In All Deep Places

Susan Meissner
Harvest House Publishers (2006)
ISBN 0736916652
Reviewed by Kim Peterson for Reader Views (9/06)

Mystery Writer of the Year Luke Foxbourne disregards his latest book deadline and returns home when his father suffers a stroke. Back in his hometown he divides his time between visiting his father in the hospital, helping his mother, and assuming his father’s duties running the family-owned newspaper.

At his childhood home, the empty green house next door reminds him of unpleasant memories. As thoughts of his neighbors resurface, he finally devotes time to thinking through the past that he never wanted to revisit.

Cranky old Mrs. Janvik had lived next door and few things ever went well for her or her family. When her grandchildren came to live with her, Luke and his brother befriended them. But Norah and her troubled younger brother weren’t like Luke’s family. Norah’s parents either spent time in jail or had too much wild fun to retain custody of the children all the time. The kids lived with their grandmother on and off and lacked the stability and security that Luke took for granted.

Luke wondered if God had cursed his neighbors. How could so many things go wrong for them otherwise? Luke’s family tried to show them kindness and the love of God. Luke, in his youthful idealism, had promised to protect Norah, but was unable to do so. He knew he let her down and avoided dealing with the matter for years.

Now, he launches a new writing project—a memoir in which he explores the mystery and the unanswered questions that he has avoided for so long. Why did God allow misfortune to plague the Janviks until they could no longer cope with the misery? Did Norah find happiness? Did she reconcile with God? Did good prevail in her life?

With his wife’s encouragement, Luke seeks out Norah to learn the outcome of her story.  Luke doesn’t find all the answers to his questions, but he does discover forgiveness and peace.

Meissner writes about deep spiritual questions in a fresh and surprising style. “In All Deep Places” explores the God-shaped longing that exists within humans—that same hunger alluded to throughout literature and poems such as Francis Thompson’s “The Hound of Heaven.” Without resorting to preaching or trite answers, Meissner grapples with the age-old questions about bad things happening to good people.

Although the struggles in this coming-of-age novel saddened me at times, I enjoyed the well-crafted story. When immersed in life’s deep places, we seek assurance that we will survive, maybe even triumph. “In All Deep Places” offers hope for emotional healing and hope for a promising future.

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