Through Water and Stone: A Zion National Park Novel

by Karen Barnett

In 1948, Zion National Park ranger Henry Eriksson and his wife, Alma, are less than one year removed from their infant son's sudden death in a flash flood, and the weight of the loss hasn't diminished with time. When Henry discovers an abandoned baby in a hatbox on his morning rounds, he's unsure how to react, but Alma is delighted, and she reignites with purpose at what seems to be a miracle from God.

Nearly eighty years later, Talia Eriksson leaves her job at an athleisure company in Palo Alto, California, in disgrace and returns to Zion National Park to reconnect with her grandfather and review her life goals. But when an at-home DNA test exposes family secrets, Talia and her newfound friend, law enforcement ranger Blake Mitchell, work together to search for answers.

Talia navigates the rocky path into her past with Blake by her side, what she discovers may alter everything she knew to be true about herself. With the uncertain future looming, Talia must learn that family is deeper than genetics and that trusting God can mean being still and clinging to the Rock.

352 pages, Paperback

Expected publication September 23, 2025

About the author

Karen Barnett is the award-winning author of the Vintage National Parks Novels, the Golden Gate Chronicles (Out of the Ruins, Beyond the Ashes, Through the Shadows), and MISTAKEN. She lives in Oregon with her husband, two kids, and a bevy of furry friends. You can learn more about Karen's writing journey at http://www.KarenBarnettBooks.com.

Reviews

[Amanda Geaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Still waters don’t always mean an easy swim.”

Karen Barnett delivers a stirring time-slip novel in Through Water and Stone. In 1948, Ranger Henry Eriksson discovers an abandoned baby on his rounds. His wife, Alma, takes the infant into her arms, torn between the comfort of holding a child again and the anguish of remembering the son they lost. Their newfound peace is shattered when the adoption is contested and they are mercilessly dragged through the newspapers.

In the contemporary storyline, Talia Eriksson loses her job after raising ethical concerns at an athleisure company. Returning to Zion National Park, she uncovers long-buried family secrets that compel her to reconsider her identity and calling. The novel underscores how God can use apparent failures to redirect our lives toward His purposes.

I admired Talia’s courage, but Henry and Alma’s emotional struggle carried the deepest weight for me. As with Barnett’s other National Park stories, I appreciated the mix of history, mystery, and the chance to revisit Zion through her storytelling.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Robin Hatcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zion National Park comes alive in this wonderful dual-time novel by Karen Barnett. Rich in details and emotions, the story kept me turning pages as surely as rushing waters sweep past the stony canyons of Zion after a storm.

— Robin Lee Hatcher, Christy Award winning author of To Capture a Mountain Man and To Reveal a Reckless Love

[Erin Laramore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely dual timeline novel set in the beautiful setting of Zion National Park. Though this story initially felt like it would be heavy, it turned out to not be. The story begins in 1948 with a young couple who had lost a child in a flash flood a year prior. When Henry finds an abandoned newborn while doing his rounds as a ranger at Zion, it seems that God has brought a little joy back into their lives. But when some reporters get a hold of the story a couple years later, everything could come crashing down around them once again. In the modern timeline, Talia grew up around the park but is working in corporate America putting her marketing degree to good use. When she finds herself with a conflict of interest, she needs a mental reset, and what better place to find that than the beauty of the park?

Filled with stunning imagery of the backdrop of Zion National Park, I find myself wanting to see the park for myself as that is one I've never been to. In addition to a beautiful setting, there was a lovely story line - some mystery included, some deeper story line arcs, a solid faith thread, a sweet romance (2 if you include the married romance in the historical timeline), and a look at the difference in family types. Themes of adoption, found family, surrender to God and taking the moral high ground abounded in both story lines. While the modern day romance moved a bit quickly for my liking, it was on pace with the story, and in spite of that, I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book. Because it includes historical, contemporary, women's fiction, mystery and romance elements, this is one I could easily recommend to fans of all genres of Inspirational/Christian fiction. Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never been to Zion National Park, but this book did a great job of letting me armchair-travel to its canyons and rocky slopes. Karen Barnett always brings the parks to life.

The plot weaves a modern-day narrative with one from the 1940s/50s. The earlier plotline deals with a foundling discovered by a Zion ranger after he and his wife have suffered loss and are struggling to get back on their feet. While the couple grow ever more attached to the little one, questions abound regarding the infant's origin.

In the modern storyline, a young woman named Talia puts her career on the line over a question of ethics. When she's suddenly jobless, she decides to take a temporary reset in Zion National Park, a place where she has deep family roots... and maybe even a family mystery. What she doesn't foresee is a dawning relationship with the park ranger who initially pulls her over for speeding (it's kind of a fun meet-cute).

I enjoyed the storytelling in this one and found it to be a smooth and compelling read! The characters were loveable and the setting delightful. I always look forward to experiencing the parks through Karen Barnett's words.

Thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for this digital review copy!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

ROUGH DRAFT
"God's voice can be heard through the water and stone. Be still and listen."

The river's edge had brought both sorrow and joy into the lives of Zion National Park ranger Henry Eriksson and his wife, Alma; one child lost, another child found. The tiny infant in a leather hatbox is a miracle baby for their family, and despite the many questions surrounding the child's origin, they welcome him into their hearts and home.

Many decades later, Talia Eriksson leaves her corporate job and retreats to Zion National Park in order to spend time with her grandfather, a former chief ranger at the park. Finding temporary employment in the park's gift shop, Talia struggles to navigate her path forward, feeling rushed to know answers and make decisions, when words of wisdom encourage her to be still. The allure of her beautiful surroundings and the companionship of the park's law enforcement ranger Blake Mitchell make it difficult to think of leaving, but it's an unexpected bit of genealogy that sends Talia clinging to the rock of her salvation.

INCOMPLETE

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the privilege to review this book. A very well written book with lots of emotion and some mystery. The descriptions were beautiful and I could imagine being there. The dual timeline was easy to follow and the characters were likeable and enjoyable. I'm so glad I read this one.