Incredible! I have to say that Miracle Creek will most likely be in my top 10 of 2019 stack. It’s just that amazing!!
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I would have flown through it because it’s that captivating, however the subject matter was darker than I expected so I read it in chunks throughout the week. I couldn’t keep my mind off of it though & won’t for years to come. I love character-driven novels with raw human emotions and this one fit the bill.
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It’s an absolutely brilliant author debut. All the stars. ✨ I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next. Thank you NetGalley for this opportunity.

I loved Miracle Creek! I loved the court room setting, the twist at the end, the drama, ALL OF IT! 75% through when Pak admitted it was him I’m thinking “that’s it? Seriously?” so I knew something was up because there was still 25% of the book left so he couldn’t have done it. I think deep down I knew it was Mary because she was angry at Matt but there wasn’t enough motive yet for me to know for sure it was her until the end. I also think Angie did a good job concealing that it was her until finally the missing pieces came together. After reading each chapter I thought it was a different person who did it because each person had the slightest motive for doing it so she did a very good job at keeping it a mystery and not making it obvious. It was different from the typical thriller you will find me reading and I needed this type of story in my life right now. Miracle Creek was well written and educational on many different topics I knew little about. This book lives up to the hype that I have seen all over Goodreads and Instagram! I can’t wait to see what Angie writes next!! Thank you for approving me to read this.

I did review on Goodreads and Instagram. My review was altered from this to avoid spoilers!

I loved this book! It was worth all the hype, and kept you guessing and trying to figure out the case. It was so good, and I highly recommend! My book club picked this as our June read and I can't wait to discuss

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in return for a honest review.

I enjoyed the premise of the book and the way the events affected everyone. I struggled with reading Mircle Creek because it wasn't very fast paced. At times I felt the author went into to much describing details that I found myself skimming over the words.

So, the reason I originally wanted to pick up this book was that it seemed similar to Celeste Ng’s other books, especially Little Fires Everywhere. Since summer is almost here, I wanted to try getting into more courtroom drama-style books.

What made me keep reading this book was how it all unfolded. The story began with a point of view from one of the main characters on the day the “event” happened in the past and then came back to the present during the trial. The beginning of the trial was a little slow for me and usually, I tend to read mysteries pretty fast so that was one of the reasons this book was a four-star read instead of a five-star one.

One other reason why I did not love this book was that the ending was not that big of a surprise for me, which is a problem I have with many mysteries/ thrillers. The book made it out that any one of the main characters could have done it except for one person, so that person was the one I suspected the most.

It has been a while since I have read a mystery/ thriller and this book reminded me of how much I have missed them. Books like Big Little Lies, another book that I have heard being recommended to those that enjoyed this story, are something that I want to read during this summer and I am glad this book reinvigorated my love for mysteries.

4/5

Miracle Creek by Angie Kim is an impressive debut novel. This novel included a lot of my favorite topics: family drama, courtroom drama, medical drama, and whodunit. It did not take me long to get hooked into this intriguing storyline, however about half way through I got a little bored and found some parts to be a bit repetitive. I'll be sitting over here anxiously awaiting for Angie Kim's next release.

Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

The "Miracle Submarine" is a controversial medical treatment in which patients are given pure oxygen in a pressurized tank, used to treat many conditions, most notably autism. When a fire breaks out during a session, killing two people inside and seriously injuring several more, who is to be blamed? The immigrant family in charge of running the device? Protestors fighting against its usage? Or the mother of an autistic boy who died in the accident, after she had just been accused of child abuse?

This is a fantastic legal drama, written by a Harvard Law graduate with real legal experience to back her up. The courtroom scenes were believable, but also not so technical as to be distracting. And it's also so much more than a legal drama; it's a complicated narrative on family, parenting, immigration, and responsibility. The way this story unfolds is perfect. The pacing kept me engaged through each page, and the various perspectives are so richly written. I can't get over how much I loved this book.

Miracle Creek is the perfect combination of courtroom drama, who-dunnit, family troubles, and even medical facts. I met Angie Kim at a local bookstore recently and loved to hear about how her life and her experiences with HBOT eventually lead to her writing this story. If you haven’t had the pleasure of reading this yet, I highly recommend you get your hands on a copy.

Beautiful read. Lovely reflection on the immigrant experience in America. Medical aspects concerning HBOT were well researched. The pace was a little slow, but picked up significantly towards the end. Good mix of literary fiction and thriller that will have you guessing until the end.

Miracle Creek is a small town outside of Washington DC and Baltimore. The Yoo family, Korean immigrants, have invested in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber that they call Miracle Submarine. They cater to children with autism or other psychological development issues. The problem is that one day the chamber explodes killing two people- Kitt- the mother of an autistic child and Henry, the autistic son of Elizabeth who has now been charged with their murder. It appears that Elizabeth was trying to rid herself of her autistic son and set up the explosion while she reclined on the nearby riverbank drinking wine. The murder trial begins to create enough doubt that Elizabeth actually committed any crime. Eyes begin to look at Pak Yoo, who possibly created the explosion to obtain insurance money. As the trial progresses, the truth becomes increasingly murky.
It is easy to admire this remarkable debut novel- I just didn’t like it. First of all, the writing is skilled with characters that breathe realism. Since this is a character driven mystery, that is to the author’s credit. The locale is painstakingly depicted. The mystery is reasonably compelling and with the trial the author creates a sense of suspense. The solution and conclusion both tragic and realistic but also satisfying. So, all great things especially from a debut author. My problem is that I did not particularly like any of the characters. The plot dragged multiple times to the extent that I considered putting the book down multiple times. As a result, it took me forever to read this book. I know it is a superior literary mystery- just not to my taste.

Larry Gandle
Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine

What a book! It opens strong and is mainly a courtroom drama which I am usually not a fan of. However, this one is woven through the lives, stories and backgrounds of so many well done characters it made it feel very different. From the hyperbalic chamber explanations - which of course I had to Google! - to the Korean culture, to the things people do to heal the sick this one had me glued.
I thought I had the ending pegged - and then the author twisted it and my stomach all around.
Very well done - highly recommend!!

What an incredible family story-meets-courtroom drama. Angie Kim creates empathy and suspense in a way that blends these two genres together seamlessly. So many former lawyers-turned-writers get caught up in the legal piece and ignore much of the rest of the story - Angie Kim gave the perfect amount of detail without getting in the weeds. Favorite book of the month!

Three words – secrets and lies!

Pak Yoo runs the Miracle Submarine – it is pure oxygen and deep pressure. It is hyperbaric therapy (HBOT) that patients hope will provide healing for their ailments such as autism and infertility. All was going well until the day the Miracle Submarine blew up and killed two of its patients. Now Elizabeth Ward finds herself on trial for their murder.

Oh my, this was some story! It seemed that just about everyone has something to hide. Elizabeth is on trial for murder, but the murderer really could be a number of different characters. I could make a case for a few of the characters as to why they were the murderer, but I really wasn’t sure who to point the finger at. It kept me guessing and changing my mind throughout until I neared the end of the story and the clouds parted and the murderer’s identity was revealed.

This story was more than just a mystery/courtroom drama. It shed light on some of the day-to-day concerns parents of autistic children go thought. It also touched upon immigration, as well as a bit of Korean culture woven into the story.

The character development was fantastic! Everyone has a backstory and that was no small feat because there were quite a few characters.

If you like a mystery that will keep you guessing throughout, this is the book for you!

A fire was intentionally set at a medical facility in rural Virginia that killed two people. Now the mother of one of the victims, an autistic boy, is accused of the crime and on trial for her life. But many other people are keeping secrets of what happened that night. Is the mother truly guilty or is one of them the real murderer?

It's hard to believe this is a debut novel--it is that well written. The plot is complex with many layers of lies. Nicely placed suggestive hints keep you guessing till the end.

The courtroom scenes are among the best I've read. Angie Kim has experience as a trial lawyer and it shows in her narrative. I especially liked this observation as the trial unfolded: "It scared [him] a little, how these lawyers could take a given set of facts and spin them in opposite directions. [He] got the feeling [the prosecutor] cared about the truth only insofar as it was consistent with his theory of the case; otherwise, not so much. Any new evidence that didn't fit was not cause to reconsider his position, but something to explain away."

Angie Kim writes so well about certain situations, perhaps because she has lived them herself. Several of her characters for instance are Korean-Americans, including a teenage girl, and Angie herself came to America from South Korea as a preteen. Kim weaves their problems with assimilating, coping with the new language and being accepted into her story. "Pak Yoo was a different person in English than in Korean. In a way, he supposed, it was inevitable for immigrants to become child versions of themselves, stripped of their verbal fluency and, with it, a layer of their competence and maturity. In Korean, he was an authoritative man, educated and worthy of respect. In English, he was a deaf, mute idiot, unsure, nervous, and inept."

Her characters deal with life's problems in authentic ways, trying to think them through, struggling with their emotions, making tough decisions about what is right or wrong. She really gets into their minds and hearts as they cope with fear, guilt and self-recriminations.

This author can really write! I highly recommend adding this book to your summer reading list.

I received an arc from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Many thanks! I look forward to reading many more books from this author.

This was a tough one. I LOVED parts of it. I liked parts of it. A couple parts just felt like the flow was off and I had to go back and re-read to see if I missed something. This was a debut novel and deals with some tough subjects including how far will parents go for their children.

A immigrant family, the father Pak, mother Young, and teenage daughter Mary (her Americanized name) struggle now that they are reunited after years of separation. Pak.opens an HBOT facility. Link included because I googled to wrap my head around what it did to get a better understanding.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy/about/pac-20394380 The cast of characters have all brought their children (or themselves) in search of help. A horrific accident happens that results in injuries and loss of lives. The story is part family drama and part court room drama as both unfold as the book progresses.

The third party narration is helpful and also lets you see how judgement you may have made were false as you were reading one person's version of events. It makes you ponder how often this happens in real life.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC. I would say this is a 3.5 rounding up to 4.

Wow.

This isn’t an easy read. It’s disturbing at times yet at once, incredibly moving. Miracle Creek is a thrilling courtroom drama in which the author respectfully touches on a bounty of poignant topics.

The story begins on the night of the incident. A family have recently migrated from South Korea and opened a business providing HBOT treatment. This is a treatment in which patients breathe in 100% oxygen and is said to improve a range of health problems, from infertility to autism. Then, a mysterious fire breaks out. Fast-forward one year and Elizabeth Ward is on trial for the murder of her eight-year-old autistic son and another patient. The pressure of parenting her autistic child was driving Elizabeth to the edge. Did she commit arson and murder her son? Or, is there another explanation?

Being a courtroom drama, I don’t want to delve too deep into the plot as you’ll no doubt want to uncover all the scandalising details on your own. I will note that this book is an incredible exploration of grief, prejudice, love and pride. The trial and mystery make for the perfect backdrop for a powerful character study. The people involved in the tragic event are flawed, complex and the ripple effect of their rash impulsive decisions spiral out of control and change their lives forever.

Furthermore, through the multiple characters perspectives, Kim sheds light on motherhood and what it’s like to care for disabled children. She explores how far a parent will go to protect their family and proposes thought-provoking questions; what would we do in their shoes? In addition, she illustrates the prejudice surrounding immigrant communities as we learn more about the Yoo family and their daily struggles in society.

Watching the courtroom action unfold, it’s fascinating how easily our opinions and beliefs are skewed by the manipulation of words and interpretations of events. I didn’t know who to believe. While I read each of the characters’ points of view, filling in the night in question, I felt hatred, anger but also sympathy for all of them. As they share more about their lives prior to the event, their omissions are what effectively keep the reader guessing.

We always want the best for our family and, sometimes, telling lies and keeping secrets are deemed necessary. Miracle Creek, a deeply moving mystery, presents the tragic consequences that can follow. I took so much away from this book. Sign me up for all of Angie Kim’s future releases!

This fascinating debut novel covers all the bases - family drama, mystery, courtroom drama. A Korean couple opens an alternative health clinic that provides HBOT - hyperbaric oxygenation, which is supposed to help with autism, infertility, CP and other health problems. On a day that protesters have gathered outside the facility, it explodes. The same day one of the mothers chooses not to accompany her autistic son into the chamber. The same day the couple are both away from the controls of the chamber. So, who exactly is to blame when all the participants are either killed or injured? Who could be that much of a monster?

Told from multiple points of view, we get to see both the day of the “accident”, their lives prior to it and the ensuing court case when the mother is charged with murder. The multiple points of view are extremely effective. “Teresa hadn’t expected an exact match between his memories and hers - she watched Law and Order; she wasn’t that naive- but still the difference was unnerving.”

We are taken into the world of parenting autistic children; the anguish and the hardships but also the bliss of a small achievement.

This book was amazingly written and plotted. Truly one of the best books I’ve read! The courtroom ready like the best episode of a Law and Order episode. Unique plot and lots to think about and discuss! Cannot wait to read something else from this author. What a amazing debut you won’t want to miss!!!

The story of a deadly explosion at a medical treatment facility, Miracle Creek is both a suspenseful courtroom mystery and a fascinating societal critique.

Full review posted at BookBrowse.com: https://www.bookbrowse.com/mag/reviews/index.cfm/book_number/3920/miracle-creek#reviews (paywall, link included for publisher)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing house for providing an advanced copy for review- it allowed me to toggle between my hardback and Kindle this month. All thoughts and opinions are my own! 

I do not typically turn to courtroom dramas for reading, but the premise for this one was so intriguing that I decided to make Miracle Creek my Book of the Month in April. Don't worry, if you missed that one, you can probably still add this one to your box this month! Honestly, this book really blew me away with it's smart twists that it surprised me that such seasoned writing could be found in a debut novelist. 

If courtroom thrillers aren't your cup of tea or if you haven't picked up one since the Grisham days, I encourage you to give this one a spin! 

The book opens with the court case so it is one of those right-out-of-the-gates kind of books that I tend to gravitate towards these days. The story centers around a family who have immigrated to the states and decided to open an experimental medical treatment facility that utilizes a pressurized oxygen chamber as a therapeutic device to treat complex medical cases like autism and infertility. 

When the device, known as the Miracle Submarine, explodes, killing two people, everyone becomes a suspect and each have their own motives that could throw their innocence into question.

Told from alternating perspectives, Kim really builds layered characters that are real and relatable. I found the mother, who comes under scrutiny, to be among the most compelling because she is dealing with the heaviness of the day-to-day grind of appointments and struggles with her son and her need to escape from these burdens. 

If you are a fan of Celeste Ng or loved Defending Jacob, I have a feeling you will love this book as much as I did. Kim really uses her own complex background in a way that makes you feel sympathy in the Yoo's family struggles of trying to make their life in America and not always feeling welcomed or at home. 

Please note, this review will be posted on June 1st, in the link provided!