::READERS REVIEWS::

Not big on suspense - Although I didn't find this book that suspenseful, I did enjoy the story. I really enjoy Ms. McCrumb's writing, and the way she introduces a bit of the supernatural in her stories with her wonderful Nora Bonesteel. I also love the setting high in the Appalachian mountains. It sounds like beautiful country. This is a book that depicts the way small family farms are disappearing throughout North America. It's about a very old mystery, and a modern-day tragedy. It's also about a family of four boys who learn to rediscover themselves when they have to return home to their ailing father. The story is bittersweet, and the legends are wonderful.

Accidental Delight - I was searching one day on Amazon.com for books realting to Appalachia and ran across 'The Rosewood Casket'. After reading the summary I quickly ordered the book. I fell in love with it quick. I fininshed it that night and quickly ordered more. I feel like I know Nora Bonesteel and all the others. I love how she intertwines history with her stories. I can't wait for more.

McCrumb stumbles under pressure - After the much deserved, raving reviews of her earlier work, it is glaringly obvious while reading this novel that McCrumb is trying too hard to live up to her own standards, and the results lead to a very disappointing effort. This author is a "natural" storyteller, and that's why her previous books were so fresh and applauded. While reading The Rosewood Casket, the reader is often aware of the author's erratic attemtps to please the critics, and this truly effects the flow and believability of her natural storytelling. There are many groan inducing passages throughout the novel, many highly forced and completely unbelievable, and many appears to be rushed without much thought being put into them. The overall feeling after completion is that it was basically a very silly and mediocre tale, laced with moments of the author's natural gifts, alas, fleeting moments, but, not nearly enough to ever recommend this book.

the more things change.... - "The more things change, the more they stay the same." The Rosewood Casket demonstrates how true this old saying is. McCrumb cleverly melds historical figure Daniel Boone with novel character Clayt Stargill, making this close to a time travel mystery with history repeating itself. The timeless tensions inherent in relationships - father/son, brother/brother, husband/wife, friend/friend, nature/man - play a pivotal role in this story that revolves around basic questions about who owns the land. The resolution of the central mystery involving the apparition in the woods is chilling.
McCrumb is a skilled, elegant writer - her prose is a pleasure to read.

What's Rosewood? - That's just one thing you will learn from this book. Whether you are from the Appalachains or visit there you will be transported in Sharyn McCrumb's books. She not only accurately decribes the land but the people and culture as well.