
Journey of a Thousand Steps: Book 3 (A Whisper of Mystery Trilogy) by M.A. Appleby continues the story of Ellen’s struggle with forces outside of her control who want to destroy her and her family. Along with her CIA husband Adrian and the rest of her family, they have established a new life on Ashwood Station, where they train and race standard-bred trotters and pacers. Ellen is trying, with the help of her psychiatrist Dr Laurel to put the past behind her, but there is one thing she cannot forget. Her son, Jason, who was heir to the Saudi Royal crown disappeared four years previously. Whilst everyone assures Ellen it is time to let go and move on, Ellen cannot. In her heart of hearts she knows Jason is still alive and she will not rest until she finds him. A coincidental documentary of a super typhoon in the far away South Pacific will set Ellen off on a journey of mystery, intrigue and no small amount of danger, in her never-ending search for her lost son.
This is the third and final book in the series and although it can be read stand-alone, I would strongly recommend anyone consider reading the full series from the beginning, to get an easier grasp of the characters and their backstories. Journey of a Thousand Steps: Book 3 (A Whisper of Mystery Trilogy) is a good, solid, mystery adventure, with an insight into the well-to-do world of Ellen and her family. I found the horse racing side of the story to be most fascinating, as an avid follower of the pacing/trotting world, from the other side of the world. The story is told from Ellen’s first person perspective and as such gives us a personal and touching insight into the mind of a distraught mother who refuses to listen to reason, simply because she knows her son is not dead. As a reader, I noted the story arcs, when they changed, were not always clearly delineated and that was a trifle jarring to read. That having been said, M A Appleby has given us a well written, well researched and very readable mystery, that I enjoyed and can recommend.
