"In the Shadow of the River," by Ann H. Gabhart

" In the Shadow of the River," by Ann H. Gabhart

If all the world's a stage, Jacci will play her part.

She only hopes her story does not turn out to be a tragedy.

In 1881, Jacci Reed is only five years old when a man attempts to kidnap her from the steamboat her mother, Irena, works on. Badly wounded during the confrontation, Irena takes Jacci aboard the Kingston Floating Palace, a showboat tied up beside them. There, Jacci's actor grandfather tends to her mother, and Jacci gets a first taste of the life she will come to lead.

Fifteen years later, Jacci is an actress aboard that same showboat and largely contented with her adopted family of actors, singers, and dancers. Especially Gabe, who has always supported her, and the gruff grandfather she has come to know and love. Jacci's mother has been gone for years, but the memory of the altercation that ultimately took her life--and the cryptic things Jacci has overheard about her past--is always there, lurking in the back of her mind.

When someone on the showboat tries to kill Jacci, it's clear her questions demand answers. But secrets have a way of staying in the shadows . . . and the answers she craves will not come easily.

I have read a number of Ann's books over the years and I find them enjoyable, but really hard work to get immersed into.  This one was no different, and although I did finish the book, it was truly hard work.

Now I did enjoy learning about life on a showboat, and the historical factor of the book, the actual story just didn't do it for me. I didn't guess who was trying to kill Jacci, or the reason why.

Stars out of 5 : 3 It was an okay book, but not one I will remember; sorry.  

 "Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell , a division of Baker Publishing Group".