Historical Fiction Book Review: Shadows in the Mind's Eye
About the Book
Title: Shadows in the Mind’s Eye
Author: Janyre Tromp
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release Date: April 19, 2022
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Publisher's Book Description
“Charlotte Anne Mattas longs to turn back the clock. Before her husband, Sam, went to serve his country in the war, he was the man everyone could rely on--responsible, intelligent, and loving. But the person who's come back to their family farm is very different from the protector Annie remembers. Sam's experience in the Pacific theater has left him broken in ways no one can understand--but that everyone is learning to fear.
Tongues start wagging after Sam nearly kills his own brother. Now when he claims to have seen men on the mountain when no one else has seen them, Annie isn't the only one questioning his sanity and her safety. If there were criminals haunting the hills, there should be evidence beyond his claims. Is he really seeing what he says, or is his war-tortured mind conjuring ghosts?
Annie desperately wants to believe her husband. But between his irrational choices and his nightmares leaking into the daytime, she's terrified he's going mad. Can she trust God to heal Sam's mental wounds--or will sticking by him mean keeping her marriage at the cost of her own life?
Debut novelist Janyre Tromp delivers a deliciously eerie, Hitchcockian story filled with love and suspense. Readers of psychological thrillers and historical fiction by Jaime Jo Wright and Sarah Sundin will add Tromp to their favorite authors list.”
My Review
Shadows in the Mind’s Eye, by Janyre Tromp, offers a touching story of loss, redemption, love, and family. It is a moving and gripping novel with a storyline that is emotionally stirring, raw, and honest. Strengthened by first person narratives, this book is filled with deep meaning and thoughtful purpose. Page after page, this novel features interesting characters, detailed settings, dangerous secrets, and surprising motivations.
As a setting, Hot Springs, Arkansas in the late 1940’s is an influential presence within the story. So too is a rustic home and wooded hillsides outside the city that give more room for the story to unfold. Engaged and inspired by these settings, the well-developed characters are authentic and vulnerable. Their insecurities, fears, needs, and desires are believable and heartrending. The experiences, the choices, and the struggles that the characters endure are carefully developed, gradually revealing a story that is both compelling and memorable. Because the characters persevere and fight for redemption and wholeness, they become an inspiration, and their story becomes one of encouragement and hope. They show that even though life can be very hard, God’s strength, grace, and forgiveness are always available to make the process of healing and restoration possible.
Throughout the novel, the characters struggle earnestly to find the healing and hope that might be waiting on the other side of their heartbreak. But it is in that search for hope and healing that this novel explores its significant themes. From beginning to end, Shadows in the Mind’s Eye is a novel that carefully balances hope and despair, perseverance and struggle, and faithfulness and uncertainty. As the novel journeys through and beyond despair and heartache, it is uplifted by moments of grace and gentle reminders that hope, restoration, healing, and reconciliation are made possible through God’s mercy, forgiveness, and love.
Shadows in the Mind’s Eye is a touching and thought-provoking novel. With true talent, detailed research, and heartfelt insight, Ms. Tromp has written a book full of heart, courage, second chances, healing, and hope. I sincerely recommend it.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.
About the Author: Janyre Tromp
“In case we get to meet in person someday, you pronounce that first name Jan-air. Kind of like the stove. I'm a developmental book editor by day and a writer at night.
And that all happens from my kitchen table when I'm not hanging out with my husband, two kids, and slightly eccentric Shetland Sheepdog. Unfortunately, I spilled coffee on my super cape and then the dryer ate it. So you'll just have to imagine I can do it all!
I have four traditionally published books—a WWII era novel, Shadows in the Mind's Eye; a juvenile fiction, That Sinking Feeling; and two board books in the All About God's Animals series—and 2 indie books—Wide Open, a historical novella and It's a Wonderful Christmas, a Christmas novella collection (coming October 2021).
But my passion is writing about the beauty of the world—past and present—even when it isn't pretty.
After all, isn't it the beauty in the world that gets us through the day?
Hopefully after you hang out with me for a bit, we'll be able to see things a little more clearly, find a little bit of meaning, and make a bigger impact.
With me what you see is what you get...all the Beautiful, all the Ugly, all the Me.” --Biography from Janyre Tromp’s author page on Amazon.com.
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