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Ozark Mountain Trilogy #1
Not by Sight
Her Sister Couldn’t Be Alive â€� Could She?ÌýIt had to be Riley Jo. She was certain. . .wasn’t she? But when Abby Cummings tells her mother she thought she saw her sister at the store, her mother quickly dismisses the idea. After all, Riley Jo and their father had been missing for years. Presumably dead. Yet Abby cannot ignore her intuition. Telling her friend J. D., they investigate. But J. D. may know more about the disappearance than he’s telling, or even realizes. And as they work to uncover what happened, all they have to go on is blind faith. Will it be enough. . .especially considering what the truth might be?
400 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2013
204 people are currently reading
1773 people want to read
About the author
Kathy Herman
33Ìýbooks239ÌýfollowersBest-selling suspense novelist Kathy Herman has written twenty novels—including the Secrets or Roux River Bayou Series, Sophie Trace Series, the Seaport Suspense Series, and the Phantom Hollow Series—since retiring from her family’s Christian bookstore business. She and her late husband Paul have a blended family of three grown children. Kathy lives in the Northwest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
November 10, 2017
This is book one in the Ozark Mountain Trilogy. It’s my first read by Kathy Herman but won’t be my last as I’m looking forward to reading more in this series.
Christian reads are not my kinda thing but I gotta admit this read was a nice surprise for me.
I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
Christian reads are not my kinda thing but I gotta admit this read was a nice surprise for me.
I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
July 19, 2013
I need to start by saying that true "Christian" literature is not my cup of tea. It is just a personal idiosyncrasy, but they are usually too preachy for me. Therefore I hardly ever seek them out. What drew me to this book, though, was the setting. I grew up in the Midwest US and spent most of my summers in the Ozark Mountains. When I saw that this book was set in the Ozarks, it peaked my interest and I will readily admit that I did not look any further. So, I want to say upfront, this book is definitely Christian Lit and it never pretends to be anything else. Accordingly, although I would have enjoyed the book much better myself without the strictly religious references, that is my fault and not that of the book or the author.
The main protagonists in this story, Abby and Jay, are best friends and high school students. Abby has lived with the tragedy of her father and youngest sister's disappearance 5 years before the book is set. Jay has his own set of skeletons that he would like to keep buried. When Abby sees a girl in town that she feels HAS to be her missing sister, she enlists Jay in helping her to find out who she is and whether she could, in fact, be Riley Jo. The story that the author weaves around the sighting of the young girl and the subsequent search for her identity was well presented and kept my interest throughout the book. I really did become engrossed in the story, and found the mystery part of the book hard to put down. I found myself saying "just a few more pages.....and a few more.....and a few more...." In addition, the characters in the book were well developed and easy to identify with. Although I wasn't sure how things were going to turn out, I really found myself rooting for all of the characters and hoping that everything turned out just the way that they wanted it to.
In short, this story was well written, with engaging, positive characters who were good role models. If you are a fan of Christian Literature in all of its forms, I would highly recommend this book. Alternately, if you have middle schoolers and even young high schoolers and you would like to present them with a book that has a positive message and good role models, I would also recommend this book. It is the first in a trilogy, and while I am not sure whether I will read the others or not, I am keeping an open mind about it. To the author - the fact that I read a book so far out of my regular wheelhouse and enjoyed it so much is a testament to your writing skill and ability to tell a story.
The main protagonists in this story, Abby and Jay, are best friends and high school students. Abby has lived with the tragedy of her father and youngest sister's disappearance 5 years before the book is set. Jay has his own set of skeletons that he would like to keep buried. When Abby sees a girl in town that she feels HAS to be her missing sister, she enlists Jay in helping her to find out who she is and whether she could, in fact, be Riley Jo. The story that the author weaves around the sighting of the young girl and the subsequent search for her identity was well presented and kept my interest throughout the book. I really did become engrossed in the story, and found the mystery part of the book hard to put down. I found myself saying "just a few more pages.....and a few more.....and a few more...." In addition, the characters in the book were well developed and easy to identify with. Although I wasn't sure how things were going to turn out, I really found myself rooting for all of the characters and hoping that everything turned out just the way that they wanted it to.
In short, this story was well written, with engaging, positive characters who were good role models. If you are a fan of Christian Literature in all of its forms, I would highly recommend this book. Alternately, if you have middle schoolers and even young high schoolers and you would like to present them with a book that has a positive message and good role models, I would also recommend this book. It is the first in a trilogy, and while I am not sure whether I will read the others or not, I am keeping an open mind about it. To the author - the fact that I read a book so far out of my regular wheelhouse and enjoyed it so much is a testament to your writing skill and ability to tell a story.
July 14, 2017
A well-written suspense story that addresses some tough, real-life faith issues too, making me think. I'm usually good at guessing where a book is going to end up, and I still found myself surprised at a few of the twists and turns. This was my first Kathy Herman novel, and right away I found another to start reading.
March 18, 2017
Abby is convinced that she saw her sister who was missing for five years when she and her father suddenly disappeared. Her family doesn't believe her and tries to persuade her not to get her hopes up. Abby is determined to start searching for the girl but ends up in danger. This thrilling story was nearly impossible for me to put down the times I was forced to do so. Its a touching story of a family who loved each and the sorrow they go through. It is also a beautiful story of God's protection and His drawing power to bring His children back to Him.
May 15, 2013
What an emotional, suspenseful ride! Wow! This was an amazing book. The author does a great job of drawing you into the story of a family who has been without a father and toddler daughter for five years, after they disappeared one day. This story is told primarily from the perspective of the 16 year old daughter, however, it does occasionally change perspectives and you view the story from the mother, the grandfather and even a few times from the sheriff.
I was very impressed with this book. When I was about halfway through the book, I began feeling a true frustration to know what exactly had happened to these two people. I needed to know what happened, where they were, were they alive or dead...and I needed to know now. I needed some closure! That's when I realized that the author built into this story the feelings that the family was truly experiencing, through her writing style. Great book! It is the first book in the Ozark Mountains Trilogy and I look forward to reading the other books in the future.
I received this book for free from the publisher through bookfun.org in exchange for my honest review.
I was very impressed with this book. When I was about halfway through the book, I began feeling a true frustration to know what exactly had happened to these two people. I needed to know what happened, where they were, were they alive or dead...and I needed to know now. I needed some closure! That's when I realized that the author built into this story the feelings that the family was truly experiencing, through her writing style. Great book! It is the first book in the Ozark Mountains Trilogy and I look forward to reading the other books in the future.
I received this book for free from the publisher through bookfun.org in exchange for my honest review.
February 26, 2023
I thought this was a very good book. I really enjoyed the characters in the book. I recommend this as a good book to read. I can’t wait to read the rest of the books by this same author.
June 27, 2021
A great mystery told from two points of view about faith. One view is blind faith and the other is a lost faith. I really like how the author used these different views to tell this story of love, loss, fear, love again. Once I started reading I could not put it down.
May 29, 2013
My thoughts:
I’ve read books by Kathy Herman before and loved them. And I really want to say the same about this one. But I just can’t be honest and say I loved it.
Ms. Herman weaves a solid plot. I loved the story idea and think it’ll turn into a good series. And though it’s slow to start, it does pick up about 30-40% of the way through. My lack of love comes from the fact that it reads like a YA (Young Adult) novel. I will say that the main character is 16-years-old, so that kind of writing does make sense, but when she transitions to the mother’s thoughts or just descriptive scenes, it still reads like a YA book. Additionally, there are a lot of conversations about faith in God in this book, and rightly so; however, it does get “preachy� and seems to be forced into the book rather than part of a natural flow between the characters.
The story itself is plausible for the most part. There is one aspect of it towards the end that isn’t nearly as believable as the rest of the story, but the characters were likeable, and—in my opinion—developed at a reasonable rate.
Overall, I liked the book…I just didn’t love it. If you’re a Kathy Herman fan, then I’d say go ahead and read it; just be aware of how the book reads.
*I was given this book for free from David C. Cook through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
I’ve read books by Kathy Herman before and loved them. And I really want to say the same about this one. But I just can’t be honest and say I loved it.
Ms. Herman weaves a solid plot. I loved the story idea and think it’ll turn into a good series. And though it’s slow to start, it does pick up about 30-40% of the way through. My lack of love comes from the fact that it reads like a YA (Young Adult) novel. I will say that the main character is 16-years-old, so that kind of writing does make sense, but when she transitions to the mother’s thoughts or just descriptive scenes, it still reads like a YA book. Additionally, there are a lot of conversations about faith in God in this book, and rightly so; however, it does get “preachy� and seems to be forced into the book rather than part of a natural flow between the characters.
The story itself is plausible for the most part. There is one aspect of it towards the end that isn’t nearly as believable as the rest of the story, but the characters were likeable, and—in my opinion—developed at a reasonable rate.
Overall, I liked the book…I just didn’t love it. If you’re a Kathy Herman fan, then I’d say go ahead and read it; just be aware of how the book reads.
*I was given this book for free from David C. Cook through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 8, 2013
I won a copy of this book from Mary Vee's "Let's Talk" website. It is even better than I expected. Kathy Herman makes you fall in love with her characters as you bite your nails or cry along with them. There are lessons of faith, as well as, suspense and even some romance. I devoured this book. I could not turn the pages fast enough.
August 10, 2016
Another new-to-me author. Not By Sight was an interesting read with well-developed characters. I really enjoyed the two main characters, Abby & Jay, and how their relationship grew throughout the story. Although most of the book was believable, there were a few things that seemed far-fetched to me. All in all, a good read.
April 5, 2013
This started out looking like it was going to be a very predictable storyline, but the author did add some twists to the story that really helped it along. It was a heartwarming story of second chances and the importance of faith.
January 12, 2017
Lots of wasted space
The book was definitely a page turner and very suspenseful however I felt that it really dragged at about 70% of completion. I felt it was a lot of fillers and I just completely lost interest.
The book was definitely a page turner and very suspenseful however I felt that it really dragged at about 70% of completion. I felt it was a lot of fillers and I just completely lost interest.
April 18, 2013
Just when I thought I had it figured out the plot changed and I held my breath again... liked very much.
December 7, 2016
A good Christian read with a good plot.
July 18, 2021
I loved this book! Stayed up all night reading it because I could not put it down!! It won’t be my last from Mrs. Herman. I may pick up the rest of them tomorrow!
December 2, 2018
This is Herman's first book from her Ozark Mountain Trilogy. She certainly doesn't enhance the stereotype of the hillbilly characteristics of people who live isolated in the mountains. Abby and her best friend Jay are investigating what has Abby baffled. Her two year old sister Riley Jo disappeared along with her father five years ago. Yet Abby is sure she saw her sister with a strange man in town the other day. Her mother Kate and the rest of her family think she is just seeing what she wants to see. Abby hasn't given up on her sister and her father returning-she trusts God and prays about it. Jay has a secret he finally tells Abby that connects him with her families disappearance.
Herman shows through her story that things don't always go great for us as Christians but that we need to trust God that he will bring something good out of what appears to be so bad to us currently. Kate and Hawk, Abby's brother, have given up on God. They either don't believe he exists or think he is cruel to them. Abby, her little brother and her grandfather Buck keep the faith and show Kate and Hawk what true faith is.
Good story that shows God is with us through the bad things we face and that He can bring good through bad things we face. Jeremiah 29:11.
Herman shows through her story that things don't always go great for us as Christians but that we need to trust God that he will bring something good out of what appears to be so bad to us currently. Kate and Hawk, Abby's brother, have given up on God. They either don't believe he exists or think he is cruel to them. Abby, her little brother and her grandfather Buck keep the faith and show Kate and Hawk what true faith is.
Good story that shows God is with us through the bad things we face and that He can bring good through bad things we face. Jeremiah 29:11.
November 16, 2018
This was a decent mystery with an intriguing plot line. I enjoyed the book and the story line, but the characters were a bit shallow with limited growth. There were several redundant conversations between the mom and teenage daughter regarding faith. This story was about a family whose patriarch and youngest daughter disappeared without a trace one day. Shortly after the 5th anniversary of their disappearance, the eldest daughter sees a girl that looks JUST like an older version of her baby sister. She tries to find her again and through a series of events, finds herself in a very difficult situation. I appreciated the mystery and it had a satisfactory resolution. The relationships within the story were good and it had a small-town feel. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good mystery and isn't looking for a real character development story (though there is some faith development).
December 15, 2020
4.5 stars
That was different. A suspense novel where the main characters were not only NOT in law enforcement or the military or government but they weren’t even adults!!!
Abby’s father and little sister have been missing for five years. Everyone in Abby’s family has dealt with the mystery and grief in a different way. Abby has not lost hope or her faith in God. With the help of her best friend, Jay, she starts looking into the appearance of a little girl who looks remarkable like what her sister would look like five years later.
The story is suspenseful but in a different way than my usual books. The family aspect was touching. I loved Abby and Jay’s friendship!!! I did not suspect anything until “the Oldham kid� was mentioned and then, man! Poor kid! I felt so bad. Abby was so gracious and forgiving. This really was a sweet book. The ending is bittersweet but it fits.
That was different. A suspense novel where the main characters were not only NOT in law enforcement or the military or government but they weren’t even adults!!!
Abby’s father and little sister have been missing for five years. Everyone in Abby’s family has dealt with the mystery and grief in a different way. Abby has not lost hope or her faith in God. With the help of her best friend, Jay, she starts looking into the appearance of a little girl who looks remarkable like what her sister would look like five years later.
The story is suspenseful but in a different way than my usual books. The family aspect was touching. I loved Abby and Jay’s friendship!!! I did not suspect anything until “the Oldham kid� was mentioned and then, man! Poor kid! I felt so bad. Abby was so gracious and forgiving. This really was a sweet book. The ending is bittersweet but it fits.
April 24, 2019
Thought-provoking! Totally absorbing!
The disappearance of a husband and daughter ultimately meant the disappearance of faith for the once strong Kate. Her pain has raw. Real! Her remaining kids a mixture of emotions.
A young boy's life was emotionally blackmailed....a child kidnapped, lots of twists!
So many ways the Lord came in quietly to work on different characters. No cheesy setup, reasonable spiritual challenges...faith of a mustard seed in action.
My 2nd read by Kathy Herman. Love that the story line is multifaceted and respectfully Christian. The thought-provoking bible verse text is enough to give pause and make the book valuable for personal growth, I strongly urge an extra second or two with each reference.
The disappearance of a husband and daughter ultimately meant the disappearance of faith for the once strong Kate. Her pain has raw. Real! Her remaining kids a mixture of emotions.
A young boy's life was emotionally blackmailed....a child kidnapped, lots of twists!
So many ways the Lord came in quietly to work on different characters. No cheesy setup, reasonable spiritual challenges...faith of a mustard seed in action.
My 2nd read by Kathy Herman. Love that the story line is multifaceted and respectfully Christian. The thought-provoking bible verse text is enough to give pause and make the book valuable for personal growth, I strongly urge an extra second or two with each reference.
September 1, 2019
This was a good read. I enjoyed the premise and became very intrigued with the story and some of the characters. My only problem was that it was just a little too repetitive in some places...especially when it came to what the characters were thinking about their faith in God. Some were struggling with what they believed and some seemed fairly secure in their beliefs but were still questioning. A father and his young daughter have been missing for 5 years but the family is trying to believe that they will return one day. When an older daughter thinks she spots her sister with another family in town one day, there is no way she is going to let it go until she knows for sure whether or not it truly is her lost sibling.
June 12, 2020
From the very first opening paragraph I was intrigued!!
The style, depth and way that Kathy captures you and draws you into a story, kept me reading and not wanting to put the book down.
The story of a family, in the midst of tragedy continuing to trust and rely on God, yet at times hearing the rawness in the writing of a human being holding out hope in the midst of a father and a daughter missing for 5 years with no leads on what happened to them. I found myself right in with the family in the ebbs and flows of life and wanting to find justice as they discovered the tragic results of what took place, began to heal and move forward.
The style, depth and way that Kathy captures you and draws you into a story, kept me reading and not wanting to put the book down.
The story of a family, in the midst of tragedy continuing to trust and rely on God, yet at times hearing the rawness in the writing of a human being holding out hope in the midst of a father and a daughter missing for 5 years with no leads on what happened to them. I found myself right in with the family in the ebbs and flows of life and wanting to find justice as they discovered the tragic results of what took place, began to heal and move forward.
February 16, 2023
This is the first book in the Ozark Mountain Trilogy. How much could a family go through? All of it due to a man who was only concerned about getting a wife. Killing a man and stealing his daughter so a woman would feel sorry for him and marry him. All though the terrible life Riley lived she know her guardian angel, Custos was with her. Jay and Abby did some brave (or stupid) things to find Addy's lost sister when no one else believed Abby. Micah's funeral service was so moving it is worth reading the book just for that reason. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I recommend this book to everyone.
February 7, 2018
Not by Sight was one of the most suspenseful books I have ever read. At first I thought that Riley Jo, later renamed Riley Micah after her biological father would never be found, but she was. Isaiah Tutt, the man claiming to be Riley’s biological father was arrested and the authorities promised Riley that he would never get out of prison. Riley then asked Kate where she was going to live and Kate told Riley that she was going to live with her as soon as everything was finalized. A few days later, the family gathered for Micah’s graveside service that he had long been denied.
October 4, 2018
I have a new favorite author!
Kathy Herman is her name. I never knew she existed until by a leap of faith I bought this book. Oh how it thrilled my soul. It was a page turner. I can imagine it being featured in an episode of "Criminal Minds". How they would butcher it up to solve it in an hour is beyond me. It is fantastic. Good Christian reading at it's finest. You won't be disappointed. Except that you won't want it to end, but good news. I hear there are more in the series.
Kathy Herman is her name. I never knew she existed until by a leap of faith I bought this book. Oh how it thrilled my soul. It was a page turner. I can imagine it being featured in an episode of "Criminal Minds". How they would butcher it up to solve it in an hour is beyond me. It is fantastic. Good Christian reading at it's finest. You won't be disappointed. Except that you won't want it to end, but good news. I hear there are more in the series.
November 24, 2020
When Kate’s husband and two year old daughter go missing, her life goes on hold. She has three other children to raise and the burden is almost unbearable. Now after 5 years her daughter Abby is convinced she has seen her missing sister, 5 years older. As Abby tries to probe deeper things get scary. Threatening phone calls are sent and then Abby and her friend go missing.
Another hit by Kathy Herman. I can’t wait to read the other two in the series. Don’t miss this one Christian suspense at its best.
Another hit by Kathy Herman. I can’t wait to read the other two in the series. Don’t miss this one Christian suspense at its best.
February 2, 2021
“The Bible says we should live by faith and not by sight. I think that means when we’re in the dark, we have to take a step forward and tray that there will be light in the path in from if us.
Imagine God holding a flashlight so the beam shines on the ground in front of us. We can only see so far, but we keep walking, trusting Him to move the light in from of us with each step we take. We get as much light as we need to keep moving, but we still can’t see down the road.�
I loved this story! Abby kept believing, setting the example for all of us who have ever waited for something.
Imagine God holding a flashlight so the beam shines on the ground in front of us. We can only see so far, but we keep walking, trusting Him to move the light in from of us with each step we take. We get as much light as we need to keep moving, but we still can’t see down the road.�
I loved this story! Abby kept believing, setting the example for all of us who have ever waited for something.
September 13, 2022
Five years ago ... Abby Cummings' father, Micah, and 2-year-old sister, Riley Jo, disappeared without a trace.
Present day ... Abby's mother Kate has given up hope of seeing her husband and daughter again. The long years have drained the faith she once had in God. But Abby has not given up. So, when she sees a young girl who reminds her of her sister, Abby starts investigating. She has no idea of the danger that lies ahead ...
Kathy Herman delivers another exciting Christian thriller.
** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED **
Present day ... Abby's mother Kate has given up hope of seeing her husband and daughter again. The long years have drained the faith she once had in God. But Abby has not given up. So, when she sees a young girl who reminds her of her sister, Abby starts investigating. She has no idea of the danger that lies ahead ...
Kathy Herman delivers another exciting Christian thriller.
** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED **
September 20, 2017
Pros: I found this mystery novel to be really cool. The setting was familiar to me, so I found it easy to imagine the scenarios the characters found themselves in.
The mystery itself was also good. It kept me guessing, without being overtly complicated.
I think I might read the other books in the "Ozark Mountain Trilogy" next year.
Cons: Nothing really. This was a good, clean mystery.
My rating : 3.5 out of 5 stars
The mystery itself was also good. It kept me guessing, without being overtly complicated.
I think I might read the other books in the "Ozark Mountain Trilogy" next year.
Cons: Nothing really. This was a good, clean mystery.
My rating : 3.5 out of 5 stars
November 30, 2018
Great Story!!
Incredible story that left me wanting to read more so exciting that the ending was so fulfilling even though things didn’t end the way Kate intended!! I am hoping the next story is even better and beyond my thoughts and ideas how you Mrs. Herman Can write so such stories with Cristian empathizes! Thank you so much and God bless you and continue to guide your hand in the more stories!!
Incredible story that left me wanting to read more so exciting that the ending was so fulfilling even though things didn’t end the way Kate intended!! I am hoping the next story is even better and beyond my thoughts and ideas how you Mrs. Herman Can write so such stories with Cristian empathizes! Thank you so much and God bless you and continue to guide your hand in the more stories!!
January 29, 2021
This is a riveting fiction novel, but it covers deep concepts.
What is faith?
How is faith applied in my life?
If I have faith, can I still question God?
Why is evil allowed?
I am not going to say anything about the story itself because I do not want to give away spoilers, but it is well worth your reading time. One caveat: once you start it, you will want to finish it. I stayed up way too late reading this.
What is faith?
How is faith applied in my life?
If I have faith, can I still question God?
Why is evil allowed?
I am not going to say anything about the story itself because I do not want to give away spoilers, but it is well worth your reading time. One caveat: once you start it, you will want to finish it. I stayed up way too late reading this.
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