The Whispering Sentinel

In the introduction to this winsome novel, Kyser (True Cover) declares she aims to “educate readers about Jesus Christ and His love for them” through the pleasing story of Sandy Martin and her grandmother’s mysterious old house. After a breakup, Sandy moves home to Bradford Mills, Mich., where she buys her deceased grandmother’s former home on a whim. Hoping that happy childhood memories from her hometown will heal her broken heart, Sandy hires Tom Brannigan, a local contractor and old classmate, to restore the house. Sandy and Tom haven’t seen each other since high school, when she was a goody-two-shoes Christian and he was a carefree playboy. Now, with Tom evolving as a more devout Christian and Sandy wondering where she stands with God, the two discover a diary from 1856 in one of the walls and work together to uncover the secrets of the old house. Although the narrative gets bogged down in distracting, irrelevant details and minor story lines (as when Sandy attends her cousin’s Little League baseball games, and a long miscommunication about Tom’s relationship to another woman), the main thread of Sandy and Tom’s exploration of the house is strong, while faith-driven conversations between Sandy and Tom take on a convincing progression. Tom’s redemptive tale will please readers of faith as Kyser handles Tom’s struggles, reformation, and newly found maturity with care. (BookLife)