Down by the River (Grace Valley Trilogy, Book 3) [Mass Market Paperback]

Robyn Carr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2003

Grace Valley, California -- where you're never far from home . . .

In the peaceful town of Grace Valley, neighbors are like family -- and just as meddlesome, too.

June Hudson is the town's doctor, a caring, capable woman who now has a bit of explaining to do. People are beginning to notice the bloom in her cheeks -- and the swell of her belly. Happily, DEA agent Jim Post is back in June's arms for good, newly retired from undercover work and ready for new beginnings here in Grace Valley.

Expecting the unexpected is a way of life in Grace Valley, and the community is overflowing with gossip right now. Who is the secret paramour June's aunt Myrna is hiding? Does the town's pokerplaying pastor have too many aces up his sleeve?

But when dangers, from man and nature, rise up with a vengeance to threaten June and the town, this community pulls together and shows what it's made of. And Jim discovers the true meaning of happiness here in Grace Valley: there really is no place like home.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Carr first introduced the town of Grace Valley, California, in Deep in the Valley (2000). In this visit, there's big news about beloved physician Dr. June Hudson--she is pregnant--and the locals, especially her father, are wondering when she's going to tie the knot with retired DEA agent Jim Post. The serendipitous, quirky townsfolk include a preacher with a gambling problem; June's octogenarian novelist aunt, who murders her absent husband over and over again in her books; and an insurance agent who wants to risk everything to become a carpenter. There are just enough real-life problems in this town to keep it from being literally too good to be true, and readers who enjoy books about small-town life, such as Curtiss Ann Matlock's Oklahoma series (Driving Lessons [2000], Cold Tea on a Hot Day [2001]) and Marilyn Pappano's Bethlehem, New York, series (Heavenon Earth [2002], Father to Be [1999]), will also enjoy reading about the good folks of Grace Valley. Shelley Mosley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"A remarkable storyteller . . . " -- Library Journal

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Mira (June 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551667045
• ISBN-13: 978-1551667041
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,351,885 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Robyn Carr is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of many novels, including The Virgin River Series

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very well done, June 4, 2003

By 

Huntress Reviews (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Down by the River (Grace Valley Trilogy, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

Sometimes in small towns, gossip spreads so fast that your neighbors now what you have done before you do. However, that is not always the case. For example, town doctor June Hudson managed to keep her secret romance hidden so well that no one knew about it until she was several months pregnant. Fortunately, by the time it was noticed, the father had returned to June's life. Now that Jim Post retired from the DEA, he wanted to make a new life in Grace Valley with June and his child. Hopefully, they can make it to the alter before the baby makes it to the world.

June is not alone in having secrets. Her Aunt Myrna has a hidden love as well, and the preacher is hiding something too. There is plenty to keep the tongue waggers busy, plus danger comes from natural and man made causes to keep life interesting.

**** With more tension than the Mitford series that this book could be compared to, Ms. Carr holds the readers' interests from page one. The suspense is mild, just enough to keep things from getting boring, and her portrayal of small town life seems well researched and accurate. ****

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Down By The River by Robyn Carr, June 24, 2010

By 

Spinslj "spinslj" (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Down by the River (Grace Valley Trilogy) (Mass Market Paperback)

I loved it. Another facinating peak and the residents of Grace Valley. I want more.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars strong spotlight on life in small town California, June 16, 2003

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Down by the River (Grace Valley Trilogy, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

Seems like everyone living in Grace Valley, California knows that Dr. June Hudson slept with an unknown man last night. June's partner in a local medical practice, Dr. John Stone, also confirmed she is four months pregnant. The amused and embarrassed June plans to introduce her beloved retired law enforcement agent Jim Post to her family and friends as she knows the town waits for them to show up at the café.

At about the same time June's octogenarian Aunt Myrna Hudson Claypool plans to soon present her mystery man to the crowd. Meanwhile, a druggie causes problems for everyone and a flood may destroy the town. In that atmosphere the townsfolk adopts Jim, though he had "deflowered" a favorite daughter, as if he lived there for life.

This is an interesting look at small town life with a touch of suspense thrown in on the side. The story line ambles slowly for most of the novel though the flood and the actions of a miscreant add suspense at the end. Readers see favorites from previous Grave Valley tales while also get deep inside the psyche of the key cast members to their inner essence. Robyn Carr shines a strong spotlight on life in small town California.

Harriet Klausner