The Seekers of Deer Creek, Thao Thai (Review by Stacey Lorenson)

Rating: 4.0/5 Stars

The Seekers of Deer Creek features two sisters trying to outrun their demons, brought together by a chance discovery, leading to a long-buried past that threatens to tear them apart. This atmospheric novel is a haunting exploration of two extreme personalities connected by a traumatic childhood and their longing for unconditional love.

Vivi left her childhood home of Deer Creek, Wisconsin with the intention of never returning to her controlling, alcoholic father. Vivi works at a museum in Chicago while her younger sister, Calla, is a fledgling artist. After a three-year estrangement, Calla tracks Vivi down to share a letter and a mysterious sketch she found amongst their father’s belongings after his sudden death. Viv confirms the sketch is a copy of Blue Mirror, a painting by Vietnamese artist K.P. Ly. In addition, a letter found with the sketch implied there was an additional lost work of art. This information sends the sisters on an impromptu journey to find this missing link to their heritage, forcing Vivi and Calla to revisit the past and confront destructive behaviors.

If you’re an art aficionado this novel will speak to you through its rich, passionate appreciation for the artisan creative process and sacrifice. The author deftly weaves past and present with vivid depictions of lush Wisconsin woods, the isolated beauty of a French estate, juxtaposed with Vietnam’s bustling cities and the tight knit community of their father’s family. The Seekers of Deer Creek will captivate readers with mystery, adventure, fierce sisterly bonds and their search for identity, and trauma resolution. Vivi and Calla bravely endure an evolution of heart and soul. Their contentious, tug-of-war relationship is redefined as they unwind the mysteries of their family legacy together.