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Waiting for Jacob
Christian detective and algebra tutor, Rachel Joy, loves to solve problems.
And life in Parkersburg, West Virginia, has no shortage. But when a church friend's daughter goes missing, Rachel must decide whether to search for a woman who doesn't want to be found, or to listen to the friends who know her best.
Relying on her faith in truth and logic, Rachel is hindered by a quirky newcomer who questions her ideals at every decision point. How can she uphold her duty but stay true to her beliefs? She can't calculate all the unknowns but maybe this time, the risk is worth taking.
“Waiting for Jacob is a charming novel set in the hills and hollers of West Virginia. Following the perfectly imperfect protagonist, Rachel Joy, the reader is introduced to cleverly intertwined themes of faith, love, and self-realization. While the novel is largely a lighthearted read, the author does not shy away from tackling the difficult and ever-growing regional problem of opioid addiction. Rachel Joy finds that her story, as well as the story of many she loves, is never far from the destruction and fear this current crisis causes. Throughout the book, Rachel’s quirkiness alongside her self-doubt make her an easily relatable character. Learning, growing, and opening herself to the possibilities that life has to offer her are endearing qualities that make the reader keep turning the page. Though Rachel considers her perfectionistic tendencies and her puzzle-loving mind the security of her life, she encounters challenges that help her realize new levels of faith, trust, and connection. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend giving it a read!” - Megan Wright, speaker
And life in Parkersburg, West Virginia, has no shortage. But when a church friend's daughter goes missing, Rachel must decide whether to search for a woman who doesn't want to be found, or to listen to the friends who know her best.
Relying on her faith in truth and logic, Rachel is hindered by a quirky newcomer who questions her ideals at every decision point. How can she uphold her duty but stay true to her beliefs? She can't calculate all the unknowns but maybe this time, the risk is worth taking.
“Waiting for Jacob is a charming novel set in the hills and hollers of West Virginia. Following the perfectly imperfect protagonist, Rachel Joy, the reader is introduced to cleverly intertwined themes of faith, love, and self-realization. While the novel is largely a lighthearted read, the author does not shy away from tackling the difficult and ever-growing regional problem of opioid addiction. Rachel Joy finds that her story, as well as the story of many she loves, is never far from the destruction and fear this current crisis causes. Throughout the book, Rachel’s quirkiness alongside her self-doubt make her an easily relatable character. Learning, growing, and opening herself to the possibilities that life has to offer her are endearing qualities that make the reader keep turning the page. Though Rachel considers her perfectionistic tendencies and her puzzle-loving mind the security of her life, she encounters challenges that help her realize new levels of faith, trust, and connection. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend giving it a read!” - Megan Wright, speaker
378 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 17, 2018
9 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 20, 2018
I had the pleasure of reading an advanced copy of this debut novel, and I found it adorable. Set in Parkersburg, West Virginia, "Waiting for Jacob" tells the tale of 32-year-old Rachel Joy's adventures in tutoring algebra, private investigating, and waiting for her "one true pairing."
Smith is a talented writer for sure. In my opinion, writing dialogue is her super power. In fact, I would say "Waiting for Jacob" is absolutely dialogue-driven. If Smith wasn't so clever with conversation, it might be a problem, but she does a nice job with it.
I have to confess, I have a wee bit of a reader's crush on Rachel and Jeremy, the two main characters. Both are fully formed and complex. And total opposites. Their interplay is delightful. Also impressive is Smith's deft weaving of faith-mentions in the book. I found them thought-provoking but never heavy-handed. I was also impressed that Smith addressed the state's opioid crisis in an informed and caring manner. Wow and well done!
Personally, I found the book's pacing a bit "relaxed" though it did pick up speed at the end. For that reason, I wish I could have given it 4.5. But maybe that's how cozy mystery-romances are supposed to be--not zoom, zoom, zoom. I'm not sure. It's the first one I've ever read. However, if Cole Smith writes more books, of any genre, I'll certainly read them. I love her fresh writing voice and style!
Smith is a talented writer for sure. In my opinion, writing dialogue is her super power. In fact, I would say "Waiting for Jacob" is absolutely dialogue-driven. If Smith wasn't so clever with conversation, it might be a problem, but she does a nice job with it.
I have to confess, I have a wee bit of a reader's crush on Rachel and Jeremy, the two main characters. Both are fully formed and complex. And total opposites. Their interplay is delightful. Also impressive is Smith's deft weaving of faith-mentions in the book. I found them thought-provoking but never heavy-handed. I was also impressed that Smith addressed the state's opioid crisis in an informed and caring manner. Wow and well done!
Personally, I found the book's pacing a bit "relaxed" though it did pick up speed at the end. For that reason, I wish I could have given it 4.5. But maybe that's how cozy mystery-romances are supposed to be--not zoom, zoom, zoom. I'm not sure. It's the first one I've ever read. However, if Cole Smith writes more books, of any genre, I'll certainly read them. I love her fresh writing voice and style!
March 20, 2018
“Waiting for Jacob” is a clever mystery, featuring compelling, fleshed-out characters. I’d love to see the movie version. As a Hallmark movie fan, I could envision the characters, in their small, West Virginia town settings, on screen. I liked the wholesomeness of the satisfying chapters, and the strong faith of the main character.
As a person who has always wanted to do private investigating, or at the least, follow a private eye around, I got to live vicariously through the main character. The stakeouts, without giving away too much information, were satisfying.
I also liked the way she was drawn into some volunteer work, though she thoroughly resisted at first.
One of the surprising and delightful aspects to this book was the author’s use of music and lyrics, which had me not only googling a band, but relating to the nostalgia emitted when we hear those favorite songs from our youth.
The author did a terrific job creating a relatable protagonist, though I found the main character quite opposite of my nature. Whereas I tend do be trusting and naive, there’s not a naive bone in her body. Maybe that’s why I enjoyed it so much. I like reading about female characters with courage and grit. And this book has enough suspense to keep turning the pages.
As a person who has always wanted to do private investigating, or at the least, follow a private eye around, I got to live vicariously through the main character. The stakeouts, without giving away too much information, were satisfying.
I also liked the way she was drawn into some volunteer work, though she thoroughly resisted at first.
One of the surprising and delightful aspects to this book was the author’s use of music and lyrics, which had me not only googling a band, but relating to the nostalgia emitted when we hear those favorite songs from our youth.
The author did a terrific job creating a relatable protagonist, though I found the main character quite opposite of my nature. Whereas I tend do be trusting and naive, there’s not a naive bone in her body. Maybe that’s why I enjoyed it so much. I like reading about female characters with courage and grit. And this book has enough suspense to keep turning the pages.
September 5, 2022
I must admit that this is not generally the genre of book I would choose to read. That stated, I thought Cole Smith did a fantastic job of piecing this story together. There was suspense and misdirection, making it rather unpredictable at times. And once I was halfway through, I stole time away from other activities, just to see how the story would conclude.
Being a native of Parkersburg, WV, I found a lot to enjoy here regarding my birthplace and traditional stomping grounds.
The hero of the story, Rachel Joy is a fascinating character, determined but uncertain, definitely the kind of person anybody would be honored to call a friend. As I became engrossed in the story, I found myself rooting for the mild-mannered, female detective, a characteristic that all great books strive to achieve.
I would, however, like to see Rachel Joy take on some more challenging cases in the future, ones that might require something more formidable than a can of pepper spray. It would be interesting to see how her analytical mind would tackle them.
Being a native of Parkersburg, WV, I found a lot to enjoy here regarding my birthplace and traditional stomping grounds.
The hero of the story, Rachel Joy is a fascinating character, determined but uncertain, definitely the kind of person anybody would be honored to call a friend. As I became engrossed in the story, I found myself rooting for the mild-mannered, female detective, a characteristic that all great books strive to achieve.
I would, however, like to see Rachel Joy take on some more challenging cases in the future, ones that might require something more formidable than a can of pepper spray. It would be interesting to see how her analytical mind would tackle them.
July 26, 2018
Great book!
An enjoyable romantic mystery story. There's a lot going on between the main character's relationships, tutoring, private detecting, and even teaching Sunday school, but it draws you into her life and makes Rachel feel like a genuine person. Her insistence on always telling the truth is a great character traits that gets her in trouble more often than not. The love story is quirky and sweet and had me rooting for them from the beginning. It's a Christian book in that the characters are all open about their faith, but it isn't preachy and religion is not the main theme or plot; as a non-Christian I still thoroughly enjoyed the book. I look forward to reading more from this author!
An enjoyable romantic mystery story. There's a lot going on between the main character's relationships, tutoring, private detecting, and even teaching Sunday school, but it draws you into her life and makes Rachel feel like a genuine person. Her insistence on always telling the truth is a great character traits that gets her in trouble more often than not. The love story is quirky and sweet and had me rooting for them from the beginning. It's a Christian book in that the characters are all open about their faith, but it isn't preachy and religion is not the main theme or plot; as a non-Christian I still thoroughly enjoyed the book. I look forward to reading more from this author!
December 20, 2019
Waiting for Jacob is more than a cozy mystery with a romantic subplot. It’s an incredible, thought-provoking novel about a single woman navigating her relationships with married friends, blind dates, and, most importantly, God. Mia’s disappearance serves as not only a challenge but a vehicle for Rachel’s transformation. The case puts her at odds with most of her friends. Without that support, she’s forced to confront her convictions.
But the mystery is not the only thing Rachel faces. She finds herself substituting as a Sunday school teacher, which leads to several humorous interactions. Then there’s a man dubbed the “Genealogy Troll,” and for me, her interactions with him brought out the best in her by the time the story ended. My favorite scenes, though, were her interactions with the quirky musician who gets under her skin. Their wit and banter kept me laughing, and I loved seeing him challenge her. Not only does he force her to face hard truths about her motives, he also challenges the romantic ideal she formed around the Biblical patriarch Jacob. These scenes were what made me fall in love in the novel.
I’d be remiss, though, if I didn’t mention the way Cole Smith addresses the opioid crisis. While several moments in the novel can be described as light-hearted, there were several well-placed scenes exploring the damaging effects of drug use on the family. Smith weaves these scenes in so well, they’re not jarring or disjointed. They become an important part of the narrative and Rachel’s journey.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves novels that feature mystery, romance, and spiritual growth.
But the mystery is not the only thing Rachel faces. She finds herself substituting as a Sunday school teacher, which leads to several humorous interactions. Then there’s a man dubbed the “Genealogy Troll,” and for me, her interactions with him brought out the best in her by the time the story ended. My favorite scenes, though, were her interactions with the quirky musician who gets under her skin. Their wit and banter kept me laughing, and I loved seeing him challenge her. Not only does he force her to face hard truths about her motives, he also challenges the romantic ideal she formed around the Biblical patriarch Jacob. These scenes were what made me fall in love in the novel.
I’d be remiss, though, if I didn’t mention the way Cole Smith addresses the opioid crisis. While several moments in the novel can be described as light-hearted, there were several well-placed scenes exploring the damaging effects of drug use on the family. Smith weaves these scenes in so well, they’re not jarring or disjointed. They become an important part of the narrative and Rachel’s journey.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves novels that feature mystery, romance, and spiritual growth.
March 30, 2018
A nice relaxing read, suitable for any reader, especially ones that love Mary Higgins Clark. It was well written and enjoyable. I recommend this for your summer reading list.
December 6, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. As a fellow West Virginian, I related with some of the areas her characters travelled. Also very well written.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews