What Happens in Montana
by Kim McCollum
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Pub Date Jan 25 2024 | Archive Date Jan 29 2024
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Description
A ghost's antics, a harrowing moose chase, a hypnosis session, and smuggled booze lead to spilled secrets and betrayal, but do they also lead to murder?
At a hot springs retreat in Montana, whiskey-swigging Maude, the nearly eighty-year-old chef, longs for the glory days when the retreat hosted martini-sipping celebrities instead of long-haired hippies who refuse to wear deodorant. Brooke, feisty, adventurous, and a bit reckless, proposes a reunion at the retreat with her best friends to get away from the chaos of her life with teenagers and the emotional aftermath of her postponed wedding. One of those friends, Tracy, has devoted her life to her children and her husband despite her excruciating boredom. But a long-held secret could cost her the most important friendships in her life. Haunting the place is a ghost who, in life, dealt with tragedy by turning to prostitution which led to her murder over 100 years ago at the very place they all are staying.
What Happens in Montana explores friendship, betrayal, and forgiveness with blunt truth and witty insights. Together, these friends learn to navigate empty nests, infidelity, deception, and poltergeists. Most importantly, they learn their friendship is strong enough to get them through it all.
A Note From the Publisher
Advance Praise
"Reminiscent of Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty, What Happens in Montana is a quest for trust and forgiveness amongst four women which tests the limits of their long friendships and marital bonds." –Peter Kiesners, author of Scorpion Grass
"Kim McCollum's debut novel, What Happens in Montana, is a real page turner. I wanted to stay connected to these women for much longer! A strong five stars!" –Diane Hawley Nagamoto, author of The Butterfly Café
"What Happens in Montana is an intriguing blend of historical and women's fiction, with timelines that alternate between a contemporary new-agey retreat and the gritty world of Butte during the Prohibition era. A poignant, realistic story that will tug at your emotions." –Regina Butner, author of Down a Bad Road
"When four friends head to Montana on a hot-springs retreat, secrets are revealed, lives are endangered, and friendship are strengthened. McCollum's novel, well researched, wonderfully written, and historically accurate, is a testament to the power of women's friendships across generations." –Sara Fraser, author of Just River
"In Kim McCollum's debut novel, historical and individual worlds collide, and explosive secrets are revealed... an unexpected delight—a fast-paced and engaging read that uses parallels between past and present to illustrate the myriad ways in which the very best and worst of human nature remain largely unchanged over time." –Troy Hollan, author of Clucked
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781685133603 |
| PRICE | $6.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 335 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Lori P, Reviewer
A wonderful debut novel that I very much enjoyed. I read well past midnight with this one cause I didn't want to put it down.
I loved comparing the two very different Montanas past and present.
Wish I could give this story than 5 stars. It was so very good.
Lots of strong character development and an awesome plot.
This story shows that even the best of friends have their problems and it also shows how strong their friendships stayed together throughout this endearing novel.
Test of time is what I like to call it.
Hope, love, friendship and family with a ghost in the midst makes this read all the worth while.
Lots of twists and turns along with some action will keep you turning the pages until you're finished.
I'm going to honestly say I love Maude. I love her fiestiness at her age and she made me smile more than once.
Women's fiction at its best. I highly recommend!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Kathryn M, Reviewer
I loved that this book had a bit of a supernatural feel to it, it worked with this mystery element. I was invested in the characters and the world that was set. It worked with what I was looking for and enjoyed how Kim McCollum wrote this.
Lisa G, Reviewer
I enjoy reading "debut" novels and this one didn't disappoint. Although I suspect that most readers connect with the four younger women who have come to this Montana resort for a "girls" reunion, I loved Maude & Simone. Maude, the resort's chef, has reached the age where she knows what matters to her, not caring what others think. Simone is a 100-year-old ghost who was murdered at the resort and her life story was beautifully written. Her struggles to survive were not uncommon for women. As she said, "No one hopes to become a prostitute. Involuntarily, life turns you into one."
The four friends struggled with secrets and issues many women can identify with. Reading about their relationships made me happy that I've been married to my husband for 50 years and he still makes me laugh every day. This book has much to offer...a bit of history, a touch of paranormal, a murder mystery, and women's friendships. A very impressive debut novel.
My thanks to NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for the digital ARC. All opinions and the review are entirely my own.
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