and maintained their freedom on the tiny island. They were buried over the generations. The last survivor had left with her mother as age 15 and she had written a book about the history of the island and that a curse was put on the island that would kill any white man who came there.
But then, a shady group of developers wants to claim the island and build casinos and turn it into a resort.
A battle ensues in court.
But then, a shady group of developers wants to claim the island and build casinos and turn it into a resort.
A battle ensues in court.
June 2, 2024
This series started off really strong for me and then dropped way off.
June 2, 2024
While the Camino books are generally recognized as pleasant diversions from the Grisham Legal Factory, this volume is even more of a piffle than the others. There isn't a shred of surprise in any events that take place, and apart from the character of Lovely, there isn't a single person worth caring about. Just a big enh, as we wait for the next one to roll off the assembly line.
May 7, 2024
Aside from the horrifying historical sections, most of this book is very pleasant and very polite.
It’s a feel good read of mostly good people doing the right thing. Even the people on the other side of things aren’t bombastic villains. While some of those are doing the wrong thing, they’re still unfailingly polite and rather pleasant.
I liked our characters. Our perfectly pleasant characters.
I did care about our plot, though I was a bit more interested in the past.
While the book never, ever ramps up to anything terribly exciting, the story was an important thing and it’s a perfectly pleasant read.
• ARC via Publisher
It’s a feel good read of mostly good people doing the right thing. Even the people on the other side of things aren’t bombastic villains. While some of those are doing the wrong thing, they’re still unfailingly polite and rather pleasant.
I liked our characters. Our perfectly pleasant characters.
I did care about our plot, though I was a bit more interested in the past.
While the book never, ever ramps up to anything terribly exciting, the story was an important thing and it’s a perfectly pleasant read.
• ARC via Publisher
March 1, 2024
A new entry in the Camino series, this is another page turner. Opening with the wedding of Mercer and Thomas, she is given a book to take on her honeymoon. After reading it, Mercer becomes fascinated with the story of Lovely Jackson, descendant of enslaved people, who had created an isolated settlement on DARK ISLAND.
The timing is perfect, just as a developer is trying to build a mega-resort on this now deserted island. It is an opportunity for Grisham to bring the ownership of the island to court. This is something he does in a compelling manner. Though there are many people involved, the story is easy to follow. Grisham pulls all of the pieces together with a very satisfactory ending.
My only problem with this novel is that it works beautifully for those of us familiar with the characters, but might be confusing as a stand-alone.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and enjoy a new Grisham novel.
The timing is perfect, just as a developer is trying to build a mega-resort on this now deserted island. It is an opportunity for Grisham to bring the ownership of the island to court. This is something he does in a compelling manner. Though there are many people involved, the story is easy to follow. Grisham pulls all of the pieces together with a very satisfactory ending.
My only problem with this novel is that it works beautifully for those of us familiar with the characters, but might be confusing as a stand-alone.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and enjoy a new Grisham novel.
June 4, 2024
Another author gone woke.
July 6, 2024
A return to Camino Island is always a good thing and this book opens with Mercer and Thomas getting married. There's also a historical component that's told from Lovely Jackson's POV. She's now in her 80's and living on Camino Island, but in the section they call Voodoo Island. Mercer is still trying to decide on the story for her latest book. Bruce tells her to come by the book store because he has an idea what she could write about. He shows her Lovely's book that tells the story of Dark Isle. Dark Isle is where many slaves ended up and Lovely and her family lived for a time. Lovely left the island when she was 15, but always believed she owned Dark Isle. Her family and many others were buried there.
As Mercer leaves on her honeymoon with Thomas, she has Lovely's book with her. She reads it on the plane and thinks she can use it as the premise for her next book. Unfortunately, a developer is saying that no one owns Dark Isle and they want to build condos, casinos, etc on it after building a bridge for the masses to get to it. Lovely is upset by this and is approached by a lawyer. The lawyer helps her to put in a claim of ownership and helps her to build a case against the developer. Mercer and Lovely meet when she returns from her honeymoon and she discusses her ideas for a new book about Dark Isle. Lovely likes the idea and Mercer is off and running getting up daily to write the story.
As Lovely is prepared for court, Dark Isle must be visited. She agrees to go with the archaeology team and Mercer's people to try to locate her families graves. Will they find the graves? Will the DNA match Lovely's? Will the judge understand what Lovely is going through? This is a very compelling read that you will have trouble putting down. I read Camino Ghosts in less than a day and enjoyed it very much. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Doubleday Books for an advanced copy of Camino Ghosts in exchange for a fair review. I rate Camino Ghosts 4 stars with a high recommendation. #CaminoGhosts
As Mercer leaves on her honeymoon with Thomas, she has Lovely's book with her. She reads it on the plane and thinks she can use it as the premise for her next book. Unfortunately, a developer is saying that no one owns Dark Isle and they want to build condos, casinos, etc on it after building a bridge for the masses to get to it. Lovely is upset by this and is approached by a lawyer. The lawyer helps her to put in a claim of ownership and helps her to build a case against the developer. Mercer and Lovely meet when she returns from her honeymoon and she discusses her ideas for a new book about Dark Isle. Lovely likes the idea and Mercer is off and running getting up daily to write the story.
As Lovely is prepared for court, Dark Isle must be visited. She agrees to go with the archaeology team and Mercer's people to try to locate her families graves. Will they find the graves? Will the DNA match Lovely's? Will the judge understand what Lovely is going through? This is a very compelling read that you will have trouble putting down. I read Camino Ghosts in less than a day and enjoyed it very much. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Doubleday Books for an advanced copy of Camino Ghosts in exchange for a fair review. I rate Camino Ghosts 4 stars with a high recommendation. #CaminoGhosts
May 30, 2024
I am amused by Grisham using the Camino series to exercise his demons with being a writer and the publishing industry. He really displayed his knowledge of the literary field in this novel.
I feel like Grisham hears a great story and then finds a way to write a book around it… He’s done this the last three books and it’s not his strong suit. This is probably the best of those efforts. Even then, I wasn’t wowed by this book. It’s just this side of boring.
The underlying story about stolen, African burial land, and the voodoo element give us the possibility of the story being very exciting but in the end Grisham took the safe route and it really fizzled for me in the last part of the book. In fact, in my opinion, there’s no reason to read past the trial.
Spoiler: I wish they would have lost the case and then people just kept dying until they gave up and gave lovely her land back.
I also don’t know why Whoopi Goldberg read this for the audiobook. She was not the best narrator. I suppose I got used to her voice, but I would have preferred a professional narrator for this novel.
I feel like Grisham hears a great story and then finds a way to write a book around it… He’s done this the last three books and it’s not his strong suit. This is probably the best of those efforts. Even then, I wasn’t wowed by this book. It’s just this side of boring.
The underlying story about stolen, African burial land, and the voodoo element give us the possibility of the story being very exciting but in the end Grisham took the safe route and it really fizzled for me in the last part of the book. In fact, in my opinion, there’s no reason to read past the trial.
Spoiler: I wish they would have lost the case and then people just kept dying until they gave up and gave lovely her land back.
I also don’t know why Whoopi Goldberg read this for the audiobook. She was not the best narrator. I suppose I got used to her voice, but I would have preferred a professional narrator for this novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2024
This book features some of the worst writing I've read from John Grisham (who I usually like), particularly in the beginning.
The story focuses on Dark Isle, a now uninhabited island off the coast of Florida that became a colony of escaped slaves from mostly Georgia in the early 1800's. Lovely Jackson's ancestor survives a storm while on board a slave ship and, after the ship sinks, washes up on shore. The colony lasts for about 100 years and in 1950, the final two residents, Lovely and her mother, leave for the mainland.
When a real estate developer seeks to obtain ownership of the abandoned Dark Isle, the locals of Camino Island fight and recruit Lovely to pursue the title to the island, which she has rarely visited in the past 30 years due to her age.
The book reads like a piece of non-fiction, with, as I said before, some really bad writing at times. The story had very little tension and things turn out the way you might expect. None of the characters are particularly interesting, nor do they have anything interesting to say. The courtroom scenes lacked any surprise or demonstrations of good lawyering.
The story focuses on Dark Isle, a now uninhabited island off the coast of Florida that became a colony of escaped slaves from mostly Georgia in the early 1800's. Lovely Jackson's ancestor survives a storm while on board a slave ship and, after the ship sinks, washes up on shore. The colony lasts for about 100 years and in 1950, the final two residents, Lovely and her mother, leave for the mainland.
When a real estate developer seeks to obtain ownership of the abandoned Dark Isle, the locals of Camino Island fight and recruit Lovely to pursue the title to the island, which she has rarely visited in the past 30 years due to her age.
The book reads like a piece of non-fiction, with, as I said before, some really bad writing at times. The story had very little tension and things turn out the way you might expect. None of the characters are particularly interesting, nor do they have anything interesting to say. The courtroom scenes lacked any surprise or demonstrations of good lawyering.
April 21, 2024
This is the third book in the Camino Island series by John Grisham and for me, the best one so far.
It brings back a few of the characters we have already met and a few new ones including Lovely Jackson and Diane. Mercer Mann is struggling over what book to write for her next novel, next until Bruce Cable offers her Lovely Jackson's short book to read on her honeymoon about Lovely's ancestors who lived on Dark Isle, an island close to Camino Island in Florida.
Lovely is the last living survivor of the the Dark Isle, also known as Panther Cay and she claims it as her own after hearing that a large Developer wants to build a casino on the burial grounds on her ancestors after they landed there as former black slaves many years earlier. Despite Lovely having left the island when she was 15 and tending to the graves, she now claims that it belongs to her and with the help of a lawyer and Diane to try and protect her rights.
Can an eighty year old who left the island over 50 years ago hold title to an island she hasn't been to for this many years. The book tells the story of Lovely and Mercer, giving the history of Lovely's ancestors in Lovely's own book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and rounding up my score from 4.5 to 5 stars for a very moving book. I've just heard that Whoopi Goldberg is now going to narrate this book and I think she'll be the perfect narrator for this book.
Although it's the third in the series they can easily be read as standalones too.
A big thanks to Doubleday books for the opportunity to read this ARC.
It brings back a few of the characters we have already met and a few new ones including Lovely Jackson and Diane. Mercer Mann is struggling over what book to write for her next novel, next until Bruce Cable offers her Lovely Jackson's short book to read on her honeymoon about Lovely's ancestors who lived on Dark Isle, an island close to Camino Island in Florida.
Lovely is the last living survivor of the the Dark Isle, also known as Panther Cay and she claims it as her own after hearing that a large Developer wants to build a casino on the burial grounds on her ancestors after they landed there as former black slaves many years earlier. Despite Lovely having left the island when she was 15 and tending to the graves, she now claims that it belongs to her and with the help of a lawyer and Diane to try and protect her rights.
Can an eighty year old who left the island over 50 years ago hold title to an island she hasn't been to for this many years. The book tells the story of Lovely and Mercer, giving the history of Lovely's ancestors in Lovely's own book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and rounding up my score from 4.5 to 5 stars for a very moving book. I've just heard that Whoopi Goldberg is now going to narrate this book and I think she'll be the perfect narrator for this book.
Although it's the third in the series they can easily be read as standalones too.
A big thanks to Doubleday books for the opportunity to read this ARC.
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