Night Bird Calling

Starred review from November 1, 2020

No Creek, NC, is a small town down on its luck, reeling from the Great Depression and suspicious of outsiders. Blind spinster Hyacinth Belvidere commands respect as the last descendant of the grand old families, but her new house guest, Lilliana Grace, makes some waves. Lilliana is accepted as the town librarian, but only because folks don't know she's on the run from an abusive husband and hiding under an assumed name. As Lilliana makes connections in the charming town, she uncovers hidden fault lines, and, with a child's innocent invitation, racial and class divisions threaten to erupt into an all-out war. Lilliana takes one small step of bravery after another, trying to bring forgiveness and healing to others even though she doesn't believe she deserves them for herself. VERDICT Gohlke (The Medallion) delivers another historical drama fraught with tension and loaded with truth. Recommended for readers seeking to understand complex historical issues with determined characters and a dash of hope. Fans of Susan Meissner's As Bright as Heaven or Lisa Wingate's The Book of Lost Friends will want to add this to their list.--Christine Barth, Scott Cty. Lib. Syst., IA

Copyright 2020 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 9, 2020
Gohlke (Secrets She Kept) delivers a gripping story about the trauma of domestic and church abuse set in 1941 Appalachia. Lilliana Grace Swope flees Philadelphia and her abusive husband and father, both leaders in their local congregation who use their positions to justify physical and emotional abuse, after her mother’s death. She heads to her great-aunt Hyacinth Belvidere’s home in tiny No Creek, N.C., and soon learns of Hyacinth’s health troubles and her plan to will Lilliana her estate. As Lilliana becomes part of the community, she sees the effects of racism, violence, gossip, and hidden sexual abuse; she also begins to stand up for herself, see herself as God sees her, and defend those hurt by racism and sexism by opening Hyacinth’s home and large library to all. But as Hyacinth becomes increasingly blind and frail, Lilliana’s husband shows up looking to position himself to profit from Lilliana’s inheritance, and Lilliana must find the courage to thwart his scheme to divorce her to keep control of the estate. Gohlke creates a cast readers will love, and the strong themes of the bonds of family forged outside one’s kin resonate. The author’s fans will love this. Agent: Natasha Kern, Natasha Kern Literary Agency