Kim Vogel Sawyer, Bygones

Bygones

Kim Vogel Sawyer

Barbour, Apr 2007, $9.97

ISBN: 1597894044

Over two decades ago her Mennoite family disowned Marie Koeppler when she married Jep Quinn, an outsider. She left Sommerfield, Kansas, with her spouse, knowing she would never see her parents again. She gave birth to Beth, became a widow and never returned; she lives with her daughter in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

When Aunt Lisbeth dies, she leaves her estate to Beth. However, for Beth to inherit the house and caf , she must live in Sommerfield for three months. Though she expects a shunning, even from her mother, who never claimed her granddaughter as kin, Marie and Beth agree to try it. However, just after they arrive in Sommerfield, thefts occur; the locals blame Beth while Marie investigates to prove her daughter and her are innocent. Even Henry Braun, who came to Cheyenne to tell her Lisbeth died and who loved Marie when she fled over twenty plus years ago, thinks either her and or her daughter are the thieves. Though she still owns his heart, he also refuses to allow BYGONES to move on as he fears she will break it again.

Readers obtain a deep look at the modern day Mennonites in Kansas when a former resident returns home knowing she belongs there, but also assumes she will never be accepted as part of a community that condemned her for marrying an outsider. The cast brings to life this terrfic family drama as Marie and Beth try to do what is best for the other, even sacrificng their own needs. The mystery and romance, though both well-written and key elements of the deep storyline, play supporting subplot roles to the prime theme of you apparently can't go home even to Mennonite Sommerfield once you have left.

Harriet Klausner