What happened to Jill Brannon?
Local high school principal, Mitch Brannon, is anticipating a quiet Labor Day weekend with his wife, Jill. Mitch and Jill’s daughter recently joined her older brother at a local university, and Mitch and Jill find themselves in an empty nest. Mitch seems to be weathering the change fairly well. Jill—not so much.
To help get her mind off her daughter, Jill travels out of state to attend a teaching conference and anticipates returning home for a relaxing Labor Day holiday. Mitch is surprised when Jill isn’t there when he gets home from school, but Jill has left a voice mail that hints of a romantic surprise. Mitch eagerly awaits his wife’s arrival and is prepared to kick off the long weekend by grilling steaks. As time passes, Mitch grows concerned. Hours later, his concern turns to panic when Jill doesn’t answer her phone. He calls Jill’s close friend and their next-door neighbor, Shelley Austin, on the thread of hope that she knows something.
Shelley and Jill are as close as two best friends can be. A long-time divorcée, Shelley lives alone except when her college-aged daughter occasionally comes home for a break. Shelley can’t imagine what could have happened to Jill. Shelley confesses to the reader that she has harbored an unwanted, secret crush on Mitch. In fact, she has spent countless hours on her knees begging God to remove this particular thorn in her flesh.
Months go by, and the police turn up very few leads. The case becomes cold. As Shelley and Mitch pour over the scant clues that Jill left behind, their relationship becomes increasingly complex. Will Mitch manage to remain pure to his marriage vows, and will Shelley’s heart stay pure?
My Critique: Deborah Raney’s novel, The Face of the Earth, had me at the first hint of a missing person’s drama. Was Jill abducted? Or did she have a secret she was hiding from her family and close friends?
Without giving away any spoilers, I realized midway through the book that The Face of the Earth was less about a puzzle and more about the relationship dilemma between Mitch and Shelley. Honestly, I much prefer mysteries, although there are plenty of red herrings and suspense throughout the novel. Although the action drags at times, there’s still plenty to keep suspense aficionados on the edge of their seats. The Face of the Earth is well worth your time, and will bolster your faith in God’s plan for true, marital love.
RITA® award winning author.
What if she never came home . . . ?
When Mitchell Brannon’s beloved wife sets off for home after a conference, he has no idea that his life is about to change forever. Mitch returns from work early that evening, surprised that Jill’s car isn’t in the garage. But her voice on the answering machine makes him smile. “Hey, babe, I’m just now checking out of the hotel, but I’ll stop and pick up something for dinner. Love you.” Hours later, Jill still hasn’t returned, and Mitch’s irritation turns to dread.
When the police come up empty, Mitch enlists the help of their next-door neighbor, Jill’s best friend, Shelley, to help search. As hours turn into days and days into weeks, Mitch and Shelley’s friendship grows ever closer—and decidedly more complicated. Every lead seems to be a dead end, and Mitch wonders how he can honor the vows he made to a woman who has seemingly disappeared from the face of the earth.
