Rorey's Secret

June 27, 2005
Kelly begins the new Country Road Chronicles trilogy with this novel, catching up with the Wortham and Hammond families on their Illinois farms seven years after Emma's Gift
ended. Most of the Depression-era story takes place over two days, in which Thelma Hammond goes into labor, Franky Hammond gets into a mysterious fight, Rorey Hammond behaves strangely and the family barn burns down—by accident?—wounding Samuel Wortham. There's enough material here for a compelling story, but the overall effect is mediocre, as Kelly endlessly recites each day's incidents. (One recurrent theme: toddler Georgie pulling pans out of the kitchen cupboard.) While the characters face some challenging circumstances and hint at the questions those unearth, Kelly fails to mine the depth of these situations, resulting in a predictable story. The narrator switches every chapter, and the narrative voices are similar enough to lead to confusion. However, the strength of the small community of family and friends is refreshing, and Kelly picks up the pace toward the end to finish on a high note. Fans of the characters will appreciate the story's continuation, as will those looking for a simple, faith-affirming read.