Read advance reader review of Tethered by Amy Mackinnon

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Tethered

A Novel

by Amy Mackinnon

Tethered by Amy Mackinnon X
Tethered by Amy Mackinnon
  • Critics' Opinion:

    Readers' Opinion:

  • First Published:
    Aug 2008, 272 pages

    Paperback:
    Aug 2009, 272 pages

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Book Reviewed by:
Donna Chavez
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There are currently 19 member reviews
for Tethered
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  • Jeanne (Macomb MI)
    Tethered
    This book grabbed me from the very beginning. All of the characters were real, filled with their own unique hopes and flaws. Every part of Clara's life is written thoroughly and believably. It is the characters that stand out in this book, more than the mystery itself, right through to the satisfying ending.
  • Marissa (Boca Raton FL)
    Not To Be Missed
    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.
  • Gail (Montgomery TX)
    Tethered
    I really enjoyed this book by Amy Mackinnnon, it was exciting, thought provoking, sad, happy and a good page turner. It held my interest until the end.

    However, I did not like the ending, unless there will be a Tethered II.

    I look forward to Mackinnon's next book
  • Shirley (Norco LA)
    Hauntingly Beautiful Murder Mystery
    Tethered is a haunting, beautifully written murder mystery Clara, our undertaker narrator, never flinches in her descriptions of death and the agony of life lived unloved. She leads the reader straight down the razor sharp line between life and death. A great book club selection, with lots of opinions and viewpoints to discuss.
  • Margo (Rehoboth MA)
    Tethered
    Though somewhat morbid, this mystery holds the attention of the reader very well. I found the book engaging despite its subject matter (child abuse and child pornography).

    I would not suggest this as a title for the book club that I moderate as I am afraid that most of the women would find some aspects too gory and they would not welcome another book on this subject matter.

    I think Amy does a great job making her point that we never really know anyone and no one is ever above suspicion in cases of this type. She weaves a love story through lines of anguish though at some times it is difficult to figure out what is really taking place as opposed to what the main character, Clara, is imagining. Overall, though, a really good summer read.
  • Lynda (Clifton Heights PA)
    Love, Beauty, Salvation from a very unlikely setting.
    Ms. MacKinnon's narrator and main character, Clara, is most comfortable with the corpses that she lovingly prepares for burial. She has no friends, other than the undertaker with whom she works - and her flowers, which seem to blossom miraculously for Clara.

    Being immersed in Clara's thoughts is learning how an extremely depressed and lonely young woman thinks. Yet, a glimmer of hope lies beneath the Gothic setting and compelled this reader to devour this mystery.

    The characters are real and complete. The settings are vivid, though mostly seen through shadows and mist. The reader wants to help Clara solve this dark mystery and bloom as a fulfilled woman, like her garden.
  • Annie (Dallas TX)
    Tethered
    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.
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