On a summer night in 1932, twelve-year-old Joel Fitchett wanders into an East Texas diner badly beaten and carrying his unconscious brother, Clancy. Though both boys claim they have no memory of what happened, the horrific details are etched into their minds as deep as the scar left across Joel’s face.Thirteen years later, both men still struggle with the aftershocks of that long-ago night and … night and the pact they made to hide the truth. When they find themselves at the center of a murder investigation, they make a decision that will change everything. A second lie, a second pact and for a time, a second chance.
In 1991 college student, Garrison Stark, travels to Texas chasing a rumor that Clancy Fitchett is his biological grandfather. Clancy has been missing since 1946 and Garrison hopes to find him and in doing so, find a family. What he doesn’t expect to discover is a tangle of secrets spanning sixty years involving Clancy, Joel and the woman they both loved, Lorraine.
Told in alternating timelines from World War II to 1992, Enemies of Doves is a tale of family secrets, jealousy and deception perfect for fans of Kate Morton and Katherine Webb.
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Shanessa Gluhm’s Enemies of Doves is a multiple-timeline murder mystery that at its core, is a gut-wrenching love story and quest for family. From the very first page, Gluhm captivates the reader with unforgettable characters who traverse decades in a journey for truth and belonging. Fans of suspense, mystery and star-crossed love stories alike will not be able to put down this page-turner packed with unforeseen twists and turns.
I absolutely loved Enemies of Doves. It’s so good. I can’t wait to read her next book!
ENEMIES OF DOVES by Shanessa Gluhm is a historical mystery/suspense that spans the lives of two brothers beginning in 1932 Texas while intertwining with one brother’s biological grandson’s search in 1991 for his grandfather told in alternating timelines. The mystery and characters pulled me into the story effortlessly and there was no way I was going to stop reading until “The End”.
In a small town in East Texas in 1932, twelve-year-old Joel Fitchett carries his unconscious brother, Clancy home before he passes out. When he wakes up in the hospital, both boys tell their parents and the police they have no memory of how Joel ended up with a deep cut etched down his entire face. They have sworn to never tell about that day, but it will define them for the rest of their lives.
With the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Joel is classified as 4F and stays at home working, while Clancy joins the Marines and is off to fight the Japanese. Clancy returns home but, he is not the same and is having difficulty adjusting back to civilian life. Then the brothers’ lives implode as one brother will be charged with murder. For the second time the brothers make a pact that will change both of their lives.
In 1991, Garrison Stark is in search of a rumor that Clancy Fitchett is his biological grandfather. Clancy has been missing since 1946 and Joel is in prison having been charged with murder, so Garrison goes to him for a lead. What he discovers is a tangled web of family secrets, jealously and lies spanning sixty years.
I found this book to be absolutely perfect. The characters in both timelines were fully fleshed, realistic, flawed human beings that drew me in and would not let me go. The author wrote family dynamics, jealousies and secrets that kept surprising me throughout. While I always felt sympathy for the life Joel had with his scar, when Clancy came back from the war I was in tears because terrible scars are not always physical. As Garrison worked to uncover Joel, Clancy and Lorraine’s past secrets in the present day, I was continually as surprised as he was by each revelation. With the complexity of the characters and the perfect pace of the mystery, I find it difficult to believe this is written by a debut novelist, and yet it is.
I highly recommend Enemies of Doves!
I’ve read some amazing thriller and suspense stories this year, but the historical mystery, Enemies of Doves, takes the mid-year prize!
After losing his parents to tragedy in 1991, Garrison Stark finds himself on the journey of a lifetime after trying to piece together the ramblings of his grandmother. He’s losing her dementia so he must find his own answers.
Tom Fitchett may be a prominent dentist in his small Texas town in 1941, but to his sons, Joel and Clancy, he’s an overbearing tyrant who’s never satisfied with anything they do. Older by almost two years, Joel is the responsible one always charged with looking out for his brother.
Being the responsible one will lead to life-changing trauma for Joel, just as serving in WWII will change the carefree, self-serving Clancy.
Loved Joel. He was a sympathetic character who took on burdens that weren’t his to shoulder, most by choice because it was his nature, and others forced upon him by his father and brother. I didn’t care for Clancy for much of the story. He was the golden boy trouble always eluded.
Or so it appeared.
Lorraine Applewhite? She too was too self-centered for far too long. It’s easy to say she was caught between two brothers, but to me, Lorraine put herself there. Joel didn’t deserve that.
I’m not one for dual timelines, but this one was perfection with the fifty-year time-span moving forward in tandem. Garrison’s search will cause time to collide, unlocking a lifetime of secrets, and THE PLOT TWIST OF 2020!
Stellar writing and well-developed characters make this read one to not be missed. Because… that plot twist and the doves!
Download this one today!
Enjoy!
My Review
Wow What a Story, This Author Has Written This Story So Well.
This is absolutely a Favorite Book of mine this Year.. 2021
This Story About Two Brothers
Joel and Clancy Fitchett. And One Girl. Lorraine who’s Heart is
Lost on Both Brothers..
But only one Brother is her Love.
This all began in 1932.. Waking up in the hospital Joel .white walls white sheets white pitcher.
The story of what landed him there.. is not so Pretty.
Joel was always responsible for his younger Brother Clancy.
Now Clancy was were he shouldn’t have been..
Things happened that cost them both, pain over a life time..
1941
Lorraine Applewhite, moves to Longview Texas Clancy is the first Fitchett Brother she meets.
Not long before meeting Joel.
The things that, Brothers will do for each other. Life changes, secrets find there way to the light.
But Man the way things came together in the End . Such a Fabulous Book I could see this on Lifetime.
Thank you Shanessa Gluhm Gluhm
For this Amazing Story.
Definitely Looking for more of your Work.
Absolutely amazing! I fell deep into the novel “Enemies of Doves,” as it surrounded me with excitement, anticipation and even sorrow as the story unfolded. The author, Shanessa Gluhm gave the novel so much care in getting the perfect words on the pages to hold my attention. The alternating timelines between 1941 and 1991 makes this story even more captivating.
I. Could. Not. Put. It. Down!
College student, Garrison Starks wants to find his biological Grandfather but the journey is not an easy task since his Grandfather has been missing since 1946. Finding the answers of his origin brings a series of more questions that has Garrison wondering if he should continue his search for the truth or let family secrets die.
I can’t believe this was Shanessa Gluhm’s debut novel! The cover is stunning; the story can definitely be seen through the design. I love it! The alternating timelines was perfect; flowing smoothly from one time period to the other. I can’t recommend this novel enough. If you’re a reader that loves a good mystery with lots of twists, don’t hesitate to grab this book now!
~This novel was given to me in by the author in a giveaway in exchange for a fair and honest review.~
This book held me captive from the beginning until the end. I loved the span of 6 decades that covered the lives of Clancy, Joel, Lorraine, and Garrison, which gave me the opportunity to get to know each character and how they fit into each other’s lives. I was also drawn into this book because of the location – East Texas, specifically Longview. I lived for a time in this town and I could imagine this sleepy little town before it grew to the size it is now.
This book is about family, relationships, and has a bit of a mystery twist too. Garrison is trying to find his grandfather Clancy based on something his grandmother said to him. This sets him on a trail in the early 1990s before technology and where research means looking at microfiche instead of the internet. What he won’t know is that the truth will be right in front of him in more ways than one. As secrets are revealed throughout the book, I was kept on the end of my seat wondering what could possibly be revealed next.
Joel and Clancy endured a lot as children including an event that they kept secret until near the end of the book. These twists are part of what kept me engaged in the story. How did Joel get the scar on his face? What really happened that day? The answers are quite surprising and explain a little more about their fear of birds. There is also the question of how Joel ended up in prison. Was he really guilty of killing his father? Again, another plot twist I didn’t see coming when all is revealed.
A good story is not without some romance or at least an inkling. Lorraine is loved by both Joel and Clancy, but Clancy is the one that captures her heart with their shared love of books. Their relationship is not smooth and while he is away fighting in the war, Joel and Lorraine become closer. It is hard when Clancy comes back because he was missing for many months and suffers from battle fatigue, or what we know today as PTSD. The scenes where Clancy gets lost in the past reflect what it feels like for those that have PTSD and the flashbacks they endure reliving horrific events over and over. Will this end his relationship with Lorraine?
Garrison has a girlfriend, Amber, back home. While he is in Longview, he meets Molly who is just as intrigued by his potential family and believes that Joel doesn’t belong in prison. Working together sparks something between the two. Will he stay with Amber or move forward with Molly? I enjoyed watching Garrison and Molly’s friendship bloom. There are some plots twists regarding Molly and her family that were unexpected.
This is a debut book and it is one that I highly recommend and give it 5 paws up. I don’t know what the author might have in store for her next book but if it is anything like this one it will be a winner.
I really loved this book. It’s very well-written, and the mystery of Joel and Clancy drew me in. It switches points of view and jumps around in time, and still manages to be comprehensive as the story unfolds. The characters are flawed and realistic, and the portrayal of issues like addiction and PTSD are believable. I hope to read more from this author. I enjoyed her style so much.
I cannot rave enough about Enemies of Doves by Shanessa Gluhm. It’s an exciting, thought-provoking read. As a huge fan of mystery, I cannot say how much I loved this book enough. I will be rereading this story, because there is no doubt that I might have missed a little something. The author has impressed me so much! The characters are captivating and the story isn’t something you can easily guess what will happen next. Absolutely a wonderful book! I can’t wait to read more from Shanessa Gluhm!
Enemies of Doves by Shanessa Gluhm
5-stars
Enemies of Doves by Shanessa Gluhm was a wonderful read. This was a new author for me and I was impressed with the writing style and how quickly I was pulled in. It had an easy flow and I felt that it was well organized as well. Even with the different chapters going back and forth to different years was easy to keep up with. I loved it. I honestly could not put this book down and I am excited to see what this author creates in the future. Great read.
Enemies of Doves by Shanessa Gluhm
5 of 5 Stars
This is a great suspenseful mystery, with plenty of twists that keep you guessing, the author had me gripped from page one. In 1932, Joel Fitchett wanders into a diner in East Texas, Joel is 12 years old and has obviously been badly beaten, he is also carrying his brother Clancy, who is unconscious. Thirteen years later the two brothers are plagued with horrific memories of that night and Joel has been left physically scared on his face but the two still deny to police that they remember anything having made a pact together to hide the truth. Joel and Clancy then find themselves at the centre of a murder investigation and enter into a second pact, with another lie hoping this will give them a second chance.
The story is told in alternating timelines from World War II to 1992. The storyline continues in, 1991 and Garrison Stark, a college student travels to Texas to find Clancy Fitchett who has been missing since 1946 and who he believes maybe his biological grandfather. What Garrison uncovers is a tangle of secrets spanning over sixty years involving brothers Clancy and Joel and Lorraine, the woman they both appear to have loved.
This novel had me hooked from page one and I devoured it as I literally could not put this book down, a sign of a great read. It has a fast paced storyline which flows well and the narrative is well written, I liked how the story was told in two different timelines. The story is all about family secrets, jealousy and deception and I found it a five star read.
Whoa! So I finished this book yesterday, and i still cant think of the right words to thoroughly express how amazing this story is. Its no surprise that I just am not a big fan of timeline swaps but after a bit I was ok with it as for this story you absolutely need it.
Ok so how do you put into words a review for this, because I want to say it all but then it may ruin it for someone else as they’d feel I told the story here. And I don’t want to be vague and just say “go pick up this book” but for real go get this book, lock yourself away for a day and read it! The characters, the stories, and the feelings! I haven’t been this invested then wrong in a book as many times as i was in this. Twists, turns, secrets and discovery. Its all here. Amazing and I’ll be on the lookout for more from this author!
This book had me excited from the moment I read the synopsis. I knew it was going to be a good read and I wasn’t let down. I’ve never read a book by Shanessa Gluhm, and I’m so glad I gave this one a go. It was well worded, great plots and even more amazing characters. IF I could give this more than 5 stars I would hands down. In this tale we meet Joel, Clancey, Lorraine, Garrison and Molly. There are other important characters you’ll meet, but these are basically our mains. Part of the effect this book had on me was because it’s set in two different time frames. Joel, Clancey and Lorraine are whose lives we are in when the time setting is 1940’s. Then we jump to the 1990’s with Garrison and Molly. This book has it all- Love, loss, bad guys, plots to keep you interested and so much in between.
I have to say it has been a while since I have read a book that kept me in so much suspense. Garrison sets out on a quest to find his long lost grandfather, Clancy Fitchett. Though he does come across many stories about how much trouble his supposed grandfather got into, he refused to believe it. Molly Hamilton has been fascinated with the Fitchett story since she was a young girl. She is on a mission to prove that Joel Fitchett is innocent. It is in true investigative fashion that these two unearth secret after secret until they finally figure out who all the players in the game were and what they meant to one another. This was definitely a page turner. I look forward to reading more books by Shanessa Gluhm.
At first I wasn’t sure I’d like this book but it didn’t take long before I was engrossed in the story. Families can can have secrets that entangle them for life.
As Garrison Stark starts researching where his grandfather came from and what happened, he meets his grandfather’s brother Joel. Joel is in jail for murder and Garrison has a feeling Joel is hiding something important.
The back and forth between 1932 and 1991 can be tricky but Ms Gluhm does a wonderful job of it. I would recommend this book to friends!
This is an amazing story full of twists and turns that keeps you guessing and I unable to put the book down.
This story follows two lifes. One of two brothers Joel and Clancy. The other follows Garrison who believes he is the grandson of Clancy.
Garrison is on the hunt to find Clancy to find out of he is really his grandad however things arent straight forward as Clancy has disappeared from the face of the earth. So he starts going back trying to trace Clancy. He starts by learning about Joel who is currently in prison for murder. But did he do it?
Clancy and Joel have always been close and Joel has always been there to get Clancy out of bother. When something happens that leaves Joel scarred for life neither boy talks to explain what has happened. What are they hiding or covering up.
Fast forward and their dad is found murdered. Joel is arrested and charged and Clancy vanishes. Are the brothers still keeping secrets? Is Joel still looking out for Clancy? Is Joel the one who murdered there dad?
Its a rollercoaster journey from the first page. I loved it.
The story sets off in 1932 on a summer night for two brothers, Joel and Clancy Fitchett. Clancy is unconscious and Joel is the older brother carrying him to rescue. They both “don’t remember” what happened but Joel has a permanent reminder in the form of a face scar.
Thirteen years down the line, they’re still experiencing tremors of that ill-fated night as they’ve made a forever pact amongst the two of them. In the middle of a murder investigation, the brothers decide a course of action that changes their lives forever.
In 1991, college pupil Gary Stark, embarks on a journey to Texas where he believes he’s found his long-lost biological grandfather in Clancy. Clancy’s been missing since 1946 but Gary wants a family in finding his grandfather. Unbeknownst to him, he’s about to discover more than he’s bargained for in sixty years of secrets Joel, Clancy and the love of their life, Lorraine have hidden from the world.
This book has you traveling from WWII to 1992 where we discover concealment, solitude, resentment, and deceitfulness from the fans of these authors.
This is the best thriller and crime book I’ve read in awhile. I love the layers of the story as the mystery of it unfolds through different time periods. It’s fun and addictive to read on a multitude of levels. Fantastic writing from the authors as well. In this almost-realistic feel, I found it inspirational at how much the characters were able to overcome and live through. This was definitely a page-turner. Haunting and unpredictable, it took me to places I never knew I could go. I’ve cried through some pages as well. Action-packed with the way it took us through different times with the characters. Tragic in what these characters had to endure in so many ways. The story is so original and twisted, it leaves you craving more of each page.
Enemies of Doves by Shanessa Gluhm a five-star read that will cross the line between enemies and friends. I really didn’t like this one all the way through, I loved it then something would happen, and I would hate it, then another couple of pages and I would love it again. It’s a quandary what to write as well, as there are so many details or clues to the story, as this was one of those stories that has little Easter eggs dropped through the story, and they just build to this massive story, its so well done as you are almost drip-fed the story to keep up the drama and suspense but it’s that well done you don’t realise. Its one that will keep you hooked so whatever you do don’t start this thinking you can do a couple of pages before bed.
5 Star
Enemies of Doves by Shanessa Gluhm
I’m going to be completely honest here,I was hesitant to read this book only because the uncertainty of it. Boy am I glad I jumped in head first because I absolutely loved it. I literally did nothing else until I finished reading. I spent most of my time reading on the edge of my seat and just when I thought I had it figured out ,I was wrong. There’s just the right amount of mystery , drama ,and suspense and at times my emotions were all over the place. I felt like at times I was right there with the characters. And the author does an amazing job of writing the story that even though it switched back and forth between times. I found it to be smooth and I had no trouble following along. I found myself forming opinions about the characters of Joel ,Clancy, Lorraine and Garrison each one of these characters play a role in this book . By the end my opinions definitely changed. Find out what happens next in this must read. I can’t wait to read more from this Author.
Enemies of Doves by Shanessa Gluhm
5 +++++ Stars. PHENOMENAL
Not sure where to begin! Is it really possible that this is this author’s first book?? This shocks me because this book felt like it was written by someone that has many best sellers under their belt.
I have managed to read this in one sitting, it wasn’t easy because it’s a Saturday and my only day off but once I started I COULD NOT put it down, and honestly with the world on lockdown what else did I have to do besides clean, do laundry, pay bills, ADULT? I am so full of emotions after finishing..I sat and stared thinking it all through and can’t figure out if I’m happy or sad. This should be a movie, I watched it all play out feeling like I was watching and I hated when it was over. I suspected a couple things not quite early on but later in the book because there were a couple statements made that made me think…whoa, wait a minute and I was right on one of those, but the other twists and turns blind sided me but made so much sense after I was finished. This author wrote in two different timelines, and this is something I normally do not like but I couldn’t wait to get back to each of them all the way through. This is a story of family and the bonds that hold those families together, and the lengths families will go to to protect those bonds. It’s about secrets and promises made, it’s about bad choices and Love, Anger, Jealousy, and a whole lot of Mystery and plenty of Suspense.
Not even going to try to touch on this story, you truly truly have to read it. It is probably one of my favorite books so far this year and I hope this author is writing right now because I can not wait to pick up another book by her and many more after.
Incredible Story!! Can’t wait to read it again!
Enemies of Doves by Shanessa Gluhm is her debut novel and what a story it is. The story jumps back and forth from present and past, slowly revealing Shanessa’s many intricately woven threads. For a first novel Shanessa has done a wonderful job in bringing this suspense mystery to life. It is a tale full of lies and deceit, mystery and drama, secrets and regrets and is one emotive telling. I did find myself wondering in the beginning whether or not I would stick it out but I am glad I did or I would have missed out on this little gem. I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next.