THE LAST MIDWIFE by
Sandra Dallas
WOW! What an ending. Sandra
Dallas, who is a genius with characters, has written a fascinating tale of a
good woman accused of killing an innocent babe.
Secrets abound in the vicinity of Gracy, the last midwife. Gracy, her
husband Daniel who wanders each year looking for a gold strike and son Jeff who
has left his home under strange unexplained circumstances are the main
characters in this tightly plotted mystery.
The mining town of Tenmile, a desolate outpost in the mountains, and its
inhabitants are the supporting cast.
Gracy, accused of murder, staunchly refuses to tell the secrets
she is privy to during the labor and delivery of babies when women are at their
most vulnerable. Yet there are untold
secrets surrounding Gracy and Daniel and Jeff that are only hinted as the tale
unfolds.
The hardships and joys of a hardscrabble life in the late
1880’s are clearly stated with no apology and no sense of the desperation that
poverty can elicit. These are people who face life with clear eyes and a sense
of faith in themselves, their community and their God. Dallas is a sympathetic writer who understands
the people, the place and time and is well able to bring them to life.
5 of 5 stars
No comments:
Post a Comment