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Winter Haven Audiobook
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(3.07) - 216 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Athol Dickson, Christy Award-winning author of The Cure, delivers riveting suspense. In this tantalizing gothic tale, a 15-year-old autistic savant vanishes from his Texas home without a trace. Thirteen years later, Siggy Gamble's body washes ashore on a remote island off the rocky coast of Maine. Arriving at Winter Haven to claim her brother, 24-year-old Vera is shocked to see Siggy hasn't aged at all. "Athol Dickson's prose is sterling, his story pure gold."-Kathryn Mackel, author
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"Like Vera, the main character of this book, I was completely taken in by it's mysterious supernatural occurences and couldn't put it down until the truth had been uncovered. Vera is startled out of her workaholic existance by a phone call from an islander off the coast of Maine saying that they have found the body of her brother--the brother that disappeared when Vera was just a child. Vera goes on a quest to claim his body and bring it home--but becomes immersed in the mystery of the island where he died, and the mysery of his death. Dickson weaves a skillful tale that shows our perceptions may not always lead us to a true vision of reality. I definitely recommend this one for when you are in the mood to savor a intricately told story."
— Deb (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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Athol Dickson’s prose is sterling, his story pure gold.
— Kathryn Mackel, author
Winter Haven Listener Reviews
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" It came together at the end, but I'm not a fan of some of the freakyness. Decent work, but not my kind of novel. "
— Mar, 2/18/2014 -
" This one just couldn't hold my interest very well. I wound up skimming through it. Didn't really connect with any of the characters and found it too predictably Gothic for my taste. "
— Cindy, 2/11/2014 -
" The description on the jacket of this book sounded great, but it turned out to be just silly. I don't know why I read the whole thing, except that I guess I kept waiting for it to get better! It never did. "
— Donna, 2/8/2014 -
" The author is really in to analyzing the psyche... Almost to the point of blotting out the plot. For example: I found myself skimming over pages at a time to keep the continuity of a single simple conversation. Then I would have to go back and re-read the character's lengthy self analysis of her thoughts as she spoke to whomever she was speaking to. It just didn't seem to flow. "
— Penny, 2/7/2014 -
" Winter Haven by Athol Dickson is a unique story, bordering on supernatural activities. I liked the transition into the story. Beginning in Texas it moves to Maine where the story reveals itself. A brush with unexplained phenomena frightens our protagonist and she tries to unravel her brothers death. In her travels she meets a mysterious stranger who lights a spark in her. Worries of who to trust makes think she's going mad. When the circumstances of her brother's death is discovered she may have found out more of herself. "
— Nancy, 1/26/2014 -
" A very nice story. A little mystery, action, and romance. A nice read! "
— Bonnie, 1/24/2014 -
" I loved this book. It was very spooky, but in the end, totally satisfying. I highly recommend it! "
— Marliss, 1/16/2014 -
" Couldn't put it down. Lots of "atmosphere." Can't wait to read Dickson's other books. "
— Melissa, 11/8/2013 -
" Amazing story. I loved the suspense, spirituality, and connections that tied this story together. "
— Susan, 7/22/2013 -
" Ending was kinda cheesy - but I loved the mystery of it all. Very surprising! "
— Julie, 5/15/2013 -
" Amazing how perspective can change a whole set of circumstances from one thing to another. Quite the book! Rather creepy in some places. "
— Rachel, 5/15/2013 -
" This is a great mystery that keeps you guessing as to what is real and what isn't. The eventual explanation is clever and simple. "
— Ruth, 5/5/2013 -
" A bit different. A good read. "
— Jenny, 2/2/2013 -
" This is a great book if you like thrillers, mysteries, and/or paranormal novels. It's almost science-fictiony too. Great book. Always interesting. "
— Chris, 9/23/2012 -
" Best suspense novel I've read in a while! "
— Marci, 5/9/2012 -
" A Christian Gothic romance?! Wow...right up my alley! It was very pleasing with its rocky shores of Maine, mists, and mysterious legends. It was very enjoyable and had Biblical principles woven in nicely! "
— Laura, 2/24/2012 -
" It was really slow. But the ending and theme redeemed it. Dickenson created a unique story, I only wish he had a more engaging writing style. "
— Natalya, 1/20/2012 -
" Last chapter made this book even better. Enjoyed the story line and wanted to keep reading it. "
— Michelle, 9/10/2011 -
" This was a fun Christian mystery book. It was light on the "being saved" aspect so that was nice. The solving of the mystery also solved the question in the protagonists life of "why would God do this to me?" which was very cool. I liked it. It was good escapism. "
— Katy, 3/16/2011 -
" It was really slow. But the ending and theme redeemed it. Dickenson created a unique story, I only wish he had a more engaging writing style. "
— Natalya, 2/13/2011 -
" I have not idea what to say about this book. It was listed as inspirational fiction. I am sure it was supposed to be but I didn't find it that way. Not a bad book. In fact the basic plot was pretty good. I just didn't care for the book. "
— Elisa, 2/23/2010 -
" Good - but with not quite the depth of Dickson's River Rising. "
— Barbara, 1/26/2010 -
" Don't bother. This was so erratice in the writing that I had a hard time getting through it. The only reason I finished the darn thing, was to find out if there were supernatural goings on or just weird goings on. "
— Trudy, 10/24/2009 -
" This is a great mystery that keeps you guessing as to what is real and what isn't. The eventual explanation is clever and simple. "
— Ruth, 11/21/2008 -
" Best suspense novel I've read in a while! "
— Marci, 11/18/2008 -
" The description on the jacket of this book sounded great, but it turned out to be just silly. I don't know why I read the whole thing, except that I guess I kept waiting for it to get better! It never did. "
— Donna, 9/22/2008 -
" Amazing how perspective can change a whole set of circumstances from one thing to another. Quite the book! Rather creepy in some places. "
— Rachel, 7/13/2008
About Katherine Kellgren
Katherine Kellgren (1969–2018), narrator and actress, appeared onstage in London, New York, and Frankfurt, including in the role of Laura in a regional production of The Glass Menagerie and appearances on Comedy Central. In recognition of her mastery of audiobook narration, she received many honors, including the prestigious Audie Awards, with four for best female narrator; the Odyssey Award; Publishers Weekly Listen Up Award; dozens of AudioFile magazine Earphones Awards; an AudioFile Golden Voice Award; Booklist Voice of Choice award; and acclaim from press and listener reviews.