Book review by Dinh.
Review:
Miracle Creek has been on my to read list for a long time. It had fantastic reviews when it came out (2019) and has been recommended by friends on Goodreads.
I don’t know why it has taken us so long to get to this book, but at least we are here now.
With all the rave reviews and recommendations, did it live up to it? Yes! This book far exceeds my expectations! I was nicely surprised how great it was. It has been a while since I last read an awesome book – one that keeps you thinking long after it is done.
Story Line
I love the premise of this book. Who started the fire that killed Henry and Kitt? The answer to that is what the book is about, but the book also offers so much more. It is one year after the fire and Elizabeth, a single mother, is on trial for killing her autistic son Henry.
Author’s Style
Kim knocks this book out of the park! Her debut novel pulls you in from the get go. The opening sentence “My husband asked me to lie. Not a big lie…” piqued my interest right away and I was hooked until the end of the book!
One thing I really appreciated about Kim’s novel was that it was structured well. It starts with “The Incident” followed by “The Trial: Day One” and then at the end the “After”. The chapters with the various points of view enhanced the book. You get inside the main characters head and what they are thinking. There was so much info and threads of the story to keep track of that it was helpful to know when it happened – Kim kept the reader on track!
Another strength of the book was that there was never a dull moment in the book. The courtroom drama adds to the intrigue but it is the lies and flaws of the characters that attract one’s attention.
Moreover, I love that the book keeps you guessing. Everyone has lies. The book slowly reveals each character and how they are involved in the whole story. The truth of how the fire started slowly is revealed.
Furthermore, I love the authentic feel of Miracle Creek, from the story line, to the characters, and the setting. Kim’s experience as a trial lawyer shines through this book. The court room scenes were excellent.
Find Angie Kim: Website | Instagram | Twitter
Characters
Kim hits the nail on the head with her characters. Yoon, Pak and Mary, were main characters but the supporting characters Matt, Theresa and Elizabeth were also great. They all have a distinct voice and you can totally understand how the characters feel about their situation.
Ending
I was so happy that the ending did not disappoint. After journeying with the Yoo family I felt that the ending was appropriate. The ending was aligned to the characters and not what I would call a “Hollywood Ending” where everything is nice. It was realistic.
My Final Thoughts
Miracle Creek is an awesome book! I highly recommend this book.
Get your copy here. Or listen to the audio book for free with an Audible trial.
Belong to a book club? Check out Miracle Creek book club discussion questions!