Book Blitz: Trial by Town by Sharon Fernicola

Welcome to the Trial by Town by Sharon Fernicola. Don't forget to check out the giveaway below to win an ebook copy of Trial by Town.
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Trial by Town
Sharon Fernicola
Publication date: March 31st 2026
Genres: Adult, Mystery

A gripping small town murder mystery

In the quiet coastal town of Keansbury, reputation is everything.

When eighteen-year-old Peter Keans—the heir to the town’s most powerful family—is found murdered, shock quickly turns to certainty. A young woman is arrested, and for all residents the case appears simple.

Justice, they believe, will be swift.

Attorney Katie Russo isn’t so sure.

Invited to review what seems like an open-and-shut prosecution, Katie begins to notice small inconsistencies buried beneath the surface of the investigation. As she looks deeper, she discovers a community bound by loyalty, economic dependence, and an unspoken understanding that some truths are better left alone.

With the trial approaching and tensions mounting, long-held assumptions begin to fracture. In a place where reputation defines identity and silence protects power, the search for truth threatens far more than a single verdict.

TRIAL BY TOWN is a character-driven small town murder mystery about justice, moral ambiguity, and the quiet pressure of a town determined to protect its own.

Perfect for readers who enjoy small town suspense, courtroom drama, and mysteries where the truth hides behind reputation and power.

For fans of Defending Jacob and Anatomy of a Scandal comes a gripping small town murder mystery where reputation, power, and truth collide.

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

“Mr. VanAnt, as you may know, the Professor asked me to speak with Miss O’Neill. I did so only to be of help.” She made certain her tone continued calm and reassuring, not wanting to give the misimpression that she was speaking as a defense attorney. “Miss O’Neill is unwavering in her claim of innocence.”

He was quick to respond, the red deepening in color. “I’m not surprised by anything she says. She’s always been a strange girl. Her uncle was strange. I guess it was just in the genes. However, that’s not an excuse. Mrs. Russo, as far as myself and this community are concerned, she killed him. Whether by accident or intentional, she killed him. The sooner she’s removed from here, the better. We have enough to deal with without her presence being a constant painful reminder.”

He tried to take another sip of coffee, but his shaking hand made him unsteady. A small amount poured onto the table. Katie grabbed a few napkins to blot up the puddle. She worried that she may have pushed him too far, but as concerned as she felt for him, she was compelled to continue the discussion.

“I can only imagine the pressure you’ve been under. The Professor mentioned that Mr. Keans Sr. has had virtually no involvement with the business since his son’s death.”

He paused a moment, then looked directly at Katie. “One does what one needs to do to survive. I have a responsibility to our customers, our workers, our community, and our families. A lot of people have been affected by this tragedy, and I’ll do everything and anything it takes to see that this business continues.”

Katie felt a chill up her spine. His words almost sounded like a threat. Perhaps he wasn’t quite the gentle giant she had thought. It was clear that the conversation had gone as far as it was going to go. “I’m certain you have everyone’s support and appreciation.”

Katie glanced at her watch and noted the lateness of the hour. “I’ve taken up enough of your time.” She rose and extended her hand. “This was an unexpected pleasure meeting you, and I very much enjoyed the tour.”

“Likewise.” He held the chair for her, the way a gentleman did in an old black-and-white film, and then escorted her to the elevator. “I hope you don’t mind if I say goodbye here. I have a few hours of paperwork ahead of me and I’d better get started.”

“Not at all. Again, thank you.”

He stood there looking at her until the doors closed. The chill she got earlier seemed to return. She tried to explain away her discomfort. After all, he had a right to feel such anger, and it wasn’t directed toward her. More chills as she walked briskly to the car, only this time, they were caused by the late afternoon breeze off the water. She slid into the seat and turned on the engine and the heater and waited until she was sufficiently warmed. As she drove out the gate, she thought about his words. Other than Jennifer, everyone she’d spoken to since arriving were aligned in their sentiment, although none expressed it so succinctly as Mr. VanAnt. “The sooner she’s removed from here, the better.” Katie rounded the bend, happy to be heading toward the comfort of the Professor’s home.

As he lost sight of her car, VanAnt drew the blinds and returned to his paperwork.

Author Bio:

Sharon Fernicola is a writer drawn to layered mysteries, emotional realism, and characters who challenge assumptions. Her fascination with crime and justice began early, watching Perry Mason with her father and falling in love with the genre’s blend of intellect and drama. Her debut novel, Trial by Town, explores the fragile line between perception and truth in a small town desperate to preserve its legacy.

In her 70s, Sharon completed three triathlons, obtained dual Italian–American citizenship, and wrote her first book—living proof that bold dreams don’t come with an expiration date. She brings a poetic sensibility to her storytelling, blending suspense with empathy and nuance. When she’s not writing, she’s mapping out her next adventure or putting in time at the gym, always chasing the next challenge with curiosity and grit.

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Review: The Sin Eater by Jennifer Harlow

Title: The Sin Eater 
Author: Jennifer Harlow
Series: F.R.E.A.K.S. Squad Investigation #5
Publication: May 23rd 2017 by Devil on the Left Books
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Mystery
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo
Rating: 4.5/5★

The long anticipated installment of the best-selling and critically acclaimed F.R.E.A.K.S. Squad series is finally here…

CLASSIFIED: The Exiled F.R.E.A.K.

What’s a F.R.E.A.K. to do after all her hopes and dreams literally died in front of her? Telekinetic Beatrice Alexander went from flying around the country in a private jet, saving innocent lives from monstrous threats to living in her grandmother’s house, playing video games and drinking too much. Directionless, hiding from her problems and trauma, she will do anything not to confront her deadly actions that fateful night in North Carolina three months before. Any distraction will do.

Enter Lord Connor McInnis.

Drawn to the sexy, powerful ruler of San Diego, Beatrice soon loses herself in the passion and luxury of the vampire’s world. But when she finds herself caught in the middle of a centuries old vampire rivalry, Beatrice must decide: how far is she willing to go for those she loves…and for herself?

I kind of forgot to post this review after I read the book because I read the book and wrote the review when I was on vacation last year so it was still hiding in one of my notebooks but I finally got around to posting it. Phew! Initially I was a little nervous to start this book because I knew it was going to be a little different from the previous four books. And it did actually end up being quite different but in the best way possible!

It's been a while since the book before this one but I remember how the end really broke my heart so I knew the main character, Bea, wouldn't be in the best state of mind in this story. But it only showed how very human she really is. I don't want to give too much away but she ends up being in a relationship with a rich and powerful vampire named Connor, which really surprised me because this didn't seem typical at all for Bea. She was grieving the loss of the love of her life so I did understand her reasoning concering all her actions. She made some rash and bad decisions, sure, but I can't say I blame her for it.

Speaking of Connor... I never really knew what to really think of him when he appeared in a previous book or was mentioned. He was a major character in this book so it gave me time to get to know him more. I liked him but there were also moments when I was reading the book that I felt something was really off about him. I was going back and forth a lot with him. The story kept me guessing whether he was to be trusted or not, which is something that I actually loved. 

Compared to the other books this one was really steamy and also a lot darker. That was yet another thing I loved about it. You know me, I'm all about the darker books. And of course there was Oliver, my favorite character from this series. He's just so wonderful and he was amazing in this book. I love how well he knows Bea and how well she knows him in return. I'm not sure if she actually deserves him but I do want them to be endgame (although I'm not sure if there'll be another book but a girl can dream) They have a real and strong connection. I was also really glad that he made Bea see sense eventually. 

So overal I loved The Sin Eater by Jennifer Harlow. It's definitely one of my most favorite books by her and a very powerful story as well. I can't recommend this series high enough. It also features different paranormal creatures and people with various powers. 

Author bio
Jennifer Harlow spent her restless childhood fighting with her three brothers and scaring the heck out of herself with horror movies and books. She grew up to earn a degree at the University of Virginia which she put to use as a radio DJ, crisis hotline volunteer, bookseller, lab assistant, wedding coordinator, and government investigator. Currently she calls Atlanta home but that restless itch is ever present. In her free time she continues to scare the beejepers out of herself watching scary movies and opening her credit card bills.
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Review: The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith

Title: The Silkworm
Author: Robert Galbraith
Series: Cormoran Strike #2
Publication: June 19th 2014 by Sphere
Genre: Adult ~ Mystery ~ Crime
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo
Rating: 5/5

  

When novelist Owen Quine goes missing, his wife calls in private detective Cormoran Strike. At first, she just thinks he has gone off by himself for a few days - as he has done before - and she wants Strike to find him and bring him home.

But as Strike investigates, it becomes clear that there is more to Quine's disappearance than his wife realises. The novelist has just completed a manuscript featuring poisonous pen-portraits of almost everyone he knows. If the novel were published it would ruin lives - so there are a lot of people who might want to silence him.

And when Quine is found brutally murdered in bizarre circumstances, it becomes a race against time to understand the motivation of a ruthless killer, a killer unlike any he has encountered before...

A compulsively readable crime novel with twists at every turn, The Silkworm is the second in the highly acclaimed series featuring Cormoran Strike and his determined young assistant Robin Ellacott.

Just like The Cuckoo's Calling I completely enjoyed The Silkworm. This time I went into it with high expectations and I'm glad to say they were all met perfectly. Mystery and detective books are one genre I almost never read but these books are seriously good.

The Silkworm is very different from the first book. A novelist, Owen Quine goes missing and his wife hires Cormoran Strike to find him, who apparently wrote a book that puts a lot of people in a bad light. The case changes to a murder investigation when Quine turns up dead in a gruesome way. 

One thing I love about this book is how the mystery surrounding Quine's death and his book. I also like how Cormoran slowly but surely fits all the pieces together and solves the case in the end. I, for one, couldn't guess who the killer was until he actually revealed it. It was driving me nuts.

As for the characters, I absolutely love Cormoran Strike. He's a brilliant detective and one of my favorite characters ever. I also love Robin. I like how genuinely nice she is and how Coromoran really needs her for the job they're doing. I like their dynamic together. 

The writing in this book (as well as The Cuckoo's Calling) was excellent. It has a good pace and I could never get tired of reading it. And I must admit, as much as I love the Harry Potters books, I actually like this series better. (don't kill me, Potterheads!). I can't wait for the third book to come out!

 About the Author:

 Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Pen name used by J K Rowling, the British novelist best known as the author of the Harry Potter fantasy series and The Casual Vacancy.

Review: The Donor by Candace Osmond

Title: The Donor
Author: Candace Osmond
Publication: October 15th 2014
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Rating: 2/5

Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review.

 

What's the first thought that would run through your mind if you woke up, completely naked, strapped to an operating table, sans a kidney? What ran through Nora Daniels mind was that, sadly, nobody would even notice she was missing. No family, no friends, not even a boyfriend. No, there would be no Prince Charming busting down the door to save the day or loved ones to mourn her death. Unless she could find a way to uncover the secrets hidden in her past and discover the one thing tying her to this world.

I really dislike having to give negative reviews for books, especially if I received said book for review but my overal feeling for The Donor was that is just wasn't my cup of tea, unfortunately.

The book started out good for me because it was all wrapped in mystery with Nora waking up on an operating table, not knowing what was going on and I love a good mystery but from there on out I started getting less and less interested with the story and the characters. The writing also couldn't hold my attention much. I mean, it was okay but that was just it.

I guess I wanted a little more character building but due to this book being rather short there wasn't much time for that. I also felt that some of the twists were a bit too predictable for my taste. I'd pretty much guessed everything before it would happen. 

I did like Nora as a character, even without much character building because even with everything going on with her life, she still wanted to go on. But Henry was really annoying to me for some reason. I really couldn't like him and I guess that put a little bit of a damper on the whole thing for me. 

All in all, The Donor was a unique concept for a book but I felt myself getting more uninterested in it the more I read. I loved that it was set in the future and Nora was pretty likable character but that was it. I do hope other people will give this a chance. It's a short book and can be read quickly, so other people might like it more than I did.

About the Author:

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Born in 1985 as Candace Osmond in North York Ontario, I began to travel with my parents at the very young age of four years old. I had lived all over Canada and seen everything my country has to offer, from the enchanting shores of Newfoundland to the gigantic snow capped mountains of British Columbia all by the time I was ten. I did, however, spend most of my life in Eastern Canada where I was surrounded by folklore and legends, not knowing how they would shape my personality and imagination for the rest of my life. Being the only girl of my age in a small group of kids, in an even smaller town, left me spending most of my time by myself and, in result, letting my imagination take over. I would sit by the shore and dream up stories of mermaids and other fantastic creatures to pass the time. Coming from a family with writers and artists dispersed throughout, it was only natural that I spend my time writing, drawing and reading. I dreamed of becoming nothing more than an artist, a creator of any kind. By the age of eleven, I spent most of my waking hours scribbling down short stories, poems and anything else I could think of, while adding my own personal illustrations. By the age of fourteen, I had won numerous local and minor arts and writing competitions. I excelled at anything art and literature related so, naturally, I planned to attend university for nothing more or less than that. In 2003 I planned to attend university for Creative Writing and Literary Studies. But, with the fear that I would spend all my time and money on an education and end up in a field that I may very well struggle to succeed in, I backed out and attended school for Design instead. Now, a successful Designer specializing in interiors, I met a man and fell in love. His passion and talent for art far exceeds my own, but he motivated me and awakened my old habits of staying up late and waking up early to scribble down dreams and ideas before I had forgotten them and they disappeared forever.

Review: The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith

Title: The Cuckoo's Calling
Author: Robert Galbraith
Series: Cormoran Strike #1
Publication: April 18th 2013 by Sphere
Genre: Adult ~ Mystery
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo
Rating: 5/5

  

A brilliant debut mystery in a classic vein: Detective Cormoran Strike investigates a supermodel's suicide. After losing his leg to a land mine in Afghanistan, Cormoran Strike is barely scraping by as a private investigator. Strike is down to one client, and creditors are calling. He has also just broken up with his longtime girlfriend and is living in his office.
Then John Bristow walks through his door with an amazing story: His sister, thelegendary supermodel Lula Landry, known to her friends as the Cuckoo, famously fell to her death a few months earlier. The police ruled it a suicide, but John refuses to believe that. The case plunges Strike into the world of multimillionaire beauties, rock-star boyfriends, and desperate designers, and it introduces him to every variety of pleasure, enticement, seduction, and delusion known to man.
You may think you know detectives, but you've never met one quite like Strike. You may think you know about the wealthy and famous, but you've never seen them under an investigation like this.

The Cuckoo's Calling has got to be one of the most surprising books I've read. I usually never read books in this genre. I never thought it was my thing but I got the book as a christmas present from my mom and, well, it is J.K. Rowling so I wanted to try a few chapters and see what it was like. I never expected to get hooked like I was. It simply was a very good book. I loved it.

Starting the book I had no idea what to expect but the story was really great, in my opinion. I liked the mystery of Lula's death and It's always fun to read a good whodunit story, trying to find out who the killer is. It really could've been anyone and in the end I hadn't expected the killer to be who it was. I was very surprised and that's a good thing with mystery books.

Disabled, just broken up with his girlfriend and sleeping in his office, Cormoran Strike is struggling to pay his debts due to lack of clients. When John Bristow hires Cormoran to investigate the suspicious suicide of his adoptive sister, model Lula Landry, Cormoran, in need of money, takes on the case. Add in his new secretary,  Robin, who's ecstatic to work with a private investigator, dubious suspects and you get one hell of a book!

The characters were so interesting! Cormoran Strike, being the lead character, was of course my favorite. I simply love him. I liked his personality a lot and his past was intriguing to me, too. His relationship with his new secretary, Robin, was pretty awkward but I actually loved that. They make a very good team. I really liked Robin also. I loved her enthousiasm to be working for Cormoran. The other characters were also captivating to read about. I suspected a lot of people of killing Lula but they were all pretty wrapped in mystery. 

Let's talk about the writing next. Oh my god. That was the thing that I noticed first, the writing. It was stunning, simply stunning. I swear I could just keep reading this book for ages and not get tired of it because of the way it was written. I also loved the setting of London. Now, I've never been there but wow, I felt as if I could see it all. Consider me impressed!

Overall, The Cuckoo's Calling was a damn good read. All of it; the intriguing mystery, the compelling character of Cormoran Strike, the brilliant writing, the gritty setting... everything! It was a brilliant book!

Quotes:

Who was more conscious than the soldier of capricious fortune, of the random roll of the dice?

Robin was disposed to feel desperately sorry for anyone with a less fortunate love life than her own – if desperate pity could describe the exquisite pleasure she actually felt at the thought of her own comparative paradise.

But they had already tried, again and again and again, and always, when the first crashing wave of mutual longing subsided, the ugly wreck of the past lay revealed again, its shadow lying darkly over everything they tried to rebuild.

About the Author:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Pen name used by J K Rowling, the British novelist best known as the author of the Harry Potter fantasy series and The Casual Vacancy.

Review: The Loch Ness Monster by Jean Flitcroft

Title: The Loch Ness Monster
Author: Jean Flitcroft
Series: The Cryptid Files #1
Publication: May 1st 2014 by Darby Creek
Genre: Middle Grade ~ Mystery
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo
Rating: 4/5

Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review.

A huge, glowing object moved slowly toward her. As it approached, the glow grew more intense and the water warmer. Vanessa stopped swimming, waiting for the inevitable...

Vanessa's dreams are haunted by cryptids—mysterious creatures that may or may not exist. Her mother used to study them, gathering scientific evidence that at least some of them are real. Vanessa longs to continue her mother's research. At the moment, though, she also has more pressing concerns—like a family trip that includes her father's new girlfriend.

But the visit to Scotland gives Vanessa a chance to explore the eerie secrets of Loch Ness. With the help of her mother's cryptid files, can she solve the mystery of the most famous cryptid of all?

The first book in The Cryptid Files, The Loch Ness Monster was a story that I really enjoyed. The chapters were pretty short, which I loved and the book didn't take too long to read either. It was a great middle grade book.

This book was part mystery, part adventure and who doesn't know Nessie? I think it will speak to many young readers. I'm in my 20's and even I loved it. But then again, I've always been intrigued by the myth of the Loch Ness Monster. And I really thought this book was very well-written and before each chapter there was were some facts about Nessie, sightings and what not. I must admit that it was my favorite part.

Vanessa was a great character to read about. I also liked her family a lot. This book is not just about the mystery that is Nessie but it also is about Vanessa dealing with her mother's death, and accepting a new woman (Lee) in the life of her father, which hasn't been easy for her. But she learns that Lee and her have more in common that she realizes. The only things that was a bit less enjoyable to me was the part where Vanessa falls into the loch and well, let's say things got a little crazy there. I don't want to spoil the story too much so I'll just leave it at that.

All in all, The Loch Ness Monster was a great book. I enjoyed the writing and the facts about sightings through history the most but the story itself was also very good. And I can't wait to read the other books in the series as well. They sound awesome!

About the Author:

Website

Dr Jean Flitcroft lives in Dublin with her husband and three boys. She attended Holy Child School, Killiney and studied science in University College Dublin. On being awarded a Welcome Scholarship she went on to Magdalen College, Oxford University where she obtained her doctorate.

She started as a script writer for medical and scientific films and later became a travel writer when her obsession with travel won out. It was on these journeys around the world that she started writing books for children.

The Cryptid Files: Loch Ness is the first book of a series that covers the globe in pursuit of the weird and wonderful creatures of cryptozoology. It features perhaps the most famous cryptid of all: the Loch Ness monster. It is followed by The Cryptid Files: Mexican Devil, which is set in Mexico and explores the spine-tingling story of the blood-sucking Chupacabra. In the third book in the series, The Cryptid Files: Pacific Giants, Vanessa discovers another beast, cadborosaurus willsi, or Caddy for short, off the west coast of Canada.

Review: Seti's Charm: A Max Carter Adventure by Chris Everheart

Title: Seti's Charm
Author: Chris Everheart
Series: A Max Carter Adventure #1
Publication: September 26th 2014 by Yellow Rocket Media
Genre: Middle Grade ~ Adventure ~ Mystery
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Rating: 4/5

Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review.

Fourteen-year-old Max Carter has grown up in his grandfather's museum, training to be the world's youngest archaeologist. When the museum is robbed and burned by greedy smugglers, Grandpa begs Max to return their prized possession to Egypt and break the curse that caused this disaster. But Seti's Charm--a priceless funeral amulet from the mummy of Pharaoh Seti I-- is in the hands of murderous thugs.

While Grandpa lies in a hospital bed and Max's wicked step-grandmother schemes to turn their life upside down, Max enlists the help of a giant Frenchman with a shady past. Together, they chase Seti's Charm to a tropical island where Max braves shark-infested waters, machine gun fire, explosions, capture, and torture to learn the shocking true reason that Seti's Charm was stolen. But will he get the legendary object back and return it to its rightful owners in time to save Grandpa and the only life he's ever known?

After reading several pretty heavy books in a row, I was in the mood for something more light and easy to read. This is where Seti's Charm came in. It was the perfect book for what I wanted + everything connected to ancient Egypt is a huge bonus for me.

Max was a very likable character. I'm sure he's going to appeal to a lot of readers, no matter their age. I loved his courage and how he basically did everything he could to help his grandfather. This includes going inside burning buildings, facing down people with guns, and even facing his hateful step-grandmother. 

The story involved a lot of interesting characters (coughRenaultcough) that I hope to see again in the next book(s), if there will be any sequels. They were all quite interesting and just fun to read about. 

Miriam (the step-grandmother) however was the worst. I loathed her with a passion and I had hoped at the end of the book she'd be somehow gone, but no such luck. I just felt so bad for Max because Miriam has been treating him so badly. But other than that, I really enjoy this book.

The Egypt element was a bit on the minor side, although Seti's amulet did set things in motion for the story. I loved the mystery surrounding it and also the writing was pretty good. 

Fast-paced, mysterious and full of action, Seti's Charm is a prime examble why I love middle grade books so much. I'm already looking forward to Max Carter's next adventure!

About the Author:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Chris Everheart is an award-winning author of more than twenty books and short stories for middle-graders, young adults, and adults and an award-winning filmmaker. A lifelong reluctant reader, TV junkie, and movie lover, Chris infuses the pacing and thrills of visual storytelling into all his stories. When not writing he can be found hiking in the mountains near home, watching television, or learning about history, science, and archeology. He's a Minnesota native living in East Tennessee with his family.

Review: Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult

Title: Leaving Time
Author: Jodi Picoult
Publication: October 14th 2014 by Ballantine Books
Genre: Adult ~ Mystery
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Rating: 5/5

Throughout her blockbuster career, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult has seamlessly blended nuanced characters, riveting plots, and rich prose, brilliantly creating stories that “not only provoke the mind but touch the flawed souls in all of us” (The Boston Globe). Now, in her highly anticipated new book, she has delivered her most affecting novel yet—and one unlike anything she’s written before.

For more than a decade, Jenna Metcalf has never stopped thinking about her mother, Alice, who mysteriously disappeared in the wake of a tragic accident. Refusing to believe that she would be abandoned as a young child, Jenna searches for her mother regularly online and pores over the pages of Alice’s old journals. A scientist who studied grief among elephants, Alice wrote mostly of her research among the animals she loved, yet Jenna hopes the entries will provide a clue to her mother’s whereabouts.

Desperate to find the truth, Jenna enlists two unlikely allies in her quest. The first is Serenity Jones, a psychic who rose to fame finding missing persons—only to later doubt her gifts. The second is Virgil Stanhope, a jaded private detective who originally investigated Alice’s case along with the strange, possibly linked death of one of her colleagues. As the three work together to uncover what happened to Alice, they realize that in asking hard questions, they’ll have to face even harder answers.

As Jenna’s memories dovetail with the events in her mother’s journals, the story races to a mesmerizing finish. A deeply moving, gripping, and intelligent page-turner, Leaving Time is Jodi Picoult at the height of her powers.

This was my first Jodi Picoult book (aside from the short story 'Where There's Smoke') but I know it definitely won't be my last. Although not my usual genre, Leaving Time was incredible!

This book was definitely one of the most unique and best books I have ever read. And the best thing was that I could read for hours without it getting boring. I was actually annoyed when I had to stop reading for you know, sleep and food. Darn basic needs! But oh, it was such a touching and marvelous book!

There were four points of view in this book — teenager  Jenna, her mother Alice, psychic Serenity and ex-cop Virgil. I can honestly say that I liked them all equally. I had already met Serenity in the short story 'Where There's Smoke' and I must say that I'm very pleased to know what happened to her after the events of the short story. The other characters were also great. 

The story revolves the most about Jenna, obviously, who's trying to find out what happened to her mother a decade ago when she disappeared without a trace. Is she hiding from the law? Is she dead? Did she run away from her mentally ill husband? We don't know! 
Virgil was the cop who was on the case all those years ago. I love, though, that at first both Serenity and Virgil are very wary of helping Jenna but they come around eventually.

The point of view from Alice was the most unique because it's featured in the past and at first there's mostly stories about elephant grief that she's researching. The stories about the elephants were kind of heartbreaking but I loved reading them. I didn't know a quarter of all the things I know now about elephants because of this book. Pretty amazing! But anyway, Alice's point of view slowly starts getting closer to the events of the day where she disappeared and eventually we find out what's really going on and wow, it was all very intense and dramatic but I loved it! 

The end where everything gets revealed is a huge twist, one that I hadn't seen coming at all. I was pretty shocked actually and had to re-read some sentences a few times for it to truly sink in. My mind was blown. I also really enjoyed Jodi Picoult's writing style. Like I said before it's my first book by her but she really impressed me with this story. 

Leaving Time is a mystery, drama and thriller all rolled into one book that was so moving. The story absolutely tugged on my heartstrings and I enjoyed reading it so much. It's one of those books that I know I will be thinking about for quite some time.

Quotes:

I'm the princess in an ivory tower, except every brick is made of history, and I built this prison myself.

When someone leaves you once, you expect it to happen again. Eventually you stop getting close enough to people to let them become important to you, because then you don't notice when they drop of your world.

Jenna lost her mother. I lost my credibility. Virgil lost his faith. We've all got missing pieces. But for a little while, I believed that, together, we might be whole.

About the Author:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Jodi Picoult is the author of twenty-two novels, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers The Storyteller, Lone Wolf, Between the Lines, Sing You Home, House Rules, Handle with Care, Change of Heart, Nineteen Minutes, and My Sister’s Keeper. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and three children.