Kindred Spirits is Marilyn Meredith's best work yet.
I’ve enjoyed reading Marilyn Meredith’s work for a number of years, beginning with her “Two Ways West,” which was based upon the true story of the trek made by the Crabtree and Osborn families who ended up in Springville.
From this historical fiction she branched out, with a range of titles including the Tempe Crabtree mystery series, set in the community of “Bear Creek,” which bears a resemblance to Springville.
Marilyn and I have talked about writing from time to time. I told her once that my own attempts at fiction had been blocked by my failure to understand the concept of theme.
“Oh, I don’t worry about all of that,” she told me. “I just write stories that people might like to read.”
That’s true, and Marilyn’s prolific list attracts readers with online books and paperbacks. She’s also a teacher of writing and lectures at writer’s conferences throughout the country.
I settled in one recent evening to enjoy Kindred Spirits, Marilyn’s latest novel, expecting a good read and to wonder who the characters might resemble in real life or what local landmarks might find themselves transformed to her fictional setting.
I wasn’t disappointed.
But Kindred Spirits rises above Marilyn’s previous work.
Just as heroine Tempe Crabtree expands her horizons, traveling from Bear Creek to a special assignment on an Indian Reservation on California’s north coast, Meredith seems to have expanded her story-telling ability in Kindred Spirits.
Tempe comes into her own as a law enforcement officer, balancing her heritage, professional and personal relationships better than she has in the past and Marilyn skillfully weaves her character’s metamorphosis into a story which also introduces readers to the plight of the Tolowa Indians who live near Crescent City where part of the story is set.
For those, like me, who enjoy novels with realistic and somewhat familiar settings, Kindred Spirits offers the locale represented by Bear Creek along with Crescent City and Santa Barbara.
Meredith’s latest work is richly textured with interesting, well developed characters and a story line that leaves you guessing to nearly the last page. It’s her best work so far.
More information about Meredith and her work is available online at fictionforyou.com.
--Claudia Elliott, Editor, Southern Sierra Messenger
From this historical fiction she branched out, with a range of titles including the Tempe Crabtree mystery series, set in the community of “Bear Creek,” which bears a resemblance to Springville.
Marilyn and I have talked about writing from time to time. I told her once that my own attempts at fiction had been blocked by my failure to understand the concept of theme.
“Oh, I don’t worry about all of that,” she told me. “I just write stories that people might like to read.”
That’s true, and Marilyn’s prolific list attracts readers with online books and paperbacks. She’s also a teacher of writing and lectures at writer’s conferences throughout the country.
I settled in one recent evening to enjoy Kindred Spirits, Marilyn’s latest novel, expecting a good read and to wonder who the characters might resemble in real life or what local landmarks might find themselves transformed to her fictional setting.
I wasn’t disappointed.
But Kindred Spirits rises above Marilyn’s previous work.
Just as heroine Tempe Crabtree expands her horizons, traveling from Bear Creek to a special assignment on an Indian Reservation on California’s north coast, Meredith seems to have expanded her story-telling ability in Kindred Spirits.
Tempe comes into her own as a law enforcement officer, balancing her heritage, professional and personal relationships better than she has in the past and Marilyn skillfully weaves her character’s metamorphosis into a story which also introduces readers to the plight of the Tolowa Indians who live near Crescent City where part of the story is set.
For those, like me, who enjoy novels with realistic and somewhat familiar settings, Kindred Spirits offers the locale represented by Bear Creek along with Crescent City and Santa Barbara.
Meredith’s latest work is richly textured with interesting, well developed characters and a story line that leaves you guessing to nearly the last page. It’s her best work so far.
More information about Meredith and her work is available online at fictionforyou.com.
--Claudia Elliott, Editor, Southern Sierra Messenger
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