gouthamisg's review against another edition
3.0
Not great writing itself but the plot was fairly interesting with an unsuspecting end.
missamandamae's review against another edition
4.0
I have devoured every Linda Wallheim mystery so far, and this one was no different. I follow the author on social media and knew this one would revolve around the topic of polygamy and was VERY excited to get my hands on it. I've read multiple memoirs of women who have escaped polygamist cults, and it's a topic that intrigues me.
Also from social media, I knew this book would feature (at least somewhat) "the policy" that was leaked in November 2015 on the children of same-sex marriages, and I knew the author did some re-writes to figure that in. Knowing her characters, (and certainly after the plot of her last book) I knew the policy would have to get mentioned eventually. Unfortunately I think the treatment of it here hindered the beginning of the book somewhat. It was a little too heavy on church politics and informing the reader editorially, and name drops a lot of real groups and people that will date the book considerably before long. (On the other hand, it could make an excellent "moment in time" novel for future Mormons.) I think someone not in the know about this recent controversy would either be confused or aggravated. And those in the know no doubt already have their opinions, so they will either be pleased at the focus of it, or be upset by it. However, once I hit the meat of the story, the set up to the murder mystery -- BAM. I was off to the races.
One of Linda's sons becomes engaged to a young woman who is the daughter of a polygamist. Kurt and Linda go to meet these new in-laws-to-be, and find themselves not only confronted with a lifestyle with which they don't agree, but also a tense family drama simmering under the surface. The tension comes to a head when one of the family members winds up dead. Linda being Linda has to figure out who the murderer is before the family implodes even further, and save one of her future daughter-in-law's little sisters from getting caught in the crosshairs. We learn the different motivations to enter into polygamy from all the sister wives, and get a little history lesson not only about mainstream Mormonism's role in polygamy, but about how some of the splinter groups have treated it. I was totally engrossed in figuring out who was guilty, and was fascinated by portrayal of all the sister wives and their backgrounds. There were enough plot twists in the story I never got bored, and never guessed them. This was an *audible gasp* kind of read for me!
The author also includes an extensive bibliography in the back to supplement the information she gives you woven in the story (a few of which I have also read, and many I intend to read). I can't say it was quite to the level of previous title His Right Hand in the series (which, oh my gosh, was un-put-down-able), but still a pretty solid mystery to keep you entertained. Definitely looking forward to the next installment!
Also from social media, I knew this book would feature (at least somewhat) "the policy" that was leaked in November 2015 on the children of same-sex marriages, and I knew the author did some re-writes to figure that in. Knowing her characters, (and certainly after the plot of her last book) I knew the policy would have to get mentioned eventually. Unfortunately I think the treatment of it here hindered the beginning of the book somewhat. It was a little too heavy on church politics and informing the reader editorially, and name drops a lot of real groups and people that will date the book considerably before long. (On the other hand, it could make an excellent "moment in time" novel for future Mormons.) I think someone not in the know about this recent controversy would either be confused or aggravated. And those in the know no doubt already have their opinions, so they will either be pleased at the focus of it, or be upset by it. However, once I hit the meat of the story, the set up to the murder mystery -- BAM. I was off to the races.
One of Linda's sons becomes engaged to a young woman who is the daughter of a polygamist. Kurt and Linda go to meet these new in-laws-to-be, and find themselves not only confronted with a lifestyle with which they don't agree, but also a tense family drama simmering under the surface. The tension comes to a head when one of the family members winds up dead. Linda being Linda has to figure out who the murderer is before the family implodes even further, and save one of her future daughter-in-law's little sisters from getting caught in the crosshairs. We learn the different motivations to enter into polygamy from all the sister wives, and get a little history lesson not only about mainstream Mormonism's role in polygamy, but about how some of the splinter groups have treated it. I was totally engrossed in figuring out who was guilty, and was fascinated by portrayal of all the sister wives and their backgrounds. There were enough plot twists in the story I never got bored, and never guessed them. This was an *audible gasp* kind of read for me!
The author also includes an extensive bibliography in the back to supplement the information she gives you woven in the story (a few of which I have also read, and many I intend to read). I can't say it was quite to the level of previous title His Right Hand in the series (which, oh my gosh, was un-put-down-able), but still a pretty solid mystery to keep you entertained. Definitely looking forward to the next installment!
flindberg's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Another good Mormon mystery! Interesting polygamy plot line.
meloches's review
2.0
The Mormon church may have disavowed the polygamy it became so infamous for in the 19th century, but for some Fundamentalist Latter-Day Saints, “plural marriage” isn’t just ancient history....
For Time and All Eternities, by Mette Ivie Harrison, is a murder mystery that takes place at a compound that houses a polygamous family. The synopsis for this book hooked me; a murder surrounding a polygamous family. Since I am fascinated by religions and their practices (conventional or otherwise), I knew I needed to read this one. Initially, I was unaware it was part of a series and came to find out that it was actually the third installment that follows Linda Wallheim but I didn't find it difficult to read as a standalone.
The story opens with the main character, Linda Wallheim who is a Mormon woman, wife, and mother, finding out her son, Kenneth, is engaged to be married to Naomi Carter. His betrothed is a part of a polygamous family; her father had five wives. Linda and her husband, Kurt, make the drive to the Carter family compound to meet and greet with their new extended family. Upon arrival, they meet charismatic Stephen, the family patriarch, who speaks of his decision to live "the principle" and after a night spent at the family home, and mingling with his unconventional family, Stephen is found murdered. Since calling the police is out of the question, (the wives fear they will be taken to prison and the children into care), Linda takes it upon herself to investigate the murder and find out who, in the locked compound, is responsible for the murder.
An interesting concept and a well-written plot, I really wanted to enjoy this novel. My main issue with this one is the way it was marketed. I expected the novel would have religious undertones and welcomed that completely; I knew the concept of polygamy was a historically Mormon concept (especially in regards to the synopsis of this book). However, I was unaware that every character in the novel would be Mormon; thus, I feel this should have been marketed as a LDS or Mormon mystery since it truly became the sole “pusher” for plot points. For example, when Stephen is found murdered, instead of reporting the murder to the police, Linda waits for the Holy Spirit to guide her and decides to avoid calling. This completely pushes the plot, as now Linda must be the sole investigator, but I found it to be irritating. When you find a dead body, you call the police. This is only one, of many moments, where I found the religious undertones to be too distracting and took away from the plot.
If you do not mind a novel with significant religious discussion, then I would recommend this book (as mentioned, the concept is fantastic and Harrison writes a mean plot). Otherwise, I would skip this one. I ended up rating it a 2.5/5 stars.
For Time and All Eternities, by Mette Ivie Harrison, is a murder mystery that takes place at a compound that houses a polygamous family. The synopsis for this book hooked me; a murder surrounding a polygamous family. Since I am fascinated by religions and their practices (conventional or otherwise), I knew I needed to read this one. Initially, I was unaware it was part of a series and came to find out that it was actually the third installment that follows Linda Wallheim but I didn't find it difficult to read as a standalone.
The story opens with the main character, Linda Wallheim who is a Mormon woman, wife, and mother, finding out her son, Kenneth, is engaged to be married to Naomi Carter. His betrothed is a part of a polygamous family; her father had five wives. Linda and her husband, Kurt, make the drive to the Carter family compound to meet and greet with their new extended family. Upon arrival, they meet charismatic Stephen, the family patriarch, who speaks of his decision to live "the principle" and after a night spent at the family home, and mingling with his unconventional family, Stephen is found murdered. Since calling the police is out of the question, (the wives fear they will be taken to prison and the children into care), Linda takes it upon herself to investigate the murder and find out who, in the locked compound, is responsible for the murder.
An interesting concept and a well-written plot, I really wanted to enjoy this novel. My main issue with this one is the way it was marketed. I expected the novel would have religious undertones and welcomed that completely; I knew the concept of polygamy was a historically Mormon concept (especially in regards to the synopsis of this book). However, I was unaware that every character in the novel would be Mormon; thus, I feel this should have been marketed as a LDS or Mormon mystery since it truly became the sole “pusher” for plot points. For example, when Stephen is found murdered, instead of reporting the murder to the police, Linda waits for the Holy Spirit to guide her and decides to avoid calling. This completely pushes the plot, as now Linda must be the sole investigator, but I found it to be irritating. When you find a dead body, you call the police. This is only one, of many moments, where I found the religious undertones to be too distracting and took away from the plot.
If you do not mind a novel with significant religious discussion, then I would recommend this book (as mentioned, the concept is fantastic and Harrison writes a mean plot). Otherwise, I would skip this one. I ended up rating it a 2.5/5 stars.
jrdetering's review against another edition
3.0
Incredibly interesting based on all the history that Harrison included in the book alone but also a stellar plot. I had no clue that Harrison was a Mormon writer when I picked up the book so I was definitely surprised but so much of the inclusion she added. This book is laden with heavy topics whilst still being an entertaining murder mystery but came off as too "preachy" for my taste.
heather_freshparchment's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Miscarriage, Child death, Emotional abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Grief, Blood, Sexism, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Misogyny
Minor: Religious bigotry
Polygamy and religious fundamentalism form a large crux of the mystery in this book.wordnerdy's review against another edition
4.0
http://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2017/01/2017-book-9.html
The latest book in Harrison's Linda Wallheim series--about a middle-aged Mormon woman who finds herself solving crimes in her community--is the strongest entry in the series yet. In this one, her fourth son's fiancee asks Linda to meet her parents and see if she can suss out if one of her little sisters is being abused--which is harder to suss out than you might think, as the family is polygamous. And of course things only get more complicated from there. Meanwhile, Linda's own marriage is a little bit shaky due to conflicts over the Church's policy on LGBT individuals (the characters have a gay son), and reading about her experiences as a progressive Mormon woman is definitely fascinating and compelling to an outsider. This series is just really well-written as both a mystery series and a character study. Highly recommended. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book is available now.
The latest book in Harrison's Linda Wallheim series--about a middle-aged Mormon woman who finds herself solving crimes in her community--is the strongest entry in the series yet. In this one, her fourth son's fiancee asks Linda to meet her parents and see if she can suss out if one of her little sisters is being abused--which is harder to suss out than you might think, as the family is polygamous. And of course things only get more complicated from there. Meanwhile, Linda's own marriage is a little bit shaky due to conflicts over the Church's policy on LGBT individuals (the characters have a gay son), and reading about her experiences as a progressive Mormon woman is definitely fascinating and compelling to an outsider. This series is just really well-written as both a mystery series and a character study. Highly recommended. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book is available now.
michelleful's review against another edition
3.0
This wasn't the best-written mystery: the amateur sleuth, Linda Wallheim, a Mormon woman, does soooo many dumb things in this book (I was like, "call the policeeeeeee!" from the time the murder occurred), plus her narratorial voice is kinda preachy. But somehow the book kept my attention and I still want to read the last book in the series.
rebecca_isreading's review against another edition
4.0
Having been fascinated (/horrified) by polygamist sects, I was excited to see that Mette Ivie Harrison would be tackling this in the newest Linda Wallheim mystery. She writes with authority on topics and challenges in the Mormon church, and is both critical and compassionate towards them. As someone on the outside, her clear explanations are appreciated. The mystery at the center of For Time and All Eternities took place in a setting where Linda is isolated and uncomfortable, and, perhaps to some, unwelcome, making her "investigation" more of a challenge. The more she learns about the Carter family, the more there is to fear. This is probably the best book of the series so far!
Advance e-galley provided by Edelweiss and the publisher for an honest opinion.
Advance e-galley provided by Edelweiss and the publisher for an honest opinion.
gouthamisg's review against another edition
3.0
Not great writing itself but the plot was fairly interesting with an unsuspecting end.