Customer Reviews

Down by the River (Grace Valley Trilogy, Book 3)

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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. ****

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

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

Down By the River is the third book in Robyn Carr's Grace Valley trilogy and is primarily a continuation of the events featuring the characters in books one and two.

June's lover, Jim Post, has retired from his DEA job and returns to Grace Valley to live with June and their forthcoming child and learns that pregnant women are subject to mood swings.

June, used to working all hours, doing everything, learns she must delegate, and she finds this hard to do.

Aunt Myrna has been corresponding with another writer for twenty years and she's all aflutter because he's coming to visit. Jurea Mull's husband, Clarence, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, finds life in town more than he can handle, and Chris, June's old flame, is unable to control his wild teenage sons who seem bent on pranks. A horrific accident makes him rethink his position and brings back to Grace Valley his wife Nancy, once June's enemy as they both were after Chris. Even the Reverend Harry Shipton has his own demons.

Perceptions change, and events cause people to change over the course of time. June and Nancy become best friends, Chris discovers an occupation where he feel competent and Jim fits in with the regulars just fine. And everyone wants to know when June and Jim are going to marry.

Down By the River shows what caring is all about, especially when flood waters threaten to overtake the town. In each of her books, Ms. Carr has created characters with such depth that you want to continue reading about them, but especially in Down By the River does this characterization shine.

I finished this book reluctantly, knowing there isn't going to be a fourth Grace Valley book, but the people of Grace valley will remain with me for a long time to come.

I am finding myself reading every book written by Robyn Carr and I love them ALL !!!! When I read her books I feel like I know each person in them and want to be their friends. You can't go wrong with any of her books...I just wish she would hurry and write some more......I will buy them for sure....

These stories are about places I think we wish we could all live in. The men are real and funny and moral...and sexy as hell. The women are tough and caring and feminine in a way that makes their feminism like mine, not something I wear on the outside, but deep and abiding within. I have read all Robyn Carr's books over and over and I wish there were more. When I am feeling down, or out-of-control with the stress of life, I visit Grace Valley or Virgin River, and I am renewed.

I loved this series and wish that there could have been more. In fact, there were characters I think the author could write about. I think the son of the social worker was showing interest in the young woman who had been in an abusive relationship and after she had her baby, she was given a house to live in. Also, I would like to read more about the Doc and her new husband and the aunt and uncle. Very good characters. The young girl in the Doc's office who wanted to be a doctor would make an excellant subject as well. Hated to see the final page. Thank you! P.S. And don't forget the preacher, he just returned to town and his ex still loves him. I could go on and on. . . .

Another great story from this author. Highly recommend the entire series. The book met my expectations and was fortunate to find it on Amazon. Book was quickly received.

Robyn Carr is great!! I love books that continue on from one to the next, you can catch up with people from the first books and meet new ones as the series goes along!!!!

If you have never read a book by Robyn Carr please do. This author has you hooked from the first page of any book she writes. This series is short compared to the Virgin Biver series but just as good. The characters are people you wish you had around you all the time. The settings are beautifully described and the stories are well written. They keep you wanting more.