Here’s what people are saying about Goode Vibrations of the Dead River Valley…
“In the shadow of Mount Bigelow, a gravedigger’s casual inventory reveals the weight of history. “A little girl had a China doll, so I kept ’em together.” Then there’s a line that lands like ash: “Sadness sat as heavy as the smoky air from the brush fires.” Restraint defines Amy Safford’s Goode Vibrations of the Dead River Valley, a moody, history-haunted paranormal novel that treats Maine’s landscape as archive and oracle, turning Penelope “Pennie” Goode’s visions into a story about what a place remembers and what a nation prefers to forget. For Pennie, history isn’t mere trivia or lore; it’s a palpable pressure, a sense of crowdedness in seemingly empty spaces. The visceral experience of the past shapes her journey and her character.” –Independent Book Review Read Full Review
Here’s what people are saying about Goode Vibrations of the Wresting Place…
“At once an enticing supernatural tale and a loving homage to a little-known historical community, this novel is captivating from beginning to end. The author describes her native Maine with loving eyes and evocative imagery. She infuses her characters with relatable and sympathetic quirks, providing light moments of humor amidst the darker tones of supernatural occurrences and traumatic pasts. Although the story contains mystic elements, they are introduced with such delicacy that they enhance the plot rather than smother it. Pennie’s supernatural visions are neither dramatically macabre nor affectedly unbelievable, making her story comfortable for readers of any genre: historical fiction, suspense/thriller, literary fiction, and paranormal stories all find their home here.” —The US Review of Books Read Full Review
“Safford’s narrative cuts deep, blending fact and fiction to unearth the buried pain of intergenerational trauma. Pennie’s drive to uncover her family’s ties to the island is fueled by grief and guilt, forcing her to confront the weight of her ancestry. The novel’s tight pacing and sharp prose keep the tension high as Pennie’s search pulls her deeper into a web of forgotten stories and silenced voices. Safford weaves in elements of magical, amplifying the story’s sense of wonder and underscoring the spiritual ties that link past and present.” —BookView Review: 5 Stars Read Full Review
“Goode Vibrations of the Wresting Place is an engrossing historical fiction novel which centers on the character of Pennie Goode who is haunted by strange visions that somehow connect her with the strange past of Malaga Island, Maine. The storyline is well-paced and consistently illuminating, with Maine’s unique coastal heritage and bold mix of past and present day combining effectively to create a page-turner.” —The Booklife Prize Critics Report Read Full Review
“I really liked this book. It is following through the eyes of Pennie we get to experience the land and views in different ways. The characters don’t feel forced and add depth to the world. I think my favorite part were the old stories and traditions woven in that play into the unfolding mystery and revelations in characters. Seeing how land development and the shifting of peoples can be affected in long historical brush strokes was also very interesting to see through the eyes of someone so affected.” —Library Thing: 5 Stars Read Full Review
“Amy Safford’s ability to blend the supernatural with the everyday struggles of her characters creates a compelling and relatable story. Readers will appreciate the themes of self-discovery and resilience as Pennie unearths hidden truths about her past and her connection to the mysterious history of Malaga Island. The combination of suspense, emotional depth, and vivid imagery makes it a standout read for anyone who enjoys character-driven stories with a touch of the mystical. This novel not only entertains but also provokes thought, making it a must-read for fans of contemporary fiction with a twist.” —Reviewed by Demetria Head for Readers’ Favorite
“The atmospheric language is well crafted with eerie motifs that continue to repeat and haunt Pennie’s journey. There are immersive, multisensory highlights in the descriptions, like her trip through the graveyard and the unexpected connection she makes there, that really stick in your mind long after you set the book down. Her struggle with sanity while uncovering buried truths is well-paced and realistically penned with a great sense of psychological challenge, reflecting the emotional weight of confronting one’s past and heritage. Overall, Goode Vibrations of the Wresting Place beautifully combined elements of the supernatural with historical depth, offering a highly recommended and accomplished read.” —Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite