They Almost Always Come Home

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

RUCHTI, CYNTHIA

THEY ALMOST ALWAYS COME HOME

When Libby's husband Greg fails to return home from a two-week canoe trip to the Canadian wilderness, the authorities soon write off his disappearance as an unhappy husband's escape from an empty marriage and unrewarding career. Their marriage might have survived if their daughter Lacey hadn't died...and if Greg hadn't been responsible. Libby enlists the aid of her wilderness savvy father-in-law and her faith-walking best friend to help her search for clues to her husband's disappearance...if for no other reason then to free her to move on. What the trio discovers in the search upends Libby's presumptions about her husband and rearranges her faith.

My Review:

published in 2009

This was a treasure trove find in the Audible Plus catalogue and I think it's actually Cynthia Ruchti's debut novel! How cool is that? It's a stretch out of my usual reading comfort zone but I was immediately captivated by Libby's dilemma from the very first chapter. The author has a unique gift for drawing a reader into the broken, messy lives of her characters and creating something beautiful and healing and true from the tattered remnants and that's what she did with Libby.

I didn't know a whole lot going into this story, just the brief outline from the synopsis and, because it's not my usual genre, I wasn't sure what to expect. So I was unprepared for the force of emotion that assailed me right from the start. Libby isn't always likeable -- she's a bit sharp, caustic, sarcastic. Bitterness has invaded her heart as she's pulled away from God. Her marriage is on shaky ground and when her husband goes missing she prepares for the worst...only what does that look like? What kind of outcome is she dreading...or hoping for?

A deep dive into characterization enhances the plot as Libby's search for her husband leads her to rediscover her faith. What a powerful, redemption story! Forgiveness, acceptance, trust and ultimately hope replace the bitterness that has been darkening her days for far too long. 

I don't want to say too much more because Libby's journey, both the physical one and the spiritual one, should be unique and fresh for each reader. I will say that They Almost Always Come Home makes for a compelling, contemplative and at times edge-of-your-seat read. I couldn't put it down.

Goal Update: Goal #5 Diversify my reading -- set in Canada, Goal #9 Read  outside my comfort zone

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for paperback or ebook copy -- winner's choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of They Almost Always Come Home, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 15 2022. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck