Byrd’s Eye View

Title: Byrd’s Eye View
Author: Chautona Havig
Series: Meddlin’ Madeline, book 5
Major Themes: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery Fiction, US History 1900-1950, Books for Women, Inspirational Fiction
Synopsis: After she takes up the new hobby of photography, Madeline runs across another mystery and must solve it to save her father’s life.

I have been reading the Meddlin Madeline series ever since the first book was written, and when the fifth book, Byrd’s Eye View, was being written, I followed along eagerly. It was hard to wait, sometimes, for the next installment! The book is finally finished, though, and it was worth the wait.

Madeline has a new hobby. She has taken up photography—but it is so expensive to get photos developed! She ends up working for a local photographer, helping him to develop and print pictures in return for being allowed to develop her own in his darkroom. She finds this very interesting, of course—and when the police start having him photograph crime scenes to aid in the investigation, she finds those pictures very fascinating, too. Then, she recognizes a murder victim as a friend of hers. Something seems off in the picture, though—what could it be?

Madeline had decided, after her adventures chronicled in the last book, that she would no longer investigate things. Can she hold to that resolve, now that she believes a man’s life is in danger—and her father is threatened, too?

There is a little more romance in Byrd’s Eye View than in the others, as well as the mystery being amped up a bit from the others. I loved the relationships I saw growing, and the way Madeline is maturing and changing. She’s definitely becoming more thoughtful, and growing in her walk with God. This is a wonderful story—and I can’t say too much for fear of spoilers! I am very much looking forward to Book 6. I like that these books are women’s fiction that are suitable for teenagers to read. My mid-teens son loves this series, and I have no problems letting him read them!

I received a free copy of this book from the author, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

No warnings!