A gripping novel of enduring love, family secrets, and mysterious death from the bestselling author of Hello Love.Joe Arneson’s ordinary life is upended by troubling dreams of himself as a different man in another place and time. It isn’t until he visits his estranged grandmother, Pearl, in her Wisconsin hometown that a startling connection emerges.Drawn into his family’s past, Joe discovers … emerges.
Drawn into his family’s past, Joe discovers secrets weighing on the old woman’s soul: the tragic death of her sister Alice a half century ago and its ripple effect on all who loved her. Digging into the events of that summer in 1916, Joe is convinced that his recurrent visions relate to Alice’s untimely passing and to the beloved man she meant to marry. With the help of Kathleen, a local woman Joe’s fallen for, the puzzles of the past start falling into place.
As uncovered truths bring Joe and Kathleen closer together, they also reveal a new danger. For Joe’s dreams may be a warning–from one star-crossed couple to another.
more
Karen McQuestion has crafted an emotionally suspenseful tale that explores the intriguing possibilities of genetic memory. It’s an inspired story—a marvelous, evocative read, the perfect blend of mystery, magic, tragedy, and hope. I absolutely loved it, and I devoured it from start to finish.
Perfectly Executed. This was an interesting take on the dual timeline approach, where the connection between the two timelines is both standard and… not. Standard in that the older characters in the more current timeline are much younger in the older timeline, not in … exactly how the older timeline is revealed. This is a drastic departure from the feel-good story of McQuestion’s 2019 work Good Man, Dalton, but is perhaps even more interesting because of it. Here we get much darker themes of possession, abuse, and regret, but we also get a seemingly accurate portrayal of life in rural 1916 and 1983 and the hope that could exist in both eras. Truly excellent work, and solid evidence of McQuestion’s adaptability as a storyteller. Very much recommended.
BOOK REVIEW: Dovetail by author, Karen McQuestion
One look at the cover-art for the novel, Dovetail~ and you would anticipate a story of the serene…but this particular novel holds so much more for its reader. It’s an emotional journey with its dual timelines converging into something very unique and intriguing that will hold you captive.
This is my first read by the author, and I can tell you, it most definitely won’t be my last. Ms. McQuestion has written a riveting yet beautiful narrative~ one of substance, purpose and meaning. An engaging read with twists and turns that are continuously intertwining. A tragic love story with a soul all its own ~ with its distinct power to lead its characters to hope and forgiveness, it is written with great care, true heart and flows seamlessly.
I thank the author not only for my copy of Dovetail (ARC) in order to review, but for bringing this engaging story to life. A story I believe you will find to be most enjoyable and worthy of a place in your heart …
5 Stars
#Dovetail
#KarenMcQuestion
Wild Sage Book Blog
Novels N Latte Book Club
I love the way the author intertwines past and present in this novel.
This was the first book by Karen I have read, and dear god…. I need more of her in my life
What if your dreams really happened decades in the past. Joe keeps having such vivid dreams. His parents check him into a mental hospital. Grandma Pearl checks him out and gives him everything he could possibly need. The story from the past and the story from the present have to play themselves out. Joe and Kathleen live the life he has been seeing in his dreams. Thankfully the love of his life doesnt die like John’s did.
This book has everything in it. Romance, drama, and a bit of action. Follow Alice and John and Joe and Kathleen fall in love and everything in between.
I cant wait to read more of her books!!
DOVETAIL
By Karen McQuest
A tale told in two different time periods; set apart by generations within a family.
A gripping tale beginning in an earlier era of a motherless family and a father raising his seven girls into proper ladies of the times. One of the main pov’s focuses on Alice Bennett, the eldest of the sisters and Pearl Bennett, the second eldest, telling of their lives, happiness and tragedies that occur during their time. Including Pearl, being the prettiest but also the most jealous; especially when the summer help, John, falls for Alice. This sets up for things you can’t even dream to come!
Fast forward , we have our other main protagonist,Joe Arneson who tells of his life in 1983. The story opening up inside a mental facility that Joe was put into for treatment by his parents, to help his horribly realistic nightmares. But even though Joe is 22, he comes to find out that after 6 months with no change, he cannot leave the mental facility and his family supports his staying there to receive more treatment. The nightmares are so real, it’s like living another man’s life, they reoccur over and over again.
Past meets present when his Grandmother, that Joe has long thought was dead, appears at the treatment center to check him out and ultimately save him. His Grandmother Pearl is his Dad’s mom and he now wonders why his dad has lied to him.
Joe agrees to work for the summer for his Grandmother Pearl, all while still living with these nightmares which now are ironically matching up to things in the town he is staying and where his Dad grew up. The similarities are too much of a coincidence. He must have a connection to the past that he is reliving, but not his own. He meets Kathleen and she offers history and some answers but most importantly ,the gift of her friendship. Will it evolve to something more? Will she help solve the mysteries that are Joe’s dreams?
A love story, suspense, mystery, drama, thriller and tragedy makes this story having you all in your feelings depending on the moment. The writing is so real and you feel the characters living and breathing right next to you; effecting your thinking and emotions. Mrs. McQuestion has definitely written a stellar novel that will make you even question small arguments or family feuds in your life. The characters are uniquely defined and comfortable and I could imagine any of us going to battle to save or protect them. That’s how important this book becomes to you. A definite, you’ve got to read!!!!
This is a good read! This book tells the tale of Joe Arneson, recently sprung from a mental health facility by the grandmother he thought was dead. Pearl needs to tell her side of the story. We are brought from past to present and back again as the story of her teenage years comes to light through Joe’s dreams and Pearl’s own narrative. It’s got a bit of a paranormal touch to it, and added with a little bit of romance, mystery, history, and family drama, you get a really well told story.
I’m delighted to have read an ARC of this book through NetGalley and would absolutely buy it for myself or a friend. Highly recommend.
Can love survive all obstacles? In DOVETAIL, Karen McQuestion crafts a story spanning generations, one brimming with family secrets between sisters, breathtaking suspense, and the undeniable power of love everlasting. I dare you to put the book down before reaching the triumphant conclusion. I couldn’t.
DOVETAIL by Karen McQuestion is a compelling and suspenseful novel of love, family secrets and a mysterious death that had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. Joe Arneson suffers from vivid and tormenting recurrent dreams where he is appears to be a man in another time and place. Something terrible seems to happen in these dreams that he is unable to see through to the end, but the dreams are disturbing enough that his family has admitted him to a mental health facility for treatment. One day, an elderly woman he learns is his grandmother Pearl comes and has him discharged to her custody. All Joe knows about Pearl is that she and his father have been estranged for years for reasons neither will reveal. There are two timelines in the story, 1983 and back in 1916 when Pearl was just a teenager. Pearl harbors deep-rooted guilt surrounding the untimely death of her sister Alice and hopes that Joe can help her make amends before she dies. In digging through his grandmother’s past with the help of new friend, Kathleen, they soon realize there is a connection between his dreams and events of the past. This book has the perfect blend of intrigue, family secrets and romance with a touch of magic. The beautiful writing made me feel I was right in the story with the characters. I truly enjoyed this engaging story of family, love and forgiveness and highly recommend it. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy.
Dovetail by Karen McQuestion
This book is engaging from the first chapter.
Joe’s dreams have isolated him from his family. But are his dreams a message from the past? When he meets his estranged grandmother, a lot of shocking connections begin to materialize. A local woman, Kathleen, helps Joe put the pieces of the dreams together. But will the dream’s meaning be realized before it is too late? As the secrets of the past are brought to light, will it be in time to stop the dangers in the present?
This book is a great read. I read it in two days. I hope Joe and Kathleen’s story continues. Hint, hint, hint.
Pick this book up now. You won’t regret it.
This story unfolds in a unique fashion with many surprises along the way. There are two parallel stories, one set in 1983 and the other set in 1916.
In 1983, Joe meets Pearl when she rescues him from an in-patient treatment facility. While working for Pearl, Joe meets Kathleen a local shop owner. From the start the two have an instant, yet unexplainable sense of knowing the other. In 1916 we meet Alice, who as the oldest of seven girls, gracefully manages all the responsibilities of maintaining her household after her mother passes. When John comes to stay with her family one summer everything changes.
I recommend this wonderful novel. I enjoyed how Karen McQuestion carefully weaves these two stories together. The past and present are both filled with complex family dynamics and small town scrutiny. This story explores a variety of themes from jealousy to regret and, of course, love. Highly recommended! Thank you to NetGalley and the author for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
I won this book from a giveaway on Facebook! I have been wanting to read it and I am glad I got the chance to! Dreams can give you a feeling of deja Vu when you feel like you have been there before. In Joe’s case they were more like nightmares! But it answered a lot of questions. I loved when the book would go back to 1916 and show what he was dreaming. A well written book that you should read if you haven’t!!
This story is written in a different way and was a wonderful read. I would definitely recommend it.
What an amazing story! “Dovetail” is my second book read by this author and I’m in awe and am sure that this one is my favorite now.
Such a great and original story that entwines two different timelines set more than a few decades apart in 1916 and 1983 unfolding an unsolved mystery and a beautiful romance before your eyes.
It’s about love, regrets, forgiveness and closure. Phenomenal and a bit of paranormal approach so that the mystery could be solved and everyone gets the closure. Three generations are all it takes to solve it.
It’s a must read! I highly recommend it to just everyone.
I loved all the elements of this story. Every new detail was more and more intriguing, making me excited for what came next. I have had dreams of people and things happening that I have later found out were true. The whole dream element was so interesting and connecting for me. I actually dreamt about my husband before I ever met him. Great book.
Karen McQuestion’s book, Dovetail, does a great job of telling a family history in a unique way, one that I found fascinating. I highly recommend it…
My Review of Dovetail by Karen McQuestion; published by Lake Union Publishing
Karen McQuestion delivers with Dovetail creating not only a sensational page-turning mystery, but also a dual timeline that’s flawless start to finish! I’ve always been a proponent of six degrees of separation and this story concurs my beliefs. There’s multiple “touché” and “oh know” moments guaranteed to make you quiver. Although there’s several characters, my heart was drawn to both Kathleen and Joe, two people with colorful histories controlling their lives in more ways than one. This book hit extremely close to home. With that being said, I highly recommend Dovetail by Karen McQuestion.
Forgiveness is always sweet
I loved how this book went between 1916 and 1983. I wasn’t sure how the mix would come together at first but it came together perfectly. The way Pearl carried her guilt was sad but the way it wss dealt with in the book wss great writing. I loved the ending. I highly recommend this book.
I loved how the characters were brought to life by their vivid descriptions in this novel! The story ties together two different times, today and years ago when Pearl was a young woman living at home with her siblings. The characters tie together in their own ways as they have their own ties to the past. The story focuses on family, love, and new beginnings. There are heart wrenching moments and beautiful moments throughout.
Poignant. Beautiful. Intriguing. These are all words that describe Dovetail by Karen McQuestion. This book had it all. There was a love story or two, a little mystery, some suspense, family drama and a little bit of the supernatural. I looked up the genre and there are many. I love a book that crosses genres. Don’t you?
Her characters are superb. The character I didn’t like was Ricky, the ex- husband. Scum! The other characters all had likable qualities. The story takes place in a little tiny town where everyone knows your name and your business. You get the back story on many of the characters and if you’re noisy like me, you will love those details. There was one character I liked and craved for more. That was the waitress at the dinner. One of those all business and no smiles kind. She was awesome.
This story really made me feel at home. It was a comfortable world that I totally enjoyed living in for a couple of days. I find I’m starting to dream about the characters I love and so, I really do live in that world night and day.
Karen sent me this book after visiting my blog! Thank you, Karen because I was truly blessed with the opportunity to read your book. I can’t imagine anyone that wouldn’t find something to enjoy (or a lot of somethings to enjoy) about this book. If your looking for a new read or a new author to follow, I don’t think you could go wrong with Dovetail by Karen McQuestion!
I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest review.