Something is mysterious beyond the mountain from where they all came. No one wanted to go back. They had a village, friends, gardens. They seemed happy, yet some of them kept leaving to go East. Smucker book is riveting. It’s about guilt, shame, forgiveness, and moving on.

A mysterious, suspenseful, engaging story about guilt, memory, fear, and delving into what you least want to remember. The characters, particularly the main character, Dan, came to life for me, and the action kept me guessing and thinking deeply about guilt, forgiveness, sacrifice, and trust. Shawn Smucker, with a nod to Dante's Inferno, takes us on a spiritual journey with folks like us from the depths of our own personal demons toward where God wants us. This book will encourage deep thoughts, late-night read-a-thons, and, finally, hope despite, or perhaps because of, change. Highly recommended.

This isn't the first book I have read from this author. I really enjoy the author's writing style, and the storylines, a bit mysterious, but it leads to much discovery. The first couple chapters were a little slow going for me, but don't set it down, a mysterious woman arrives and the story picks up from there. The mountain, the waiting, and the wondering!

This is such a beautifully written, thought provoking, and suspenseful book! It is a story of guilt, loss, and memories suppressed. As the story unfolds, the mystery of those memories, and the terror of the mountain that overshadows the village kept me completely enthralled. The characters and the world the author has created are quite memorable. As Dan and the other characters journey together through the painful memories of their past, they hope to find acceptance, forgiveness and friendship. It is their story, but also, the story of all of us and our "nameless things." I did receive a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher.

These Nameless Things is a book that exposes the sins of the heart, yet brings the hope that we are not forever captive—there is a way out. There is one whose deception keeps us bound in the lies we tell ourselves, but there is another who is always present, fights our battles, sustains us and frees us from darkness.

In this book the main protagonist, Dan, is living a complacent life. Temptation comes subtly, leading him to do things that exposes his sin, shame and guilt. He is shown the consequences others suffered because of his previous choices. This story is a study of redemption and the power of forgiveness.

All life is a journey, but the path we take is our choice. Will we continue on the dark path, or change direction and step into the light?

This book is well written, descriptive, made me think, and examine myself. The beginning held me up a bit, because I kept waiting for where the story would take me. I almost put it down, but I’m glad I didn’t. It’s definitely worth the read.

I was given a copy of this book courtesy of Baker Publishing Group through Interviews and Reviews, by way of NetGalley. This is my honest review.