Blog Tour: The Weeping

(from goodreads)
Twenty years ago, Catherine Whitley was the victim of a horrible crime. Betrayed by her friends, including the boy she loved, she was left to die when the Rock Harbor Opera House caught fire, taking a disturbing secret with her to her grave.

Seventeen-year-old Heath Ingram was driving the night his Jeep careened off the road, killing three of his closest friends. Once a popular, outgoing athlete, Heath now suffers from severe depression and crippling anxiety. His parents decide to send him to stay with his uncle in Rock Harbor, Oregon for the summer, praying that by getting away he will be able to put this awful tragedy behind him.

When Heath starts working at the newly renovated Rock Harbor Opera House, he meets Molly, a young dancer who awakens in him a desire to start over and move on. But, when he begins having visions of a half-burned girl in a white dress, he starts to think he may be slipping even further over the edge.

As the apparent hauntings become more intense, Heath begins to fear for his safety. With the help of his friend Josie, Heath discovers an unsettling secret that ties the mysterious girl to both their families. When two of their friends die unexpectedly, Josie and Heath realize that something, or someone, is after the children of those who wronged Catherine, and they are next.

My Review:
This was a story more about redemption and overcoming the past than it was about the dead, or ghosts. Heath has a lot of personal baggage for a young man. He has a lot to overcome and a lot of emotional and physical scars he has to learn to deal with. It was quite interesting to watch his journey.

The "ghost story" aspect of it, while nicely done, was not what drew me in. I did feel sad for Catherine, but I felt like Heath's story was the shining point. I'm sure others would disagree. That's the beauty of a story like this. All in all this was a well written book that kept my attention from start to finish. I enjoyed it and hope to read more by O'Dell Hutchison.