The Mourning Parade

The Mourning Parade by Dawn Reno Langley   350 pages

I was lucky enough to win a copy if this heartbreaking and hopeful novel in a contest from Amberjack Publishing. I entered based on its title and cover art without knowing what it was really about.

Set in contemporary time, Natalie has thriving veterinarian clinic in North Carolina, specializing in horses. Life’s been rough. Real rough. Although it’s not a major plot point, it’s important that the reader know that her husband, Parker, walked out on her and their two sons. No more contact; only silence.

Then the crushing blow hits. Both, yes both, of Natalie’s sons are killed in a school shooting. Hats off to author Langely for not going into gory details about the event. Natalie can’t eat, can’t sleep, can barely function. Parker didn’t even bother to come to his sons’ funeral. The first-year anniversary is swiftly approaching. Natalie isn’t sure that she can handle it.

At a veterinarian conference, Natalie hears Andrew Graham talk about his work at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand. Against her parents’ advice, Natalie volunteers to spend a year at the sanctuary.

Trouble begins almost the moment she arrives. The head vet, Dr. Peter Hatcher, hates her the moment he lays eyes on her. Although she suffers from PTSD, Natalie stays strong and pushes forward. As she is learning her way around she is drawn to a large female, Sophie.

Sophie also suffers from PTSD and has a nasty, nasty leg wound that won’t seem to heal. When Sophie injures one of the compounds many dogs, Hatcher wants to put her down. But Natalie interferes, talking with Andrew about some rehab methods she has used back in the States.

Hatcher tries to sabotage her efforts, but Natalie refuses to buckle under. Instead the Natalie and Sophie become BFFs. But grab a hankie, if the ending wasn’t so hopeful, it would be too hard.

I learned a lot about elephants: their spines aren’t designed to carry a lot of weight, their foot pads are super sensitive, and their eating habits. Sophie does love to eat!

I loved The Mourning Parade, and it receives 6 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.