Oh, Julie, I have missed you so much...and it seems with Bridge to Belle Island, you are finally back, after several disappointing titles. This latest Julie Klassen book is certainly unique; it reads like a combination of Jane Austen's Persuasion and an Agatha Christie mystery. It's off Julie's beaten path, but it mostly works, which again is extremely refreshing.
Benjamin, Isabelle, and the other characters are three-dimensional and memorable, particularly Isabelle. Her characterization and situation are unusual not only for her era, but for most eras and people. She acquits herself beautifully as mistress of the island, and while she suffers from panic attacks, she never comes across as a victim. She instead comes across as one of my favorite character types, a person who has made the best of a bad situation and become strong by necessity.
Benjamin, too, is interesting and an unusual type of hero, although perhaps not as well-developed as Isabelle. For instance, I would've liked to see more of his struggles with vertigo, his father and their relationship, and so on. However, what exists rounds him out well, winning sympathy and empathy. He becomes a good match for Isabelle through perhaps not ideal circumstances, but certainly page-turning ones.
Speaking of page-turning, the Belle Island mystery is certainly that. As more than one character says, everyone is a suspect. Of course, Bridge to Belle Island is not the only mystery novel in which this is true; mysteries tend to turn on that trope. Here however, the trope works a lot better than I usually see, because I quite literally suspected almost everyone at one time or another, even though certain people turned out not to be involved at all. (Benjamin and Isabelle were the exception because they are the heroes, but I fully expected Isabelle to have to work her way out of a sticky situation, which she and others did). The mystery also works because several people played small parts in the murders at hand, but you never knew until the end who was completely, ultimately responsible or why.
Speaking of the who and why of the murders, the villain here is great. He makes perfect sense once you see him, but also functions as a good example of someone you don't look at too closely. The red herrings put in place to make this happen are a bit confusing at first, but work well once you have all the pieces. I also appreciated how the villain played an unexpected role in helping Benjamin learn some difficult truths about his father and himself.
Julie continues to tell instead of show, especially regarding emotions, which I can't stand. Don't tell me someone is nervous (or show me and then tell me). Let me see their clammy hands, their tugging of hair or jewelry or cravat. Don't tell me someone has a bad relationship with someone; let me see them argue and misunderstand each other. Also, if you're going to let a character have something like vertigo, PTSD, or panic disorder, let them work through it. Don't just mention it where convenient.
As noted, the characters may also have needed a little development, especially in the romantic department (I understand a murder investigation eclipses romance, but I'd have liked more trust, sooner, between our lead couple). Overall though, Bridge to Belle Island was a page-turner and made me excited for Julie Klassen's books again.
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1819, London – Thirty-one-year-old Benjamin Booker is an attorney who has risked everything for a female client he fully believes is innocent. But, when he loses her case, his whole world comes to a crashing halt.Distraught and frustrated he meets up with his boss at a local pub to discuss the case and his future. As they head out, they discover a scene at the home of Percival Norris, their retired colleague. Further investigation leads to a dead body that will eventually take Benjamin on a journey to Belle Island, across the Thames and the village of Riverton where his boss has asked him to investigate. Benjamin will do his best to remain objective and make his boss proud of him again.Thirty-year-old Isabelle Wilder is trapped by fear on the island, but has learned to navigate enough to be mistress of the house, despite much of her funds being tied up in a trust. She is respected by her employees and does her best to create jobs that will help provide for them. Everything is fairly routine, except for a beloved niece whose upcoming nuptials pull at Isabelle’s heartstrings since the wedding will be off-island. When a stranger shows up to share the news of the death, everything changes.Benjamin and Isabelle will have to work together, but neither fully trusts and both have debilitating issues to deal with. There is a murderer at large and threats move ever closer to the island as the story twists and turns.Favorite Quote: Psalms leapt out at her. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. Though the waters roar and be troubled.Lovely Tea Moment: Isabelle and Carlota sat side by side on chaise lounges in the boathouse, the double doors thrown wide to reveal the morning sunshine shimmering on the gently rippling water of the Thames. A tray of tea things sat on the small table between them, along with a plate of muffins. Isabelle had tasted them herself and filled the kettle. …A leisurely morning was a rare luxury on Belle Island … and Isabelle and Lotty were determined to enjoy it.I enjoyed 98% of this book. I felt the ending suddenly stretched out in an odd way, but that is perhaps my own preference. Overall, this is a very enjoyable book I would be happy to recommend.Bethany House Publishing© 12/3/2019This is a stand-alone novel. I received an ARC of this book via the publisher for my honest opinion with no further compensation or expectation.
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