Official Review: Old Growth & Ivy by Jayne Menard

gali · Post by **gali** » 24 Sep 2015, 07:12

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Old Growth & Ivy" by Jayne Menard.]

3 out of 4 stars

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Old Growth & Ivy is a romantic mystery novel by Jayne Menard and the first book of the Spook Hills Trilogy. The book is penned in the third person, and it takes place mainly in the Pacific Northwest city of Portland and the central Oregon coast. Romantic Suspense doesn’t always work for me. A lot of authors tend to focus more on one of the elements, but this book balances both features well creating a gripping story. I picked this book up because I was in the mood for a bit of romance and suspense, and that's exactly what I got!

From the moment extraordinaire FBI agent, Steve Nielsen, meets the lovely career executive, Ivy Littleton, sparks fly. Luckily there is more to this book than a budding romance and the author adds a couple of intriguing threads to the plot to keep readers intrigued and involved beyond the romance story.

Meet Steve, a 60 year old seasoned agent on the threshold of retirement. After 35 years on the force, and one failed marriage under his belt, retirement looms. While working on two cases, a child prostitution ring and a drug trafficking enterprise, he meets Ivy, a single 62 years old woman who is about to retire as well. Ivy is a successful career woman heading a large consulting firm processing records for banks. Steve needs her help in tracing some money laundering transactions and is most demanding about it. Steve is used to get his own way, but feisty Ivy is more than able to stand on her own against him. Both protagonists are fiercely independent, lonely, worried about their future, and they are more than ready for meaningful relationship.

Steve lives on the east coast, so the two protagonists start a long-distance relationship and correspond vie emails. While the romance between the two is somewhat predictable, the story is anything but. Whirlwind of emotions and action follows their interactions. Ivy is getting drawn into Steve's investigations, finding herself in some hairy situations as a result. As the relationship grows, so does the danger. Amidst the bucolic setting, danger lurks and perps threaten.

The pacing of the story is slow and befits the budding relationship. The author explores such themes as aging, loneliness, fears of retirement, explorations of self, love, human trafficking, interpersonal relationship, loyalty, friendship, duty and fulfillment.

Ivy is exactly the kind of heroine I enjoy reading about. She has great reserves of inner strength and resourcefulness and really earned my respect by fighting past her fears. I liked the Steve as well and found him well developed. I especially liked that his brash exterior hid a sensitive side. The romance was done in such a way that didn't feel rushed or unbelievable. I loved that the protagonists were a couple in their sixties, a refreshing change from all those young love romances. The protagonists were very well drawn, even some of the secondary ones, and their internal conflicts made them more believable. The author managed to expose their most inner thoughts and emotions, and I found it fascinating. Among the secondary cast I especially liked Mathew and rooted for his struggles to change his life. I look forward to follow his story.

The writing is very detailed and beautiful, and one can picture each character, each place, and each scene. There were some excessive technical details and reveries which bogged down the story a bit, and a tighter edit would have given the book more polish. Other than that, the book has it all: romance, mystery and excitement! Despite the too-much-information feel that I got from this book, I found the plot interesting. The reader gets caught up in the suspense of the story while rooting for the Spook Hills gang. The title has special meaning in the story and I really liked the explanation of it.

Overall I enjoyed the story, so I rate it 3 out of 4 stars. The book was beautifully written, and I found it an exciting start for a new series. Although the book is part of a series, it stands on its own and gives enough closure to the reader. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery with a splash of romance. If you’re looking for romance, a great story and perfect escapism, this book is for you!

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Old Growth & Ivy
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erasmus · Post by **erasmus** » 24 Sep 2015, 20:05

I've never read about a romance between a couple who are protagonists AND in their 60s before. I think the author should be applauded for being able to blend suspense and a couple on the verge on retiring so well. It makes me wonder what else the author will come up with in the series. Thank you for the great review!

Gravy · Post by **Gravy** » 24 Sep 2015, 21:06

Yes, I agree, writing a romance about a couple in their sixties deserves a round of applause

gali · Post by **gali** » 24 Sep 2015, 21:28

erasmus wrote:I've never read about a romance between a couple who are protagonists AND in their 60s before. I think the author should be applauded for being able to blend suspense and a couple on the verge on retiring so well. It makes me wonder what else the author will come up with in the series. Thank you for the great review!

I have read such a romance and reviewed it here (Love, Lust, and Other Complications). Thank you!

-- September 25th, 2015, 5:29 am --

Graverobber wrote:Yes, I agree, writing a romance about a couple in their sixties deserves a round of applause

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 25 Sep 2015, 00:18

Great review! This book sounds like it has a lot going on, and in a good way! Kudos to the author too!

gali · Post by **gali** » 25 Sep 2015, 00:58

zeldas_lullaby wrote:Great review! This book sounds like it has a lot going on, and in a good way! Kudos to the author too!

Thank you and indeed.

Heidi M Simone · Post by **Heidi M Simone** » 25 Sep 2015, 11:29

Nice review, gali! I like the fact that the protagonists are in the 60s, too! Maybe I'll add it to my to-read list!

gali · Post by **gali** » 25 Sep 2015, 12:16

hsimone wrote:Nice review, gali! I like the fact that the protagonists are in the 60s, too! Maybe I'll add it to my to-read list!

Thank you.

bluemel4 · Post by **bluemel4** » 25 Sep 2015, 12:35

Wonderful review! I like that the author decided to use an older couple. It sounds like the story did not linger on the sadder elements of aging, but instead gave a beautiful romance with vibrant older characters. I am going to add this to my to-read list. Great Job!

Tanaya · Post by **Tanaya** » 25 Sep 2015, 17:13

I've read some cross-genre stories lately that don't strike the right balance, so it's refreshing to come across one that does. And the gradual development is a great selling point to me as well. Your review is so convincing!

gali · Post by **gali** » 25 Sep 2015, 22:38

bluemel4 wrote:Wonderful review! I like that the author decided to use an older couple. It sounds like the story did not linger on the sadder elements of aging, but instead gave a beautiful romance with vibrant older characters. I am going to add this to my to-read list. Great Job!

Thank you. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

-- September 26th, 2015, 6:39 am --

Tanaya wrote:I've read some cross-genre stories lately that don't strike the right balance, so it's refreshing to come across one that does. And the gradual development is a great selling point to me as well. Your review is so convincing!

Thank you.