While Crane bravely tackles several taboo, but important, subjects, her books plod along, relying on flat characters and hard-to-believe coincidences to keep the readers’ attention. The characters ring hollow (with the possible exception of Ian Campbell), lacking traits that make them memorable. Kate’s parents and the rest of the cast could be anyone and no one, so completely generic are they. Even Kate seems to be a conglomeration of popular heroines (think Scarlett O’Hara and Anne Shirley), without any identifying habits of her own. Her flashing green eyes and quick temper can be found in so many other ladies in literature that they cease to be endearing in the star of Crane’s novels. Unfortunately, the only character that stands out in these novels, the aforementioned Ian Campbell, provides the cliche of all cliches: he is a wheelchair-bound accountant who uses humor to cover the pain of his disability, while bravely combating his everyday battles. Perhaps I am being too harsh as the reader will find some sparks from characters such as Harriet Kearns, Heidi Kearns and Lyle Jennings. Overall, however, the people in Crane’s novels provide about as much insight as a fortune cookie. Almost as annoying as her characters is Crane’s quick use of coincidence to create and tie up weak plot lines. The reader will groan to find out that Kate serves a mission in Scotland, where she conveniently runs into her cousin, who provides all of the answers to Kate’s gnawing genealogical questions. And, of course, there is Mike, who supposedly married while Kate was on her mission: Only Kate is surprised to find the engagement broken and Mike still available; the reader knew it all along.
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