Blog Tour: The Cottage Park Puzzle by Richard M. Siddoway

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The Cottage Park Puzzle by Richard M. Siddoway

Book Description:

When two teenagers are found beaten in the quiet town of Cottage Park and another boy is standing over them holding a baseball bat, it seems like a simple task to convict the perpetrator. There’s just one problem: he’s autistic. This poignant tale of one town’s journey to forgiveness and love will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.

Review:

I'm really glad I read this book. It is well-written, clean, and has wonderful messages of forgiveness, empathy, sympathy, and generosity. 

I was immediately drawn into the story. Part of my interest was probably due to my initial gut reaction that Corky had been wrongly accused. I knew it was possible that he'd done what he was accused of, but it just felt wrong that no one seemed to question his involvement, especially given his non-violent history. The reactions of many in the town were believable, just very sad and disappointing.

As the story went one we saw more of the good side of the town. It's easy to judge a parent when a child does something wrong, but I loved how some people in Cottage Park withheld judgment from Corky's parents. They also reached out and were supportive.

The author did a very nice job depicting the small town. I grew up in a small town, and some of the attitudes and fears for those with "power" stemming from their roots were very believable.

About the Author:

Richard M. Siddoway was born in Salt Lake City and reared in Bountiful, Utah. He was a professional educator for over 45 years. In 1994, he was asked by Governor Leavitt to create the nation’s first state-wide virtual high school—the Electronic High School—which served students nation-wide. Richard served three terms in the Utah House of Representatives; the last two years he served as Speaker Pro Tempore of the House. He has served as a Bishop and Stake President in the Bountiful Utah Val Verda Stake. He and his wife, Janice, have served missions in Nauvoo, Illinois, and Taylorsville, Utah. He is the author of ten books including the New York Times best seller—The Christmas Wish which was made into a movie starring Debbie Reynolds, Neil Patrick Harris, and Naomi Watts.

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Title: The Cottage Park Puzzle

Author: Richard M. Siddoway

Publisher: Cedar Fort
Published: January 2015
ISBN: 1462115624

Source: I received an eCopy from the publisher in exchange for a review.
 

Purchase: Amazon | Kindle