Synopsis

An abandoned building. A motivated runner. A Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer survivor.

Connor Jackson has been training for a half marathon for the past six weeks. Katie Brandt has been training to beat cancer for the past 50. When Connor discovers an intriguing secret in a tiny, abandoned building on his running route, Katie finds that the mystery is what she needs to help her get through her three-week stem cell replacement procedure. Together, Conner and Katie must find the strength to achieve their personal goals and, in the meantime, expose the many past lives that the tiny building led.

“We all want to find something amazing – some treasure – in old, abandoned places. That’s what we expect.” – Katie Brandt, cancer survivor

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Review

This is a tale of friendship, history, running, and even love.

Connor has a demanding job as a nurse. He helps treat cancer patients, and this cannot be an easy task. However, he makes the most of the situation and takes to running to relieve stress. Along the way, he decides to investigate this small brick building close to his condo. What unfolds is a fascinating tale about history, the Underground Railroad, and discovering who he is deep down inside.

The story is told from Connor’s point of view but also from Katie’s point of view. Katie is one of his cancer patients with lymphoma. We learn a little bit about the treatment for the disease and the mettle of Katie from giving birth to twin girls after being diagnosed with cancer. If you know anything about this form of cancer, the treatment can be challenging, but Katie is a fighter. She is also curious and has no problem diving into researching the building that Connor discovered and its history.

I was curious about this building as details were laid out. Did it have a historical significance? How would it impact the town? It was fun to read along and wonder about different aspects of the building and wonder what details and clues they might discover next.

In the process of searching for more information, Connor meets Leah, who happens to be a friend of his brother’s wife. I enjoyed watching their relationship blossom.

If you are a runner, you might enjoy the sections where he shares his training regimen for an upcoming half marathon. He wasn’t afraid to show vulnerability about his fears or concerns about the upcoming race.

Connor also has a fantastic relationship with his nieces. It was fun to watch their interactions, and it reflected what sort of parent he might be someday.

This was a fun read, and we give it 4 paws up.

About the Author

Iris March has a reputation for killing house plants and now she’s killing people off in books? Coincidence? Perhaps not. Iris has spent two decades working in the sustainability field and is usually either reading a book or on a trail. She lives in Ohio with her husband, son, and three cats.

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