by Deborah Heal
Book: History Mystery #3
Publisher: CreateSpace
Pub Date: March 2013
Genre: Young Adult
Format: Paerback
Source: Publisher / Tour
Those who have read Time and Again and Unclaimed Legacy know that Abby Thomas is a college student on a summer service project with 11-year-old Merri. And they know that the summer is not going the way Abby had expected—but in a good way. For one thing, she meets a very nice guy named John Roberts. And for another, she discovers a strange computer program called Beautiful House that lets her fast-forward and rewind life. Not her own, of course, but those of the people who lived in Merri’s old house. And the Old Dears’ old house, and…well, any old house.
And since Beautiful House worked so well for the Old Dears’ genealogy project, Abby’s college roommate Kate hopes it will help her find out more about her ancestor. Ned Greenfield was born at a place called Hickory Hill in the tiny town of Equality, set in the hills of southern Illinois and the breath-taking Shawnee National Forest.
Abby and John reluctantly agree to help her, but only on the condition that she and her fiancĂ© Ryan promise to keep the program a secret, because if it fell into the wrong hands…well, no one wants Big Brother looking over his shoulder.
The mayor, police chief, and townspeople of Equality are hospitable and helpful—until the topic of Hickory Hill comes up. Eventually Abby and her friends find Hickory Hill on their own—both the mansion and the lonely hill it sits upon. Built in 1834, Hickory Hill stands sentinel over Half Moon Salt Mine where the original owner John Granger accumulated his blood-tainted fortune.
They meet Miss Granger, Hickory Hill’s current eccentric owner and eventually get the chance to time-surf there. Their shocking discovery on the third floor is almost too much to bear. What they learn sends them racing to the opposite end of the state to find the missing link in Kate’s family tree. And there they are reminded that God is in the business of redemption—that one day he’ll make all things new.
My Review: This book has a lot of sciency style which is cool when used right. And Deborah has, using it to travel virtually. Characters for a lot of science style books are hard to develop and keep up with. But these characters were created so well, that it made it hard not to like them. Now there is this computer program that can take you into the past live other lives. Now if my computer did that I would be fixing the past, not just living other lives. Though Kate's family tree uncovered something that may have had a strong impact over a small town. This part of the book had grabbed me even more. For some parts of the book, young readers should know that there are scene that may or may not be what you usually read, being there is some rape involved. This book the program was used for many things, first at a summer project with Abby and Merri. Kate doesn't show up until this book, where she goes to the house where Abby is staying. This program only works in historiacl places, otherwise it won't travel. But Katy won't believe at first, so she must try it herself. The research takes her, where she never thought she would go. Since this is my first time dealing with a book that has more science that I usually read, I find it to be pretty good. I would read more books by Deborah and thing you all should to.
My Rating:
✪✪✪✪✪
