A Kind of Hush by JoDee Neathery

Author JoDee Neathery dissects the bonds and wounds of the unforgettable Mackie family in A Kind of Hush. While a tragic accident at Zoar Valley Gorge nearly tears the Mackie family apart, the investigation into what happened on that fateful day may reveal even more dark and divisive truths. Exploring the long road of pain, anger, and forgiveness after grief, this intimate peek at familial healing is striking in its level of detail. Though this intense family drama tells a riveting story, the quality of the prose doesn’t always hold up; an overabundance of metaphors and similes, along with circuitous descriptions and forced allusions, can make the reading experience feel more complicated than necessary. Fortunately, the visceral relationships and powerful characters push the novel past these weak points, resulting in an emotive and affecting read.