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Echoes From a Missing Generation
A decades-old disappearance. A woman determined to uncover the truth. A family’s past buried deep in the shadows of the Vietnam War.
In Echoes from a Missing Generation, a gripping split-time novel, the mysteries of the past ripple into the present—where truth, love, and legacy collide.
In 1970, Bristol Danes vanishes on the day he’s called up for the Vietnam War draft. His young wife, Clara, is left behind in the small Oregon town of Oscar’s Creek with unanswered questions and a lifetime of silence. Rumors swirl, secrets grow, and a recent local murder casts a long, chilling shadow.
Now, fifty years later, Kenzie Danes—a determined court reporter and Bristol’s granddaughter—seeks to uncover what really happened to the grandfather she never knew. With the help of Frank, a seasoned investigator with ties to the town, Kenzie begins unraveling a web of long-held secrets. But the truth is buried deep, and someone may still be willing to do anything to keep it hidden.
Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War era and modern-day small-town Oregon, Echoes from a Missing Generation is a powerful novel of hidden histories, generational impact, and the courage it takes to find the truth.
Perfect for readers who
Split-time historical fiction
Cold case mysteries
Multi-generational family drama
Vietnam War fiction
Christian fiction with heart and hope
Fans of Lisa Wingate, Kristy Cambron, and William Kent Krueger will be captivated by this unforgettable story of love, loss, and redemption.
In Echoes from a Missing Generation, a gripping split-time novel, the mysteries of the past ripple into the present—where truth, love, and legacy collide.
In 1970, Bristol Danes vanishes on the day he’s called up for the Vietnam War draft. His young wife, Clara, is left behind in the small Oregon town of Oscar’s Creek with unanswered questions and a lifetime of silence. Rumors swirl, secrets grow, and a recent local murder casts a long, chilling shadow.
Now, fifty years later, Kenzie Danes—a determined court reporter and Bristol’s granddaughter—seeks to uncover what really happened to the grandfather she never knew. With the help of Frank, a seasoned investigator with ties to the town, Kenzie begins unraveling a web of long-held secrets. But the truth is buried deep, and someone may still be willing to do anything to keep it hidden.
Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War era and modern-day small-town Oregon, Echoes from a Missing Generation is a powerful novel of hidden histories, generational impact, and the courage it takes to find the truth.
Perfect for readers who
Split-time historical fiction
Cold case mysteries
Multi-generational family drama
Vietnam War fiction
Christian fiction with heart and hope
Fans of Lisa Wingate, Kristy Cambron, and William Kent Krueger will be captivated by this unforgettable story of love, loss, and redemption.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 8, 2025
19 people are currently reading
3694 people want to read
About the author
Christina Suzann Nelson
8 books342 followersChristina Suzann Nelson is an inspirational speaker and the award-winning author of If We Make It Home, Swimming in the Deep End, and More Than We Remember. The Way It Should Be releases February 2, 2021.She writes and speaks about hope after dysfunction. Christina is over the top about her passion for faith, family, fiction, and foster care. When she’s not writing, she’s working with the Every Child initiative, chasing escaped steers, reading, breathing in the sweet smell of her horse, hiking with her dog, or enjoying her just-as-crazy family.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 31, 2025
1970 and 2024 Oregon
Christina Suzann Nelson is a must read author for me. I love the way she uses family dynamics and multiple generations to unfold an engaging tale.
In Echoes from a Missing Generation Kenzie's grandmother Clara refuses to believe her husband is dead. She last saw him when he was on the way to report in after getting drafted to serve in Vietnam. What really happened with Bristol Danes? Did he flee to Canada to start a new life? Whatever happened Clara holds fast to her love for Bristol. Kenzie tries to solve this cold case mystery so her grandmother can finally be at peace.
Lots of great characters in the story including Frank, an investigator that helps Kenzie solve the mystery.
And the cover...spectacular!
My gratitude to the author for a complimentary e-copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Christina Suzann Nelson is a must read author for me. I love the way she uses family dynamics and multiple generations to unfold an engaging tale.
In Echoes from a Missing Generation Kenzie's grandmother Clara refuses to believe her husband is dead. She last saw him when he was on the way to report in after getting drafted to serve in Vietnam. What really happened with Bristol Danes? Did he flee to Canada to start a new life? Whatever happened Clara holds fast to her love for Bristol. Kenzie tries to solve this cold case mystery so her grandmother can finally be at peace.
Lots of great characters in the story including Frank, an investigator that helps Kenzie solve the mystery.
And the cover...spectacular!
My gratitude to the author for a complimentary e-copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
July 28, 2025
You know when you finish an excellent book and you need to let it sink in for a day or so, so that it will stay with you for a long time?
This is such a book!
Christina Suzann Nelson has done it again!
This story held me captivated from the first page to the very last! It evoked a multitude of emotions in my heart and mind. It was compelling and rich in relational aspects. The story was well-written and flowed smoothly, so smoothly that by the end, my heart was spilling all over the place.
One thing I’ve learned from reading books by Christina Suzann Nelson is that I will never look at life the same afterwards.
This story examines a period in our history that many would prefer to overlook. The dark time of the Vietnam War, and all the young men who found themselves being drafted, and the pain that it caused families and individuals.
The author also wove a mysterious death and disappearance into the story.
I loved how the author wrote this as a dual-time novel.
We read about the events of Clara and Bristol Danes and the mystery surrounding what really happened to them. We also read about Kenzie and how she wants to clear up all the confusion and secrets. There were many fun and sassy characters that brought the book to life, as well as moments when I wanted to yell at the characters, and sometimes when my heart ached for them.
In the end, I thought I had it all figured out, but wow, I didn’t see the twist this author brought.
What I love about Christina Suzann Nelson’s writings is that she brings such realism and depth to all her characters. I also appreciate the way she writes about challenging issues and how others deal with them. She doesn’t sugar-coat the pain and hurts her characters experience, yet she brings beautiful and poignant resolutions and makes them relatable. Pick up this book and you will see how the small fictitious town of Oscar’s Creek in Oregon changed many people’s lives. It just might change your life, too.
I received this book from the publisher, and it in no way influenced my review; all opinions are my own.
This is such a book!
Christina Suzann Nelson has done it again!
This story held me captivated from the first page to the very last! It evoked a multitude of emotions in my heart and mind. It was compelling and rich in relational aspects. The story was well-written and flowed smoothly, so smoothly that by the end, my heart was spilling all over the place.
One thing I’ve learned from reading books by Christina Suzann Nelson is that I will never look at life the same afterwards.
This story examines a period in our history that many would prefer to overlook. The dark time of the Vietnam War, and all the young men who found themselves being drafted, and the pain that it caused families and individuals.
The author also wove a mysterious death and disappearance into the story.
I loved how the author wrote this as a dual-time novel.
We read about the events of Clara and Bristol Danes and the mystery surrounding what really happened to them. We also read about Kenzie and how she wants to clear up all the confusion and secrets. There were many fun and sassy characters that brought the book to life, as well as moments when I wanted to yell at the characters, and sometimes when my heart ached for them.
In the end, I thought I had it all figured out, but wow, I didn’t see the twist this author brought.
What I love about Christina Suzann Nelson’s writings is that she brings such realism and depth to all her characters. I also appreciate the way she writes about challenging issues and how others deal with them. She doesn’t sugar-coat the pain and hurts her characters experience, yet she brings beautiful and poignant resolutions and makes them relatable. Pick up this book and you will see how the small fictitious town of Oscar’s Creek in Oregon changed many people’s lives. It just might change your life, too.
I received this book from the publisher, and it in no way influenced my review; all opinions are my own.
Read
September 19, 2025A well done, split-time women's fiction mystery. The pacing was great, and I loved that both timelines held my attention. Will definitely be reading more of Christina's mysteries (and if you like this one, check out her book What Happens Next). For fans of books like Queen of Hearts by Heather Day Gilbert.
August 4, 2025
4.5 stars
Such a gripping story! Echoes from a Missing Generation takes place in Oregon in 1970 during the Vietnam War, and 50 years later in present day. I love stories by Christina Suzann Nelson, and I love her dual timeline multigenerational stories. I kept turning pages as the author moves the reader back and forth between the past and present to find out what really happened. It was a complete page-turner for me! Highly recommend.
In the present time, Kenzie Danes, a court reporter, along with her best friend Judge Sophia Lancaster, and Sophia's detective friend Frank look into the disappearance of Kenzie's grandfather Bristol Danes who disappeared on the way to the check in at the draft office. Bristol was also under suspicion of killing a young woman, the doctor's daughter Betty Campbell. It is still an unsolved mystery.
1970
Bristol Danes is under a lot of pressure with trying to help his father keep their hardware story going, when his father is showing more and more signs of dementia. He is a newlywed with his sweet wife Clara. His sister Ginny is Clara's best friend. (They are still a hoot in the present time.) On his way home one night, he helped the doctor's daughter get home safely after she was drinking, before she was murdered. It was the era of draft dodgers, and some wondered when Bristol disappeared if that was the reason.
"It was amazing the lies people were bought into, let burrow into their beings, and believed as truth."
"There was a strength in the room, emanating from two women the world would see as elderly and weak. They were the ones who'd carried the burden of the unknown through decades of change in this shifting world. It filled Kenzie with the steel of pride, the hope that she could carry on in the steps of the women who'd come before her."
Fans of Christina Suzann Nelson will love this this page-turner! Family dynamics, friendships, mystery, murder, and changing your perspective. Along with lot's of twists, turns, and surprises. I could not put it down!
I preordered my copy from the author, and was blessed to read an early ebook before my paperback. arrives.
Such a gripping story! Echoes from a Missing Generation takes place in Oregon in 1970 during the Vietnam War, and 50 years later in present day. I love stories by Christina Suzann Nelson, and I love her dual timeline multigenerational stories. I kept turning pages as the author moves the reader back and forth between the past and present to find out what really happened. It was a complete page-turner for me! Highly recommend.
In the present time, Kenzie Danes, a court reporter, along with her best friend Judge Sophia Lancaster, and Sophia's detective friend Frank look into the disappearance of Kenzie's grandfather Bristol Danes who disappeared on the way to the check in at the draft office. Bristol was also under suspicion of killing a young woman, the doctor's daughter Betty Campbell. It is still an unsolved mystery.
1970
Bristol Danes is under a lot of pressure with trying to help his father keep their hardware story going, when his father is showing more and more signs of dementia. He is a newlywed with his sweet wife Clara. His sister Ginny is Clara's best friend. (They are still a hoot in the present time.) On his way home one night, he helped the doctor's daughter get home safely after she was drinking, before she was murdered. It was the era of draft dodgers, and some wondered when Bristol disappeared if that was the reason.
"It was amazing the lies people were bought into, let burrow into their beings, and believed as truth."
"There was a strength in the room, emanating from two women the world would see as elderly and weak. They were the ones who'd carried the burden of the unknown through decades of change in this shifting world. It filled Kenzie with the steel of pride, the hope that she could carry on in the steps of the women who'd come before her."
Fans of Christina Suzann Nelson will love this this page-turner! Family dynamics, friendships, mystery, murder, and changing your perspective. Along with lot's of twists, turns, and surprises. I could not put it down!
I preordered my copy from the author, and was blessed to read an early ebook before my paperback. arrives.
September 27, 2025
There's something deeply unsettling about family mysteries—those gaps in our histories that leave us wondering who we really are and where we come from. Christina Suzann Nelson's Echoes from a Missing Generation captures this feeling with remarkable precision, weaving a story that feels both intimately personal and universally relatable.
As someone whose own family carries unspoken stories from the Vietnam era, I found myself completely absorbed in Kenzie Danes's quest to uncover the truth about her missing grandfather, Bristol. The dual timeline structure—alternating between 1970 and the present day.
Clara, Bristol's young wife is left behind with nothing but questions and community whispers. Her sections of the novel ache with the feelings of the characters whose lives were shaped by a war they couldn't control.
The modern-day mystery, driven by court reporter Kenzie's determination to understand her family's past, provides the perfect vehicle for exploring how trauma echoes across generations. Kenzie's professional skills serve her well as she pieces together decades-old clues, but it's her emotional journey that gives the story its heart.
What elevates this beyond a simple cold case mystery is Nelson's understanding of how violence ripples outward. The recent murder that casts a shadow over Kenzie's investigation is a reminder that some people will still go to extreme lengths to keep the past buried. The tension builds steadily as Kenzie gets closer to answers, making the final revelations both satisfying and emotionally resonant.
The Christian fiction elements are woven naturally into the story without overwhelming the mystery or character development. Themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the courage to face difficult truths emerge organically from the characters' journeys rather than feeling imposed by the author.
Echoes from a Missing Generation succeeds because it understands that family mysteries aren't really about solving puzzles—they're about understanding ourselves and the forces that shaped the people who came before us. Christina Suzann Nelson has crafted a story that honors both the complexity of the Vietnam War era and the ongoing impact of that time on subsequent generations. It's a book that will resonate particularly strongly with readers who have their own family questions, their own missing pieces to the story of who they are.
As someone whose own family carries unspoken stories from the Vietnam era, I found myself completely absorbed in Kenzie Danes's quest to uncover the truth about her missing grandfather, Bristol. The dual timeline structure—alternating between 1970 and the present day.
Clara, Bristol's young wife is left behind with nothing but questions and community whispers. Her sections of the novel ache with the feelings of the characters whose lives were shaped by a war they couldn't control.
The modern-day mystery, driven by court reporter Kenzie's determination to understand her family's past, provides the perfect vehicle for exploring how trauma echoes across generations. Kenzie's professional skills serve her well as she pieces together decades-old clues, but it's her emotional journey that gives the story its heart.
What elevates this beyond a simple cold case mystery is Nelson's understanding of how violence ripples outward. The recent murder that casts a shadow over Kenzie's investigation is a reminder that some people will still go to extreme lengths to keep the past buried. The tension builds steadily as Kenzie gets closer to answers, making the final revelations both satisfying and emotionally resonant.
The Christian fiction elements are woven naturally into the story without overwhelming the mystery or character development. Themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the courage to face difficult truths emerge organically from the characters' journeys rather than feeling imposed by the author.
Echoes from a Missing Generation succeeds because it understands that family mysteries aren't really about solving puzzles—they're about understanding ourselves and the forces that shaped the people who came before us. Christina Suzann Nelson has crafted a story that honors both the complexity of the Vietnam War era and the ongoing impact of that time on subsequent generations. It's a book that will resonate particularly strongly with readers who have their own family questions, their own missing pieces to the story of who they are.
September 26, 2025
This was an interesting inter-generational mystery. Spanning across 2 timelines, the author looks at a cold case murder and a man's subsequent disappearance and how it impacts the generations that follow. In the modern timeline, Kenzie Danes works as a court reporter, questioning if she should be doing something more. The only family members she has left in the world are her grandmother, great-aunt and great-uncle. When her grandmother and great aunt decide it's time to talk about the past, conversations about her grandfather and the Vietnam war, which were taboo in the past were now fair game. But finding the answers to her past might just get her killed instead. With the help of her best friend and a new fella, she begins looking for answers. Unknowingly a current case offers some clues as to what happens in the past. In the past timeline, Clara Danes worries about her husband being sent off to war and when he becomes a person of interest in a murder case, she questions if he's really the man that she knew.
Though there were some areas where the story telling felt a bit flat, this story was fraught with mystery, a bit of suspense and character development. I enjoyed the journey that Kenzie and Clara each took and how they both had amazing friendships to help keep them grounded. There was a light spiritual thread in this one, mostly under the surface. But the characters attended church regularly. The suspense wasn't intense or anything, but it did keep me turning pages and I was completely floored by the solving of the mystery. This book was written about a time that I haven't seen a whole lot of and so it was interesting from that perspective as well. All in all, this was an enjoyable dual timeline novel. Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.
Though there were some areas where the story telling felt a bit flat, this story was fraught with mystery, a bit of suspense and character development. I enjoyed the journey that Kenzie and Clara each took and how they both had amazing friendships to help keep them grounded. There was a light spiritual thread in this one, mostly under the surface. But the characters attended church regularly. The suspense wasn't intense or anything, but it did keep me turning pages and I was completely floored by the solving of the mystery. This book was written about a time that I haven't seen a whole lot of and so it was interesting from that perspective as well. All in all, this was an enjoyable dual timeline novel. Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.
September 12, 2025
Parts of the story are suspenseful and kept me on the edge of my seat, but this book's true winning colors are the fact that it also manages to be "women's fiction" with a real life and romance too.
The story is woven well, with the characters (who are deep and numerous) each having a story and motivation of their own. The chapters are short and there are multiple perspectives, which does pick up the pace.
It jumps back and forth in time, and both time periods are well researched and presented. I believe that readers can pick up the who, when, why, and where without being told, so the narrative is thorough and well-established. But it was still helpful to me to have the character's name printed at the beginning of each chapter.
I enjoyed the family ties in this book. It highlights a strong gal and G'ma relationship, as well as other family members who may or may not be so...shall we say, strong of character/morale? The main character of Kenzie is especially well-curated.
I found the court and detective scenes to be realistic for a small town that is challenged with big cases, and I also enjoyed getting to know a judge and detective just a bit.
Nelson uses very descriptive words in this story. Those who read her regularly will note the difference, and it is not a bad one. I found myself mulling over a few interesting words, but hey, might as well use them to also increase my vocabulary. It is always a win to find new words that resonate with a reader. I would recommend this book also for gift giving and libraries. It's a win.
The story is woven well, with the characters (who are deep and numerous) each having a story and motivation of their own. The chapters are short and there are multiple perspectives, which does pick up the pace.
It jumps back and forth in time, and both time periods are well researched and presented. I believe that readers can pick up the who, when, why, and where without being told, so the narrative is thorough and well-established. But it was still helpful to me to have the character's name printed at the beginning of each chapter.
I enjoyed the family ties in this book. It highlights a strong gal and G'ma relationship, as well as other family members who may or may not be so...shall we say, strong of character/morale? The main character of Kenzie is especially well-curated.
I found the court and detective scenes to be realistic for a small town that is challenged with big cases, and I also enjoyed getting to know a judge and detective just a bit.
Nelson uses very descriptive words in this story. Those who read her regularly will note the difference, and it is not a bad one. I found myself mulling over a few interesting words, but hey, might as well use them to also increase my vocabulary. It is always a win to find new words that resonate with a reader. I would recommend this book also for gift giving and libraries. It's a win.
September 20, 2025
In a small Oregon town, a mystery lingers on regarding the disappearance of a young man in 1970. His wife Clara has long wondered what happened to Bristol, and now years later his granddaughter Kenzie is determined to find out.
Teaming up with someone she has found as an ally in her investigation, Kenzie is set on discovering the truth at all costs. But that cost may well be higher than she anticipates, because someone has invested a great deal of time in covering up her grandfather's fate...
Told in different timelines, this is an atmospheric family story with its roots set in a turbulent period of American history. It gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Teaming up with someone she has found as an ally in her investigation, Kenzie is set on discovering the truth at all costs. But that cost may well be higher than she anticipates, because someone has invested a great deal of time in covering up her grandfather's fate...
Told in different timelines, this is an atmospheric family story with its roots set in a turbulent period of American history. It gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
September 17, 2025
Thank you for this book. It was provided as a Goodreads giveaway. This book is about family secrets, war, and intergenerational grudges. The story is told from 3 perspectives. Two are in the 1970s and 1 is in the modern day. I enjoyed the mystery and suspense in both time periods. I love how this touched on the Vietnam draft, and what that did to families. There was a romance that I feel didn't need to be there. Anytime there is a character that has sworn off love, of course, a character comes in trying to change that. Overall, this is a very good story, and I appreciate receiving it.
August 5, 2025
Wow, what a ride this book will take you on! This was the perfect story to be told in a dual timeline. The missing pieces came together in a carefully woven story!
My favorite characters were Ginny, Clara, Kenzie and Frank.
My favorite characters were Ginny, Clara, Kenzie and Frank.
August 10, 2025
Not my kind of book unfortunately. I liked the story but not the writing, if that makes sense.
September 27, 2025
Vietnam era home front book with a murder mystery thrown in. I thought I had it figured out, but there were surprises.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews