I picked up Traveler’s Rest by Sue Carter Stout because I have always loved the name of the town. I’ve been through it a couple of times, not enough to really know anything about it, but I thought it would be neat to read a book set in a real town in my state.

The story sounded like it could be compelling: Abby, a recent widow, finds that financial losses in her husband’s company are going to force her to sell her home and move to the family house she inherited. The house is in dire need of repair, she has limited funds, and her daughter is not dealing with her grief or the change in circumstances well. Abby wrestles with her own grief and faith and struggles to face and forgive the woman who caused the accident that killed Abby’s husband by texting while driving.

The back of the book tells us that Mrs. Stout “writes what she knows,” that she was widowed herself and “faced many of the situation her characters do,” which I thought would add a realism and a depth that others authors might not have.

But it all fell a little flat to me. I just didn’t sense that depth. The characters seemed to need a little more rounding out, and the plot seemed choppy to me. In fact, after the first several pages I thought I was reading a self-published book that could have used the eyes of a good editor, but I noted that the book was published by CrossBooks.

Here are just a couple of editorial problems:

On page 133, Abby is having trouble sleeping, then “At seven, I heard Carter [her son] in the kitchen. With plenty of caffeine flowing through my veins, I faced the day.” It’s assumed that between hearing her son in the kitchen and getting caffeine into her veins, she got up and went to the kitchen. There were many places like that where a transitional phrase would have helped.

On page 162, a friend gives Abby’s number to a man, suggesting that he call Abby. But that man has been helping to remodel Abby’s house and his father has been seeing Abby’s mother-in-law. Wouldn’t he have her number already?

On pages 168-69, it is mentioned twice in the same paragraph that Abby and her mother-in-law called a meeting at the shop where they work.

Those aren’t major issues, but they do distract the reader (at least, this reader) and interrupt the flow of the story. In fact, that’s why I mention them. Those of you who know me know that, though I try to be honest in my reviews, I’m not trying to be unduly critical or negative. I hope any writer who sees this sees it as constructive criticism and uses it as a way to make their writing even better.

The book did have some nice moments, and I did like the journey of the characters. I checked Amazon to see if any other readers shared my concerns, but there were no reviews yet. If you read the book, I’d love to hear what you thought. If you’re opinion is vastly different, maybe I’m just being too grumpy. 🙂