Have you ever seen on the news a story about a mother who killed her own child and wondered 'What would make her do that?' or 'How could she do that to her own child?' In JANEOLOGY, these are the very questions that Tom Nelson is asking about his wife, Jane after she drowns one of their toddler twins. Thankfully, the other survived.
It was a day like any other until a policeman showed up at Tom's classroom at the Texas college where he teaches, to tell him he needed to come home with him. That there was some trouble at his house. Not in his wildest imagination could he have perceived what he would discover there.
After Jane's trial, where she was committed to a psychiatric hospital, the prosecutor's office soon began to focus on Tom and he was charged with Failure To Protect. Why hadn't he seen this coming? Didn't he know his wife was unstable? Was he guilty of not protecting his children from their mother? The answers to these questions are the basis for Tom's legal defense.
With the help of his dedicated lawyer, a lot of research and a clairvoyant who has her own interest in the case, they begin a journey into Jane's family history that leads them to startling revelations that at least begin to explain why Jane did the unthinkable.
JANEOLOGY is a book that has a dark side and I found myself getting lost in Jane's past as her husband tries to make sense of it all. Karen Harrington draws on the abilities of a clairvoyant in her story to travel through time and look into past lives that have ultimately contributed to one woman committing an unforgivable crime against her own child.
The story is told in the days leading up to Tom's own trial with each chapter introducing a descendant from Jane's family tree, beginning with her mother's geneology and bringing it full circle with her father's family history. I thought the way in which the story was told was imaginative and brilliant. When telling a story with many family members, it's hard not to get lost or to lose track of who is who. This is not a problem in reading JANEOLOGY.
Once I started reading, I had difficulty putting it down. It's the kind of book I enjoy reading the most. Not a lot of fluff or descriptive reading. Just the meat of a good story. Another thing I liked most about it was the ending. I felt completely satisfied and it didn't feel like it was predictable at all. I can't say anymore about it, but I liked the way it ended. I do have one regret and that is that I waited so long to read this book.
Visit Karen's website to learn more about JANEOLOGY, read an excerpt from the book or watch the book trailer. You can also visit her Blog at http://www.scobberlotch.blogspot.com.
Author: Karen Harrington
Publisher: Kunati Inc.
Published: April 2008
Pages: 256
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
What a great review. I haven't read this one yet, but it sounds like one that I would enjoy. I also love those meaty books!
ReplyDeleteLisa, I'm adding this to my list. I love the last paragraph of your review!
ReplyDeleteThis was certainly an interesting read especially using the psychic to delve into Jane's past. Glad to see you enjoyed it so much.
ReplyDeleteLisa,
ReplyDeleteI think you just made my month! Thanks for your thoughtful review. I'm so glad you enjoyed the book.
Talk soon,
Karen
I am reading this book right now, and I was hooked by the end of the second page! The writing and use of language is both visually and emotionally powerful - I feel both devastated and hopeful simultaneously! This book is brilliant and I HIGHLY recommend it. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis was a wonderful review Lisa. Janeology sounds like a unique book and one that I need to add to my wishlist. I like books that make you think like this one and are so well written.
ReplyDeleteI loved the book as well as your great review of it. You gave people a good sense of what to expect once they step into Harrington's haunting pages.
ReplyDeleteMalcolm
Sounds fantastic! I won a copy of this and need to get to it soon!
ReplyDeleteFinally!! I've been waiting for you really on this book for quite sometime:)) Great review and I'll add this to my to-read list.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for all of your great comments! I can't say enough about this book. I recommend it highly!
ReplyDeleteI don't know why I had the initial impression that I wouldn't enjoy this story but after reading your awesome review I know that this would be one I would like to read!! Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteI'm adding this to my TBR list. It sounds like a very interesting book. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI read this book some time ago and I found the ending haunting. I particularly liked the chapter about Jane's poverty-stricken childhood. There's also a powerful chapter about regret featuring Jane's grandfather, who's only friend in the world is the oxygen cylinder keeping him alive.
ReplyDeleteScars beneath the Skin: Yes, I agree. The chapter about Jane's grandfather and the regret he dealt with was among my favorite parts of the book. As was the story of Jane's mother. She was a powerful character and a wonderful way to begin the journey into Jane's family. I was hooked.
ReplyDeleteI am still so excited by Lisa's fine review of my book that I just decided to host a give-away on GoodReads. The hard-back is about to go out of print, but I'd love to share a few, first-edition copies with interested readers.
ReplyDeleteI'll be giving away 3, signed copies of JANEOLOGY (I hope to Lisa's blog readers).
Thanks again to Lisa!
K. Harrington
Karen, that is so awesome! I'll be posting about the giveaway on my blog soon to help get the word out! I know a lot of readers who would love to have a signed copy! Including myself!! :) Thanks!
ReplyDelete