What readers think of Tethered, plus links to write your own review.

This book had me hooked from the second page, I had to force myself not to read the ending (something I often do). I'm not a fan of a story that jumps around and at times I got lost for a paragraph or two when the author became a temporary poet (this is why it's a 4). Amy's writing style offers many good discussion points for book clubs and the easy reading style works well if interruptions are part of daily life.

Amy MacKinnon has written a mesmerizing story of pain, terror and, in the end, hope.

The author's main characters, Clara, Trecie, Linus, Alma and Mike all have dark souls. From there MacKinnon weaves a story that is terrifying, heartbreaking and rewarding.

As a mortician, Clara is only comfortable working with the dead. Her childhood was with a brutal Grandmother and no mother. Clara functions better with the dead than the living. For every wake she chooses flowers that have a particular meaning she chooses for the deceased. Clara is an avid gardener which is a glimpse of her attachment to anything living.

The story centers itself on a little girl named Trecie whom Clara met at the funeral home. Trecie goes missing and a tale of evil is woven. The lives of all these characters are exposed and the healing begins.

In the end we have hope for Clara and all the rest of these wonderful characters.

A wonderful book.

I received this book, and finished it within 3 days, while working full time. I was hooked from the first sentence, and the writing was great. The main character is an undertaker, who has flaws, and I came to know her and understand her. This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. Even when I wasn't reading, the book's characters and plots were on my mind. I have not been this "hooked" into a book for a long time. What a find this is, I hope it will not be too long before the author publishes another book.

Exquisitely written to capture you immediately! Putting the book down was a torture of sorts. MacKinnon so vividly describes Clara, the protagonist, that when she writes about Clara's "familiar sense of otherness" readers may actually feel the pain. The darkness of the book seems appropriate for Clara's occupation and life. The book gives readers a peak into a world infrequently visited (funeral homes) and an occupation seldom dreamed of with a description that is actually comforting at times.

My only criticism is how the ending came together--at times predictable, other times confusing and for me lacking the qualities of the fabulously unique read in the earlier parts of the book. Would definitely love to read more from this author!

I looked forward to reading this book each night. MacKinnon fashioned characters you cared about, and a page-turning plot. I especially liked the asides about the flowers and what each represents. This would make a good discussion book, both because of the ambiguity surrounding Trecie and because the subjects of undertaking and trichotillomania are so exotic. This book reminded me of Origin by Diana Abu-Jaber. Both books are narrated by fragile protagonists haunted by their pasts; both are written with the same surreal atmosphere; and both also provide a romance interest in the form of a stalwart detective.