Imagine what it would be like to have the gift of recall… to be able to remember conversations verbatim… to have a memory that recalls conversations for days after they happen. Would you consider this ability a gift – or a curse?

Dr. Richard Powell – a 52-year old literature professor – possesses this unique ability, and he doesn’t consider it a gift at all. He feels he is “haunted by words”. In particular, he says he is haunted by dialogues that date back to 1976 – the summer he was 15.

Worried that he might be going insane, he shares his story about his unusual talent with two colleagues – Dr. David Woodruff and Dr. Jake Throneberry, a professor of clinical psychology.

If I could only undiscover the scary things that I saw and learned then. If I could undiscover the words that uncovered an evil…reality. Otherwise I feel as if I’m in … a kind of permanent haunting.

His colleagues are skeptical about his claims, but their skepticism quickly turns to fascination as Richard recounts their dialogue from the moment of their arrival, word from word. They assure him he is sane and encourage him to write everything down.

Think of it as a literary catharsis…

Listen to yourself remember. Few people do that, Richard. And memories surprise us so much, our first instinct is often to dismiss them.

Richard follows his colleagues’ advice, and his written memories lead us into the heart of A Season Of Mysteries – A Novel by Rusty Whitener.

A Season Of Mysteries is the engaging, coming-of-age story of a group of boys who first bonded five years earlier during Little League. These friends now attend church and Boy Scouts together. In this story, their faith is challenged as they encounter things outside their understanding, and find themselves drawn into an epic battle between good and evil.

Rusty has written an intelligent novel full of quotable passages and memorable conversations. A Season Of Mysteries is an enjoyable story – and a worthy follow-up to his first novel, A Season of Miracles.

This review was originally published at Create With Joy.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. I was not compensated or required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. ( )

Title: A Season of Mysteries
Author: Rusty Whitener
Pages: 350
Year: 2013
Publisher: Kregel Publications
I chose this book based on the title and picture on the cover, thinking it was a mystery with a classic whodunit to solve. I couldn’t have been more wrong. This is definitely not a typical mystery. This story involves some mysterious happenings, but has more to do with becoming aware of the unseen battle between good and evil fought 24/7. What role do we play, if any, in this battle? This is a follow-up to the author’s first novel, A Season of Miracles, which I haven’t read, but plan on doing so.
The story is told from the point of view of Richard Powell. It begins with him as a 52-year-old professor, who thinks he might be going a little crazy as he can’t get conversations out of his mind. He is an ability to remember conversations verbatim, and he has started reliving conversations from 1976 and can’t stop. His two professor friends advise him to journal his thoughts/conversations as therapy. Via flashback technique, we visit Richard as a teenager in his home state of Alabama.
Richard is a 15-year-old genius who tries to hide his intelligence because he just wants to lead a normal life and fit in with all the other kids. He is extremely well-read and on course to graduate high school very early. He is a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. He has four or five very close friends, who are fellow Christians like himself. They have a bond that was formed during a Little League baseball season five years prior in 1971 and their relationship with Rafer, who has since died. They attend church and Boy Scouts together. Just to read about teenage life in 1976, which is when most of the story takes place, is so very enjoyable. There are many funny scenes and comments sprinkled throughout.
Things take a more serious vein and talk turns to angels and demons. Are they real? Can a person believe in angels and not demons? What is their role? Can they be seen by humans? Can they harm humans or influence their decisions? The questions and thoughts Richard has are sometime mind-blowing in their depth. What a mind! Richard is in the habit of thinking before he speaks which I admire greatly and wish I could do better myself.
This book made me think about what I believe and why I believe what I do. It made me laugh out loud. It took me back to memories of my teenage years. The teenagers portrayed in this story appear so much more sophisticated and intellectual than I remember myself or any other teenager I knew at that time. It was really stunning to hear some of their conversations and their comments or questions were sometimes very thought-provoking and deep. The book has a very entertaining plot with characters that come to life and leap off the pages right into the readers’ thoughts. The writing is excellent! Put on your thinking cap for this one and get ready to use it for sure.
My rating is 5 stars.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/ . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457 ( )

We meet Dr Richard Powell in the beginning of the book. He is at the home of Dr David Woodruff. He has a unique gift, or curse? Depends on how you look at it. He proves it with recounting every word that had been spoken at the house, since he arrived. He is there to recount a complete dialogue of the summer of 1976. A time of his youth, and challenge to his faith.
He was growing up that summer, a gifted learner. He has his first date with Julie Prevette, he is also on the winning Little League Team. We are with him when he learns how to pitch, with the help of Mr Peachy, and again when he remembers and uses the pitch!!
You will love the antics of these young teens, and the dialogue he remembers verbatim. Typical boys being boys!
We learn about UFO's...Demons??? What an interesting way to describe them. We also experience Spiritual Warfare with these teens, and challenges to their new found faith.
Enjoy the story of Good over Evil, God over Satan. It is a real page turning, fast pace read.

I received this book through Kregel Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review. ( )