3.5*

Willa Fern (Sunny) Cochrane has been in prison for 5 years for shooting (not killing) her husband. She claims it was self-defense; he held a gun to her head and forced her to put her arm in a box of rattlesnakes.

Professor Jackson Jones is recovering from Lyme disease, and a miasma that comes from leaving his love – the Mbuti tribe of Africa. His late caretaker was Sunny’s uncle and has made Jackson promise to care for her when she’s released.

This is a great premise for a novel, and I was completely hooked into the story from the beginning. But I felt Hellenga kept a bit too much distance between the reader and his characters. I wanted to know more about the WHY of what they did, and I didn’t get any answer to that. I was confused about some of their actions … again, why did they make certain choices or react certain ways. Instead I got a lot of information and miscellaneous facts – about serpents, or indigenous peoples in Africa, or field dressing a deer. Still the story kept me riveted, and there were twists in the plot line that I really didn’t expect. I would definitely read another book by Hellenga.

( )

Chapter 21 - "Carmina Burana" - THAT is enough of a "hook" to get my interest.
WNIU (Northern IL Univ. Public Radio) book of the month by Knox College English Professor.
I have several other of his books on my bookshelves, also.
I liked the book - something "different" than I expected to be reading.
Plus, learned much more about Timpani.
Book is a good read, but mostly - it reminds me to remind you - if you have never attended live performance of Carmina Burana - Go, Go, GO !!!!
The Timpani "Big Ending" is well worth it !!!! ( )

I very much enjoyed Sunny's story. The characters were interesting and well drawn, and I found the plot to be unique and interesting. Sunny grew to be a strong, competent woman, someone I would enjoy meeting. I love that she becomes a scientist interested in snakes, despite the horrible snake handling religion she was exposed to. I'll definitely read more of Hellenga's novels. Reccommended if you enjoy great characters and an offbeat story. ( )

I have to agree with many of the other reviewers that although the detail and information about the snake handling, religion and anthropology is interesting, it did tend to bog down the story. It felt like too much detail for too little plot. Thanks for the opportunity to read it. ( )

For some reason, I was bored by this book. The "snake-woman" was a likeable enough character, who had many typical human failings. I think what bored me were all the little details. There were too many. Also, the plot lacked substance. As a character study, I enjoyed the book somewhat, but there was just nothing that gripped me and made me want to find out more. It was a book that could be too easily put down. ( )