When her sister Becca disappears, Claire returns to an abandoned estate where they played as children. There she finds a curious note: "Something terrible and wonderful has happened." A desperate chase begins, taking Claire from a haunted North Carolina inn to a rectory in Yorkshire, England. Can she solve the mystery---and save Becca? 256 pages, softcover from Revell.
Sisterly bonds and the love of a family are the two elements that bind first-time novelist A.J. Kiesling’s work, Skizzer. Skizzer takes the reader into the fabric of a family’s history to explore the secrets that are woven into its past.
When Claire Trowling gets a call from her brother-in-law, Rainey, saying that Becca, the sister she has both adored and resented since childhood, has disappeared, she knows that something must be wrong. Desperate for answers, she looks in a childhood hiding place and discovers a recently written note addressed to her. “Something both terrible and wonderful has happened,” Becca has written. Claire and Rainey’s determined journey to find out why Becca would so abruptly leave takes them to the lush English countryside Claire and Becca had visited as children, where an heirloom of unknown value provides a valuable piece to the puzzle of events. Through meetings with old friends and long-lost relatives, Claire and Rainey begin to discover that theirs is a family where things are not as they have seemed for years, and that secrets run deep. But will these secrets change everything?
In the course of the story, Claire finds her heart being drawn once again into a trusting relationship with her heavenly Father, and she learns the value of being open to meeting with Him.
The historical elements of this story are well-researched and intriguing, and they expose the reader to some different facets of the culture surrounding the Anglican Church. The characters are well-defined, and the relationships between them draw the reader into a closer understanding of who they are. All in all, readers looking for an intriguing, engaging plot will find it in Skizzer. -- Lyndi Markus, www.ChristianBookPreviews.com
When Claire Trowling’s sister Becca vanishes from her home and leaves her husband a note telling him not to worry, Claire embarks on a search that takes her to old family sites in North Carolina and England. As she seeks her “skizzer” (childhood lingo for sister) and uncovers pieces of the Trowlings’ family heritage, including a famous pendant with sacred significance, Claire rediscovers her Christian faith and begins to understand long-cherished family secrets. This debut novel from Kiesling is a quick and engaging read, with well-described settings and a sweet romance. However, the writing suffers from abrupt transitions between and within scenes. Becca’s reason for her sub-rosa departure is never quite convincing, with too little backstory about Becca’s husband. Readers may finish the novel wondering what purpose was served by all of Becca’s melodrama. Still, this plot hole is outweighed by the novel’s strengths, which include an adventurous story, a compelling protagonist and thoughtful musings on the real meaning of sisterhood. (Jan.) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.
Average Rating: 4 out of 5 stars(4 out of 5 stars)
7 of 7 Reviews Showing:
3 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Amanda Nagy (Timberlake, NC), August 29, 2008
This was a pretty good read though not my favorite. I thought the story line plodded along at times and the reasoning for the "disappearance" was a bit unbelievable.
3.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Michelle (AZ), May 26, 2008
Skizzer is an interesting book, yet I'm not sure how I feel about it. The fact that I actually finished the story shows it's compelling enough for me to keep on reading, but I didn't perceive much of a spiritual journey for the main character until the very end, and even that was minor. There was not much of an emotional pull for me in this book, either. I guess I kept waiting for that to happen and then the story ended. I did find the sister dynamics interesting as well as the notion that sometimes history repeats itself with sudden disappearances of loved ones. The sense of distress I caught from Rainey was well-done in that I understood his bewilderment, but I was hoping for more of an emotional investment on my end.
So while this story didn't choke me up or keep me on the edge of my seat, it was a nice, cozy read sort of like Robin Gunn's Finding Father Christmas. I enjoyed that story, too, but it had a similar pacing, plot and theme that brought me along but never took my breath away. Maybe it's the English mystery thing that doesn't yank my chain. But I did enjoy some of the backstory in the book, especially the part where Aunt Jess tells about the family history. That said, I did enjoy this book, but something was missing...I'm just not sure what that something was.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Deborah (Portsmouth, VA), April 09, 2008
Never judge a book by it's title. When I originally heard of this book, I had no idea what to make of what the story was going to be like by it's name alone. To me it sounded like a science fiction novel which I normally don't . I'm so glad though that I didn't listen to my gut instinct. This book was a wonderful joy to read. I was totally drawn into this story. Hidden family secrets always make for a great plot, and this book uses that angle perfectly. At first the time shifting was a bit confusing. This is mainly because except for going back into the girl's childhood, it is difficult to differentiate between the past and present. However once you realize what's going on, it's very interesting as the reader is part of the story to try and solve the mystery. It is a little baffling as to why Becca left without telling even her husband anything, I didn't feel that part to be very realistic. Still, the mystery throughout is engrossing and I enjoyed the ride. I always enjoy reading stories about sisters mainly because of the fact I have two myself. Plus, I also love how the characters get to travel to England, land of the best story settings in my opinion. It gives good atmosphere to the storyline and helps to add to the mystery. I am so glad that I did end up reading this book. I'm looking forward to the next book by this author.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Tami (Madison, WI), February 21, 2008
A wonderful and tender mystery that was part "National Treasure" with historical clues leading to important discoveries, part love story, part genealogy, and lots of enjoyment.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Deena (Marysville, CA), February 14, 2008
Family secrets abound in this novel. "Skizzer" reads like a cross between "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil", "Steel Magnolias", and "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe". Rich with Southern Gothic atmosphere, this is also a novel of deep faith and returning to your belief in God.
It's a novel about finding out where home is, and then making your way back. "Skizzer" is a novel that transcends time and place, with frequent flashbacks to Claire's childhood and her family history, as well as changes in locale.
As one who has uncovered many family secrets myself, I can testify to the destructive nature of hiding things that will only later come out. But I can also testify, as can this novel, to God's healing power once we let what was hidden out into His light.
I enjoyed "Skizzer" (which, by the way, comes from Becca being unable to say "sister"...ironically:-), and I believe you will as well. This is a stunning debut and I for one will be highly disappointed if I don't hear more about this wonderful new author.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Rel Mollet (Australia), January 19, 2008
Stunned at her sister’s mysterious disappearance, Claire Trowling returns to her childhood home and digs up their buried treasure box in the hope of finding a clue to Becca’s whereabouts. With her distraught brother in law, Claire travels to England, in search of Becca, her family’s hidden history and her own destiny.
A J Kiesling’s debut novel is an intriguing delight about the love between two sisters and the emotional impact and damaging power of family secrets. Kiesling’s literary style is engaging and her characterisation spot on. England's beautiful countryside and its people are portrayed in enjoyable detail creating marvelous pictures in your mind.
While Becca disappearing without any communication with her devoted husband seems a little left field, the suspense is excellent and the romance woven in to Claire’s journey, a special treat. Skizzer launches A J Kiesling’s future as a novelist with style and I hope to read more from her soon.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Harriet Klausner (Morrow, Ga), January 01, 2008
A frantic and worried Rainey calls his sister-in-law Claire telling her that her sister his wife Becca is gone. A week later when Becca remains missing, a stunned Claire drives twelve hours from Florida to Raleigh, North Carolina to hunt for her “SKIZZER”, her childhood name for her sibling, as she knows Becca’s favorite haunts probably better than anyone.----
Her first stop before seeing her family is the old abandoned Radcliff Place where Skizzer left Claire a note saying not to search for her that she is okay, but something terrible and wonderful happened. Unable to sit idly by as the note just impresses on Claire a sense of urgency; she continues to track their roots hoping to uncover the terrible and wonderful clue that sent Skizzer on an apparent quest-----
This an interesting thriller in which the audience along with the heroine and the husband wonder what drove Skizzer to leave. As Claire finds letters and other clues that lead to England, she begins to unravel the mystery. Though the reason that Becca became a drama queen fails to match the suspenseful family mystery that digs into what sisters mean to one another, A.J. Kiesling provides an appealing one sitting read.--------
Harriet Klausner
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