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Bellingwood #10

The River Rolls On

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In The River Rolls On, Polly Giller finds her life in utter chaos and her activity restricted. She doesn't handle it well. There is only so much time she can spend inside her house before losing her mind.

Two old friends unexpectedly arrive in Bellingwood to return Polly's freedom to her, but even then, every time she leaves, something happens to send her back to its safety.

Sheriff Merritt has a dilemma in the midst of this. A girl has been killed. Everyone knows that Polly will find the body. But how is she to do that if they won't let her leave Sycamore House?

Her own personal turmoil takes a backseat to the story playing out in the back room of the addition. A few minutes with Sarah Heater, Rebecca's mother, and Polly uncovers the deepest, most honest truths of life.

284 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 24, 2015

269 people are currently reading
64 people want to read

About the author

Diane Greenwood Muir

117 books271 followers

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5 stars
560 (66%)
4 stars
216 (25%)
3 stars
57 (6%)
2 stars
9 (1%)
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5 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for Debbie Mc.
138 reviews4 followers
July 8, 2015
Another great book in the Bellingwood series. Muir's fictional community in Bellingwood, Iowa sure seems like the way life should be (no disrespect to Maine!). There's a little suspense, a little excitement, and a whole lot of kindness.

The River Rolls On is a bit more scary because Polly is the target of a serial killer and his partner. I won't reveal more, but I can tell you the story is exciting and it ended as I expected. Yay!

As a side note, the last few books in the series include a single mom with cancer and her young daughter. Muir explains the treatment and many other aspects of living with cancer but she never reveals the type. I don't know why she chose to keep it a secret, but I applaud the exclusion. Does it matter the type of cancer one suffers? No, it most definitely does not.

Will I keep reading the series? You bet! I'll download the next one to my Kindle as soon as it's published. I'm thankful she is trying to publish a few a year. I don't know how she does it, but I'm glad she does!
Profile Image for Tammy Korner.
2 reviews1 follower
July 25, 2015
Have you read the other Bellingwood books by this author? No? Go find book one. It's okay, I'll wait for you to read the next 9 books (because you will). There are also in between books but I've only read one and didn't want to go "back". I read the first 8? books in a row. #9 came out and I read it, loved it too. Book #10 came out and I'll be honest. I thought for sure I was going to be done with the series. Non spoiler alert...Polly finds dead bodies...I mean how many books can you write with the same premise? Well book 10 I read without stopping. I love Polly and I love Bellingwood and I will buy book 11, 12, etc because they are fun to read, well written, pull you into the story and make you want to live in Bellingwood at the Sycamore house with Polly and become one of her friends (even if she finds dead bodies).
1 review
August 13, 2020
Can't get enough!

It's been awhile since I've found a series of books that has captured my attention the way that the Bellingwood series has. I start my day with a cup of tea, while I read about Polly's latest escapades, and I end my day the same way(and inbetween when I can)! 😁 As I finish one book,I can hardly wait to start the next one. I feel like I know the characters -I can see some of friends in them -and I think I might be related to Polly! LOL I highly recommend this to anyone,as it has something for everyone -mystery, romance,animals & kids, and just enough everyday life to make it believable
33 reviews
August 13, 2017
Well written with high drama and action - another great read! The River Rolls On is best read in series so you can appreciate all the growth of characters as well as the significance of the events. I share some of the other reviewers' displeasure with Polly when she is not more gracious, but we can all imagine she does not respond well to being constrained either by the bad guys or by folks trying to keep her safe. The Bellingwood series continues to capture my imagination and transport me away from my own reality.
79 reviews
May 27, 2020
Another good Bellingwood read

Polly and Henry are met with a terrifying time when Polly is kidnapped. She was drugged so her memory is foggy. She get away but the next few weeks are she has to have bodyguards with her or she stays in her apartment. And to top it off Rebecca s mom passes away.
Profile Image for Patricia A. Biba.
399 reviews1 follower
August 27, 2020
The Past Resurfaces

From the beginning to the end I was thinking about what happened and what would be the ending. I almost could feel the fear Polly felt and the anger she felt plus I would probably feel it was my fault as Polly kept trying to feel but no one would let her. The story was good as it had a number of feelings one would feel. Good book.
Profile Image for Jeanette H..
127 reviews
October 20, 2023
The River Rolls On by Diane Greenwood Muir

Once again visiting Bellingwood gives you a lot to think about! What drives a person to do things? How does a person live with all the situations that arise? And how do you avoid a child's heartbreak? This book had me crying, mad as all what not and happy that things turned out the way they did.
Profile Image for sheila.
566 reviews
April 10, 2018
Close

This one hit very close to home. Scary murders. But the most is life. Or rather, death of a loved one. Just as Rebecca knew exactly when her mom past, I knew when my folks left. I've gotten very immersed in these stories. And will continue as long as Diane does
199 reviews2 followers
June 1, 2018
Wowsa!

There is such good conversation in this book about dealing with life crisises. While few of us will hopefully not have to deal with deranged people or heavy duty criminals, we will all have to deal with death and dying. Herein is a look at a great approach to those times.
Profile Image for gloria marquardt.
733 reviews7 followers
October 21, 2018
A very good book but it is not my favorite.

This book has more suspense than her normal books. Polly being kidnapped and then being stalked by a serial killer after escaping was a different type of story.
4 reviews
April 16, 2021
Best Books!

I don’t know how this story can go on and just keep getting better! We feel like we are part of Polly’s big group of family and friends! So much goodness in these books and just the right amount of mystery and romance!
134 reviews
December 7, 2022
What a surprise. The book starts our really dark and took me 2 tries before I could stand to read the book. After the first chapter I understood the mystery. It turned out to be a great book. Loved all the surprises and how it ended was great.
59 reviews
February 24, 2023
River rolls on

Once again Polly is in trouble and finding dead bodies and helping people. This is a terrific story and a wonderful series. You can get lost in the lives of all the people who are in this book.
Profile Image for Punkerdoos.
47 reviews2 followers
May 29, 2019
Heart wrenching but absolutely wonderful! This had my pulse racing and I was stressed out!! So many beautiful poignant moments and heart racing ones to. Can’t wait for the next one!
230 reviews
April 16, 2020
Nail biting.

Once again.. great storyline, mystery, and heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time. Please read this series. It’s part of my life now. Read it. Got it?
Profile Image for Tracey Billing.
473 reviews6 followers
May 1, 2021
I think this is one of my favourites. Polly is stuck in her house as there may be someone after her.
26 reviews2 followers
January 20, 2026
Life goes On

More problems, more problems solved. Forgiveness and reconciliation. Pragmatism and love wins the day.
Relationships are always the most important.
31 reviews
May 27, 2020
A mesmerizing story of love and life...

You never knew what was going to happen next with Pollie’s daily life. So it kept you looking for the next surprise or adventure to come.
637 reviews5 followers
May 9, 2021
I love the series, and I am not tired of the characters yet. It is somehow repetitive and fresh at the same time.

I have just reread first 10 books in one go, which is something I don't usually do. To be honest I probably liked them even better this time. There is a lot of filler stuff, taking dogs for walks and eating and so on, but it just feels like comfy clothes.
Profile Image for Pam.
4,628 reviews69 followers
October 22, 2016
The River Rolls On: Bellingwood Book Ten is by Diane Greenwood Muir. The suspense in this book is overwhelming. You simply have to read on to see what will happen next. Surprise after surprise await the reader.
Polly Giller woke up feeling trapped. She found herself tied to a bed and blindfolded. She was groggy and had no idea what was happening. She called for help but no one came so she knew it would be up to her to get free. When they freed her head, she shook it trying to get the blindfold off. Her captor punished her by duct taping the blindfold to her head. They then left her alone again. She quickly managed to get her duct tape off and using her mouth, managed to get one hand unopened. Once she got complexly loose, she got out of the house and ran. She used trash bags to make the boots she found work and covered herself with another trash bag. She ran and was chased until she finally reached Cecil Levitt’s house and called Aaron for help.
After the foiled kidnapping, Polly was placed under house arrest by her husband and Aaron. They wanted to catch the men who kidnapped her but wanted Polly safe. Her friend Ray and John from Boston came to help guard her while the men of Bellingwood tried to find her kidnappers. Polly, however, had other things to keep her busy. Her friend, Sarah, was dying and Polly and Henry were to take her daughter Rebecca to raise. Her friend, Sal, wanted to open a coffee shop, and Sylvia wanted to open a bakery. With all that is going on, could they find the kidnappers before Polly went berserk.
Profile Image for Robin.
258 reviews1 follower
July 15, 2019
Polly's crazy ex-boyfriend Joey has escaped from the mental hospital and has hooked up with a serial killer. Still obsessed with Polly, he will do anything the killer tells him to do so he can get her back. After they kidnap Polly and begin killing Polly-look-alikes, Drea's brothers from Boston, Jon and Ray, show up in Bellingwood to protect her until Joey and Marcus Allender can be caught.

In the midst of all this craziness, Sarah Heater dies. She and Rebecca plan a disco dance as her memorial, and almost everyone in Bellingwood shows up. School ends for the summer, and Polly begins to make plans for the kids.

Polly and Henry are now parents of a 12-year old. How will they all cope with becoming a family?

Followed by Vignettes Book 2:
1. "All That Glitters"
(Sylvie talks Jeff through a career crisis)
2. "Celebrate Good Times"
(Stephanie realizes just how lucky she and Kayla are)
3. "What's a Guy To Do?"
(Henry asks Bill and Marie for advice about Polly's first Mother's Day)
4. G
"Good Morning Sunshine"
(Sylvie gets strict with the morning routine)
5. "I Don't Understand a Single Word"
(Luke and Leia talk about living with Obiwan and Han)
Profile Image for Leah Speller.
411 reviews3 followers
December 23, 2016
When I think of Bellingwood I think of safety. Even if there have been times of some crimes. However this time it is a lot darker. I found myself needing tissues a lot more throughout the book. There is some lightness to the story but at other times I felt the weight as Polly did.

There is ugliness in the world and this time it came to Bellingwood. Personally I know there are scales that should be balanced for every light there is a dark. However, this dark I feel over balanced the scale.

So get your tissues handy and your blanky to curl up with for this installment with Polly.
326 reviews2 followers
August 14, 2015
Every time I get the newest book about Polly, I'm as excited as a child on Christmas morning. I tell myself I'm going to ration it and read it slowly to enjoy it for longer than those frenzied mornings of torn wrapping paper and crumpled bows. Next thing I know, I've been reading for hours -- ignoring everything else around me. Then I'm here again, counting the minutes until the next time Santa Diane Greenwood Muir brings me a gift! (Would I sound ungrateful if I beg you to hurry?)
Profile Image for Diana.
1,934 reviews12 followers
July 28, 2025
By far, the most ridiculous & absolute worse book in the entire series. My goodness, the WHINING! The mood-swings! The absurd plot that makes no sense whatsoever. No, a private detective cannot just start working for the FBI. The only thing handled correctly in the book was the death of a character. I have pretty much enjoyed every other book in the series, and I just hope this was an anomaly, because it really was preposterous from beginning to end.
391 reviews2 followers
September 21, 2016
I've loved all the Bellingwood books

This book starts out with Polly in trouble, which isn't unusual for her. It has kidnappings (yes, more than one), murders and other drama that help make it a feast for the eyes. Of course Polly has to find a body or two...that seems to be her occupational hazard. All of her usual pals and a few old friends from her past, come along side to make this a truly refreshing story, one that you will have a hard time putting down.
Profile Image for Neena Christianson Martin.
1,185 reviews11 followers
September 7, 2016
When your past comes back with a serial killer.

This book was sad and grim, but at the same time very joyous and uplifting. Filled with old friends, new murders, and a serial killer. Having a blast from her past kidnap Polly, puts the whole town on edge. Another wonderful book from the author of the Bellingwood series.
Profile Image for Ellen Justen.
70 reviews
January 15, 2017
Loved it, more please :) I found the series right before Christmas 2016 and finished the entire series by the first week in 2017.

I am so happy to find an author I love, but now I have to wait for the next book like the rest of Diane's fans. On the positive side, she appears to be very prolific and the next book will be out in March 2017 (17).
49 reviews2 followers
June 27, 2015
Excellent book

Polly always surprises me. A very different and human Polly showed up this time. Whiny to a fault but loveable. A great story. Looking forward to more as she has become part of my life.
Profile Image for Michelle Tanner.
7 reviews1 follower
July 18, 2015
My all-time favorite series

I just can't get enough of Polly Giller, Sycamore House and everyone in Bellingwood. I love how some of the stories focus on the mystery-du-jour and others are more about Polly's day-to-day life. Keep 'em coming, Diane! :)
80 reviews
July 23, 2015
The River Rolls On

I love following the adventures of Polly Giller and her extended family in Bellingwood! It's always a good read and over to soon. Looking forward to more installments!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews

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