Ben Raterman, Author
A new novel
Speak to Me
April Gloaming Publishing
A small town with a haunted history. Living in a clapped-out trailer park with a second shift mother and her abusive boyfriend, Justine and Joseph hope their 3rd-great-grandmother, Nonna Jannie, will bail them out. Jannie worked for a wealthy woman who mysteriously disappeared, along with her collection of jewelry. But according to Jannie, the woman’s jewelry, including Jannie’s, remained hidden in the cellar. With the help of Katy, a friendly librarian, the siblings find the house where Nonna Jannie worked, and break in. What they discover is not the sought-after jewels, but a skeleton.
Intrigued, Katy researches the background and times of Nonna Jannie and her mistress. With friends, she searches the house for the lost jewelry and the truth behind the buried skeleton.
Together, Justine and Katy discover more than they set out for. It is as if Nonna Jannie has reached into the present to influence the future.
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Reviews
An entertaining blend of mystery, adventure, and heartfelt introspection…
Raterman’s debut is a compelling tale that draws readers into a world where hidden jewels and buried secrets hold the key to unlocking the mysteries of the past. Justine and Joseph, struggling to survive in their rundown trailer park with their negligent mother and abusive stepfather, turn to their 3rd-great-grandmother, Nonna Jannie, for salvation. Jannie worked for a wealthy woman who mysteriously vanished, leaving behind a trove of precious jewels. With the help of Katy, a kind-hearted librarian, the siblings track down the old mansion where Jannie once served and sneak inside. Instead of priceless gems, they uncover something far more sinister – a skeleton. As they dig deeper, they realize that there may be more at play than just a simple case of theft.
Raterman’s characterization is excellent: Joseph, impetuous and daring, is driven by instinct and a thirst for adventure. In contrast, Justine is reserved and contemplative who approaches challenges with caution and intellect. Their contrasting personalities complement each other, creating a dynamic duo that navigates the complexities of their family history with a blend of daring adventure and thoughtful reflection. Katy grapples with personal struggles while trying to aid the siblings, ultimately finding purpose in guiding them. The enigmatic Jannie Thomas holds the key to unraveling a central conflict, as her secrets and choices impact future generations. The supporting characters, like Nonna Etta and Rachel, bring their own complexities to the story. The novel unfolds through a third-person omniscient perspective, allowing readers to gain insights into the thoughts, emotions, and motivations of multiple characters, particularly the siblings duo.
The pacing is deliberate: Raterman skillfully balances moments of action and discovery with quieter, reflective scenes, creating a rhythm that keeps readers engaged and invested in the unfolding mystery. He is skilled when it comes to creating a tangible sense of place and mood. The novel’s language is evocative, bringing each location to life, while the incorporation of historical context and cultural references adds depth and authenticity, transporting readers to a specific time and place. The ending is both satisfying and emotionally resonant. Throughout it all, the novel delves into the complex interconnectedness of ordinary individuals and the profound influence of their pasts on society’s grander tale while exploring themes of identity, memory, and the significance of personal narratives in shaping our understanding of the world around us. A compelling and heartfelt novel that will resonate with readers on a deep emotional level.
Reviewed by Penny A Parrish
I am occasionally asked to read or review books for friends or local authors. My experience overall has not been very positive. I often find good story lines but ineffective writing. Or some great sentences but the plot never thickens. When writer Ben Raterman asked me to read his book, I told him I’d give it a try, but if it wasn’t a good fit, I’d quit after the first 30 pages. This book is 264 pages, and I read it to the very end.
The book features two realistic and likable kids, eight-year-old Justine and her brother Joseph, age six. They live in a broken-down trailer in Fredericksburg with a neglectful mother who barely provides enough food and clothing for them. Making matters worse, mom has a nasty, manipulative boyfriend who drops in all the time.
So, these kids rely on their grandmother Etta for love and comfort. It’s Etta who spins stories about her great-great grandmother Jannie and the missing jewels.
The precocious children wander to the library, where they meet Katy, a research librarian in the Virginiana Room. They ask her about a house where Jannie worked for a rich woman named Anna Fitzhugh on Main Street.
She was married only a short time when she disappeared, and her collection of jewels was never found. Katy is able to track down the address of the house through maps and old newspaper clippings. With that information in hand, the children go on a mission to find the missing jewels they believe were given to Jannie by her rich employer.
The cast of characters is reasonably small, and each is fleshed out nicely. Katy is a workaholic with little joy in her life. She sees this quest by the children as a personal mission, helping them whenever she can. To her, people are kept alive by bringing the past forward.
Two of my favorite characters are the wonderful old couple Douglas and Helen Freeman. Douglas is a gardener on Main Street, now known as Caroline. He tends plants for the rich families with love and watches the kids as they look for answers at the old house.
Local readers will be able to picture the locations in their mind as they read, which makes this book even more interesting. For example, a dinner one night takes place at a restaurant where Katy and her friends sit in a vault.
He also does not give the exact address of the house where Jannie worked, but he gives us the block on Caroline Street, letting us exercise our imagination as we drive past.
My only quibble with the book is when the author goes into detail about the Civil War battles in Fredericksburg. It just seems out of place.
The author did his research, even going into the old house years ago. He spent years trying to find a publisher. Writing a book is one thing – getting it published is another. But he persisted and the end result will appeal not only to locals, but to anyone who finds the past and present intertwined.
Penny A Parrish is a long-time book reviewer and artist. Learn more about her by visiting her page at Brush Strokes Gallery, which is in downtown Fredericksburg.