Magnolia Tree, The Crossing Trilogy, Book 1
CRIME FAMILY FANTASY MYSTERY SUSPENSE / THRILLER ACTION MYSTERY SUSPENSE/THRILLER
2000s
June V. Bourgo
TaleFlick Top Pick!
Logline
THEY SAY YOU CAN NEVER GO HOME AGAIN, BUT THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT SYDNEY GREY MUST DO TO RESOLVE THE MYSTERY OF HER TEENAGE MOTHER’S DISAPPEARANCE TWENTY YEARS PREVIOUS
Genre
Crime, Family, Fantasy, Mystery, Suspense / Thriller, Action,,Mystery,Suspense/Thriller
Short Summary
Twenty-one year old, Sydney Grey, returns to her childhood farm. The family farm holds secrets that are the key to the disappearance of her teenage mother when Sydney was a toddler. Clues, spirits, and the discovery of her mother’s journals bring this tale to a surprising ending.
Setting
The Okanagan, an area in the southern interior of British Columbia. The whole series takes place in the Okanagan. The small town, Stoney Creek, is made up by the author but other towns and cities are real.
Based on a True Story
No
Plot - Premise
Internal Journey/Rebirth,,Overcoming Monster/Villain
Plot - Other Elements
Coming of Age, Happy Ending, Twist,,Twist,Happy Ending,Meaningful Message
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Main Character Details
Name: Sydney Grey
Age: 21
Gender: Female
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Confident, Decisive, Outspoken, Visionary, Adventurous, Aspiring, Flexible, Honorable, Skillful, Beautiful, Educated, Engaging, Heroic, Empathetic, Strong Moral Code,Selfless,Flexible,Romantic,Heroic
Additional Character Details
Name: Jax Rhyder
Age: 23
Gender: Male
Role: Tempter
Key Traits: Adventurous, Aggressive, Badass, Confident, Empathetic, Leader, Masculine, Seductive, Sexy, Strong Moral Code, Charming, Heartthrob,Masculine,Charming,Sexy,Funny,Romantic,Seductive
Additional Character Details
Name: Arne Jensen
Age: 50
Gender: Male
Role: antagonist
Key Traits: Villainous, Criminal, Lone Wolf, Secretive, Unapologetic,Secretive,Manipulative,Unapologetic
Additional Character Details
Name: Elizabeth Grey
Age: 68
Gender: Female
Role: protagonist
Key Traits: Selfless,Empathetic,Faithful,Gracious,Strong Moral Code
Genre
DRAMA, SUSPENSE
Brief
Sydney goes back to the old farmhouse she grew up in to renovate. A series of journals are found from her teenage mother her disappeared when she was a child. While connecting with the town people, she encounters Arne, a creeping old man. Through her mothers journals she discovers her mother was kidnapped and held hostage for 20 years.
Overall Rating
EXCELLENT
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: GOOD
Characterization: GOOD
Commerciality: EXCELLENT
Franchise Potential: GOOD
Pace: FAIR
Premise: GOOD
Structure: GOOD
Theme: EXCELLENT
Accuracy of Book Profile
Yes, the book profile accurately reflects the book.
Draw of Story
The story begins with some paranormal activity and an unexpected death. This book starts off running which grabs the audience's attention.
Possible Drawbacks
The book meanders for a while. Sydney has come back to the farmhouse her grandmother abandoned after her husband died. Sydney is renovating and there are many chapters surrounding it. Those chapters are building up to Sydney's romance and he finding out who her father might be but they can certainly be condensed.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY RELIES A LITTLE BIT ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
The hook is that Sydney discovers what actually happened to her mother 20 years ago. She is able to use her mother's journals to realize she didn't run away but was kidnapped and held hostage in a basement. I would watch this movie for the suspense. The story definitely takes an interesting turn.
Fanbase Potential
This could have a large fanbase with the twists and turns. It also explores familial relationships and dynamics. Once Sydney discovers the case with her mother has more to it than meets the eye, the plot picks up and becomes more entertaining.
Awards Potential
This does not have awards potential. It is an entertaining story but is not very unique. There are some twist which are made more interesting because the beginning of the book does not elude to a kidnapping mystery. There needs to be more connection with the ending.
Envisioned Budget
MEDIUM BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
ROOM, SEARCHING, THE DEEP END OF THE OCEAN
What’s New About the Story
The story is original because Sydney solves the case of her mother's disappearance through her journals. She has come back to her mother's childhood home and discovered the journals. She reads them as way to connect with her, but realizes something isn't right. Her own experiences with the kidnapper pushes her to question what the truth about her mother's disappearance.
Lead Characters
The lead characters are all strong women. Sydney is the person who discovers the locked basement door and her mother inside. Chelsea, Sydney's mother, is a bold, adventurous girl who didn't let teen pregnancy stop her from living the life she wanted. She also survived 20 years in captivity. Her mother, Nan, made a new life for herself after her husband died. They had a toxic relationship, but she created a better life for herself once she was free.
Uniqueness of Story
This is not a rare gem but is better than your average thriller. The fact that Chelsea was kidnapped and it took her grown daughter to figure it out and rescue her is an exciting twist.
Possible Formats
Film - Streaming, Film - Indie, TV Series - Limited Run / Mini-Series, TV Series - Streaming
Analyst Recommendation
RECOMMEND
Justification
This is a recommend because it is a well rounded story with a little something for everyone. There is suspense, intrigue, romance, heartache and triumph. This story needs to be fine tuned because the beginning drags on when it could be more condensed. This would not win any awards but could be a fan favorite film especially with the strong female leads.