Leona’s brother Roland is outraged that an outsider should receive such a personal bequest and, by association, his young, hot-tempered son Farrell T. also becomes outraged. Flip decides there must have been a reason for Leona to leave her the bible and hangs on to it for dear life, even in the midst of all the accidents befalling all of Leona’s heirs.

As Flip delves into the past, she finds a secret romance, traced back to a famous Civil War general and is very surprised where the search takes her as she travels 150 years into the present.

Solace Glen is a quaint town and though it is in Maryland, conducts itself as if it were in the Deep South. The atmosphere is charming and full of historical references, though it always feels as if something is missing.

Flip is a warm and caring character who spends most of her time taking care of everyone else. Though she is 42, this is oft forgot, as she seems younger much of the time unsure of herself. What little is learned about Flip is through her interaction with others and her public persona. Glimpses of the private Flip are few and far between, perhaps due to her early losses and feelings of lack of family.

While the plot is very straight forward and the letters easily deciphered, there is something that makes readers curious and draws them into Solace Glen, making them want to know the entire story and to visit with and learn more about its residents.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry