Book Title: Underneath the Fireflies by Marianne Scott
Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 496 pages
Genre: Murder Mystery / Thriller
Publisher: Crowe Creations
Release date: January 2023
Content Rating: PG-13 - Colloquial expressions in dialogue.
No matter where Grace Walker goes, her extra sensory power goes with her. She's an empath and she sees things -- terrible things. After a tragic accident at the place where she works, she decides to take a mental-health break on a remote West Coast island. But she no sooner gets to Galliano Island when a vision of the murder of an Indigenous woman draws her into a disturbing and threatening dilemma.
Having just read the author’s previously published book,
Reinhardt, I set upon this book with an idea of the writing style and the narrative
experience.
Underneath the Fireflies, however, broke all the notions
with its very first chapter. The inclusion of a well-written paranormal (and
definitely not the ‘usual’ stereotyped version of this genre) scene
shifted the readers’ gazes and opened their minds to expect something
different.
Grace is a protagonist with special sensory powers that had
already gotten her into trouble once at her workplace. Her ‘visions’ have led
her into a questionable situation where she escapes by a hairsbreadth and
visits Galliano for rest and retreat.
But as is expected, her visions follow her and she is
affected by another one even before she lands in the place. With an overly
helpful co-passenger who arouses her suspicion, she lands in the place and
tries to find her footing. What happens in that place forms the rest of the
story.
Underneath the Fireflies is one of those stories that sound
straightforward but include surprising elements that keep the reader hooked to
the book. The author has deviated wonderfully from her earlier narrative style
and provided a different kind of experience with this book.
Grace as a protagonist is three-dimensional and makes one
want to follow her journey with interest bordering on concern. The paranormal–supernatural
elements have been done with a believable streak and do not take the reader on the
track of a suspension of disbelief.
Overall, though the book has been written with a specific
audience in mind, it works easily even with readers who are new to this genre.
It is surely an engaging read throughout and does not slacken in pace. The
thriller elements take a backseat when it comes to the story though they add to
the mix with just the right amount of force.
The significance of the title – which in itself indicates
the presence of something beyond the usual – is revealed in the handling of the
original disappearance of Tamara and the reasons and explanations behind it.
What does nature see beyond human eyes? What do humans ignore
to protect their conscience?
Marianne Scott has written a book that blends the answers to
these questions.
Marianne Scott is the Canadian author of four mystery thrillers and is currently working on her fifth novel, a sci-fi/thriller. She has a BA and a Diploma in Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University. She studied creative writing through Conestoga College and Humber College. She enjoys writing workshops such as those offered by Brian Henry, publisher of blog, Quick Brown Fox and One Lit Place, a writers’ hub by creator/editor Jenna Kalinsky. She has an author’s website and blog. She is a full-time writer who lives in the historic small Canadian village of Hespeler Ontario (now amalgamated with the city of Cambridge).
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