Black night wrapped around our group of twenty camper girls huddled in camp chairs around the flaming campfire. Conversation, laced with laughter, ranged from memories of camping escapades to how to call owls to songs long forgotten and brought up on cell phones.

The discussion turned to books and various favorites, and then a quiet voice said the name of Catherine Cookson.

“You’ve read Catherine Cookson, too?”

“Yes. I think I have one of her books now back in my camper– The Black ...