Cover Image: Miracle Creek

Miracle Creek

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Member Reviews

Incredible courtroom thriller, raw, revealing and emotionally charged will stay with you long after you've closed the covers.

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A court room drama told from multiple POV's is just my thing and this book didn't disappoint. Beginning with an event that results in death and the ripple effect this even has on many lives was told in an all encompassing way. I was fully invested in all the characters and how their strands were linking up, although I did guess the outcome, I still enjoyed the process of getting there, Angie Kim is an author I'll definitely be reading more of.

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A gripping story with quite some unexpected twists and turns. You'll be glued to this book once you've started. Also interesting theme about despair and how far you would be willing to go to get to a goal when it comes to helping a loved one... at what cost...

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

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Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

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I absolutely adored this book.

Wrapped up in an exciting courtroom drama, this book explores sensitive themes of autism, the immigration experience and the pursuit of the 'American Dream'

The emotional turmoil in this book really claws away at your heart, beautifully written and eye-opening.
For a debut novel, this is absolutely mesmerizing.

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This was a debut novel by an author that might still do even better than this book. The book made for some compelling reading, with twists and turns galore, and making the reader want for some more! Recommended for anyone who loves a great read by a new author.

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This is a unique read. A story that should be heard. It's about a family who runs a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. These are fantastic things for healing and health, and can treat all kinds of issues, or at least bring some relief. I honestly wish I could get into one! However, for the Yoo family, things get messed up. A horrific accident that shouldn't have been possible causes a dreadful occurrence that leaves two people dead. Is this the Yoo's fault? Then comes court and family drama, all while one woman accuses, but is that woman getting away with a sneaky way to have murdered her autistic child? Did she kill her son and a close friend, or is something else huge happening here?

This book didn't let up, and it was so very well done. The depth of the parents and kids with health issues and made for one of the strongest court room dramas I have read in ages. This would rival Perry Mason and others for a movie slot. I am so glad I got to read this book.

Thanks to Net Galley for my copy of this book. This review is mine, left of my own choosing. A positive review is never required.

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A gripping read with so much court drama I loved it. It was so gripping when I saw there was like 7 povs I was like no, surely. But you know what it worked.

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A truly heartbreaking and heartfelt story. Excellent, unique and downright brilliant! I cannot wait to read more from Kim!

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This is a story about a small town, the people in it, and the secrets they keep. Can everyone keep their secrets, or will they all come unraveled and destroy everything?

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More than just a mystery or courtroom drama, Angie Kim’s debut reaches deep, capturing the hearts and minds of readers with its humanistic approach to life and self. Well-written and emotionally charged, Miracle Creek is a harrowing tale sure to resonate with readers of all backgrounds, parent or not. Through a diverse cast of characters, Kim examines the lofty expectations, sacrifices, and social ideals that shape the lives we come to lead.

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This was a lovely book to read, I look forward to reading more from this author. Not only were her words emotional and real, she had a great flow throughout the entire book.

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A highly compelling courtroom mystery. I really enjoyed that the characters gave bits of themselves away in their narratives, so we slowly chip away at the truth.

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This took me quite a long time to read for some reason and while it is not the most thrilling book I’ve ever read, it certainly isn’t the worst - maybe I wasn’t in the right mind frame for the subject matter?

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If you’re looking for a who-done-it story that incorporates some controversial themes, wait no further and pick up a copy of Miracle Creek. For me, it was a page turner. One in which I really didn’t enjoy a lot of the characters yet could sympathize with their actions and rationales driving their decisions. While Miracle Creek is not a literary tour de force, it is well written and fast paced.
In a nutshell we have the Pak family, immigrants from South Korea, running a hyperbaric chamber espoused to help with ailments ranging from infertility to autism. Unfortunately, as we quickly learn from the beginning of the story, this chamber explodes, killing two and injuring the remainder of patients. At the start of the trial, we are led to believe one woman is to blame for the accident. The mom of one of the autistic children. A mom whom the prosecution decries, among other things, that she wished her child dead. She welcomed his death as relief from the never-ending emotional and physical toil of raising an autistic child.
But things are not always as they seem, especially in mystery crime novels such as these. Not everyone tells the truth, and the truth can be found hidden among the multitude of stories provided by all the surviving characters. As the trial unfolds, Ms. Kim touches on issues ranging from healthcare, race relations, immigration, infidelity, integrity, loyalty, emotional fatigue caring for folks with chronic illness, and even the debate on vaccines and autism. Whether you support the arguments or not, whether you have experienced the fallout from infidelity, death of a loved one, chronic illness, or racism, and so on, this story paints a picture of possible lived experiences in the United States. And while these experiences are not the epitome of all experiences, they do represent possibilities.
That’s what I love about this book. The possibilities are limitless, and this story presents one of the near infinite options. I don’t always agree with what happens, with how the characters wrestle or don’t wrestle with their demons, how some people allude responsibility while others take on more than their fair share. But I do love how the author presents so many topics that are excellent gems for discussion. Overall, I definitely recommend this book. Just be prepared for pieces that may frustrate or anger you. And if it does, then I see that as a sign of a good storyteller. One who can get under our skin and force us to think about things we may not want to contemplate. Or hear another side of a story that makes us uncomfortable, regardless if we support or oppose the position.

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I love the building and personal reflection within the relationships in this novel. Whilst it is touted as a courtroom drama style book, there's definitely many many more layers to it. It is quite slow but worth it if you persevere.

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This is such a good book – one of those rare novels that you can become completely immersed in, that you look forward to getting back to, a novel you want to finish because you’re desperate to know the truth, but also one you don’t want to end because you’re enjoying it so much.
I do enjoy courtroom dramas, and while ‘Miracle Creek’ is technically part of this genre, there’s a whole other layer (and more) here. The difficulties, the joys, the guilt of parenthood, the complicated feelings around motherhood, fertility, making the right choices for your child, starting a new life in another country, prejudice and racism, all these issues and more are explored through the lives of several well-drawn, authentic and compelling characters.
The multiple viewpoints add to the confusion and mystery and I genuinely didn’t guess who was responsible for the fire until it was revealed.
A fabulous debut novel and an author I’ll definitely look out for in the future.

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I enjoyed this book a court room drama, it was a bit slow for me in parts but on the whole a great read. I particularly found the Korean culture very informative and interesting.

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A real who done it told from inside the Court Room. A powerful and thought provoking read. I just had to read it quickly to find out who had done it.

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I am in charge of the senior library and work with a group of Reading Ambassadors from 16-18 to ensure that our boarding school library is modernised and meets the need of both our senior students and staff. It has been great to have the chance to talk about these books with our seniors and discuss what they want and need on their shelves. I was drawn to his book because I thought it would be something different from the usual school library fare and draw the students in with a tempting storyline and lots to discuss.
This book was a really enjoyable read with strong characters and a real sense of time and place. I enjoyed the ways that it maintained a cracking pace that kept me turning its pages and ensured that I had much to discuss with them after finishing. It was not only a lively and enjoyable novel but had lots of contemporary themes for our book group to pick up and spend hours discussing too.
I think it's important to choose books that interest as well as challenge our students and I can see this book being very popular with students and staff alike; this will be an excellent purchase as it has everything that we look for in a great read - a tempting premise, fantastic characters and a plot that keeps you gripped until you close its final page.

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