Indian Paintbrush by John A Heldt

Indian Paintbrush continues the story of time travelling family, the Carsons with the siblings attempting to find their parents, Tim and Caroline. They arrive in Arizona at the height of WWII expecting their parents to be in the same time zone, but an error of judgement means they must all pass the time until the next opportunity for time travel arises.

As they bide their time the siblings find jobs to aid the war effort. The two girls, Natalie and Caitlin, find jobs at the nearby airfield as maintenance mechanics.

Cody delivers medical supplies and becomes friends with a young Japanese woman at the internment camp. Greg teaches English to Chinese pilots and Adam is running a recycling plant.

Through their work Caitlin and Natalie also find love with a pilot trainee and a pilot instructor respectfully while Cody becomes friends with a Japanese girl and her family in the camp.

Adam, Greg and Cody are all conscription age. In their attempts to avoid being called up it attracts the attention of authorities and the disgust of their neighbours.

From the moment I opened the book I was eager to read more of the Carson family’s adventure. I wasn’t disappointed. The old characters are consistent with the previous books. The reader feels part of their family and wants desperately for them to succeed in their quest.

While united in their goal as a family, each character has their story with emotional ups and downs. Their parents’ story line also continues with Caroline struggling with the disappointment of missing her family while Tim suffers from the guilt of his error in timing.

The eldest brother, Adam, remains the rock in the family with his positive attitude and advice.

In addition to avoiding conscription Greg has the added pressure of past problems and dangers following him alongside the joys of becoming a father.

As always Mr Heldt has included fascinating history based on comprehensive research. I am Australian and my country also had internment camps for Japanese and German citizens, so I found this insight interesting.

He even manages to weave in the high-profile celebrities of Bob Hope, Rita Hayworth, and Orson Welles along with the music of the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

The story line is complex but not so complicated you can’t follow it. The clear word pictures help it to move smoothly as does the story being told from each character’s viewpoint. 

I have enjoyed John A. Heldt’s stories since his first book, The Mine and he never fails to deliver a story that draws in the reader.

The cliff hanger ending has you wanting to go straight o the next book in the series.

This book was provided to me for free for an honest and unbiased review.

My rating 5*

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