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Our mind..
No one with Jessie’s history of childhood trauma could make it through unscathed, and Jessie is no exception. As recounted in Appalachian Justice, Jessie is an adult survivor of horrendous childhood abuse suffered at the hands of her stepfather. At the age of thirteen, on a stormy night on top of Crutcher Mountain, Jessie was rescued by reclusive mountain woman Billy May Platte.
Now, at the age of forty-seven, Jessie is a success, at least by all outward appearances. But underneath it all, Jessie still struggles to reconcile the broken pieces of her past. Little does she know, Billy May’s dying wish may just bring her the peace she so desires.
In honor of Billy May’s final request, Jessie has invited an agency that works with children with developmental disabilities to establish a wilderness retreat on top of Crutcher Mountain. Everything has come together beautifully, until a series of strange events threatens to shut down the operation.
Unsure what to expect, Jessie returns to West Virginia in search of answers and finds more than she bargained for. Along the way she falls in love with the residents of the Platte Lodge for Children, none more so than ten year old Robby O’Brien, a freckle faced, earnest little boy who was diagnosed at birth with Down Syndrome and who, upon the death of his grandfather, finds himself alone in a scary world.
As Jessie searches for answers, determined to save not only the Lodge but Robby as well, she must open her heart to the truths she discovers and place her trust in a lonely little boy. It’s only by doing so that she can save herself.
No one with Jessie’s history of childhood trauma could make it through unscathed, and Jessie is no exception. As recounted in Appalachian Justice, Jessie is an adult survivor of horrendous childhood abuse suffered at the hands of her stepfather. At the age of thirteen, on a stormy night on top of Crutcher Mountain, Jessie was rescued by reclusive mountain woman Billy May Platte.
Now, at the age of forty-seven, Jessie is a success, at least by all outward appearances. But underneath it all, Jessie still struggles to reconcile the broken pieces of her past. Little does she know, Billy May’s dying wish may just bring her the peace she so desires.
In honor of Billy May's final request, Jessie has invited an agency that works with children with developmental disabilities to establish a wilderness retreat on top of Crutcher Mountain. Everything has come together beautifully until a series of strange events threatens to shut down the operation.
Unsure what to expect, Jessie returns to West Virginia in search of answers and finds more than she bargained for. Along the way, she falls in love with the residents of the Platte Lodge for Children, none more so than ten year old Robby O'Brien, a freckle faced, earnest little boy who was diagnosed at birth with Down Syndrome and who, upon the death of his grandfather, finds himself alone in a scary world.
As Jessie searches for answers, determined to save not only the Lodge but Robby as well, she must open her heart to the truths she discovers and place her trust in a lonely little boy. It's only by doing so that she can save herself.
Excerpt
I did attempt psychotherapy, not once but twice. The first therapist outlined a meticulous treatment plan designed to encourage me to be an active participant in my own healing. She explained this to me in excruciating detail and I listened, desperate for help. We discussed my shortcomings and spent weeks devising action steps to assist me in reaching my goals. In the end, when confronted with so much paper and ink proof of my own shortcomings, I did what any rational person would do when confronted with such insurmountable odds. I quit.
The second therapist took a different track. He assured me of my inherent worth. He validated my feelings, no matter how terrible, how frighteningly horrid they were. He accepted me unconditionally, regaled me with never ending positive regard, sat in nonjudgmental acceptance of me. I quit him, too. If he couldn’t see the flaws so obviously apparent within me, I didn’t trust his abilities as a therapist.
A great read
I couldn't put this book down after reading the first few pages. The author, Melinda Clayton has a wonderful way of keeping the memory of Billy May (one of the main character's in author's first book Appalachian Justice) alive throughout this story. The story was so well written that I could feel Jessie's pain and joys. You were kept guessing who was behind all the "incidents" until the very end. Great writing! Hope to see more books by this author.
A wonderful sequel
I want to first say I did receive this book as a gift but have been a huge fan of Melinda's since reading Appalachian Justice. I am so glad the second book is finally out.
This is a heart breaking and heart warming sequel. Well written and what a twist! You will not be disappointed.
I hope that we can return to Crutcher Mountain in a third book.
Wonderful story, terrific writer
In full disclosure, I received a PDF file of this book from the author before it was released but was never asked to write a review. I don't know the author but have often commented on my love for her book, Appalachian Justice. It is one of my favorite books ever.
Return to Crutcher Mountain, though different from Appalachian Justice, is a sequel and is a wonderful read. It keeps the memory of Billy May alive. For me, it was not as dark and heart-wrenching as Appalachian Justice but a really good story nonetheless with its own emotional ride. It can be read as a stand-alone but is better understood and appreciated by reading Appalachian Justice first. You won't be sorry if you invest time into reading both of Melinda Clayton's books.
This book introduces a couple of new characters important to the progress of the story, but many of the background characters are from Appalachian Justice. The protagonist, Jessie, now 47 years old, had a tough childhood filled with horrible physical and sexual abuse and carries a lot of baggage, including panic attacks and a lack of trust in people. But some of the baggage is good; it helps her in her interactions with and understanding of a new major character in this book, Robby, a 10 year old boy with Down's Syndrome. They form a special bond which carries throughout the book, and they end up helping each other in very important ways.
The author provided a good character study of Jessie. In addition to the character study, there were elements of suspense and mystery throughout. There was a major twist toward the end. These were the things I particularly liked about this book. In addition, I think the author's writing is very good. I like her descriptions of the area and the people, and I like the dialogue she uses because it is not stilted. The author sucked me into the story from the start and kept me interested throughout. Although the situations in the story are wrapped up in the end to satisfy readers, there is room to expand upon several of the situations and I hope that means there will be a third book in this series. Actually I don't care what she writes, I will read it.
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