They Say He Flies At Night: A Silver Bell Legends Novel by Amy Matayo

 

Everyone in Silver Bell, Arkansas has heard of Walter Lorry. Rumors have been circulating about the strange old man around town for years. He’s weird. Stooped and odd looking. Always keeps to himself and never speaks to anyone. At one time, he had a wife and kid, but no one has seen them in forever. Then there’s the matter of him sleeping on his front porch every night when there’s a perfectly good bed inside his house. Who in their right mind would do that?

But even the people of Silver Bell have to admit that Walter Lorry has beautiful penmanship—calligraphy so swirly and intricate you’ve never seen anything like it. They say dignitaries requested his work at some point in history. They say his work even hangs in museums around the world. They say he has money buried somewhere, maybe even next to his murdered family. They say a lot of things about Mr. Walter Lorry, it’s just that no one knows which things are true.

And which things are lies.

Leave it to Piper Moore—a newcomer who’s engaged to the son of town’s most prominent business owner—to find out. She’s heard the rumors, she’s seen his handwriting, and she wants Mr. Lorry to design one-of-a-kind wedding invitations just for her. After all, she’s used to getting her way, and she reasons that if his work was once good enough for Hollywood, then it’s good enough for her. Which is exactly what drives her to knock on his door, march inside the old man’s antique store, and convince him to do it.

She doesn’t expect his answer.
She isn’t prepared for his story to change everything she believes about love.
And she certainly wasn’t ready to learn all the reasons you should never, ever believe in small-town legends.

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Oh, friends.  This is a good one.  I had a hard time putting this book down when life called.  I just wanted to be left alone with my book all day without interruptions.  

The story is, at first, centered around Piper.  Then Piper and Walter as she begins working in his store and reading his journals which take her back in time.  It's where, as a reader, the whole story begins to unfold.  Walter's story tugged at my heartstrings in such an insistent and emotional way.  I adored him.  His loyalty, his devotion, his love.  Ugh, just wait until you read it.  It's all so tragic yet sweet.  But don't worry.  It all ends well so there is a happy ending to look forward to.

Author Amy Matayo has a way of creating stories of the underdog.  Those who reside on the outside of social norms and acceptance.  In Walter's case, because his community put him there.  It makes me reevaluate my thinking and where I stand.  I never want to be the person that participates in something like this.

This isn't a romantic love story but it's a story about love.  Women's Fiction.  It was so good.  So, so good.  Don't miss it.

This book is on KU if you have that.

Content:  a few instances of mild swearing.  Death, adoption.  Kissing. 

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.