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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So this book was a winner in my opinion. I have never had the chance to read anything from Shanessa Gluhm before and I really was anxious to dive into this one and find out what she could do. Enemies of Doves has the one era and war that I thoroughly enjoy reading every time and it really took the story it could have been and exceeded all the expectations. I loved how even though we bounce between timelines and details things do not get confusing and things are quite seamless. I loved that I never once felt bored and not attentive to the story that was playing out on the pages before me. I could not put this down and didn’t want to wait any moments to get to the finale and find out what would come of these fabulous characters that I had so grown attached to. I will definitely be around to find out what else is available and to come from Shanessa Gluhm.
For this to be a debut novel…oh the greatness we should expect from Gluhm is making me breathless with anticipation. From beginning to end this novel held me transfixed. The characters were tangible and complete. The storyline was rich and detailed. I loved the counterpoint between the varying timelines and working our way to the last page. I love a good suspense filled story steeped in historical context. This book hit all the notes for me. Loved every page.
Enemies of Doves by Shanessa Gluhm. This book was WOW! I started it thinking I will read a few chapters but let me tell you it sucked me in and I didn’t stop reading until I was finished. Its a mystery spanning years and it keeps you guessing til the very end. Its starts with brothers Joel and Clancy Fitchett in 1932 in East Texas. Joel enter a diner badly beaten with his brother who is unconscious barely breathing beaten within an inch of his life. The brothers claim to not remember anything that happened but what happened is so etched in their minds it will forever haunt them. In 1991 Garrison Start is in College and has always heard rumors of his grandfather who disappeared in 1964. Rumor is Clancy Fitchett is his grandfather so he travels to East Texas to find out if he can find any other family. What he finds is a mess. A web of lies is discovered that goes back 60 years involving his grandfather and the woman both he and his brother loved. Read this amazing mystery. You will be kept on the edge of your seat!
This story was amazing. I love when authors are so talented to be able to go back and forth from past to present. It is even better when it can flow in such a way that I do not get confused. This is a mystery novel, but there are so many other elements to the story. We have mystery, secrets, deception, regrets, lies, and truth.This story is a fast read but I encourage you to take your time. You do not want to miss any clues of what and what is going on now. The characters are believable. You can fall for some of the deceptions and then you get angry all over again. When the past catches up to you will you be able to face it with a clear conscience? I highly recommend this story. I cannot wait to see what Shanessa Gluhm has in store in her upcoming novels.
Wow! I have chills at the end of this book. The drama that this author brought to pages gave me tears. I can not believe the twisty path this has taken. It is interesting how at the beginning of the book I didn’t like Joel. Then it became Clancy. But now I can see the bond they share as more of the story moves along. A lifetime of struggles. They are so intertwined. The happy times the sad times and the twisted times. I know that sometimes life stinks but for these boys it is a pile of manure. They author did a great job of making me *feel* for the characters.
I am NOT a fan of stories going back and forth in time. So I had my hackles raised from the beginning. I did not care for it at times but in the end it all rolls along perfectly and I can see why the author did this.
I really ended up loving this story and the characters (although I’m heartbroken about them). It’s a wondrous ride filled with mystery, drama and suspense. I highly recommend this book!
Enemies of Doves by Shanessa Gluhm. Wow what an amazing way to be introduced to a new author. From page one I was completely captured and couldn’t put this book down. This story is filled to the top with suspense, drama and all the emotions you could ask for. The author does a wonderful job of writing a story that truly comes alive before your eyes. The characters are complex and relatable, each one drawing you further into their world. I found myself trying to read both faster to see what happen next and slower to make it last longer. It’s a well thought out and paced nicely never feeling rushed or lacking anything. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see where the author takes readers next. If you’re looking for a new author I highly recommend giving this amazing book a try! Five stars all the way and highly recommended.
Enemies of Doves by Shanessa Gluhm is an intricate and in depth story of 2 brothers and the secrets they keep for a lifetime. I found this book to be unexpectedly emotional and completely captivating. Once I had started this book I simply couldn’t put it down. I devoured it all in one sitting and just wished it could have been even longer.
I have never read anything by this author before and after reading this book I cannot understand why. Her writing was so good it completely grabbed my attention. The story was well written and woven together so well that I found myself entirely immersed in the book. I was at the end of it before I knew it because I just could not stop reading at all.
The characters were what made this book really interesting. Getting to read about different ones in different timelines was brilliant. I know I will be giving this book a re-read and I will be checking out all other books by this author. You should definitely read this book!
4 Stars
Enemies of Doves by Shanessa Gluhm is a real surprise package, in the best possible way. This is Ms. Gluhm’s debut novel, so I wasn’t sure what to expect- but the blurb sounded intriguing so I took a chance and jumped right in. What I found was an intricately woven story full of wonderfully detailed and descriptive scenes that spun this story into a real web of intrigue. Full of suspense, family dynamics, secrets, mystery drama, jealousy, deception, regrets, emotion, love, lies, the truth, and sensitive topics, which all unfolds over duel timelines- made this an unputdownable read.
I won’t get into the storyline here, because I don’t want to spoil it for you. I also think some books are worth diving into a little “blind” and letting the story surprise you. This is one of those books.
I am highly anticipating Ms. Gluhm’s next novel, and can’t wait to see what she has in store for us!
Thank you, Shanessa Gluhm!
The cover is what attracted me to this book first and foremost. I found the idea of the time lines very intriguing. The tinelimees streem together very smoothly. This is one of them books that sticks in your memory. The characters are very richly written. The mystery and supanese as well as the shocking revelations will have you on the edge or your seat. Gulhm has a knack for getting you immersed into the story. This book has your emotions going all over the place from start to finish. Gluhm has wrote about some very difficult circumstances in this book as well. This is not for the light hearted. I’d recommend reading this book.
This is my first book by this author, I enjoyed it from beginning to end. This is a story of secrets and deception. The story goes back and forth between the past and the present. This was done very well and in a way that I was able to keep up with what was happening. I also enjoyed the characters as they brought the story to life and pulled me into their world. The twists and turns that they took me on kept me turning pages fast. Joel and Clancy have a secret that they claim they can’t remember but is it true? What happened that one night that changed things for them? This is a great story which I don’t regret picking up. I highly recommend this book.
Enemies of Doves
By Shanessa Gluhm
5 out of 5 stories
The story Enemies of Doves by Shanessa Gluhm is a book that has mystery and suspense. It is a story that pulled me in from the beginning and didn’t let me go until the final page. The book had me turning pages wondering what was going to happen next. The story does a wonderful job of switching back and forth between timelines. It had me trying to put together what was happening and gives you just enough info that I couldn’t put it down for very long. I just had to know how it ended. I enjoyed reading about the characters of Joel and Clancy Fitchett, Lorraine, and Garrison Stark. Each one has their part to play in the book and I found that my first impressions about them changed as the story progressed. The book and characters came alive with each page that I read, and I found myself thinking about both even after I had read the entire story. My emotions went up and down all the way through. The book has twists that I did not see coming. Don’t miss out on a story that is mysterious and entertaining. I highly recommend reading it.
I can’t say enough good about this book. It kept me up binge reading more nights than I can count. It takes a lot for a book to grab me quickly, I tend to have to convince myself to keep going. Not with “Enemies of Doves”. I was captivated instantly. The characters and story line grabbed my attention and kept it throughout. I found myself not wanting to put it down, but not wanting to finish it. It was so good I didn’t want it to be over! The story flows seamlessly between two different times and intertwining stories. It was so perfectly aligned. It kept me guessing and surprised. It’s a must read!
What a great story! With a leisurely introduction, Gluhm slowly draws you in with her flawed, yet likable characters. Shifting timelines that are packed with intrigue and unexpected plot twists lead to a surprisingly satisfying ending.
This book captured me and kept me intrigued wanting to know more from beginning to end. The story crosses between two timelines where Gluhm develops her characters and intertwines their lives to reveal how they fit together and the secrets they hold. The twists and turns feed you bits of information that keep you guessing to the very last word. I couldn’t wait to discover their truths, but never wanted the story to end. Makes you want to stay up and read all night!
This is an addictive read! The story seamlessly flows between two timelines, and I immediately became attached to characters in both storylines. Enemies of Doves is the kind of book you keep thinking about all day. I didn’t want it to end, but I couldn’t wait to find out what happened. This novel reveals deep scars – both physical and emotional – left on the characters in the wake of each other’s decisions. The twists are unpredictable, and the characters are unforgettable. You won’t want to put it down!
Enemies of Doves is Shanessa Gluhm’s debut novel and I hope it is not her last! This book is based on family dynamics and secrets that will keep you turning the pages until there are no more to turn! Gluhm writes in dual timelines that flow together impeccably! All the characters are fully developed and realistic with everyday abnormalities. She combines history with mystery and suspense and then adds jealousy, regrets, deception and lies….to name a few….into this well written story! You will climb aboard a wonderful ride filled with ups and downs and twists and turns and you will not want to get off! I highly recommend this unpredictable page turner to anyone who loves a good mystery/thriller. If you think you will figure this one out…..I suggest you keep reading! I am so looking forward to her next book!
Thank you Shanessa Gluhm and Touch PointPress for a copy of this fascinating story in exchange for my honest review.
#enemieofdoves #shanessagluhm #touchpointpress #bookmailisthebestmail
I pride myself on seeing twists before they come, and it’s hard to shock me, but the ending of this family saga/mystery really threw me for a loop… and I LIKED that. The story centers around two brothers who have experienced trauma at the hands of their abusive father, a love triangle and the mystery surrounding several murders. It takes place in dual timelines- one being the WWII era and the other the early 1990s. I found myself completely drawn into the earlier setting, and the author did a lovely job creating an authentic world I could immerse myself in. As a child of the 90s, I also found myself chuckling at some of the nostalgia and wondering at times why the heck they weren’t using cell phones! I’m sad to be leaving the world of Joel and Clancy Fitchett, but that is truly the mark of a great reading experience! I’m looking forward to reading more from this author, and YOU should too!
Fascinating family mystery that unfolds over several generations with surprising twists right up to the final reveal.
When you start reading Enemies of Doves, you will want more. A story of two brothers, Joel and Clancy Fitchett. Their father is a dentist and a tough man, abusive to the boys with words and actions.
This book tackles topics such as abuse, PTSD, and addiction. Told in two storylines, in the early ’40s tells the story of Joel, Clancy, and Lorraine, the girlfriend of Clancy. The other storyline is of Garrison Stark, who thinks that Clancy is his grandfather. Garrison travels to Texas on a rumor of his grandfather possibly being there.
Alternating stories from WWII to 1992, tells a historical account of one brother in jail and the other brother missing since 1946 and their love of one woman. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters and the ending I did not see coming. The author did a remarkable job with the two storylines.
I think that if you like a mystery story that follows alternate timelines, then I think that this book is for you. I enjoyed it immensely and I do recommend this book.
Books have always been a portal for me to explore different times, places, and situations. Some books accomplish this on a deeper level than others. This is one of them! Shanessa Gluhm is one of the most descriptive writers I’ve read in a long time. She puts you right in story, feeling all the feels, smelling all the smells.
Transported to small town Texas, you’ll discover how deep the meaning of family extends – especially between brothers. The assortment of issues are deep – varying from addition to PTSD – gripping your heart with empathy for the situations. I found my heart pounding numerous times and my eyes scanning faster as I couldn’t wait to discover what twist was coming next.
Starting out during World War II, Gluhm seamlessly transports you through time, until the early 1990’s. It reminded me of many stories I’d heard from my grandfather about the time frame prior to my birth (even though his were based in IL and NC), the nostalgia helped make the story feel more intimate.
You’ll want to read this quickly — but take your time. I went back and re-read several chapters throughout the journey to fully-absorb the situations. It made the twists even more breath-taking and strong.
I received a complimentary copy of the book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own!