Audiobook review of “The Homecoming” by Dan Walsh

“The Homecoming” 

by Dan Walsh

(Revell, 2010)

I listened to this book as a download through audible.com where I have a platinum membership.  Like I said about “The Unfinished Gift” I consider these books as nostalgic fiction, i.e., not set long enough ago to be a historical nor recently enough to be a contemporary.  This second book in the series is a romance.  I believe I would have benefitted from having read the first book prior to listening to this one. 

WWII pilot, Shawn Collins, whose wife just died, is downed behind enemy lines. The story of his escape is a great start to the book. His son, Patrick, is stateside with his grandfather, Ian Collins.  While Shawn was struggling to survive, his father had his own epiphany and is working hard to provide a stable home for his grandson.

Meanwhile social worker, Katherine Townsend,  who is emotionally involved with Patrick, loses her job.  The Collinses need her help. The romance between Katherine and Shawn is handled very tastefully.  A tiny bit disconcerting to read this from a man’s perspective.

A very nice audiobook.  It is an easy listen. The plot struck me as rather simplistic.  It was still very well done. I kept thinking that perhaps the author, Dan Walsh, was deliberately keeping the wording simple to add to the nostalgic tone. But that very wondering pulled me from the story.  I think that is a fine balance to keep.  Tension in the story was good and the characters very engaging.  If I had listened to the first book prior, I would also not have wondered so much about what Katherine looked like, etc. 

I loved the whole twist about the USO tour--that was so neat!  The train scenes were awesome and I enjoyed the tension built in because Shawn's wife has died, he has gotten free, and now the military "thanks" him by sending him away from his family. Also super job with incorporating the romantic rival and making it believable. Very interesting reading a romance from a man's viewpoint but sometimes I just wanted Shawn to get a clue about Katherine.   Dan did a nice job of balancing out the grieving by the hero over his wife before allowing him to become emotionally involved with the heroine. 


There are so few Christian audiobooks out there and I am so glad I found this one. Very enjoyable.


Giveaway: Last day to leave a comment to be entered in the Dan Walsh giveaway. This week we are offering an ebook or paperback, maybe even CD, to our winner.