Up in East Tennessee, the spirit of Christmas is almost
palpable in the air...especially in this case, when there
might be a real spirit floating around. Told in
alternating
stories, Nora Bonesteel tries to bring some rest to the
possibly haunted old Honeycutt house while the town
sheriff
and deputy attempt to arrest an old man on Christmas Eve.
While this isn't my normal go-to read, NORA BONESTEEL'S
CHRISTMAS PAST brings out more frequent and unexpected
smiles than I anticipated. Sharyn McCrumb brings readers
to
the rich setting of Tennessee, and she fills these stories
with so many beautiful descriptions of the land and people
you want to pull up a rocking chair and stare at
some mountains.
Though some of the story was a little clichéd, the
simple and wholesome approach to Christmas is full of
warmth
and sentiment. I especially like the surprising hint of
paranormal element with Nora and her psychic abilities
that
still somehow ties into that quiet Christmas feeling.
Though
I haven't read any of McCrumb's other Ballad
novels, the
character still felt distinctive, and there was plenty of
background to get a feel of what this town and people are
supposed to be like.
Overall, while I think those familiar with McCrumb's other
work may enjoy this more, I still found NORA BONESTEEL'S
CHRISTMAS PAST by Sharyn McCrumb a delightful seasonal
read.
The rich writing is perfect for a cold winter's night, and
the warm homey feel of the story will bring out the sweet
embrace of the holiday season.
When someone buys the old Honeycutt house, Nora Bonesteel is glad to see some life brought back to the old mansion, even if it is by summer people. But when they decide to stay through Christmas, they find more than old memories in the walls. On Christmas Eve, Sheriff Spencer Arrowood and Deputy Joe LeDonne find themselves on an unwelcome call to arrest an elderly man for a minor offense. As they attempt to do their duty, while doing the right thing for a neighbor, it begins to look like they may all spend Christmas away from home. In a story of spirits, memories, and angels unaware, Sharyn McCrumb revisits her most loved characters who know there is more to this world than the eye can see, especially at Christmastime.
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