The story of the Coach House Trailer Park and its inhabitants continues
in volume 2 of Becky Doughty’s serial novel, Elderberry Croft. All of the characters featured in this volume
were already introduced in volume 1, but now we learn more about them. In April Shadows,
the still mysterious Willow Goodhope helps to draw Shelly, the neighborhood “cat
lady”, out of the shadows of OCD and childhood trauma. Park manager Eddie is
featured in May Enchantment,
as he investigates an unknown man who spooks some of the residents during his late-night
walks in the neighborhood. This episode does not follow the usual pattern of the
others, in which Willow is seen helping the neighbor with some problem. Instead,
Willow is presented in the May episode as a more vulnerable figure who needs
her friends at Coach House as much as they need her. Kathy’s friend Myra is the
main character in June Melody.
Willow helps Myra understand that it is okay to move on from sorrowful losses
in the past and that comfort is better found with loved ones than at the bottom
of a sangria glass. Shelly, Eddie, and Myra might all be regarded as misfits in
society generally, but Doughty skillfully shows their humanity without romanticizing
them.
In the episodes of volume 2, Willow no longer seems to have any trace
of the supernatural about her, but the magic of friendship still underlies all
the stories. Willow does at times appear to have an uncanny ability to know
just exactly the right thing to say or do in any situation, as when she has the
perfect reaction to the tension created by some of the male guests at Myra’s
card party. But in this volume, Willow comes across as a more wounded figure
who is struggling to keep going every day. We are given occasional glimpses of
her deep sadness in private moments, as when Myra catches her singing and
playing a guitar.
Volume 2 features compelling characters, a deepening mystery, and more nuggets
of herbal lore. After finishing it, you will want to move on to volume 3 as
soon as possible.
As of right now, the individual episodes April
Shadows, May Enchantment,
and June Melody are
still available on Becky Doughty’s blog, beckydoughty.com.
If you read from her blog, you will also be treated to some photographs that
illustrate the stories. These three episodes are collected in volume 2 of Elderberry Croft and are available for
purchase through several retailers including Amazon,
Barnes
and Noble, Kobo,
and Smashwords. The
whole series of 12 episodes is also available as a single
ebook volume and as a paperback
book.
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