I loved this book which is touted as an historical fiction thriller, and it delivers! Philip Gray's research enables the realistic portrayal of the difficulties of uncovering and respecting the human debris of the war torn battlefields of Northern France in 1919. His writing style and descriptions are powerful, and sometimes graphic,so you can almost feel the goosebumps and sodden discomfort of the cold downpour of rain, or the frightening echoes of those that were lost in the brutal trench warfare. The characters are all well developed , smart and complicated. Amy, the protagonist, stands out as an independent, willful woman who travels to the area to search for her missing fiancé who she believes has perished in battle.While she is motivated by both love and guilt, she is determined to find answers to the rumors of Captain Haslan's disappearance.
The plot toggles back and forth in time to reveal the history of the main characters, and to describe missions and battles which reinforce the author's philosophy that "War is a contest of violence, not virtue".
The many themes were well developed and enhanced the story's suspense, as well as the reader's interest. My one criticism would be that I felt the ending seemed contrived in some aspects, but it did not detract from the novel.

Like a jigsaw puzzle, the chapter pieces fall into place as Carrot Quinn slowly develops over the years from a victim of a tragic childhood into a strong, independent female. The memoir creates word photos of her experiences which often leave the reader smelling the herbs, hating the taste of a can of cold beans, or the grime of hobo travel on the rails. Quinn's adventures build her character, values, and the love of Nature with it's ability to restore peace in a troubled soul. I will be introducing this book to my Book Club as the themes promote discussions worth exploring. The story leaves you rooting for Carrot and her quest and it keeps you wondering what comes next…

The perspective of this WWII themed novel is original and well researched with a variety of characters from a range of backgrounds, religious beliefs, and national ideals. The desperation, the spirit and bonding of a group of hunted Jews in a hostile primal forest environment, where the mass of foliage sometimes erases the stars, feels real. The survival experiment is led by Yona, an unusual adolescent female, abducted and raised without family or social ties, who seeks to overcome her personal fears and deal with a series of relationships. Her resilience and leadership instincts lead to a story line with twists and turns which engage the reader. The "Author's Note", at the end of the novel, was the clincher, giving further meaning to a book with diverse themes that will stimulate and enhance discussions of another Kristin Harmel hit.