This month has been odd. I feel like I’ve been reading a lot, but today is the 18th and I just finished my first book. I’m in the middle of two other books, and I need to start re-reading Walden for my book group.
The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff was just what I needed. I had been craving a very interesting, action packed novel, and it certainly delivered. It kept my interest throughout, even though it jumped around from our heroine Willie’s story to the stories of her ancestors. In fact, that was part of the charm.
At the heart of the story is a mystery that Willie is trying to solve. Her personal life has gone down the crapper, so the distraction of having a puzzle to throw herself into is just what she needs. The chapters switch from Willie’s story to small little first person accounts of her ancestors telling their story. The reader finds out more pieces of the mystery than Willie herself is finding through her research, until the end when it all comes together. It was a very interesting way to structure the mystery, and I loved it.
I’ve read some criticism that there was too much going on, too much plot and strange happenings, but that didn’t bother me, and the story did not get confusing.
I would recommend this book, especially if you’re in the mood for a story rich with plot and lovely characters.
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