Footprints by Rosen Trevithick

Footprints Reviews

• 
  Kate

  This is a nice and gently emotive book that follows a young girl,Jenna, on the search to understand her mother and resolve the mystery of her fianl words. After some twists and turns taking you in directions that were unexpected, but not threatening, she uncovers the unexpected truth of her perfect family.
  
  In reading this book I was left with the impression that Rosen Trevithick is astute in her observations of the fabric that keeps small communities working. She draws inspiration from the way in which social rules manage daily life whether through the guidance of expected behaviours or the way in which individuals present themselves to others. The end of the book challenges widely held beliefs around the nature of family relationships and was handled in an expertly manner. I have been trying to think of a comparative author, but think that Rosen is actually in a league of her own for challenging stereotypes without the reader even realising it (until it is too late). Well recommended.
• 
  Cheryl M-M

  I have read quite a few of this authors offerings. She always seems to manage to bring in the unthinkable that merges with the boundaries of society. It isn't in a sledgehammer way either, she likes to blend it in subtly with the background and before you know it the reader is thinking about issues they usually avoid.
  
  This book is different from her other books. It is more like watching waves grow higher from the top of a high cliff. Her writing has evolved and become calmer, as she herself has settled into the role of storyteller.
  
  I think Emma's first monologue of past events sounds a little stinted and there are one or two typos.
  
  The concept will perhaps give a few readers a new outlook on certain aspects of unusual family constellations, then again some may find it controversial. I however thought it was a very good read.
• 
  Aunty Janet

  I enjoyed reading this book and found it very intriguing.
  
  ''What did her dying mother's last words mean? Who was the strange visitor in the night? Why do people turn white when they see her? And, why are there no records of her family?
  The sleepy Cornish town of Bosdower holds the key.
  Jenna and her twin sister, Gwen, have the perfect picture postcard family living in an idyllic Oxfordshire village. However, cracks start to form, causing Jenna to ask some startling questions and she sets off to Cornwall to find answers.
  At first the people of Bosdower are welcoming and friendly, but Jenna slowly finds herself drawn into a web of unrequited passions, abduction and perhaps, even murder.''
  
  Family assumptions are questioned as each layer of deceit is uncovered. Lovely characters and a mystery that unfolds gradually to reveal the secrets of the past.
• 
  Therese

  I quite enjoyed reading this book! After a bit of a slow start it really takes off and you really want to keep reading to see what will happen next with the characters. There are some great twists too! I really thought this was well-done considering the author, whom I know, is only just a fledgling in the published world! I definitely recommend this book for a quick, enjoyable, mostly light read! :)
• 
  Joo

  I started reading this by mistake. I'd picked up a short story chicklit from Rosen and meant to have a quick read. Instead I was drawn into Jenna's life as she knew it and as she found out all the twists and turns that she was discovering.
  
  This was a good read. Most of the time I found Jenna very naive even though she's a 17 year old. Sometimes I found the writing a bit young, but it's written from Jenna's "mouth" so it would be.
  
  I will certainly read more of Rosen Trevithick
  
• 
  Jen

  For the most part I really enjoyed this story, it had everything I like in a good book. However I was put off by the vast amount of mistakes, that had it not been on a kindle I'd have taken a red pen to it! There were also some continuity errors.
• 
  Ginger

  Ugh! Editing issues galore, not to mention the fact that more often than not, I was doing some major eye rolling!
• 
  Maisie

  The final words of a mother to her daughter lead her into a complex and unusual family history. It covers odd family dynamics and challenges the readers views on these. It was written in such a way to make the reader try to unravel the story but hold surprise too. Enjoyable.
• 
  Fran Hutton

  Every now and then I find a writer I like. Not necessarily a great writer, but someone who writes in a style that I appreciate. Someone who knows how to use words well, has vivid descriptive passages or subtly well-drawn characters, plots that keep me engaged, and a storyline that is not just the same-old same-old. I like the writing of Rosen Trevithick. I like how she takes me away to British places, since I am a sucker for British writing. But I especially enjoy the way she puts words together. I can see the places and people she writes about, and her plots always keep me guessing. Her one flaw is the lack of a good editor. I know how difficult it is to edit your own work, or even the work of a loved one or friend. The author would do well to find someone who will edit her books before they hit print. I would offer her my services free of charge since I so thoroughly enjoy reading her books otherwise.
  This story is set in the south of England and Cornwall, places I will always read about if I can. There are little mysteries and big ones in this book…from what the twins buried in the town green, to who are the twins? The story keeps unfolding, layer by layer, as each person adds their small bit of truth to complete the puzzle. It is a story of love, family, secrets…no spoilers here. You will just have to read it yourself and let the gentle mystery unfold for you. Don’t let the editing glitches deter you, for underneath there is a fine story.
  
• 
  Kath

  I read this straight after [[ASIN:B004XR0D12 Straight Out of University]] as I thoroughly enjoyed that book and wanted to try something else by the same author.
  This book is completely different both in genre and style. This is the author's first novel but I wouldn't have guessed that if I didn't already know.
  The story is very cleverly plotted, which lends itself very well to the reader who likes to guess as they go along which I do. I found myself guessing almost right quite early, but spent the rest of the book talking myself in and out of it and adding to my original guess as more of the history was uncovered.
  I read the book pretty much in one sitting, just having to pause for travel and food, although I was still thinking about it during the down-time!
  The characters are all well written and I especially liked the difference between the different families that are portrayed in the book and their corresponding ways of life. Yes I did notice the occasional sly dig at some of the village ways!
  I thought the decision made at the end of the book, although somewhat painful, was the right one to make. I just hope that the truth never comes out.
• 
  Naomi

  Alright, I have to be honest. I read this book after reading another one of this author's books,
  Straight Out of University, which is a hilarious, British, chicklit book.
  
  Footprints is tame and conservative in comparison, but that doesn't mean that it is worse. It was just "smooth" and "quiet" compared to the previously mentioned book. It was just odd reading it a day later because I almost felt like I was stepping down.
  
  The book is short. It was 183 pages and read very quickly as it sucked me in right away and has the author's high standard of writing which I have come to see as standard in her works.
• 
  Kim

  Really had to think hard about my rating for this book. At the beginning I thought this was going to be a really good read. I was impressed by the clever use of language. The plot seemed initially solid but as I continued to read the holes started to open up. It had a certain predictability to the extent that I guessed the ending half way through the book. I ended up rushing to complete it not because I was enjoying it but because I wanted it to end. A great start but disappointing in the end.
• 
  Chris

  at one point I was wondering where this was going but I needed to get to the end. I do think this was quite a good read and I know several times i thought that the outcome was what it would be at the end then something would throw me off the scent again. Thinking back on the book I did enjoy it and will give it 4 x *'s.
• 
  Rosen Trevithick

  I wasn't sure whether to rate my own books, but the author doesn't have faith, there's a problem.
  
  This is a mystery novel, that people usually read in one or two sittings.
• 
  Jack

  A quirky, naive little mystery about families and secrets
• 
  Lynne (Tigger's Mum)

  This was first book I've read by the author and the characters were very believable and likable. The storyline was intriguing and it was a really interesting book
  
  
  
  
• 
  Stacey

  Kept me interested, but it was not difficult to figure out who the major players were before the big reveal.
• 
  Laura

  Good quick summer read.
• 
  Ammena

  loved this book. totally wasn't what was expected and keep me guessing right until the very end
• 
  Kirstie

  It was ok. Not the most awful book but not one I'd shout from the roof tops about.
  
  Easy to guess the ending too
• 
  Laura

  Very very good. Lots of twists and turns..kept me going to the last sentence.
• 
  Desley (Cat fosterer)

  This is a tale about Jenna, who investigates her mother's interesting last words and what happens. I did guess what the outcome was, but it was an enjoyable read, like always from Rosen.
• 
  Joy

  It definitely kept me guessing.
• 
  Karen Sutton

  Interesting story if rather predictable.
  
  I gave this book 3 stars because although the story was predictable but pleasant enough I was very irritated by all the grammar and spelling errors and missing words. Perhaps a spell check and proof reader could have been used?