In Kathryn L. Robinson’s Under the Tree Ferns, sixteen-year-old Eduardo Colon stumbled upon the body of an American woman, Laura Morrison, in a forest in Puerto Rico. Eduardo was fascinated when he learned that Laura had been a former classmate of his mother. Police Chief Pedro Moreno questioned Eduardo about his discovery and asked for his help in the investigation due to his English proficiency. Years later, Pamela Palmer discovered the family tragedy tied to Laura. Pamela was looking for answers about Laura, but her father insisted there was no need to discuss it. Pamela’s aunt, Jennifer, gave her background information about Laura and a newspaper article. Pamela decided to begin her search in Luquillo, a small town located between the ocean and the forest where Eduardo had found Laura’s body. Even though Eduardo and Pamela lived in different periods, both unearthed truths that changed their lives.
Under the Tree Ferns by Kathryn L. Robinson is set in 1942 and 2012. The story immediately caught my attention and held it throughout. The plot unfolded at a comfortable pace that allowed me to properly absorb all the information. The writing was captivating, and with all the revelations that emerged, I was eager for the mystery to be unraveled. The unexpected twists kept me anxious with anticipation, and I found myself flipping through the pages as fast as I could to discover what would happen next. The chapters flowed smoothly between Eduardo and Pamela without detracting from each other. They complemented each other, and I was able to form a much better picture of all the events. The book was excellently written from beginning to end, and I could not put it down; I was too afraid I would miss something.