Ogilvie can be hit or miss for me. Sometimes she gets so caught up in the atmosphere of Bennett's Island that she forgets characters, or plot. This does neither. Phillipa is one of her best characters, relatable and flawed, and the plot moves right along with real tension. In particular, this book captures best the suffocating feeling that small places can have when it's impossible to escape conflict. The ending felt a little undone, but it's clear that's on purpose, so I don't mind much. ( )

The Dawning of the Day by Elizabeth Ogilvie
This book in the trilogy follows Phillipa and her self discovery of herself when she comes to the island to be the teacher and falls in love.
Love hearing how the islanders came to the mainland and interviewed a woman who will become the island teacher. The one room schoolhouse and she has a son she hopes will find some friends his own age.
The trip over to the island reminds me of many trips we took to our local island every weekend on a gusty wind and large whitecaps.
Love hearing how the islanders survive and just the small details of how they cook their fish, etc.
Phillipa is very dedicated to teaching the children of the island.
Love the island politics I was just witness to that when I spent a few days on our local offshore island. I know the other side but those discussing the issue did not and there's no way you open your mouth to educate them.
Love hearing about the lobster wars and how they are overcome.
So terrifying to listen to the book when they describe a lost ship with islanders on it during a n'easter and days later the CG haven't been able to find the boat. Recall this happening to my neighbor's brothers ship one year, so heart retching. ( )

Another book that transports me to the island life...maybe i lived on one in another life, ..... i just cannot seem to get enough.....great descriptions of the look, smell, feel, etc. of the lobstering island life. An awful lot of characters thrown at you and a little hard to keep them straight as well as where they all live, etc. not to mention a little sappy, but certainly worth it to me..... ( )