Review of Thin Places

[Marsha JJ]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Thin Places" by Diane Owens Prettyman.]

---

4 out of 4 stars

---

Share This Review

---

Diane Owens Prettyman’s novel Thin Places is set in a small village in Washington, where Chloe Gallagher owns and operates a charter fishing boat. Chloe, unfortunately, has some substantial challenges to overcome. Her father is on death row in prison. She’s also having a hard time to make ends meet. When she’s approached about joining a lucrative smuggling operation from Washington to Canada, she’s compelled to think about it.

In the meanwhile, Chloe’s father, Calvery, extracts a deathbed promise by a fellow prisoner to locate Chloe and persuade her of his innocence once the prisoner, Finn Tully, is released. Finn faces his own struggles, and the plot of the book plot twists and turns as Chloe and Finn’s tales intertwine.

This is fun book to read. Prettyman is a good writer who has created a well-crafted work that readers will enjoy. Many aspects of the book appealed to me. The characters are likable, and it’s easy to get caught up in their storylines. Chloe, the fishing boat owner, is a breath of fresh air in a traditionally male-dominated business. Finn’s character was also one of my favorites, and I liked how the author developed his story. Prettyman succeed in creating interest in Chloe’s exploits, and she made the book lively and enjoyable to read.

The title, Thin Places, is the one aspect of the book that I would change. I like book titles that give me a feel of what’s inside, and this one didn’t. “Heaven and earth are only three feet apart, but in the thin places the distance is even smaller,” Prettyman quoted at the start of the book to clarify the notion. Despite this, I still didn’t see a clear link between the title Thin Places and the plot for much of the book. This problem was eventually rectified, but I thought the author was trying too hard to make it work. However, the book’s perplexing title had no bearing on my favorable opinion of it.

Thin Places is an excellent read in general. It’s enjoyable, even though it’s not especially substantial. This is a book that will help you relax and unwind. The book is also extremely well-edited, without major flaws. Thin Places gets a rating of 4 out of 4 stars based on my pleasant experience with it.

******
Thin Places
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Zwelihle_Myeni]

I wonder what happened to the father on a deathrow, and how did Chloe take it. But I guess the only way to find out is to read the book. Thanks for a great recommendation.

[Amy Luman]

I have read other reviews of this book and I have wondered about the title, also. I haven’t seen anything even close to it. I, also, wondered about Chloe’s reaction to her father’s imprisonment.