A Cruel Suspicion


Fiction - Mystery - Historical
410 Pages
Reviewed on 12/21/2023
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Phumeza Ndzambo for Readers' Favorite

After laying her parents to rest, 17-year-old Antheia Vale is forced to leave the only life she has ever known for a new life with relatives she never knew existed. Life in her new home proves far more intriguing and dangerous than she ever imagined. A Cruel Suspicion by Julia Bell gives us a front-row seat to Antheia’s life as she discovers the colorful past that led to her existence and dares to hope for the future of her dreams, albeit threatened by war across the Atlantic.

Julia Bell has a beautiful way of slowing the pace of the story enough to give rhythm to everyday life, while also giving it an urgency that draws the reader onto the next page. I enjoyed the scenery of walking through Sarah’s Meadow to Far Field as much as I enjoyed the suspenseful wait for Joel’s letters or the fear of being found out. A Cruel Suspicion is a multi-dimensional story that allows reasonable time lapses without dragging aimlessly. Every part is developed at just the right time to keep the plot interesting with something to look forward to on every page. I loved how every relationship is developed, some instantaneous, others earned and grown into, while others just don’t take. They enriched my experience of the characters, how I viewed their actions, felt their emotions, and even sympathized with their position. While there were some clues throughout, the ending still surprised me, and that, in my book, is the hallmark of a good plot.