I can't recall much about this one, after all those years since I read it. ( )

(Fiction)

I read this on my Kindle over a period of three months; it just took that long to get through.
There is some beautiful writing but, even though there’s a hint of a murder mystery, the story doesn’t go anywhere. I kept reading because I thought something must be going to happen, but I was disappointed. Nothing did.

3 stars ( )

I really enjoyed this book, the story was interesting and the characters had a mystery about them that kept me even more motivated to keep reading just to find out what they were hiding. Mary Vensel White did an amazing job describing the setting and building a certain strange yet comfortable vibe to the story. The way she wrote this is very misleading (but in a good way), making me draw conclusions that weren't there but made sense in the end. I had only two problems with the book, sometimes I felt that some of the conversations were pointless and could have been cut out the book, even when I was done looking back they didn't hold any relevance. The other problem was the transitioning, it was hard to tell sometimes if we were still in a dream sequence or not, or if we were in a certain flashback or not. Overall I loved this book, definitely going to read again one day ( )

From the beginning, there is a perception of things being a bit out of sorts in the relationship between Vivian and Nowell Gardiner. They’ve been married for four years and she has now given up her job to come to his late grandmother’s country home [where Nowell has been ensconced for the past month, presumably writing a mystery novel] but when she doesn’t recognize Nowell at the airport, it’s a pretty obvious sign that something is amiss. Despite events that seem destined to steep the reader in a mystery [such as the discovery of a young girl’s body in the woods], a mystery never materializes.

There is a lovely quality to the writing; ultimately, however, it is insufficient to overcome the story’s slow pace and unappealing characters. The disappointing denouement is mute testament to a story that promises much, but never delivers. ( )

Strange situations, strange characters, lots of secrets, and a small town.

QUALITIES OF WOOD has all of the above and more. It mainly includes a beautiful, flowing writing style ​and an interesting​ storyline. The author masterfully keeps you wondering about the makeup of ​each character and the secrets that you know they are keeping.​

You will follow the main characters, Vivian and Nowell, through their present lives as well as their pasts. As Vivian and Nowell settle into a family home they are going to renovate and as they ​meet their neighbors, Vivian questions Nowell's past as well as the neighbors' pasts.

You will also get a glimpse into Vivian's teenage years as the author takes you back and forth in time. This was well done by having the flashback trigger something in Vivian's mind at the current moment and connect it to her past.​

Does this small town have secrets they keep from each other? Do the neighbors really know each other? What was it that happened years ago that has everyone suspicious of each other?

Throughout the book there is a tension that the author perfectly conveys through her amazing writing style. The characters all seem to get along, but you feel something isn't right. The way Ms.White can make you feel the fright, the tension, the distrust, the betrayal, and the sneaking, ulterior motives going on is excellent. ​

THE QUALITIES OF WOOD​ is a subtle thriller and a book you won't want to read if you are alone or at night. I became complete​l​y engrossed in the characters and the storyline. I imagine you will do the same and try to figure out what’s behind each character.

The ending sort of wrapped up the plot, but there was something that didn’t satisfy me. Regardless, it was a great read and a great debut novel. 4/5
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I received a copy of this book from the publisher free of charge and without compensation in return for an honest review.​ ( )