Review By: Corinne Blair
Author: Jennifer Donnelly
Published: 2015, Random House Delacorte
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Romance, Crime, Suicide
Audience: 9, 10, 11, 12, Adult
Triggers: None
Summary: Jo Montfort is beautiful and rich, and soon—like all the girls in her class—she’ll graduate from finishing school and be married off to a wealthy bachelor. Which is the last thing she wants. Jo dreams of becoming a writer—a newspaper reporter. Wild aspirations aside, Jo’s life seems perfect until tragedy her father is found dead. The story is that Charles Montfort shot himself while cleaning his revolver, but the more Jo hears about her father’s death, the more something feels wrong. And then she meets Eddie—a young, smart, infuriatingly handsome reporter at her father’s newspaper—and it becomes all too clear how much she stands to lose if she keeps searching for the truth. But now it might be too late to stop. The past never stays buried forever. Life is dirtier than Jo Montfort could ever have imagined, and this time the truth is the dirtiest part of all.
Review: “These Shallow Graves” by Jennifer Donnelly captivated me with its blend of mystery and historical drama set in the vibrant world of 1890s New York City. I love stories that take place in NYC, regardless of time period. I found myself rooting for Jo, a brave young woman from a wealthy family who refuses to accept the mysterious circumstances surrounding her father’s death. As she dives into her investigation, I felt her fear and determination as she uncovered dark secrets that challenged everything she thought she knew about her family and society. I felt transported me to the Gilded Age, where I could almost feel the tension between the glamorous lives of the elite and the harsh realities that lay beneath. Jo’s character resonated with me; she is intelligent and strong, and her journey of self-discovery as she navigates societal expectations felt incredibly relatable. I also enjoyed the well-developed secondary characters who added depth and intrigue to the story. The mystery kept me guessing with its unexpected twists and turns, and I appreciated how the plot balanced suspense with character growth. However, I did notice a few moments that felt a bit over the top, which pulled me out of the story at times. Still, overall, the story left a lasting impression on me, combining historical detail with a great plot and a relatable heroine. I strong theme was the quest for truth even if it brought up uncomfortable and dark truths. It was so important to Jo and the readers could really feel that. I really liked this historical novel more than I thought I would! I could see some interesting conversations in high school classes about this story including gender roles, family loyalty, class disparity, and social expectations to name a few.
