Before I talk about today’s book, I need a little help. My friend Doreen contacted me.
She writes:
“This past Saturday, I visited a sewer who was downsizing. She used to make wedding dresses and other fancy dresses in another life. She wanted to find someplace to donate some of her laces and some beads. I let her know that several years ago, I sent some materials to a group in New York that made outfits for babies that were stillborn or died from SIDS. I believe I received this group’s information from your blog. I didn’t find any information in your current listings. Do you remember this group? This lady would like to donate these items to a group that makes these kinds of clothing. Your help would be greatly appreciated.”
I do remember that there was someone who could use laces and that type of item for babies who didn’t live. I don’t have a contact. Do any of you know who that was? If you do, please contact me and I will pass the info on to Doreen. Here’s my email. rogjok@iowatelecom.net
Now onto today’s book:
I just finished up the audiobook The Searcher by Tana French. I had the book on my online library hold list for a long time. I think about 4 months. I was hoping the book was worth the wait.
I am going to say that I was a little disappointed. I kept waiting for “the big thing” to happen. It didn’t. I kept waiting for someone to really do the right thing…they didn’t. I wanted the story to come to a complete end, it really didn’t. So, with that, I guess it’s fair to say it wasn’t a satisfying read.
Here’s what Amazon had to say:
“Cal Hooper thought a fixer-upper in a bucolic Irish village would be the perfect escape. After twenty-five years in the Chicago police force and a bruising divorce, he just wants to build a new life in a pretty spot with a good pub where nothing much happens. But when a local kid whose brother has gone missing arm-twists him into investigating, Cal uncovers layers of darkness beneath his picturesque retreat, and starts to realize that even small towns shelter dangerous secrets.
“One of the greatest crime novelists writing today” (Vox) weaves a masterful, atmospheric tale of suspense, asking how to tell right from wrong in a world where neither is simple, and what we stake on that decision.”
Amazon readers gave it 4.3 stars. I was a little surprised. I would rate it a 4. The book was hyped to be a thriller. There was no thrill. It seemed more of a clip from someone’s life…not thrilling at all.
If you are looking for this book, you can find it HERE.
I don’t have a contact for the trims but suggest that the woman contact her local chapter of Project Linus or a local children’s hospital I a quite certain that one of them will be able to connect her to someone that can use these items for the angel babies gowns.
I just finished reading The Searcher and I agree with your reaction to it. I kept trying to like the book but it just left me feeling dissappointed. I think it could have been a wonderful story.
I do not know the person or group that you are referring to. However, Judy C in Alton, IL makes burial gowns for newborns. She work with the various hospitals in Saint Louis, MO. Judy has shared fabric with me and said she has been very busy making gowns. If you or Doreen want to contact me for Judy’s address. I would be glad to share it with you.
I always check the reviews on Goodreads. They rated this one a 3.82 which means I’d pass it by. There are too many books out there to read something less than a 4!! LOL
Fun , but not the most exciting book to read. 4 is about right
The “Angel gown program” is a group of people who make baby burial gowns out of wedding dresses. If you google it you might find one in your area.
I believe that was a group I belong to called Holy Sews. (www.holysews.org) The founding organization is out of Little Rock, Arkansas but we are a small NY chapter. We make burial layettes for second trimester miscarried babies. A few generous blog readers sent us tons of lace. We don’t use wedding gowns but definitely lace and other trims. I will send you my contact info, Jo.
Joanne,
If you would like please send the information to me. Thank You. Doreen
medicone@mchsi.com
I don’t know exactly how this organization works or how it works, but their volunteers uses these kinds of laces and trims. I only know about them through a daughter who lives in Kentucky. Glory Baby Ministry. https://www.glorybabyministry.org/. I hope this may help answer your question(s)
sorry to hear you were so disappointed after waiting so long.
I ca..e across a book you may have recommended. It’s “Mrs. Lincoln’s Sisters”, it took a while for me to finish. Not because it wasn’t a good to great book. It just hit so many sore spots in my life. Mrs. Lincoln have something in common 7 sisters. Her little sister was a lot like my youngest sister. The disagreementts and hurts that come in a large family. But at the end through e erhthing we’re still sisters and there for each other.
I finished The Searcher a few months ago and found it to be a wonderful read. It did not wrap up everything (which I tend to like) but gave me something to think about. Small towns often have secrets, ways of doing things, set in stone ideas of people in their community. When you move into one as an outsider you have no way of knowing these things. I remember feeling like the main character in the few years I lived in a town where I was the outsider. Finding my way was difficult and I saw that in the main character. Did the main character stay or more back to the states? Did the young person move out of the stereotype of the rest of her family? Did more excused away deaths continue to take the lives of “that” class?
This organization says they accept wedding gowns. https://www.littleangelgowns.org/
I also read this book and my reaction was about the same. It was a good story****** but! I wished for a more satisfying ending. I have read another of her books with about the same reaction. I would only give this one a 3.7 rating.
Please suggest to Doreen that she check out the Newborns in Need website. This is a 501(c)3 charity with chapters throughout the US. Several people in my local group make bereavement gowns from donated wedding dresses. Perhaps Doreen can find someone local through NIN that does the same.