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- Title: The Bird in the Window
- Author: Wendy Dalrymple
- Publisher: Bryant Street Publishing in April 2020
- Genre: Romantic Suspense
- Pages: 77
- Format: Paperback and Kindle Edition
- Rating: 4/5
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Many thanks to Blackthorn Book Tours, Wendy Dalrymple, and Bryant Street Publishing for providing me with a digital copy of The Bird in the Window in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.
Trigger Warnings: Graphic Sex
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The Bird in the Window Blurb
In a sleepy suburb of Sarasota, Florida, all the residents on Ridge Road seem
Bryant Street Publishing
to have something to hide. Meet a nosy nurse named Ashley, a bored stay-at-
home mom named Patience, and an eccentric art teacher named Sally as
they each play a role in uncovering a decades-old neighborhood mystery. A
colorful macaw, a suspicious retired police officer, and a missing mother and
daughter become the obsession of Ashley Jones… but someone doesn’t like
her snooping around. Follow Ashley and her neighbors and friends as they
piece together clues, and spark a few romances, in the name of truth and
justice. Sometimes danger — and love — can bloom right in your own front
yard.
My Review
The Bird in the Window is a 77-page short story that hits every plot point seamlessly. Wendy Dalrymple does a great job with the storytelling in this one. I found it very entertaining and worth the hour I spent reading. There is something splendid about instant gratification sometimes.
The characters are rich and well-written. I wasn’t quite sure what to think about Ashley and Patience, to begin with, but I grew to love them both. Sally is a fantastic addition to the story, and when her part of the story arcs, it left me a bit breathless.
One thing I could have done without was the sex. I don’t think the story needed it and would have been just as engrossing if that wasn’t included. But, Ashley finds true love after one of her sexual encounters, so that made it a little more palatable. But, I still believe that the story would have been great without that scene.
The ending caught me unaware. I had a feeling about the end, but I didn’t expect what happened. All I can say is that it was a complete surprise.
I enjoyed this story and am happy to award it 4 out of 5 stars. If you are into short mysteries, you will love this novella. The ending will shock you.
About the Author – Wendy Dalrymple
Wendy Dalrymple gleans inspiration for her Southern Gothic stories of romance, history and horror from the great Sunshine State. When she’s not writing stories about haunted swamps, otherworldly beaches or Florida folklore, you can find her camping with her family, painting (bad) wall art and trying to grow as many pineapples as possible.
