#3: Memory's Gate

In this final episode, Elizabeth finds herself involved in a mystery that threatens the residents of the local nursing home, including the sheriff's father. People are disappearing, and the clues seem linked to Malcolm Dubbs' historical village. Will the sheriff finally believe Elizabeth has been telling the truth about her travels through time?

In this final episode, Elizabeth finds herself involved in a mystery that threatens the residents of the local nursing home, including the sheriff’s father. People are disappearing, and the clues seem linked to Malcolm Dubbs’ historical village. Will the sheriff finally believe Elizabeth has been telling the truth about her travels through time?

Memory’s Gate is the third book in a trilogy written by Paul McCusker. Although not Christian or spiritual in its theme, there is reference to God’s will that all of us must be subject to, especially when trying to answer perplexing questions about life.

The story centers on a sixteen-year-old teenager, Elizabeth Forde, who volunteers at the Fawlt Line Retirement Center and almost immediately becomes involved in the mysterious disappearances and deaths of some of the residents. She meets Doug Hall, the handsome maintenance man, Adam Hounslow, the uncooperative father of the town’s sheriff (Richard Hounslow) and George Betterman, a gray-bearded man in a wheelchair who says little to anyone.

In a museum built by one Malcolm Dubbs, called the Historical Village, Adam disappears, sending the staff and his son the sheriff into a panic. Thus starts the search and subsequent disappearances of other residents and even some of their belongings. Elizabeth and her boyfriend, Jeff, become civilian sleuths in trying to solve the mystery. In doing so, Elizabeth almost loses her life in a fire but is rescued by a surprising figure, which later puts the entire adventure into a conclusion that satisfies both the characters in the story as well as the reader. This is a mildly interesting, fast-paced book that borders on fantasy, as the subject of time travel is referred to over and over. Also, there are references to characters and plots from the previous two books, which made it at times confusing (if the other two haven’t been read previously). The style is simple and straight-forward, and character development in minimal, given the book’s brevity. There are very few religious references, making more of a general market, rather than Christian book. For an afternoon of light reading, this book will do the job. – Anita Tiemeyer, ChristianBookPreviews.com

Average Rating:

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Reviewed by Jill Williamson (Oregon), May 20, 2009

Elizabeth Forde is on her first day at the Fawlt Line Retirement Center, kicking herself for volunteering to work there. For some reason, she finds the place overwhelming. Until she meets Frieda Schultz, a cheerful and friendly resident. If for Frieda alone, Elizabeth decides to stick it out for a few days before she makes a final decision. But Mr. Betterman, a creepy guy in an electric wheelchair, haunts Elizabeth’s nightmares, calling her Sarah, the name of her time twin from the other world. And when Frieda has a heart attack, Elizabeth can’t help but wonder if Mr. Betterman was responsible in some way. Is Mr. Betterman from the other world? If so, what is he up to? I haven’t read the first two books in this series and didn’t realize it was a book three until I started reading it. The story was enjoyable. There was a lot of backstory to help me understand things I missed not having read the first two books. Sometimes that was helpful, sometimes it felt like I didn’t need to know it all. I liked the mystery in the story. The characters weren’t as deep as I like, but this was only a two hundred-page book, so that’s probably part of the reason. The premise is intriguing. I would have liked to have read the first two before reviewing the third.

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