Oh how I adored this book!  I’m not surprised, really, because Ann Gabhart’s name is on the cover and so OF COURSE it will be good, and it was!  “In the Shadow of the River” is one of my favorite Christian Historical Fiction novels I’ve read in awhile, perhaps because of the sheer uniqueness of the setting – and the talent of bringing these interesting characters’ stories to life.  I also appreciated how well-drawn the backstory was, and how childhood memories played such a foundational role in how the story played out in our heroine’s adult life.

I’m used to reading Appalachian-based sagas from this author, but after reading this story set on a traveling showboat that travels down the river, well, it was so well developed that you would guess that Ms. Gabhart writes of this setting all the time!  I found the lifestyle and backdrop fascinating, and could easily picture each scene as well as the smells and sounds as we travelled from town to town, watching as the Kingston family entertained and connected with the people of the towns along the way.  The uncertainty of the mystery overarching the entire story also kept me turning pages as quickly as possible, until everything at last became fully revealed (and not quite how I was expecting!) 

Without question I recommend “In the Shadow of the River” to anyone looking for a memorable and compelling historical novel this summer.  You won’t be able to put it down, and if you aren’t already you will immediately become a fan of this talented author!

“Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.”