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As soon as I read that this book compared to Kent Haruf’s “Our Souls at Night��, I had to request a copy, as that book holds a special place in my heart. See my review: /review/show...

Both books evoke a nostalgia to years past, and each features two lonely people who find companionship later in life when they didn’t think it would be possible to do so again. What makes this book different is that it adds a bit of mystery as to what exactly happened in Tower Hill, Indiana, that would make Henry Dees flee his life in the middle of the night, September 1972.

TW: CHILD MURDER

His inaction may have cost a young girl her life, and he can no longer live with the guilt about what he DID and DID NOT do the night she was killed.

When Henry stops in the tiny town of Mt. Gilead, Illinois, for gas, he wasn’t planning to stay long. His powder blue ��65 Mercury Comet catches the eye of the woman filling up her Lincoln Continental at the adjacent pump at Hutch’s Sunoco-a lonely Spinster named Edith Green.

And when the wind picks up, catching Edith’s head scarf, it flutters past the stranger who manages to catch it just in time. As he returns it to her, and introductions are made, he mentions that he might like to stay in town for a bit.

Edith impulsively offers to rent him a room in her house. It is risky—and tongues will wag-but Edith Green can no longer bear a life lived alone.

And, this chance encounter and gust of wind, will end up changing both of their lives.

This quiet story unfolds from several POV’s in both towns, past and present until the two worlds collide. The story is both a search for the truth and a search for forgiveness and a path forward.

I didn’t know that little Katie was murdered when I selected this story, and although Henry is not her killer, he did hold some feelings toward her that weren’t quite right. I think this prevented me from having the same emotional connection to this book that I had for the book it was compared to.

But, I was drawn in by the pensive writing and its melancholy feel, and I am looking forward to reading the author’s earlier work-Pulitzer finalist “The Bright Forever��, which I didn’t realize is actually the book that started this story.

Expected publication date: on March 25, 2025.

Thank You to Melville House for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts.