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Tangled Threads
Perfect for book clubs, this is the story of two strong women at odds since childhood,. Can they reconcile or will death and betrayal mark their lives and the lives of their families forever? Delia O'Toole is determined to escape the nursing home that has become her prison. So when her lifelong enemy, Ruthann, begs her to return to their hometown in North Carolina, Delia realizes it's time to confront Ruthann. It's time to deal with “the accident.� “Tangled Threads,� vetted for accuracy by an expert on early mill villages, moves between the 1890s and the 1950s. Along the way, it explores the limits of forgiveness and the difficult choices that await us. With book club discussion questions. Sandy Hill is also the author of "Kate & Delia," a sequel to "Tangled Threads," "Bonds of Courage," "The Blue Car," "The Friends of Flat Flora," and four cozy mysteries, "Deadline for Death," "An Ice Day to Die, "A Dying Wind" and "Shadow Dance."
- GenresFiction
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2011
176 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Sandy Hill
18Ìýbooks13ÌýfollowersSandy Hill is a former newspaper editor who lives in North Carolina with her husband, also an author. She has drawn on her knowledge of tae kwon do, figure skating, strength training and journalism for some of her novels. Her Bernese Mountain Dog figures in several of her cozy mysteries.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 10, 2024
Complicated story . . . (Potential spoilers below)
One aspect is historical fiction from a time when lives were very hard, which covered 1898 - 1918 amongst North Carolina mill workers. Working conditions were awful before the days of OSHA and child labor laws. Then there was World War I, and the Spanish Flu on its heals.
The other aspect involved an elderly woman in 1957, looking back to this town and the events there as she is given an opportunity to go back and confront someone from her past, if she chooses to do so.
I had a love/hate relationship with the book. Definitely loved the main character but felt that the looking back on the emotional past dragged out a bit too long. Didn't get frustrated with that enough that I wanted to quit reading, though.
Rounding up from 3.5 stars
One aspect is historical fiction from a time when lives were very hard, which covered 1898 - 1918 amongst North Carolina mill workers. Working conditions were awful before the days of OSHA and child labor laws. Then there was World War I, and the Spanish Flu on its heals.
The other aspect involved an elderly woman in 1957, looking back to this town and the events there as she is given an opportunity to go back and confront someone from her past, if she chooses to do so.
I had a love/hate relationship with the book. Definitely loved the main character but felt that the looking back on the emotional past dragged out a bit too long. Didn't get frustrated with that enough that I wanted to quit reading, though.
Rounding up from 3.5 stars
August 11, 2019
My book club loved this historical novel that goes backward and forward in time from an 1890s cotton mill village in North Carolina and a nursing home in Virginia. It's the story of two strong women whose lives entwine in complex ways until a secret brings them back together at the end of life for an unexpected finish. Very historically accurate. Strong characters. Polished writing. Twisting plot, tense but not full of violence. With book club discussion questions. You can read the first chapter on amazon.com and decide for yourself. Careful: There are several books called "Tangled Threads" so look for the one by Sandy Hill
May 2, 2021
Good book. Starts when they are in grade school and goes through life. The book is about an 80 year old's life. Could not put it down.
November 8, 2020
Review
I liked "Tangled Threads" a lot. It was an interesting story of a woman looking back on her life and seeing what led to a plea for help from a life long enemy. Since childhood these two women's lives were tangled together resulting in tragedies, and sorrow. Denial and jealousy were caused by opportunity, WW1, the Spanish flu and other circumstances. I enjoyed reading how this all came together finally. I recommend it highly.
I liked "Tangled Threads" a lot. It was an interesting story of a woman looking back on her life and seeing what led to a plea for help from a life long enemy. Since childhood these two women's lives were tangled together resulting in tragedies, and sorrow. Denial and jealousy were caused by opportunity, WW1, the Spanish flu and other circumstances. I enjoyed reading how this all came together finally. I recommend it highly.
February 14, 2021
Delia, who is in her eighties, has always been a very resilient woman. The course of her life has often been intertwined with Ruthann's and that has often been difficult.
Delia's personality is very well depicted through her joys but also her sufferings. We can also understand how hard the daily life of poor people was at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries with children having to work at an early age to help their families.
Delia's personality is very well depicted through her joys but also her sufferings. We can also understand how hard the daily life of poor people was at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries with children having to work at an early age to help their families.
February 17, 2021
I had a love/hate relationship with this book. I liked Delia enough to keep reading, but didn't always like some of the choices she made. I did like how she thought through things and was willing to see things from other points of view. And I enjoyed her relationship with Ruthann's granddaughter. I love to see the generations meeting across the years and learning from one another! Great title also - in keeping with the mill theme!
July 4, 2020
Blessed be the ties that bind
There was little happiness in poverty and limited opportunities but in Tangled Threads small kindnesses loom large in life and memory. The sadness and pain are mixed with determination and some happiness in a well written story encompassing a life long complicated relationship between two women who could have been friends.
There was little happiness in poverty and limited opportunities but in Tangled Threads small kindnesses loom large in life and memory. The sadness and pain are mixed with determination and some happiness in a well written story encompassing a life long complicated relationship between two women who could have been friends.
May 29, 2021
Jealousy
I really liked this book and couldn't believe all the things people in those days had to deal with. I guess especially in the South things were rough. Anyone who likes Historical Books and/or Romance will love this book. The jealousy between the two main characters was a lot and some would say never ending but not me.
I really liked this book and couldn't believe all the things people in those days had to deal with. I guess especially in the South things were rough. Anyone who likes Historical Books and/or Romance will love this book. The jealousy between the two main characters was a lot and some would say never ending but not me.
September 4, 2020
Captivating
A look at life in hindsight. Truly thought provoking and beautifully written. The characters and their cultures and lifestyle keep you turning the pages. If you need a warm glow in your heart, read this book.
A look at life in hindsight. Truly thought provoking and beautifully written. The characters and their cultures and lifestyle keep you turning the pages. If you need a warm glow in your heart, read this book.
September 11, 2020
Old friends
I have a lot in common with the two main characters...... Age, love of music, and a 1879 McGuffy's Reader. These two became very real to me. Made me glad I've stayed in touch with my friends.
I have a lot in common with the two main characters...... Age, love of music, and a 1879 McGuffy's Reader. These two became very real to me. Made me glad I've stayed in touch with my friends.
October 13, 2020
North or South?
It was a good book with different views on certain things that happened in each chapter of the book. I liked it. Characters were not very friendly though until Duncan. The portrait of the South seemed more like the North.
It was a good book with different views on certain things that happened in each chapter of the book. I liked it. Characters were not very friendly though until Duncan. The portrait of the South seemed more like the North.
October 22, 2020
Childhood friends forgive in the end
Story of two elderly women's lives that had been friends since childhood. Hate and resentment towards each other made for a bad times. The ups and downs of life and forgiveness.
Story of two elderly women's lives that had been friends since childhood. Hate and resentment towards each other made for a bad times. The ups and downs of life and forgiveness.
October 24, 2020
I can relate to the cotton mill terms in the book. My dad worked in a cotton mill in the 30’s and 40’s In NC after the child labor laws were implemented. Very interesting history and well written. I liked the back and forth presentation to tell the story. Believable characters.
January 18, 2021
Lives intertwined will a Milltown history
Delia and Kate came from the same Southern milltown two generations apart. Their lives come together at Kate's grandmother's request and a love of music. But there are secrets in the past that keep coming back to impact both their lives.
Delia and Kate came from the same Southern milltown two generations apart. Their lives come together at Kate's grandmother's request and a love of music. But there are secrets in the past that keep coming back to impact both their lives.
June 2, 2021
Wonderful
I enjoyed this story from front to back. I love that the details were carefully thought out and well planned. For once as if late the end was not rushed. The story is relatable for anyone reading it. I have a new author to follow now.
I enjoyed this story from front to back. I love that the details were carefully thought out and well planned. For once as if late the end was not rushed. The story is relatable for anyone reading it. I have a new author to follow now.
June 18, 2023
Excellent Story
Tangled Threads by Sandy Hill has well developed characters, Strong women and historical context. Reaching back to pre-U.S. Labor and safety regulations, pre-child Labor Laws, back when The Company directed every aspect of employees lives.
Tangled Threads by Sandy Hill has well developed characters, Strong women and historical context. Reaching back to pre-U.S. Labor and safety regulations, pre-child Labor Laws, back when The Company directed every aspect of employees lives.
April 4, 2020
I couldn't wait to see what happens
April 26, 2020
I really loved this book - great story and characters and detailed picture of a North Carolina mill town at the turn of the century, including the Flu epidemic of 1918.
September 28, 2020
Meh. This book wasn't good and wasn't bad. It just didn't do anything for me.
Read
October 19, 2020Amazing
Well written story about an old woman remembering her past, and the friends, enemies and family members all interwoven in her life story. Great read
Well written story about an old woman remembering her past, and the friends, enemies and family members all interwoven in her life story. Great read
February 12, 2021
Good read
Well developed plot and characters. This book was one I looked forward to reading a d found I cared about the characters. It was also a believable story line.
Well developed plot and characters. This book was one I looked forward to reading a d found I cared about the characters. It was also a believable story line.
March 22, 2021
A woman’s life, recalled by her. Reconciliation of the past.
May 26, 2021
Great story
I wasn't sure what to expect and quickly found myself wrapped in this very intriguing story.. Highly recommend it for an amazing ride
I wasn't sure what to expect and quickly found myself wrapped in this very intriguing story.. Highly recommend it for an amazing ride
June 20, 2021
I felt the book started off slowly, but once the plot coalesced, I was completely hooked. I learned so much about mill towns and human nature that I could not put it down
December 8, 2021
Good character development of the two main characters, the story could've been stronger. It was a fairly enjoyable read, I can recommend this book.
July 12, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed reading "Tangled Threads". Sandy Hill is a gifted storyteller. The tragedies in this story are realistic and the characters are well developed. This engaging , heartwarming novel will touch the hearts of its readers. This novel has inspired me to enjoy and appreciate the people in my life a little more than before. For that reason alone, I am going to recommend it to everyone one I know.
May 18, 2012
Really good read by a NC author.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
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