barbara, i'm pretty sure i've read 1 of the earlier ben january stories. this 1 was difficult for me 2 follow but that may b bcause i just couldn't keep up with all the characters. i remember my oldest son telling me about a '' revival" in hunterdon county, nj which may have had an impact on my ancestors' lives. but poor ben, he had prejudice, greed & wacko religious belief systems to contend with while trying to help the parents of the missing girl !! thank u for giving us the reality of the times back then AND some of the plot could b happening today, eh ? marilyn