🏞️🏡🏔️ “The Traitor’s Post” (The Carolina Series #1) (2023) 🏔️🏡🏞️ – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Series: The Carolina Series (Book #1)
Paperback: 357 Pages
Publisher: Catawba Vale Publishing/Independently Published (March 21, 2023)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 979-8377832201
⬅️ Click Photo for Pre-Order Information
“Raisa Murray, a resilient single mother tending her sheep farm in the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains, is plagued by self-doubt. As a former love resurfaces in Catawba Vale, a sense of unease grips her heart. The secret she guards becomes a catalyst for suspicion and unanswered questions. How will she face him, haunted by the lingering doubts of betrayal?
Jase Hampton, falsely accused and wrongfully convicted, receives a jarring exoneration and uncovers what appears to be a betrayal by a trusted childhood friend. As he returns to his hometown, a cloud of doubt casts its shadow over every interaction. The line between friend and foe blurs, fueling Jase's growing paranoia. Will he untangle the truth before it consumes him?”
Thank you in advance to the author, Donnah M. Cole, for providing a complimentary review copy. A positive review was not required, and all words are my own.
First off, my apologies to the author for getting to this review rather late. When I got the book, I had EVERY intention of getting to it within 30-45 days. However, being a single caregiver to my mother – time has not been my friend.
But, that wasn’t the biggest issue I faced. I ended up getting sick for about two (2) weeks at the beginning of June which resulted in a LOT of bedrest. Then, in August, I spent 10 days in the hospital. Needless to say, being sick for a total of 24 days, I’d lost some ground in my obligations. Some priority books had to be done first.
During a “lull”, and desperately wanting to catch up on my reviews since I’d promised to do them, I decided to pick this one up and read it.
I’d previously read The Monarch Fields, which was the second book in her Midwestern Series. I thoroughly enjoyed it, so that was one reason I wanted to read this book. Another reason – the premise. It really grabbed at me as I also love a good suspense and/or mystery.
The cover, which is artistically beautiful stood out, and I wondered what the connection to the title and the plot was. The title gets its name from a post where messages were exchanged, though this isn’t revealed until nearly the end. This definitely had the feel of a Lifetime movie and could easily see it playing out as such.
The author introduces readers to:
🎸 Jase (had played guitar in school, falsely convicted of murder)
🐑 Raisa (owns a sheep farm, The Yarn Barn; former girlfriend of Jase)
🐐 Ben (has a farm next to Raisa; his goat, Gus, keeps getting loose)
👧🏻 Piper (Raisa’s 7-year-old daughter)
⛪ Ryker (one of Jase’s friends; became a Christian)
👩🏻 Seraphina “Sera” (married to Ryker; mom of two boys)
🏡 Dill (one of Jase’s friends; known since 1st grade)
🚓 Sam (Catawba Vale police detective)
👨🏻 Briggs (one of Jase’s friends)
Along with short appearances by the victim’s mother (Mrs. Stanton) and Raisa’s mother (Mrs Murphy; happened to be Jase’s former chorus teacher).
There are going to be some tough topics in this book, which Cole doesn’t shy away from. These are: a falsely accused person released from death row, a parent with dementia, a parent having died of lung cancer, also temporary paralysis resulting in confinement to a wheelchair.
This was quite close to home for me as my grandmother had Alzheimer’s before her death in November 2002, and 22 years before she died, her husband – my grandfather – died of lung cancer (April 1980). In addition, my mother is having some memory issues in addition to her overwhelming mental health issues. While not paralyzed she cannot walk anymore and is confined to a wheelchair. Normally, I don’t identify with triggers/content, but this was a bit overwhelming for me.
That said …
This begins with Jase – on death row, having spent seven years there – getting good news, or what should be good news. He’s been exonerated as the killer of a woman. The new suspect? His friend – Ben. Ben has also gone missing. This won’t affect Jase’s release though.
While Jase is grateful [and, who wouldn’t be], it raises issues of why the woman he loved – Raisa – didn’t visit, call, or even write him. Though, with how close Raisa lives to Ben, Jase wonders if Ben didn’t plant evidence as a plan to steal her.
Raisa is a single mom to 7-year-old Piper, and has a sheep farm. She is looking after Ben’s place – especially when Gus, a goat, wanders into her pasture. She’s surprised that she hasn’t seen Ben in a few days. He has seemingly disappeared without a trace. She then learns Jase has been exonerated and released. While there is clear signs of her feelings for him lingering, she is concerned about Piper. She was convinced of Jase’s guilt, cannot believe it is Ben – and wonders who fooled her more – Jase or Ben.
Jase returns to Catawba Vale and connects with an old friend – Dill, but has a feeling something isn’t right with the man. Jase’s homecoming with his parents is bittersweet. His father doesn’t hesitate to offer him a job at the hardware store. Jase figures it’s a start given his history.
After Sam visits her to let her know what’s going on, she goes into town and runs into Jase. He’s eating with the others – Ryker and Sera, Dill, and Briggs. She and Sera rekindle a friendship, while Jase’s imprisonment has left him slightly paranoid – did Raisa hook up with Ben and have Piper?
Jase later goes to Raisa’s and confronts her about the “whys” – no visits, no calls, no letters. He also realizes that with his mindset – it’s no different than being back in prison. Still, he tries to forge forward while trying to track Ben down.
He has a feeling Dill is harboring Ben; especially because of something the man says. Jase also has suspicion Raisa is helping Ben as well.
Despite his suspicion, and knowing Raisa needs help, Jase steps in. And, he’s also wondering if he can win her back – if they have a future together. Yet, his growing suspicions about those around him linger. And, he is proven right after finding a note. But, things come to a head with a gathering with a reveal that hides a deep betrayal, and Jase feels that he can no longer trust anyone. He runs off, a gets drunk, and leaves the town behind with no intention to return. He knows he has to find peace before moving forward. But, he also wonders if being along is better – no one else can betray him.
Raisa is wondering about her own choices. She soon has a tragedy that changes everything. She will have to rely on those closest to her to continue on. But, her future is now even more uncertain.
What lingers is who really killed Tess.
Jase was exonerated, Ben claims he’s innocent. Could one of them be lying. Or, are they both telling the truth?
A clue lies somewhere – though Jase doesn’t know where. He’s drawn to something Raisa’s mom said about two people. But, to get to the truth, Jase has to let go of his “paranoia” and look back at the past that brought him to his future.
Readers see the true meanings of trust, deceit, hope, redemption, and faith in this emotional, dramatic, inspiring, and tragic story that goes right to the last page; even beyond.
Despite this being the first book in a series – it easily acts as a standalone for the main characters. However, I did have some questions and felt some of the characters had an unresolved ending. While there was an epilogue, it didn’t completely wrap up the story for me. I wondered what happened with the other characters in it, particularly the real killer. I can’t help but think there was “more” to the story that got left behind in editing.
I was drawn right in and read about 217 pages inside of an 8-hour period. Though, the way the story was going – I was finding myself trying to stay with it. That doesn’t mean it was bad. It means – it wasn’t where I wanted to be taken on this journey.
I was deeply moved by the redemption arc as well as the mystery of Tess’ murder. But, I had a nagging suspicion, and I really didn’t want to get to the end too soon. There were times I felt it was sped up too much that it left other parts loose and hanging, and other times it seemed to slow a bit. I had a lot of questions during certain gaps. Though, without spoilers, it is hard to go into details as to what they were.
If this is a series, I would like to read the next book and see what happened to the rest of the characters involved in this one. There were a few who seemingly just disappeared after the halfway mark, never to be heard from again.
As the author is a Christian, this is going to have Christian themes. These are very overt in this book and part of the foundation of the story. There are definite parallels to some bible stories, as well as lessons from the bible.
Those looking for a “happily-ever-after” ending will not find it. This is not really a “romance” trope per se. This is more of a women’s fiction read that centers around a redemption arc. It was a bit emotionally draining, so one has to be in a good frame of mind to read it. Again, that doesn’t make it a bad book. It was, given the topic, a very good read.
NOTE ➡️ The paperback was a unique “format”. It seems like it was formatted for an e-reader, thus the print was larger than most paperbacks of this size. I didn’t mind it, actually enjoyed it. Since 2009, I’ve been using computer glasses, and this year was finally told I need to use them for reading as well. This might help some people who want a paperback, but are afraid of small fonts.
RATING:
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html; update: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
DONNAH M COLE holds a Master’s degree in health education from East Carolina University. She and her husband live in Western North Carolina. She enjoys time with her family, serving through her church, writing, and quilting.
She can be found on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tdmacole
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnahmcole/
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