Alabama in the 60s has its share of problems, including poverty and prejudice. The small town of Glory has a combination of white folk, black folk, and the folk from the hollow. The three groups stay out of each other’s way, as much as possible. Eleven-year-old Pete McLean comes from a cotton-farming family that employs both whites and blacks.

The safety of his comfortable life gets shattered when Isaac, a black field hand and his daddy’s best friend, roars into the driveway hollering that they’d better come quick. Jack McLean’s tractor has fallen into a sink hole, changing the trajectory of Pete’s life forever.

Because of Pete’s unique upbringing, it seems natural that Isaac would step in to mentor the boy. When Isaac mysteriously disappears one night, Pete decides to go looking for him on his own. His adventure takes him into the hollow, where he finds Dovey, a girl his age that he’s never seen before.

This beautiful coming of age story chronicles what happens when a boy becomes a man in the South in the 60s when he’s surrounded by remarkably unprejudiced people. Although I stayed up late reading the book (the mystery of Isaac’s disappearance kept me turning pages), when I finished I realized that I had more questions than answers.

I lived in the South in the 70s, and although my family had both black friends and friends from the hollows, we came from the West, and thought nothing of it. But I do remember attending a private Christian school that didn’t accept blacks. This made me question the authenticity of the story’s setting.

Not everyone in Glory shares the same sentiments of equality that Pete and his family hold. This helps balance the authenticity question a little. The ending makes the reader wonder if the story serves as an allegory of what could be. If people chose to live a life of love, the way Pete McLean does, maybe all of the stories rife with racial tensions would end differently.

Valerie Fraser Luesse’s debut novel paints a vivid picture of small town-life in the south during the 1960s. There are invisible lines drawn amongst the social classes in addition to those drawn according to skin color.
A study in “train up a child in the way he should go,” Missing Isaac is Pete’s story. When the boy loses his father then finds a friend in a field hand only to lose him, he has no choice but to uncover what happened.
Pete is a good boy (almost to0 good to be true sometimes). In his search for his friend, he meets Dovey. These two understand and protect each other from their first meeting. And as they grow up, they grow closer.
Throughout the book is woven the question of what happened to Isaac. While the entire book is not about the search, it comes up often enough the reader won’t forget about it. And as we’re introduced to the townspeople, Pete’s honesty, loyalty and good character shine brightly.
Through prejudices, challenges, harsh opinions, and the storms of life, Pete makes choices that determine the man he will become. One of honor and integrity. One who uses his gifts and his resources to bless others as his family has taught him.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Missing Isaac by Valerie Fraser Luesse can be summed up in one word:

Exquisite

Both the story and the writing are exquisite in their ability to evoke so much emotion and empathy/sympathy for the characters. The title of the book is enigmatic and can be viewed in a couple of ways. Isaac is both missed and missing. Pete is a young boy when his father is killed in a farm accident, and it’s Isaac who offers him comfort and wisdom. Isaac’s disappearance sets Pete adrift and faced with the burning desire to find out the truth of his friend’s disappearance.

Pete’s quest for this truth takes him to the Hollow, where he meets Dovey. As their story begins and beautifully unfolds across the pages, their families start to intertwine and, in some cases, come back together. The mystery of Isaac’s disappearance often seems to take a backseat to the story of Pete and Dovey, but it’s always there, undulating throughout. Why? Because Pete’s grandfather doggedly keeps the mystery alive as he sets his private detective on the case. No spoilers because the journey toward the spectacular revelation should be savored and not rushed or revealed too soon. It’s that very journey that makes this story so striking.

Missing Isaac has many touching moments, but the sweetest for me comes from Pete’s mother, Lila, and Dovey’s father, John. Their children’s budding relationship causes them to circle around their past and tentatively step into their future. Did I tell you this story is exquisite?

The writing is quite lyrical, and the characters are strongly developed. The story often lulls you as you follow Pete and Dovey from childhood, with their first blush of friendship, into adulthood, with their unshakable bond of love. But don’t be fooled. Missing Isaac has plenty of conflict that will leave you angry at the injustice yet cheering for the strong and unbreakable ties within and between families. Families, I might add, that are often both humble in their love for the land and each other and stubborn in their longstanding pride and mistrust of anything outside of their tight-knit circles.

Set in the 1960s in rural Alabama, “Missing Isaac” by Valerie Fraser Luesse is a quick-read that's rich in content, imagery, and emotionally-filled southern dialect. The book opens as young Pete's father, Jack, dies in a tragic farming accident, and as a result, Pete develops a stronger friendship with Jack's farmhand, Isaac. In a cruel twist of fate and soon after his father's death, Isaac goes missing thus doubling Pete's sorrow. Throughout the story, we learn more about Pete, his family, and a young girl, Dovey, who befriends Pete during his time of grief. As Peter matures, so does his relationship with Dovey; however, there's tension due to the difference in their respective families' socioeconomic status. All the while, Pete (and his grandfather) are working to find Isaac. The idyllic scenery serves as a contrasting backdrop for the dark mystery surrounding Isaac, race and social relations, and challenges of the farming community. However, these combined elements help push the wonderfully-written story forward for the reader.

I wouldn't change much, but I do wish that the author would have lent some more time to Jack, Peter's father, and how Pete managed his grief. It seemed that Pete's grief for his father got lost because he was so preoccupied with locating Isaac. Additionally, there are some parts of the book where the author is focused on how all the events are affecting Pete, and there could have been more plot development regarding what actually happened to Isaac. No spoilers, but it is pretty easy to sort out what happens to the titular character. The author does a great job of foreshadowing.

Luesse paints a beautiful picture with words. While reading, I felt like I was transported to the deep South during that tumultuous time. As a consumer of media, I have enjoyed many books that have been transformed into movies. These movies often provide more vivid visuals to the novels. In her debut novel, Luesse has crafted a story that reads smoothly and creates realistic imagery that you might enjoy on screen, making this story a reader's delight!

Recommendation: Readers of this book will enjoy a mystery (What happened to Isaac?), romance (Will Pete and Dovey's families allow them to be together?), and drama (Ugh, the Highlands, those entitled socialites!) All of this rolled into a coming-of-age novel makes for a easily digestible book. (I finished in just under a week.) Because of its diversity, there's something in it that just about anyone can relate to. If you're looking for a beautifully-written book that will evoke emotion and touch your soul, pick up a copy of “Missing Isaac” today.

This story encompasses much of life in the south in the 1960’s. While there is some strife and conflict, most of the story is positive and upbeat which makes for an enjoyable read.

Missing Isaac is billed as a coming of age story, which I do believe it is, not only for Pete but for his love interest, Dovey. The story follows Pete’s life from about 11 to 17 and how he reacts to the passing of his father; his friend Isaac that goes missing; and meeting the love of his life by chance while searching for his friend Isaac. For Dovey, it is finding love; singing in public (church) and realizing that perhaps there is more to life than what she experienced growing up on the Pickett’s farm. I found it interesting that since the book was set in the 1960’s and in the south, that there not much mentioned about segregation in the town of Glory. There is mention of visiting Tandy’s for ribs and Pete experiencing the blues for the first time, but any other mention was fleeting.

The book is also billed as Christian and there are many hymn lyrics quoted and of course there are events held at the Baptist church. This seemed very appropriate because I associate Baptist and the South together. There are some gentle pokes at the Methodists during an event, but nothing out of line. In fact, most of it is treated as a joke from the pastor’s comments and it felt like it was in fun and not meant to be derogatory.

In small towns you can expect most of the families to be related in one respect or another – if not by blood then by friendship which is as strong as a blood relationship, if not stronger. This is the sort of town I wouldn’t mind residing because people look out for each other and it isn’t because they feel obligated, but because it is taking care of family (blood or otherwise). Ned Ballard is a strong patriarch and his kindness shines throughout the book.

This book also has a little bit of a mystery – what happened to Isaac? I won’t spoil it, but it is revealed what happened the night he went missing. And I was surprised, but not surprised at the turn of events and those involved. Seems like those that feel entitled do so no matter the decade.

Overall we enjoyed the slower pace of this book, the love stories and the mystery and give it 4 paws up.

3.5 stars. I love good historical fiction and this was a charming story wrapped in a mystery. I understand this is a debut novel and I hope to read more from this talented author. While it was slow in parts, it was easy reading and the solving of the mystery was interesting. If you like Southern books set in the 60's, give this one a try.

This book spoke to me on some level. When I saw it come up for review I was a minute or 1440 minutes too late to nab it. NetGalley to the rescue! As a debut novel Valerie Fraser Luesse hit it out of the park. That being said I’m sitting here looking at a mostly blank screen and struggling to rate and even review the book. The synopsis sold me on a story about a young southern boy in the 1960’s who would stop at nothing to find out what happened to his dad’s friend, a man he looked up to, that happened to be black. That’s not quite what the story delivered to me. I loved the story, I truly did but reality did not meet expectation. I had to adjust my expectation to find that reality was handing me a pretty amazing book of community, faith, friendship, love, and doing the right thing even when no one knows it’s the right thing.

Isaac Reynolds may have just been a field hand on the Ballard farm. Isaac Reynolds may have been a black man scrapping a living for his family in The South during the 1960’s. But he was also a friend to Pete McLean’s father, a friend to Pete after his father passed away, and an all around genuinely nice man. And then he disappeared. In his quest to find out what happened to his friend and to some degree role model, Pete made some pretty sketchy decisions. One of those decisions brought him in direct contact with Dovey Pickett. Dovey is an entirely different Southern enigma stereotype. She’s holler people. Backwoods, country folks that tend to avoid as much civilization as possible. Dovey and Pete start an unlikely, and completely secret, friendship. A friendship that the adults around them (once exposed of course) know even at their young ages is one for the ages. Daddy Ballard is really the mastermind behind the question to find the truth about Isaac.

This books brings me a story that while quaint and somewhat syrupy is also endearing and absorbing. While I was disappointed in the veer it took from what I expected it gave me something that I’ll never regret investing myself into. The characters might as well have walked around in skin and fabric taking the air I breath as their own. Again though, syrupy. Even the villains, which I loved to despise, were a bit too syrupy. They weren’t overly villainous but more annoying twits of stereotypical toadnuggetness. The story moved like honey sitting in the sun on a warm summer day though I did get caught in a sugar lump or two between reading in spurts due to that whole work thing and trying to work out how all the other stuff fit into the Isaac mystery. Don’t mind me, I’m feeling my inner cranky southern woman for a moment. The truth is this is an author I plan to keep my eye on. Coming of age type stories (which is totally tied with mystery as my favorite genre to read and is the only type of fiction I work on during Nano) are hard to win at but this book does it. I might have lost sight of the synopsis but it found me at the end. And I’m ever so grateful it did.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

Missing Isaac is about the loss of a black man in the 1960s, during a time of racial tension. I wasn’t sure about how to rate this book at first. First, it started very slow and I almost lost interest. The book also appeared to veer off topic. The title is “Missing Isaac” but the story of people missing Isaac appeared to be absent. There seemed to be more focus on the romance of Pete and Dovey and of Lila and John. And I enjoyed the storylines of these romances.

But as I read deeper into the book, there were a lot of good messages of reaching across the races and various wealth classes and coming together for reconciliation. I loved the various relationships between Pa Ballard and Hattie, Jack and John etc. The book was told in a very lyrical manner. In the end, I did enjoy the book.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

This book was given to me from Revell in exchange for a review.

While Missing Isaac walks along its narrative path methodically, that it does so is testament to its southern flair. Like the best southern tales, this one beckons you to come close, listen, and stay. It's a story of a young man's search for a friend, yes. But more than that, it's a story of how our search for sense in a world fraught with strife can lead us to discomfort, beauty, and individually redeemed moments.
I loved reading this painting of how class and racial lines of the 1960s weaved, mingled, tip-toed, and clashed in the lives of individuals striving to live to the best of their abilities. The story initially dives into the minds of Ned and Pete Ballard, grandfather and grandson. If the story had remained only there, it would have lacked much of its beauty. Instead, Luesse has developed a detailed portrait of several different classes, as shown through the eyes of various characters. It walks through several years, following the development of individuals as well as the missing persons case that often consumes Net and Pete's lives. But more than the missing persons case, it's a story of the life that happens when you're searching.
This isn't a fast-paced novel - so be ready for a leisurely stroll through the joy, pain, confusion, and humor that life can bring as it is lived day by day. If you sit a spell, I think you'll enjoy the tale.

A beautifully written debut novel. A novel that deals with many difficult situations in the Deep South in the 1960’s. Luesse does a wonderful job with those situations and of fleshing out her characters. Characters you will fall in love with, but some dastardly ones as well. Set in the small town of Glory, this story was emotion packed and a read I won’t soon forget. My only regret was that the Judd Highland storyline didn’t feel resolved in the end. Looking forward to reading many many more from this talented new author!

Missing Isaac by Valerie Fraser Luesse 5/5 ☆

Thank you to Revell and NetGalley for the free review copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.

Historical fiction is by far my favorite genre. This book seemed appealing because it was set in the south in the 1960’s. One of the things that instantly drew me in was the small community and getting a glimpse of everyday life may have been like for the people in Glory.

This book was the perfect culmination of many emotions. There was loss, love, and laughter. The McLean family was extremely relatable with their humble attitudes and genuine goodness. My favorite part about this novel was reading about Pete, and his experiences that helped shape him into the man he becomes. The reader is able to experience adolescence with him, which is a trying time in anyone’s life, but it was especially hard for him with all of the issues that had plagued him.

Though this book seems like it is only a mystery, it is so much more than that. This book explores what happens to and in the family unit when they are threatened. The novel shows the close-mindedness of some, and what it will eventually cost them. I liked how the author used characters that were seen as outcasts because there are those that are ostracized because they don’t seem to fit in.

This was a fantastic book to read to help wrap up my year. I enjoyed it so much I read it in a day. This book releases on January 2, 2018, so be looking for it or go ahead and pre-order it – it’s that good.

What a great story! I enjoyed the story and the historical time period. The characters were rich with such depth that I felt as if I really knew them, even the side characters. Such a wonderful coming of age story. Two thumbs up!