Thank you K.C. Finn for the Shiny Five-Star Review!

Review Rating:
5 stars!
Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite

The Soul Retrieval is a dramatic fiction novel by Ann W. Jarvie which is based on true events from the life of the author’s grandmother. The plot follows Henrietta Clayborn, wife to doctor Jeff, and their upheaval from Southern Carolina living to the Medichero Indian Reservation in the 1950s. Here, Henrietta’s emotional past resurfaces when she meets Joe Loco and his wife Altie, Apache Indians who both sense that Henrietta’s soul has suffered damage somewhere in her life. As her husband Jeff challenges his own beliefs about medicine versus native healing, Henrietta sees the true effects of restoring herself as a whole person through the faith of the new culture all around her. What results is an enlightening tale with an inspirational message at heart.

I was surprised by the amount of action in The Soul Retrieval, which is nicely balanced with amusing dialogue and vivid descriptions of both the world Henrietta comes from and the brand new culture in which she finds herself immersed. I enjoyed the xenophobic clash of Henrietta’s first meeting with Joe, and found her to be an excellent heroine who can lead readers through the story with both curiosity and fear as she learns to trust the new friends she has made. Ann W. Jarvie’s writing is a breeze to read, but the deep set issues she has worked into the story will keep you thinking long after the last page is read. Overall, The Soul Retrieval will satisfy spiritual readers who enjoy emotionally charged tales of past transgressions, redemption, and healing.