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Through an Open Window: A Novel
A charming, heartfelt novel about the bonds of family, whether found or foretold, from the author of The Sweet Taste of Muscadines.
In the small Southern town of Wesleyan, Georgia, where the air smells of red clay and sea salt, Margaret Elliot has lived a seemingly charmed life—until the recent loss of her beloved husband. Since then, Margaret has been seeing visions of her aunt Edith, the indomitable woman who raised her after her parents died when she was a baby. As these mysterious and undeniable visitations continue, Margaret becomes convinced that Aunt Edith is trying to tell her something important. As she follows the clues that almost magically present themselves, it becomes clear there is a secret from Margaret’s past waiting to be uncovered.
As Margaret grapples with each new revelation, she also worries about her three grown children. Her stoic and inscrutable eldest daughter, Mouse, continues to struggle with the grief of losing her father. Her son Lawrie, always his mother’s favorite, faces life-altering changes that he both longs for and fears—while Tom, Lawrie’s twin, must wrestle with the consequences of a work decision that has blown up his entire life. Despite the tensions among the siblings as they argue about how best to support their mother, the whole family is soon embroiled in uncovering the truth the ghost of Aunt Edith is striving to expose.
Through an Open Window invites us to see the grace that is so often there in the background, just waiting to be revealed. And reminds us that not even death can keep love from winning out in the end.
In the small Southern town of Wesleyan, Georgia, where the air smells of red clay and sea salt, Margaret Elliot has lived a seemingly charmed life—until the recent loss of her beloved husband. Since then, Margaret has been seeing visions of her aunt Edith, the indomitable woman who raised her after her parents died when she was a baby. As these mysterious and undeniable visitations continue, Margaret becomes convinced that Aunt Edith is trying to tell her something important. As she follows the clues that almost magically present themselves, it becomes clear there is a secret from Margaret’s past waiting to be uncovered.
As Margaret grapples with each new revelation, she also worries about her three grown children. Her stoic and inscrutable eldest daughter, Mouse, continues to struggle with the grief of losing her father. Her son Lawrie, always his mother’s favorite, faces life-altering changes that he both longs for and fears—while Tom, Lawrie’s twin, must wrestle with the consequences of a work decision that has blown up his entire life. Despite the tensions among the siblings as they argue about how best to support their mother, the whole family is soon embroiled in uncovering the truth the ghost of Aunt Edith is striving to expose.
Through an Open Window invites us to see the grace that is so often there in the background, just waiting to be revealed. And reminds us that not even death can keep love from winning out in the end.
335 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 19, 2025
22 people are currently reading
5476 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Terry
4 books281 followersA lifelong Southerner, Pamela Terry learned the power of storytelling at a very early age. For the past decade, Terry has been the author of the internationally popular blog From the House of Edward, which was named one of the top ten home blogs of the year by London's The Telegraph. She lives in Smyrna, Georgia, with her songwriter husband, Pat, and their three dogs, Apple, Andrew, and George. She travels to the Scottish Highlands as frequently as possible and is currently at work on her second novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
August 18, 2025
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This is my third read by Pamela Terry. The Sweet Taste of Muscadines was a four star read and When the Moon Turns Blue earned five stars. She has another winner on her hands with this one. In Pamela Terry's newest release, we are taken back to Wesleyan, Georgia.
In this story, Margaret is grieving the death of her husband and having visions of her long-dead aunt, Edith, who raised Margaret after her parents died. Margaret starts to unearth family secrets from the past. Meanwhile, Margaret's children—Mouse and the twins, Lawrie and Tom—are also dealing with their grief over the loss of their father. They decide to unite to unravel this mystery.
This book is a warm and heartfelt story with lots of Southern charm, family dramarama, and a bit of the supernatural. The writing is lovely and resonant, and it drew me into the lives of Margaret, her family, and the town of Wesleyan itself. The mystery was engaging, and I was eager to reach the conclusion. The characters were well-written and felt true to life, especially Margaret. I liked that her children had their own storylines, as this added depth to the plot. I will admit the pacing is slow, but I think it works here because that's how life is often lived in the South.
Overall, this was a tender and enjoyable read about a woman reflecting on her past while coming to terms with her future. It is very character-driven, with a hint of the supernatural. I found it very satisfying. I'd like to mention the beautiful cover, which reminds me of a watercolour painting.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The Book Review Crew Blog
This is my third read by Pamela Terry. The Sweet Taste of Muscadines was a four star read and When the Moon Turns Blue earned five stars. She has another winner on her hands with this one. In Pamela Terry's newest release, we are taken back to Wesleyan, Georgia.
In this story, Margaret is grieving the death of her husband and having visions of her long-dead aunt, Edith, who raised Margaret after her parents died. Margaret starts to unearth family secrets from the past. Meanwhile, Margaret's children—Mouse and the twins, Lawrie and Tom—are also dealing with their grief over the loss of their father. They decide to unite to unravel this mystery.
This book is a warm and heartfelt story with lots of Southern charm, family dramarama, and a bit of the supernatural. The writing is lovely and resonant, and it drew me into the lives of Margaret, her family, and the town of Wesleyan itself. The mystery was engaging, and I was eager to reach the conclusion. The characters were well-written and felt true to life, especially Margaret. I liked that her children had their own storylines, as this added depth to the plot. I will admit the pacing is slow, but I think it works here because that's how life is often lived in the South.
Overall, this was a tender and enjoyable read about a woman reflecting on her past while coming to terms with her future. It is very character-driven, with a hint of the supernatural. I found it very satisfying. I'd like to mention the beautiful cover, which reminds me of a watercolour painting.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
July 5, 2025
Once again, Pamela Terry takes the reader back to Wesleyan, Georgia. Not to say that Terry has a formula, but the story again starts with the death of a beloved family member and the grief involved. And once again, there’s a bit of magic realism to her story. This time, much more than just a bit. Margaret was delivered to her Aunt Edith as a baby after the death of her parents. The recipient of a happy childhood and wonderful marriage, Margaret has just lost her husband and is now living alone. Except for Aunt Edith, who, as a ghost, shows up most evenings.
Told from multiple POVs, we watch Margaret and her adult children move forward in life and try to come to grips with their new normals. The character development is spotty. Margaret and Mouse are much more firmly fleshed out than Tom and Lawrie, who at times came across almost as ghostlike as Edith.
While I enjoyed her prior two books, I struggled more with this one. It was a little too saccharine for my taste. And while I’m okay with a little magic realism, Edith’s ghost was a bit too much for me especially when she starts showing up for multiple family members. Without Edith’s ghost, there would have been no story.
This is a sweet story and definitely enjoyable, but don’t expect the depth of her prior two books. Readers who aren’t annoyed by excessive magic realism will enjoy this more than those of us who prefer our fiction to be more realistic.
My thanks to Netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.
Told from multiple POVs, we watch Margaret and her adult children move forward in life and try to come to grips with their new normals. The character development is spotty. Margaret and Mouse are much more firmly fleshed out than Tom and Lawrie, who at times came across almost as ghostlike as Edith.
While I enjoyed her prior two books, I struggled more with this one. It was a little too saccharine for my taste. And while I’m okay with a little magic realism, Edith’s ghost was a bit too much for me especially when she starts showing up for multiple family members. Without Edith’s ghost, there would have been no story.
This is a sweet story and definitely enjoyable, but don’t expect the depth of her prior two books. Readers who aren’t annoyed by excessive magic realism will enjoy this more than those of us who prefer our fiction to be more realistic.
My thanks to Netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.
September 8, 2025
firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!
i’m not really sure how i want to rate this — i’m torn between 2.5 stars and 3, as this is my first book by pamela terry. her writing is beautiful, and i was immediately whisked away to the little town in georgia.
but the plot and behaviors our cast of characters displayed? made zero sense.
why is it that NONE of the three siblings (mouse, lawrie, and tom) know nothing about one another? i can understand that they may not be so close to one another but wow they barely knew the bare minimum an adult sibling should know.
the overarching plot of this story is that two children are separated and live different lives, and the daughter, margaret, doesn’t know she has a brother until after her beloved husband’s death — who KNEW she did but was promised by her adoptive aunts and the brother (WHO CAME TO VISIT?) to not tell her while he was alive? i personally would feel so betrayed that my husband had information on my life and never told me.
don’t get me wrong, i was sucked into the family drama but i’m just left scratching my head at pretty much everything that happened… lol
i’m not really sure how i want to rate this — i’m torn between 2.5 stars and 3, as this is my first book by pamela terry. her writing is beautiful, and i was immediately whisked away to the little town in georgia.
but the plot and behaviors our cast of characters displayed? made zero sense.
why is it that NONE of the three siblings (mouse, lawrie, and tom) know nothing about one another? i can understand that they may not be so close to one another but wow they barely knew the bare minimum an adult sibling should know.
the overarching plot of this story is that two children are separated and live different lives, and the daughter, margaret, doesn’t know she has a brother until after her beloved husband’s death — who KNEW she did but was promised by her adoptive aunts and the brother (WHO CAME TO VISIT?) to not tell her while he was alive? i personally would feel so betrayed that my husband had information on my life and never told me.
don’t get me wrong, i was sucked into the family drama but i’m just left scratching my head at pretty much everything that happened… lol
September 3, 2025
I enjoyed this sweet southern fiction, family story of Margaret after the death of her husband. I loved the magical realism she had added into this book. She and her adult children are moving on in life with their grief after their loss. Margaret's Aunt Edith raised her after her parents passed away. Edith's ghost now visits Margaret. She has things that she wants Margaret to know about her past. I thought this was such a great family story. I really enjoyed this heartfelt story , these characters and their path through healing.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and Suzy approved book tours for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and Suzy approved book tours for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
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April 1, 2025This is my third book by this author, which makes three in a row that I loved.
Her focus seems to be families in the south, and their dynamics across generations, while evoking in graceful, sometimes elegiac language the smells, the tastes, and the feels of that part of the world.
This one begins with a widow, whose beloved spouse has been dead for almost a year, sustaining what she can only call a ghostly vision of the Aunt who brought her up. She resists the ghost idea at first, but the vision is gently insistent, and eventually leads to sharing with her three nearly middle aged kids, who don't communicate very well with her.
The omniscient narrator slides expertly in and out of their POVs as needed, first establishing everyone, then showing how everything changes. It's such a feel good book--something I really appreciated, in these nerve wracking days!
Her focus seems to be families in the south, and their dynamics across generations, while evoking in graceful, sometimes elegiac language the smells, the tastes, and the feels of that part of the world.
This one begins with a widow, whose beloved spouse has been dead for almost a year, sustaining what she can only call a ghostly vision of the Aunt who brought her up. She resists the ghost idea at first, but the vision is gently insistent, and eventually leads to sharing with her three nearly middle aged kids, who don't communicate very well with her.
The omniscient narrator slides expertly in and out of their POVs as needed, first establishing everyone, then showing how everything changes. It's such a feel good book--something I really appreciated, in these nerve wracking days!
August 19, 2025
I had read this author’s previous book so I was especially looking forward to this one.
I enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down.
I liked the characters and the ghostly visits through out the story.
I enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down.
I liked the characters and the ghostly visits through out the story.
March 12, 2025
There's nothing like a Pamela Terry novel to touch your heart and evoke your emotions with her beautiful writing and unforgettable characters. Her latest, Through an Open Window, is about a family in flux. Ever since her husband died, Margaret has been having hallucinations of the long-deceased aunt who raised her. She doesn't dare tell her children for fear they will think she is crazy, but she can't help but think that Aunt Edith is trying to tell her something important. Margaret's adult children are three exceedingly different people--even the twins, Lawrie and Tom. Lawrie is happy as a veterinarian but hasn't convinced his live-in girlfriend of 8 years to marry him, and property developer Tom has a failing marriage and expects to be fired from his job, but he has started pursuing a new passion that startles his family. Daughter Mouse (nee Agatha), a successful caterer, has been devastated by her father's death and fears she is driving her (wonderful) husband away with her depression.
Every one of these characters is vividly portrayed and relatable, each with details that set them apart and grab the reader's attention. Supporting characters such as Lawrie's partner Emlynn, Mouse's physician husband Nick, her flamboyant friend Kitty and elderly neighbor Harriet (and her chihuahua Gatsby) are no less complex and engaging. And then there's Jubal, a Clumber spaniel who came along at just the right moment.
The story alternatively focuses on each of the protagonists and uses expressive language, gentle humor, ands surprising plot turns--not to mention a modicum of magic--to keep the reader fascinated and wanting the best for these characters, in the face of daunting issues and long-held family secrets. Toward the end, the story brought me unexpectedly to quick tears--twice--and they were happy tears. Final revelations subtly promised more positive changes in the characters' lives. I highly recommend the author's latest book, in addition to When the Moon Turns Blue and The Sweet Taste of Muscadines, all three written by a consummate storyteller and a master of the genre.
My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of the book.
Every one of these characters is vividly portrayed and relatable, each with details that set them apart and grab the reader's attention. Supporting characters such as Lawrie's partner Emlynn, Mouse's physician husband Nick, her flamboyant friend Kitty and elderly neighbor Harriet (and her chihuahua Gatsby) are no less complex and engaging. And then there's Jubal, a Clumber spaniel who came along at just the right moment.
The story alternatively focuses on each of the protagonists and uses expressive language, gentle humor, ands surprising plot turns--not to mention a modicum of magic--to keep the reader fascinated and wanting the best for these characters, in the face of daunting issues and long-held family secrets. Toward the end, the story brought me unexpectedly to quick tears--twice--and they were happy tears. Final revelations subtly promised more positive changes in the characters' lives. I highly recommend the author's latest book, in addition to When the Moon Turns Blue and The Sweet Taste of Muscadines, all three written by a consummate storyteller and a master of the genre.
My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of the book.
May 10, 2025
Oh Aunt Edith, I liked your main story line but I just couldn’t get in to your current life.
I will say this book was well written with good character development but the use of Aunt Edith just turned me off.
There are definitely many readers will enjoy this book and I will recommend it to those I think will enjoy it.
I am happy to have had the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.
I will say this book was well written with good character development but the use of Aunt Edith just turned me off.
There are definitely many readers will enjoy this book and I will recommend it to those I think will enjoy it.
I am happy to have had the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.
August 13, 2025
Through an Open Window is the feel good hug I didn’t know I needed. Pamela Terry is a talented writer, and over and over, I found myself giggling or marveling at her cleverly crafted similes and metaphors. Using the South as a setting for a book only works if you can do it justice, and Pamela gave an honest depiction of the South without turning mainstreet into a caricature made of cardboard.
The story is told from the POV of a family reeling from the recent loss of their husband and father. The mother, Margaret, starts seeing her long deceased aunt who seems to have some final messages to pass along to the family about where Margaret came from, but it’s not only Margaret that Aunt Edith is interested in helping. Margaret’s children begin to see Aunt Edith, too.
I loved reading this book. It’s a perfect vacation read (or any other time).
I would like to thank Random House and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The story is told from the POV of a family reeling from the recent loss of their husband and father. The mother, Margaret, starts seeing her long deceased aunt who seems to have some final messages to pass along to the family about where Margaret came from, but it’s not only Margaret that Aunt Edith is interested in helping. Margaret’s children begin to see Aunt Edith, too.
I loved reading this book. It’s a perfect vacation read (or any other time).
I would like to thank Random House and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 25, 2025
This is a heartwarming story cleverly written with love – the type of love that comes from a mother who adores her family.
Yet, Margaret, the mother of three grown children, has a secret she’s not sure she wants to share. She sees a ghost: her Aunt Edith who died a while ago. Her daughter, Mouse, and twin boys, Tom and Lawrie, also see this older lady in places like a park for a few seconds and they sort of dismiss it. Aunt Edith whom lovingly raised Margaret, is there to help her reveal an important part of her past.
It's the type of story that when all the characters are placed in your mind, you feel like you’re right there with them. It takes place in a small southern town of Georgia where you can feel the sticky humidity in the summer.
The daughter’s nickname, Mouse, is pretty uncommon and made me think of how people would identify her as small and weak. She, however, was strong with a successful catering business. Her real name was Agatha, named after her father's favorite author.
The story is easy to follow with point of views from the mother, her three adult children and significant others. There’s also the love of dogs. This is a cozy mystery that makes you think about the importance of family interactions and how sometimes plans go out the window and resurface into something unexpected.
My thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of August 19, 2025.
Yet, Margaret, the mother of three grown children, has a secret she’s not sure she wants to share. She sees a ghost: her Aunt Edith who died a while ago. Her daughter, Mouse, and twin boys, Tom and Lawrie, also see this older lady in places like a park for a few seconds and they sort of dismiss it. Aunt Edith whom lovingly raised Margaret, is there to help her reveal an important part of her past.
It's the type of story that when all the characters are placed in your mind, you feel like you’re right there with them. It takes place in a small southern town of Georgia where you can feel the sticky humidity in the summer.
The daughter’s nickname, Mouse, is pretty uncommon and made me think of how people would identify her as small and weak. She, however, was strong with a successful catering business. Her real name was Agatha, named after her father's favorite author.
The story is easy to follow with point of views from the mother, her three adult children and significant others. There’s also the love of dogs. This is a cozy mystery that makes you think about the importance of family interactions and how sometimes plans go out the window and resurface into something unexpected.
My thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of August 19, 2025.
July 10, 2025
I stopped and started this book probably about 15 times. I simply could not get into the storyline. I don’t believe in giving authors poor reviews because all work should be celebrated. I think maybe if this was a series I had read more of (this a was my first book so I had zero connection to the characters) I might have enjoyed it more. Looking through some of the reviews, I see that people who are familiar with the series really enjoyed it. I will consider maybe revisiting this further down the road. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for the early copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
August 18, 2025
Such a great book!!!!
April 1, 2025
I greatly enjoyed this book. Pamela Terry sure can write. This is the third book of hers I have read. The two previous ones are: The Sweet Taste of Muscadines and When The Moon Turns Blue - both were very enjoyable but I think she has outdone herself on this one.
The writing is lyrical, moving, atmospheric and laugh out loud funny. The story is about Margaret Elliot, a recently widowed mother of three grown children: Lawrie & Tom who are twins but are not anything alike and Agatha who goes by the name of Mouse. Lawrie is a successful and happy veterinarian with his partner of 8 years, Emlynn who owns a local shop in town & she is adorable in so many ways. Tom is a developer who isn't too happy with his profession anymore and then there is Mouse who owns a successful catering business and her doctor husband Nick. There is also Margaret's friend Harriet and Mouse's friend Kitty -who has a very big and over the top personality.
Margaret is raised by her Aunt Edith because both of her parents died in a car accident. Aunt Edith died many years ago but suddenly Margaret is seeing her Aunt as clear as if she were still alive, she doesn't say a word but she's holding a yellow envelope. Margaret is afraid to tell anyone for fear they think she is losing her sanity.
It is a family drama of secrets held far to long. I love how the writer developed each and everyone of the characters in this novel. You just feel like you know them and that is a unique talent. I wish I could tell you more but I don't want to spoil anything.
A big thank you to: Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
The writing is lyrical, moving, atmospheric and laugh out loud funny. The story is about Margaret Elliot, a recently widowed mother of three grown children: Lawrie & Tom who are twins but are not anything alike and Agatha who goes by the name of Mouse. Lawrie is a successful and happy veterinarian with his partner of 8 years, Emlynn who owns a local shop in town & she is adorable in so many ways. Tom is a developer who isn't too happy with his profession anymore and then there is Mouse who owns a successful catering business and her doctor husband Nick. There is also Margaret's friend Harriet and Mouse's friend Kitty -who has a very big and over the top personality.
Margaret is raised by her Aunt Edith because both of her parents died in a car accident. Aunt Edith died many years ago but suddenly Margaret is seeing her Aunt as clear as if she were still alive, she doesn't say a word but she's holding a yellow envelope. Margaret is afraid to tell anyone for fear they think she is losing her sanity.
It is a family drama of secrets held far to long. I love how the writer developed each and everyone of the characters in this novel. You just feel like you know them and that is a unique talent. I wish I could tell you more but I don't want to spoil anything.
A big thank you to: Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
September 7, 2025
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the digital ARC. Opinions are my own.
Enjoyable read of family relationships, including tension between siblings, lost relatives, and some help from beyond the grave of a kindly aunt. The setting was appealing and the relationships were believable. A couple subjects introduced were not completed - perhaps because they weren’t really needed in the story to begin with?
Rounding up to four.
Enjoyable read of family relationships, including tension between siblings, lost relatives, and some help from beyond the grave of a kindly aunt. The setting was appealing and the relationships were believable. A couple subjects introduced were not completed - perhaps because they weren’t really needed in the story to begin with?
Rounding up to four.
August 4, 2025
Author Pamela Terry never misses. Her debut, The Sweet Taste of Muscadines, forged such an emotional connection in me that if someone had told me they didn’t like it, I might not have cared for them as much as before. The same held true for her next work, When the Moon Turns Blue, which was every bit as good if not better. And now, with her new novel, Through an Open Window, I know that I will follow this author anywhere.
My thanks go to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the invitation to read and review. This book will be for sale August 19, 2025. If you are female and have a beating heart, you should get it and read it.
We open with a scene from 1956. The local sheriff rescues two small children from a scene of horrific carnage; the baby girl is given over to the social worker before they find the little boy. The sheriff and his wife have been unable to have children, and want them so badly that instead of reporting the boy also, he takes him home and they keep him.
Cut forward now to the fictional town of Wesleyan, Georgia. A family is grieving the loss of its patriarch, Lawrence Elliot. His widow, Margaret is the first to receive a visitation—not from Lawrence, but from Great-Aunt Edith, who has been dead for years. Aunt Edith wants her to know something. And in fact, other family members will also see her at various times, in various places, but it’s not the sort of thing one shares with others. But Edith isn’t leaving until her message is received and understood.
As we see Margaret and her three adult children cope in different ways, we also see the interplay of their relationships to each other. This story is loaded with character development, and I believe each and every one, even Jubal, the rescued Clumber Spaniel that comes to live with Margaret. (I had never heard of this breed before, and now I kind of want one. Someone stop me!)
Events roll forward, and slowly we learn what it is that Edith is trying to convey, as the family does, and we find the tie-in to the prelude. It’s done brilliantly! Along the way, the author’s voice comes through in undeniable word smithery that forces me to highlight way, way too many passages to quote here. I experience the entire gamut of emotion, and when I near the ending, I am torn, wanting to read more slowly so that the book won’t end, but also needing desperately to know what is coming next.
The only possible improvement would be if Terry could write, and write up to the standard she has established, as fast as I can read, because I cannot wait for her next novel! She has become a favorite author, one I’d pay to read if I couldn’t do it free of charge. Highly recommended.
My thanks go to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the invitation to read and review. This book will be for sale August 19, 2025. If you are female and have a beating heart, you should get it and read it.
We open with a scene from 1956. The local sheriff rescues two small children from a scene of horrific carnage; the baby girl is given over to the social worker before they find the little boy. The sheriff and his wife have been unable to have children, and want them so badly that instead of reporting the boy also, he takes him home and they keep him.
Cut forward now to the fictional town of Wesleyan, Georgia. A family is grieving the loss of its patriarch, Lawrence Elliot. His widow, Margaret is the first to receive a visitation—not from Lawrence, but from Great-Aunt Edith, who has been dead for years. Aunt Edith wants her to know something. And in fact, other family members will also see her at various times, in various places, but it’s not the sort of thing one shares with others. But Edith isn’t leaving until her message is received and understood.
As we see Margaret and her three adult children cope in different ways, we also see the interplay of their relationships to each other. This story is loaded with character development, and I believe each and every one, even Jubal, the rescued Clumber Spaniel that comes to live with Margaret. (I had never heard of this breed before, and now I kind of want one. Someone stop me!)
Events roll forward, and slowly we learn what it is that Edith is trying to convey, as the family does, and we find the tie-in to the prelude. It’s done brilliantly! Along the way, the author’s voice comes through in undeniable word smithery that forces me to highlight way, way too many passages to quote here. I experience the entire gamut of emotion, and when I near the ending, I am torn, wanting to read more slowly so that the book won’t end, but also needing desperately to know what is coming next.
The only possible improvement would be if Terry could write, and write up to the standard she has established, as fast as I can read, because I cannot wait for her next novel! She has become a favorite author, one I’d pay to read if I couldn’t do it free of charge. Highly recommended.
May 11, 2025
Before I was sent this book, I had never heard of Pamela Terry's novels, which I think is likely due to me not reading in this genre very often. I felt that I might be too young for this book's intended audience; I didn't get a lot of references, and due to the main characters being older than what I usually read, I struggled to really connect to them. The mystery at the heart of this novel was sort of discovered pretty early on, (even revealed to us in the prologue, so it was never a mystery to the reader!) and the rest of the novel just felt like a matter of letting the rest of the characters know about it. I felt like there was very little reason for the secrets to have been kept from the central character, Margaret. The men in her life chose to never tell her about things that I felt, all things considered, had she known about them sooner, wouldn't have drastically affected her much. While she does protest this when she discovers things, it just felt too simple of a reason for the main character to not know such important things about herself. This book is supposedly magical realism, which in a way it is- there are ghosts that show up, don't speak, and point some characters in the right direction for their life. Sometimes, they're more for closure or comfort to grapple with grief. None of them were real characters, though, just images of characters who died before the events of the novel. While I understood who those people were supposed to be through the descriptions of those around to remember them, as ghosts, they didn't really offer much. I think the same goal could have been achieved if the living characters just had vivid dreams of their loved ones. I enjoyed the growth between Maragret's adult children Lawrie, Tom, and Mouse, although I felt like the character POVs sometimes were used too often. Often, a chapter would end with someone planning on going and telling someone else about a discovery, and then we'd miss the scene where the conversation itself happens. Had this book focused more closely on Margaret, and maybe one sibling, (either Mouse, with her grief for her father, or Tom, who seemed quite deep), I think the book would have felt less bloated. Overall, I didn't find myself particularly excited to get through this story. The mystery was revealed too early, and the rest of the story was the 5 POV characters talking about it.
Thanks to Ballantine Books for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thanks to Ballantine Books for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
August 11, 2025
I have now read all three of Pamela Terry's novels, and this one is no exception for me...all 5-star reads. I will now officially read anything she writes...with pleasure guaranteed.
This story is just filled with goodness, and no not the sugary kind, but the coming to terms with life's events, life's turns and twists and coming out the other end in a good (and even better) place. This is a story centering around sibling relationships, parent/child relationships, friendship relationships, spousal relationships and relationships that were meant to be developed but through life's circumstances were derailed and lost along the way, only to be poignantly discovered later in life with a little magical realism thrown in to assist along the way. There's grief, jealousy, competition (as siblings are notorious for), fear, bravery, discoveries (both happy and sad) ...lots going on here.
Terry excels at family...their foibles, their strengths, their interactions/disagreements/growth. These characters (told in alternating chapters) have very real human emotions, well-developed and visceral in their unique circumstances as well as a family unit. I loved every single one of them; their messiness, their mistakes and their triumphs kept me riveted to the page. The magical realism added a touch of whimsy and thoughtfulness to the narrative, and the humor was laugh-out-loud at times...especially the new-found friend's Kitty Goldsmith, who was cheer-worthy as the no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is character, who ended up as one of my top two favorites in the story...first being hard to choose but probably the long-lost John (which surprisingly doesn't have a lot of screen time but boy does he make the most of it). But in all honesty, the supporting characters were every bit as riveting and fun as the mains, and Ms. Terry's sense of place (Georgia) was expertly done as well. Being from Mississippi and Alabama it's always an added bonus to read a novel set in the South.
Again, this is a book that I loved, that I inhaled and that has set me up as a lifelong fan of Terry's. Can't wait to see what comes next.
My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine / Ballantine Books for providing the free early arc of Through an Open Window for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
This story is just filled with goodness, and no not the sugary kind, but the coming to terms with life's events, life's turns and twists and coming out the other end in a good (and even better) place. This is a story centering around sibling relationships, parent/child relationships, friendship relationships, spousal relationships and relationships that were meant to be developed but through life's circumstances were derailed and lost along the way, only to be poignantly discovered later in life with a little magical realism thrown in to assist along the way. There's grief, jealousy, competition (as siblings are notorious for), fear, bravery, discoveries (both happy and sad) ...lots going on here.
Terry excels at family...their foibles, their strengths, their interactions/disagreements/growth. These characters (told in alternating chapters) have very real human emotions, well-developed and visceral in their unique circumstances as well as a family unit. I loved every single one of them; their messiness, their mistakes and their triumphs kept me riveted to the page. The magical realism added a touch of whimsy and thoughtfulness to the narrative, and the humor was laugh-out-loud at times...especially the new-found friend's Kitty Goldsmith, who was cheer-worthy as the no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is character, who ended up as one of my top two favorites in the story...first being hard to choose but probably the long-lost John (which surprisingly doesn't have a lot of screen time but boy does he make the most of it). But in all honesty, the supporting characters were every bit as riveting and fun as the mains, and Ms. Terry's sense of place (Georgia) was expertly done as well. Being from Mississippi and Alabama it's always an added bonus to read a novel set in the South.
Again, this is a book that I loved, that I inhaled and that has set me up as a lifelong fan of Terry's. Can't wait to see what comes next.
My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine / Ballantine Books for providing the free early arc of Through an Open Window for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
August 28, 2025
Through an Open Window by Pamela Terry is on some levels a romance, not a new romance, however. It is also the story of a family’s history, at least three generations, and a story of manipulation on a large scale. The story primarily features Margaret, a sixty-four year old widow who has begun seeing her great-aunt Edith, the woman who raised her and who had been dead for years. She saw her in the middle of the night, standing at the foot of her bed. She always had a yellow envelope in her hand. Enter Emmlyn, Margaret[s daughter-in-law, in reality, if not legally, who had been using her great-aunt’s antique dollhouse in the window of her store. She faithfully decorated it for each season and it became a hallmark on Main Street, with people waiting for her to pull away the curtain to see the new design. Lawrence, Margaret’s now deceased husband, had never wanted the children to play with it and so it languished in the attic, until day he brought it down for Emmlyn. As she was decorating for Halloween, a staircase fell away and out she pulled a folded, yellow envelope. What was inside the envelope started a cascade of things happening, including the discovery that Great-Aunt Edith had been appearing to others, manipulating them as well. Quite a story.
Margaret was a good character if a little too kind and gentle. She had come to Edith and her partner, Ida Mae, as a babe-in-arms after her parents had been killed in a motorcycle wreck. She had been raised with love and next door to a raucous family, from which Lawrence come. The old house was gone now. Indeed, the children were up and out of her house. Three of them: Agatha (Mouse), and then ten years later, Tom and Lawrie. Lawrie had been the oldest and so was named after his father, a fact Tom resented his entire life. This was a complicated family with complicated relationships, like most families. The death of Lawrence had affected each of them differently and let them to where there were today. The plotting was complex and interesting. The addition of Edith’s ghost was handled masterfully. The characters were rich and not with out their problems. It was quite a book. One I enjoyed tremendously.
I was invited to read Through An Open Window by Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #RandomHousePublishingBallantine #PamelaTerry #ThroughAnOpenWindow
Margaret was a good character if a little too kind and gentle. She had come to Edith and her partner, Ida Mae, as a babe-in-arms after her parents had been killed in a motorcycle wreck. She had been raised with love and next door to a raucous family, from which Lawrence come. The old house was gone now. Indeed, the children were up and out of her house. Three of them: Agatha (Mouse), and then ten years later, Tom and Lawrie. Lawrie had been the oldest and so was named after his father, a fact Tom resented his entire life. This was a complicated family with complicated relationships, like most families. The death of Lawrence had affected each of them differently and let them to where there were today. The plotting was complex and interesting. The addition of Edith’s ghost was handled masterfully. The characters were rich and not with out their problems. It was quite a book. One I enjoyed tremendously.
I was invited to read Through An Open Window by Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #RandomHousePublishingBallantine #PamelaTerry #ThroughAnOpenWindow
August 20, 2025
I loved Pamela Terry’s first book. It was one of those books that I had to read in one sitting and spend all night reading. It was perfect. The second book was very good, and this book is beautiful. I typically hate southern books and things about the South, but Terry is such a beautiful writer that I love these books.
Once again, Pamela Terry transports readers back to Wesleyan, Georgia. While it's clear she employs a certain formula—okay, maybe she does—it’s so well-executed that I hardly mind! The narrative begins with the death of a cherished family member, delving into the accompanying grief. This time, the touch of magical realism is significantly more pronounced. Margaret, after losing her parents, was entrusted to her Aunt Edith as an infant. Enjoying a joyful childhood and a happy marriage, Margaret now finds herself alone after the loss of her husband, though Aunt Edith makes nightly appearances as a ghost.
The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, allowing us to witness Margaret and her adult children navigate their lives as they adapt to their new realities. Margaret's grown children start to grow concerned about her well-being, especially her daughter, nicknamed "Mouse," who is still grappling with the loss of her father. One of the twins, Tom, is facing challenges with his employee and his wife, adding to the ongoing tension with his twin brother, Lawrie. As the siblings observe their mother struggling, they realize they need to pay closer attention to her.
As Margaret's sightings of Aunt Edith continue, she becomes increasingly convinced that a long-buried secret from her past needs to be revealed. This beautifully written story explores the theme of family, illustrating how, despite facing significant loss, the importance of supporting one another through uncertain times is a true victory for all.
I appreciated how in all of her books she addressed issues of homophobia, emphasizing that love is love and deserves to be celebrated, regardless of gender.
Once again, Pamela Terry transports readers back to Wesleyan, Georgia. While it's clear she employs a certain formula—okay, maybe she does—it’s so well-executed that I hardly mind! The narrative begins with the death of a cherished family member, delving into the accompanying grief. This time, the touch of magical realism is significantly more pronounced. Margaret, after losing her parents, was entrusted to her Aunt Edith as an infant. Enjoying a joyful childhood and a happy marriage, Margaret now finds herself alone after the loss of her husband, though Aunt Edith makes nightly appearances as a ghost.
The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, allowing us to witness Margaret and her adult children navigate their lives as they adapt to their new realities. Margaret's grown children start to grow concerned about her well-being, especially her daughter, nicknamed "Mouse," who is still grappling with the loss of her father. One of the twins, Tom, is facing challenges with his employee and his wife, adding to the ongoing tension with his twin brother, Lawrie. As the siblings observe their mother struggling, they realize they need to pay closer attention to her.
As Margaret's sightings of Aunt Edith continue, she becomes increasingly convinced that a long-buried secret from her past needs to be revealed. This beautifully written story explores the theme of family, illustrating how, despite facing significant loss, the importance of supporting one another through uncertain times is a true victory for all.
I appreciated how in all of her books she addressed issues of homophobia, emphasizing that love is love and deserves to be celebrated, regardless of gender.
August 8, 2025
First, I want to thank NetGalley, Pamela Terry, and Ballantine Books for this Advanced Reading Copy of Through an Open Window. It's a unique and beautiful story.
This book feels like a warm hug from a mother or a grandmother. It feels like a big sip of a warm cup of coffee. It fills you up. This book will make you cry, laugh, and wonder about the mysteries of the world.
At the center of this book is family. It's about the people who know you the best and the worst parts of you. At the beginning of Through an Open Window, Margaret's family is falling apart. Her husband has just passed, and the family is still dealing with their grief. No one in the family wants to spend a lot of time together. As the story moves along, each member is confronted with the choice of choosing their family. This novel is character-driven and features extensive character development.
This book features multiple POVs and is told from each member of the family's point of view. I loved going back and forth between characters and getting more insight into their thoughts.
One of my favorite parts is when Mouse (the eldest and only girl) finds out her mother is seeing a ghost. She immediately organizes a family meeting with her brothers to discuss this development. It was a funny moment.
Pamela Terry writes with her heart and soul left on the paper. You can feel it when you read it. I love the characters she created and their development throughout the book. I will be reading more from her.
If you are looking for a book that inspires you and fills you with warmth, you should check out Through an Open Window.
This book feels like a warm hug from a mother or a grandmother. It feels like a big sip of a warm cup of coffee. It fills you up. This book will make you cry, laugh, and wonder about the mysteries of the world.
At the center of this book is family. It's about the people who know you the best and the worst parts of you. At the beginning of Through an Open Window, Margaret's family is falling apart. Her husband has just passed, and the family is still dealing with their grief. No one in the family wants to spend a lot of time together. As the story moves along, each member is confronted with the choice of choosing their family. This novel is character-driven and features extensive character development.
This book features multiple POVs and is told from each member of the family's point of view. I loved going back and forth between characters and getting more insight into their thoughts.
One of my favorite parts is when Mouse (the eldest and only girl) finds out her mother is seeing a ghost. She immediately organizes a family meeting with her brothers to discuss this development. It was a funny moment.
Pamela Terry writes with her heart and soul left on the paper. You can feel it when you read it. I love the characters she created and their development throughout the book. I will be reading more from her.
If you are looking for a book that inspires you and fills you with warmth, you should check out Through an Open Window.
July 26, 2025
This was the third book I have read by this author, and I have enjoyed them all.
Margaret was raised by her aunt Edith and her friend Ida, since she was a baby, after her parents died in a car accident. In the intervening years, Margaret married and had three children, twins Tom & Laurie and daughter Agatha, affectionately known as Mouse. Now, after her beloved husband has passed away, Margaret starts seeing Edith, who herself died years before.
Are these hallucinations? Is Margaret losing her mind? Is she really seeing a ghost? Margaret keeps this to herself, worried as to what her grown children will think. When Edith appears to be holding out a yellow envelope, Margaret decides that Edith is trying to tell her something.
This was a lovely gentle novel with great characters - especially those of Margaret and Mouse, and Margaret's friend Harriet. We delve deeper into the lives of all of the family, focusing on one of them at a time, as we uncover family secrets and personal issues. I loved how the characters grew as they were dealing with their grief, their relationships and and the secrets they discovered. I particularly enjoyed the way my perspective changed on one of the children, Tom, as he went through his personal growth.
This novel contains a healthy dose of magical realism, but I felt it was really well done, and I liked the way it was presented. I enjoyed the surprises and twists that were revealed as the characters moved along their journey.
An enjoying 'good feel' book.
Margaret was raised by her aunt Edith and her friend Ida, since she was a baby, after her parents died in a car accident. In the intervening years, Margaret married and had three children, twins Tom & Laurie and daughter Agatha, affectionately known as Mouse. Now, after her beloved husband has passed away, Margaret starts seeing Edith, who herself died years before.
Are these hallucinations? Is Margaret losing her mind? Is she really seeing a ghost? Margaret keeps this to herself, worried as to what her grown children will think. When Edith appears to be holding out a yellow envelope, Margaret decides that Edith is trying to tell her something.
This was a lovely gentle novel with great characters - especially those of Margaret and Mouse, and Margaret's friend Harriet. We delve deeper into the lives of all of the family, focusing on one of them at a time, as we uncover family secrets and personal issues. I loved how the characters grew as they were dealing with their grief, their relationships and and the secrets they discovered. I particularly enjoyed the way my perspective changed on one of the children, Tom, as he went through his personal growth.
This novel contains a healthy dose of magical realism, but I felt it was really well done, and I liked the way it was presented. I enjoyed the surprises and twists that were revealed as the characters moved along their journey.
An enjoying 'good feel' book.
May 29, 2025
When I found out that Pamela Terry had a new book coming out this summer, I requested it immediately from Netgalley. Her first two books (The Sweet Taste of Muscadines and When the Moon Turns Blue) were absolute home-run hits for me. I live in Georgia and I felt a close connection to the setting of both of these books-I have a strong feeling think that the author loosely based the town of Wesleyan, GA on my hometown!
Through an Open Window wasn't as good to me as her earlier books, but I still really enjoyed it.
What worked for me: I enjoyed the depth of the characters-yes, even the dear departed Aunt Edith. The ghosty plot device didn't bother me and I enjoyed the family secrets all coming to light. It is a light read, and I read it over the span of just a couple of days.
What didn't work as well for me: This book is heavy on the character development and light on the plot. Honestly, even that wasn't much of a problem. I think my main issue is that I have come to expect a rich, developed story from this author and this book landed for me more like a novella.
That being said, I will continue to pick up anything Pamela Terry writes!
A big wholehearted thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC of this one. It made my entire week to be granted this ARC as I can't shake the feeling that Wesleyan, GA is at least partially based on a real city!
Through an Open Window wasn't as good to me as her earlier books, but I still really enjoyed it.
What worked for me: I enjoyed the depth of the characters-yes, even the dear departed Aunt Edith. The ghosty plot device didn't bother me and I enjoyed the family secrets all coming to light. It is a light read, and I read it over the span of just a couple of days.
What didn't work as well for me: This book is heavy on the character development and light on the plot. Honestly, even that wasn't much of a problem. I think my main issue is that I have come to expect a rich, developed story from this author and this book landed for me more like a novella.
That being said, I will continue to pick up anything Pamela Terry writes!
A big wholehearted thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC of this one. It made my entire week to be granted this ARC as I can't shake the feeling that Wesleyan, GA is at least partially based on a real city!
July 21, 2025
Probably the most important thing you need to know about this novel is that Pamela Terry can write. Her compelling descriptions are in no way trite. They pull you into the story.
Those who have read The Sweet Taste of Muscadines and When The Moon Turns Blue will be delighted that Through An Open Window takes them back once again to the town of Wesleyan, Georgia.
Margaret has lost her husband and chief confident, Lawrence, so she doesn’t know who she can confide in when she starts seeing her Great Aunt Edith silently appear at the foot of her bed at night. She mystified by what Great Aunt Edith might want. She seems to be holding an envelope, but can’t give it Margaret, so she doesn’t know who it’s for or what it says.
On the night of her birthday dinner at the country club, her son’s partner hands Margaret the exact envelope she has been seeing Edith holding out. It seems she found in a the dollhouse which now resides in the window of her bookshop, but once belonged to Great Aunt Edith.
When Margaret finally opens the envelope, there is a newspaper article and a photograph in it. I’m not going to tell you the rest of the story because I hate spoilers. But I will tell you that story is well worth reading. I’ll end with what I consider my highest endorsement: I look forward to reading another book by Pamela Terry.
Those who have read The Sweet Taste of Muscadines and When The Moon Turns Blue will be delighted that Through An Open Window takes them back once again to the town of Wesleyan, Georgia.
Margaret has lost her husband and chief confident, Lawrence, so she doesn’t know who she can confide in when she starts seeing her Great Aunt Edith silently appear at the foot of her bed at night. She mystified by what Great Aunt Edith might want. She seems to be holding an envelope, but can’t give it Margaret, so she doesn’t know who it’s for or what it says.
On the night of her birthday dinner at the country club, her son’s partner hands Margaret the exact envelope she has been seeing Edith holding out. It seems she found in a the dollhouse which now resides in the window of her bookshop, but once belonged to Great Aunt Edith.
When Margaret finally opens the envelope, there is a newspaper article and a photograph in it. I’m not going to tell you the rest of the story because I hate spoilers. But I will tell you that story is well worth reading. I’ll end with what I consider my highest endorsement: I look forward to reading another book by Pamela Terry.
July 23, 2025
Pamela Terry's books always surprise me. Expecting some bit of southern fluff, we end up with a lovely, meaty story that's always a pleasure to read.
Margaret, recently widowed, is making her way in the family home which her grown children are convinced is too big for Mama to maintain. Margaret can't imagine living anywhere else. She starts seeing visions of her Aunt Edith who is holding what looks like an envelope. Margaret was raised by Aunt Edith after the death of her parents. Afraid to tell her children about seeing Aunt Edith - she knows they will quickly call it dementia and pack her off to the old folks home. Aunt Edith shows up all over the house. Lawrie is the local veterinarian, married to Emlynn who owns a quaint little shop in town. Tom is, supposedly, a very successful real estate entrepreneur, whose life is falling apart. And Agatha, aka Mouse, grieves her father's death and fears she is driving her beloved husband away.
When the truth becomes too obvious to ignore, the whole family becomes invested in finding out the truth of what really happened to Margaret's family.
The story and the characters draw the reader in and the reader becomes invested in the story. Southern family drama at its best.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books, in exchange for a review.
Margaret, recently widowed, is making her way in the family home which her grown children are convinced is too big for Mama to maintain. Margaret can't imagine living anywhere else. She starts seeing visions of her Aunt Edith who is holding what looks like an envelope. Margaret was raised by Aunt Edith after the death of her parents. Afraid to tell her children about seeing Aunt Edith - she knows they will quickly call it dementia and pack her off to the old folks home. Aunt Edith shows up all over the house. Lawrie is the local veterinarian, married to Emlynn who owns a quaint little shop in town. Tom is, supposedly, a very successful real estate entrepreneur, whose life is falling apart. And Agatha, aka Mouse, grieves her father's death and fears she is driving her beloved husband away.
When the truth becomes too obvious to ignore, the whole family becomes invested in finding out the truth of what really happened to Margaret's family.
The story and the characters draw the reader in and the reader becomes invested in the story. Southern family drama at its best.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books, in exchange for a review.
July 23, 2025
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Pamela Terry for this advanced copy!
This beautifully written family life fiction is split into five parts, and I really enjoyed how the structure added layers to the story. Set in the small town of Wesleyan, Georgia, it explores the bonds of family, the weight of secrets, and how grief ripples through generations.
Margaret Elliot has recently lost her husband and since his passing, she’s been seeing the ghost of her Aunt Edith, the woman who raised her after her parents died. Margaret knows Aunt Edith is trying to tell her something, but what? It’s clear there’s a long‑hidden secret lingering in the past…
Her children are woven into the heart of this story:
✨ Mouse, her eldest daughter, married to Nick (a doctor) and struggling with depression since losing her father.
✨ Lawrie, who owns a veterinary clinic, and his girlfriend Emlynn, who owns a charming gift shop.
✨ Tom, Lawrie’s twin, whose career has imploded after a bold choice, and he’s now searching for what’s next.
Will these secrets change the course of their lives? And what does it mean that Margaret is seeing a ghost?
I loved the writing style and the way this novel explored grief, family, and resilience. If you enjoy small‑town stories full of heart and mystery, this is one to add to your TBR! 💛
This beautifully written family life fiction is split into five parts, and I really enjoyed how the structure added layers to the story. Set in the small town of Wesleyan, Georgia, it explores the bonds of family, the weight of secrets, and how grief ripples through generations.
Margaret Elliot has recently lost her husband and since his passing, she’s been seeing the ghost of her Aunt Edith, the woman who raised her after her parents died. Margaret knows Aunt Edith is trying to tell her something, but what? It’s clear there’s a long‑hidden secret lingering in the past…
Her children are woven into the heart of this story:
✨ Mouse, her eldest daughter, married to Nick (a doctor) and struggling with depression since losing her father.
✨ Lawrie, who owns a veterinary clinic, and his girlfriend Emlynn, who owns a charming gift shop.
✨ Tom, Lawrie’s twin, whose career has imploded after a bold choice, and he’s now searching for what’s next.
Will these secrets change the course of their lives? And what does it mean that Margaret is seeing a ghost?
I loved the writing style and the way this novel explored grief, family, and resilience. If you enjoy small‑town stories full of heart and mystery, this is one to add to your TBR! 💛
March 25, 2025
This is a delightful, heartfelt story about Margaret Elliott and her family. Margaret has no recollection of her parents, who died when she was a baby; she was ultimately raised by her great-aunt Edith. She married Lawrence, the boy next door, and together they raised twin boys and a girl. After the death of her beloved husband, Margaret begins seeing visions of Aunt Edith and becomes convinced that her aunt has an important message to share.
Margaret's grown children start to grow concerned about her well-being, especially her daughter, nicknamed "Mouse," who is still grappling with the loss of her father. One of the twins, Tom, is facing challenges with his employee and his wife, adding to the ongoing tension with his twin brother, Lawrie. As the siblings observe their mother struggling, they realize they need to pay closer attention to her.
As Margaret's sightings of Aunt Edith continue, she becomes increasingly convinced that a long-buried secret from her past needs to be revealed. This beautifully written story explores the theme of family, illustrating how, despite facing significant loss, the importance of supporting one another through uncertain times is a true victory for all.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.
Margaret's grown children start to grow concerned about her well-being, especially her daughter, nicknamed "Mouse," who is still grappling with the loss of her father. One of the twins, Tom, is facing challenges with his employee and his wife, adding to the ongoing tension with his twin brother, Lawrie. As the siblings observe their mother struggling, they realize they need to pay closer attention to her.
As Margaret's sightings of Aunt Edith continue, she becomes increasingly convinced that a long-buried secret from her past needs to be revealed. This beautifully written story explores the theme of family, illustrating how, despite facing significant loss, the importance of supporting one another through uncertain times is a true victory for all.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.
July 19, 2025
A southern Georgia cozy mystery infused with bits of the supernatural is the setting for this 3rd book by Pamela Terry.
Margaret, is living alone after the death of her husband. All her children have grown up, and all of a sudden she starts seeing apparitions of her deceased aunt Edith, who raised her after her parents died.
Unbeknowst to Margaret, each of her children are receiving similar visitations.
These visitations guide Margaret toward clues that unravel a hidden family secret, drawing in her children as they each confront grief, change, and personal revelation. Edith plays a major role in the story, guiding each character to a choice that may or may not be in their favor. So you have to suspend disbelief as far as that is concerned. I loved the dynamic between the three children, who were all struggling with their own issues. They still managed to come together to help their mother solve the secret, and deal with the outcome.
The author does a great job describing small southern towns. You feel like you are watching the action play out as everyone knows everyones' business. The big secret is revealed early on in the book but that didn't stop me from enjoying how everything played out.
Margaret, is living alone after the death of her husband. All her children have grown up, and all of a sudden she starts seeing apparitions of her deceased aunt Edith, who raised her after her parents died.
Unbeknowst to Margaret, each of her children are receiving similar visitations.
These visitations guide Margaret toward clues that unravel a hidden family secret, drawing in her children as they each confront grief, change, and personal revelation. Edith plays a major role in the story, guiding each character to a choice that may or may not be in their favor. So you have to suspend disbelief as far as that is concerned. I loved the dynamic between the three children, who were all struggling with their own issues. They still managed to come together to help their mother solve the secret, and deal with the outcome.
The author does a great job describing small southern towns. You feel like you are watching the action play out as everyone knows everyones' business. The big secret is revealed early on in the book but that didn't stop me from enjoying how everything played out.
August 20, 2025
I first encountered Pamela Terry when given the opportunity to read her first novel The Sweet Taste of Muscadines, (Random House/2021) fell in love with her characters, setting and beautiful prose, so I was excited to read this new novel, Through an Open Window. To say I was NOT disappointed would be an understatement!
This is at heart a family story, the primary story following the life of Margeret Eliot and her three children in small town Georgia. Margaret is recently widowed, and though content with her life in Wesleyan, where she has lived all her life, she wonders what is next for her. Enter her long dead Aunt Edith…her ghost that is, and Margeret begins a journey that expands her life in such ways that she questions her own sanity. She’s the most down-to-earth character I’ve read in a long time, and when her three children and their friends/spouses join the party, you will want the book to go on and on, because you like them all so much.
Anyone who enjoys low country fiction, will love Pamela Terry and especially Through and Open Window. The book was released today, August 19,2025. Thanks to Random House/Ballantine and NetGalley for the pleasure of reading this wonderful book.
This is at heart a family story, the primary story following the life of Margeret Eliot and her three children in small town Georgia. Margaret is recently widowed, and though content with her life in Wesleyan, where she has lived all her life, she wonders what is next for her. Enter her long dead Aunt Edith…her ghost that is, and Margeret begins a journey that expands her life in such ways that she questions her own sanity. She’s the most down-to-earth character I’ve read in a long time, and when her three children and their friends/spouses join the party, you will want the book to go on and on, because you like them all so much.
Anyone who enjoys low country fiction, will love Pamela Terry and especially Through and Open Window. The book was released today, August 19,2025. Thanks to Random House/Ballantine and NetGalley for the pleasure of reading this wonderful book.
August 25, 2025
3.5⭐️ rounded down.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for a digital ARC of this book!
This book was stacked full of southern charm and family drama. Beautifully written, Pamela Terry’s descriptive imagery made for an immersive reading experience. Centered around Margaret and her children, who are reeling from the loss of Margaret’s husband, the family patriarch, this was an emotional journey through grief and the process of coming to terms with the past in order to move forward.
I loved the character of Margaret, and felt that she was a great anchor for this story. I wished, however, that the children were more equally represented. I felt as though the reader never fully got to know Tom.
One of the aspects that made this story unique was its use of magical realism in the appearance of the ghost of Margaret’s Aunt Edith. Initially, I was drawn in by this plot device when it was limited to interactions with one character, but I felt that I grew tired of it as more and more characters were drawn into the fray.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The plot was slow to start, but was well thought out and entertaining. This was my first book by this author, but would certainly read her work again in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for a digital ARC of this book!
This book was stacked full of southern charm and family drama. Beautifully written, Pamela Terry’s descriptive imagery made for an immersive reading experience. Centered around Margaret and her children, who are reeling from the loss of Margaret’s husband, the family patriarch, this was an emotional journey through grief and the process of coming to terms with the past in order to move forward.
I loved the character of Margaret, and felt that she was a great anchor for this story. I wished, however, that the children were more equally represented. I felt as though the reader never fully got to know Tom.
One of the aspects that made this story unique was its use of magical realism in the appearance of the ghost of Margaret’s Aunt Edith. Initially, I was drawn in by this plot device when it was limited to interactions with one character, but I felt that I grew tired of it as more and more characters were drawn into the fray.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The plot was slow to start, but was well thought out and entertaining. This was my first book by this author, but would certainly read her work again in the future.
September 2, 2025
This is my first book by this author, and while I can’t speak for her other works, here she crafts a charming southern family drama.
Margaret’s husband has recently died, and now she is having visions of her late Aunt Edith, the woman who had basically raised her. Margaret begins to realize that Aunt Edith is trying to reveal something—a secret—from Margaret’s past.
Margaret has three grown children, each with their own storyline throughout the book. They are grieving in their own ways. They work on uncovering the secret together despite how difficult it is and how at odds they may be. However, ultimately, family bonds prove to be strong and true.
The pace of the book is unhurried, allowing you to savor the remarkably detailed descriptions that make you feel like you're walking alongside the characters. The ghostly visitations add a touch of intrigue without overshadowing the warmth and contemplative nature of the story.
🎧I was delighted to experience this book with both my eyes and ears. The narration by Xe Sands was truly captivating! Her smooth and soothing voice made it effortless to immerse myself in the story as I listened.
Thank you #partner @randomhouse for this #gifted copy. Thank you @PRHaudio for the gifted audiobook. #PRHaudiopartner
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