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Title: Leaving Whiskey Bend
ISBN: 0446695343
Author:
Dorothy Garlock
Publicate Date: 2008-11-13
Publish: 2008-11-13
List Price: $13.99
Average Customer Rating: 3.0
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $8.13
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $8.33
Amazon Merchant Price: $11.19
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Expect Less, Not More
Dorothy Garlock's newest novel, Leaving Whiskey Bend, takes place in Colorado in 1890, following the journey of three women leaving behind a town and bad memories. Stalwart Pearl and schoolteacher Hallie have staged the kidnapping of Mary who has been abused and tormented by her partner, Chester. As they ride hard and fast away from Whiskey Bend, they find themselves relying on the help and generosity of Eli Morgan and his family when Mary becomes desperately ill. But Eli's got problems of his own and demons he needs to face as well, and Chester's not about to take Mary's leaving lying down. Faced with an uncertain future, all of them must learn to deal with the past first.
Garlock's Leaving Whiskey Bend is an engaging tale filled with colorful characters battling inner demons and external forces. While I enjoyed the tale, I had to stretch myself to believe in an illness that causes a man to think he's Abraham Lincoln; likewise, I had problems with the over-the-top villains. I also felt things tied up too quickly and neatly. I would have loved to have seen the relationships given more depth and time. However, Garlock does know how to turn a phrase and breathe historical detail into her stories, and this historical romance is good, light fare that is a quick read for when you need escapist fun.
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2: Disappointing release from Garlock
Leaving Whiskey Bend is a disappointing out for Dorothy Garlock. The plot of three women escaping the rumor mill and evil Chester Remnick of Whiskey Bend is weak and the character development of all the main characters, weaker. Garlock puts misguided energy into the creation of sympathetic Caleb Morgan in the book's prologue, only to have him come to an untimely end by page 8. Sadly, like Caleb's ludicrously disfunctional family, the novel never recovers from the loss. As the story progresses, the balance of characters--none of whom are particularly likeable--are one-dimensional and never fully defined as tragic or comedic.
Garlock's trademark ability to make landscape and characters come to life on the page doesn't begin to glimmer through the murkiness of this volume which reads more like a first effort than the work of a seasoned writer who's talent is best showcased in the Missouri series and particularly in The Edge of Town (Missouri, Book 1).
Garlock's publisher is fond of using the line, "There is nothing better than Dorothy Garlock at her best," Sandra Brown, New York Times bestselling author. Unfortunately, Leaving Whiskey Bend is far from Garlock's best work. If you haven't read her, don't start here. Check out her Missouri series.
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3: Wonderful Dorothy Garlock Reading
Leaving Whiskey Bend is a typically wonderful Dorothy Garlock book, read the book in one day
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