A Hundred Crickets Singing

Written by Cathy Gohlke

Narrated by Marguerite Gavin

In wars eighty years apart, two young women living on the same Appalachian estate determine to aid soldiers dear to them and fight for justice, no matter the cost.
1944. When a violent storm rips through the Belvidere attic in No Creek, North Carolina, exposing a hidden room and trunk long forgotten, secrets dating back to the Civil War are revealed. Celia Percy, whose family lives and works in the home, suspects the truth could transform the future for her friend Marshall, now fighting overseas, whose ancestors were once enslaved by the Belvidere family. When Marshall’s Army friend, Joe, returns to No Creek with shocking news for Marshall’s family, Celia determines to right a long-standing wrong, whether or not the town is ready for it.

1861. After her mother’s death, Minnie Belvidere works desperately to keep her household running and her family together as North Carolina secedes. Her beloved older brother clings to his Union loyalties, despite grave danger, while her hotheaded younger brother entangles himself and the family’s finances within the Confederacy. As the country and her own home are torn in two, Minnie risks her life and her future in a desperate fight to gain liberty and land for those her parents intended to free, before it’s too late.

With depictions of a small Southern town “reminiscent of writings by Lisa Wingate” (Booklist on Night Bird Calling), Cathy Gohlke delivers a gripping, emotive story about friendship and the enduring promise of justice.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
• Release date: Apr 5, 2022
• ISBN: 9781496464965

Cathy Gohlke

Cathy Gohlke is a Christy, Carol, and INSPY award-winning author who writes novels steeped with inspirational lessons from history. Her stories reveal how people break the chains that bind them and triumph over adversity through faith. When not traveling to historic sites for research, she and her husband, Dan, divide their time between northern Virginia and the Jersey Shore, enjoying time with their grown children and grandchildren. For more information, visit CathyGohlke.com.

Reviews for A Hundred Crickets Singing

[Dayna Hudgin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely compelling story combined with amazingly talented performance. An eye opening perspective of slavery as well as Jim Crow laws. Superb!

[Connie Pettersen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

WOW. I just finished A Hundred Crickets Singing by Cathy Gohlke. Her writing is amazing. This book is no exception. Here is an excerpt of Gohlke’s explanation as to why she writes the books that she does…….

“Questions of faith, concern for the oppressed and stance against injustice claim the heart of my books. Exposing and fighting marital and domestic abuse and race violence have long been passions of mine. Readers may know that from the books I’ve wrirttten …and have guessed on my being raised in the south……”

I easily give A Hundred Crickets Singing 5 stars. But….You must read Night Bird Crossing first, as it’s the beginning of the story set in a mountain area of NC. Night Bird Calling is set at the end of the depression and goes into WW2. A Hundred Crickets Singing is a time slip between the Civil War era to 1948. They are filled with the injustices and life in those times. I highly recommend them. Well researched and extremely well done.

[Renee Rose · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. Great lesson in history!

[Theresa Garvin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Thought-provoking tale of social injustice throughout the USA's history. Well-written and historically accurate.

[d-fbuser-643150306 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Don't start this book unless you have the time to finish. It is a "I couldn't put it down" book. Well written. Characters seen like someone you know or knew.

[Sarah Rich · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic novel set in 2 different historical eras, yet in the same place. There's a generational aspect to this story that ties everything together, and I was riveted from the start. Great read by an unfamiliar (to me) author!

[cheryl · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

We'll told story,easy to follow the switches from past to present.

[Miriam Elaine Espino · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I used to think that I couldn't read books that have sad stories about war, the Holocaust, racial discrimination, rape and physical abuse. I love peace, quiet and happiness and prefer to escape into books that make me feel calm and not disturbed. But then, I wouldn't read some parts of the bible if I maintain this preference, right? And i would be missing out on being amazed at God's sovereignty, wisdom, power, love, mercy, grace, kindness and faithfulness despite man's depravity.

I'm grateful that I listened to the audiobooks of Cathy Gohlke's Night Bird Calling and A Hundred Crickets Singing. These two books contain all the ugly themes I mentioned above, but Ms. Gohlke wrote about them in a beautiful way, showing the glory of our amazing God that was palpable all throughout the stories of several generations of white and colored saints in the small town of No Creek from the time of the Civil War up to the civil rights movement in the 1950s.

There were many dark and tragic scenes but the love of Christ shone brightly through the lives of faithful saints as they sought to love their neighbors and even their enemies.

Marguerite Gavin's narration brings so much enjoyment and depth of feeling to both books.
These clean Christian historical fiction books are not preachy at all. But they tell a long and fascinating tale of how a prayer-answering God, in His wise providence, answered the prayers of His persevering people and brought justice and mercy after several generations and made everything beautiful in its time.

[Diane Pater · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Such a great content but as a listener very difficult to keep track of the characters

[Kristen Wiegand · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A beautifully woven novel that crosses time and decades to bring the layers of truth lived by so many during the years of unrest. Unrest first on the shores of America and then crossing over to Dover and beyond. Then home again. Will we never learn to live in grace and love where all are free and loved for who they are in God’s eyes?

[Jacquelynn Brown · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

BEWARE- incomplete audiobook. The book itself is good, but I had to go find it elsewhere because it ended at Chapter 26 or 27 which it turns out is only about halfway thru the book. Luckily my Library offered the audiobook or it would have been quite upsetting to be left with only half the story. So I'd give Everand a 1 star for this audiobook, but I didn't want the rating to affect the author or narrator so my star rating is for the book itself, at least the half I was able to listen to so far.

[Heather Gomez · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I am so mad ! It just stopped and nowhere near the end ? so good and now I am left not knowing what happened.

[Emme Jones · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The recording cut off before the book was finished. Waste of time. The story and the performance were good, but I have to look on some other app to find the end. Real disappointment.

[rupnkath02 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

No idea how it ended. Just stopped. Don't waist your time.

[Sharon Hunter · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The back and forth between time periods with similar story lines was a bit much.
I do, in general like this author.

[Mari Whitt Yoder · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

My book was turned off before I finished. It said finished and I was only half through it.