Thieving Forest

By: Martha Conway

Narrated by: Soneela Nankani

On a humid day in June 1806, on the edge of Ohio's Great Black Swamp, 17-year-old Susanna Quiner watches from behind a maple tree as a band of Potawatomi Indians kidnaps her four older sisters from their cabin. With both her parents dead and all the other settlers out in their fields, Susanna makes the rash decision to pursue them herself. What follows is a young woman's quest to find her sisters and the parallel story of her sisters' new lives. One sister is left for dead, and two others are traded to a band of Wyandots for the price of a horse.

Susanna spends the next five months searching for them, unaware that the man who loves her, Seth Spendlove, is also in pursuit. Part Potawatomi himself, Seth unwittingly sets off on his own quest to reclaim his heritage. He allies himself with a Potawatomi named Koman, and together they canoe through the Great Black Swamp and into enemy territory looking for Susanna. Surviving snake bite, near starvation, and captivity, Susanna transforms herself from the perennial younger sister to a capable young woman determined to find her family. Thieving Forest is a riveting novel that demonstrates the true wildness of the wilderness and the rugged perseverance of those who find themselves there.

©2014 Martha Conway (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A gripping journey through early 19th century America...a powerful tale of sisterhood and survival." (San Jose Mercury News)

Disjointed

I was lost off and on but could follow the plot of white girls taken by the Pottawattamee. It was interesting sometimes regarding American Indian tribe knowledge but mostly sad with an ok end that just cut off.

Interesting Tale of Sisters Kidnapped by Indians

The youngest of five sisters, Susanna, watches as her four older sisters are taken by Potawatomi Indians in what is an unusual act of violence in the Ohio settlement where the family runs a a small store serving the community . . . the story is a long one, told simultaneously from each sister's point of view, whilst Seth Spendlove, pursues, Susanna . . . the two have grown up together . . . and he has long been in love with her . . . the wilderness changes the sisters in very unexpected ways . . . and nothing is the same after their capture . . . to me the story is a bit too long and the end is too rushed . . . although the resolution is satisfactory, more time should have been spent there, instead of on the long, tedious journey . . . that said, its a worthwhile listen . . .

A glimpse into a the past.

I've always enjoyed stories about the frontier days. This was really entertaining and informative. I learned a lot about life as a captive of the Indians, and the life of the native women themselves. After reading it, you may ask yourself who the real savages were.

I wanted to love this story

There were times towards the end of the book that I become lost in the story. Unfortunately the book didn't keep me completely captivated.
I listened to the whole story but I couldn't figure out if it was the reader or the story that was lacking. In the end, I think it was both.
I would say this is a book you can skip.

Skip the audiobook, read the real thing.

Would you consider the audio edition of Thieving Forest to be better than the print version?

I enjoyed the story very much, but it was very hard to get past the narration, it almost ruined this book for me. I almost want to read the actual book and hopefully fill in some of what I missed because the narrator was so distracting (in a bad way). I could NOT get past the narrator's girl voices for these young women. Simple sentences were delivered as whiny, borderline creepy and very irritating. I understand that in some instances, the protagonist was naive, but never whiny. I think there is a really solid, beautiful story here, but it is hard to find when listening to this as an audio book. Read the real thing instead.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Thieving Forest?

The relationship between self and surroundings.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Very poor voice-over choices for these young women in the story. It actually makes you physically uncomfortable with annoyance and anger at such odd voice choices.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A journey of redemption.

Amazing Story with Strong Women

I really enjoyed this book. some parts went on and on then the ending wrapped up quickly seemed rushed. But overall it was great in the narrator was pleasant to listen to. I especially love the historical information and the fact that the women survive without a man.

Thieving Forest ~ Audible

I wanted this book the first time I learned of it's existence. Although I very much enjoyed this story, I didn't enjoy the narrative. I thought if I adjusted the speed, perhaps it would help. (I listened at 1.5x.) While this did help to speed things along, it certainly didn't fix the lack of emotion of narrator Soneela Nankani. A beautiful voice, Nankani failed to express a wide range of character emotions. An uneventful voice conveyed the same tone in shock, anger, surprise as one would use to say "hello, there." In other words, if I were narrarating an attack I would use a voice filled with fear, anger, horror. Nankani? Not so much. Also, the voices she used to identity male characters were just plain creepy. I'm more than positive that had I read the book instead of listening to an audio version, I would rate this a five star read. However, let me state a positive. I would've never pronounced the Indian tribal names correctly and Nankani's pronunciation is lyrical. Let's move on, shall we. The storyline is wonderful. Loved every moment! Adventure, misadventure, mystery, romance (a tiny bit), Indians. Lots of good stuff happening between the pages of this book. I hate to even critique the audio because I liked it so much. My opinion, this could've been enjoyed much more if read. Susanna Quiner, 18, is superstitious and considers herself lucky. Must be the turkey hen bone she keeps in her pocket. She happens to be near the edge of Thieving Forest when her families home is attacked by Indians. Unfortunately, her sisters, Beatrice, Penelope, Aurelia, and Naomi, are kidnapped by Potawatomi Indians. Susanna watches in horror as the Potawatomi tie and bound her sisters together. Then, the tribe and their prisoners disappear into Thieving Forest. Susanna vows to stop at nothing to free her sisters. She must find help and organize a search party before the Potawatomi vanish into the deep and ancient forest. But most men of Severne are farmers, out in their fields working. Who will help the Quiner sisters? Mr. and Mrs. Quiner have recently died, leaving the girls orphaned. The girls only had rach other to rely on. Susanna must find Cade Spendlove. Cade is Aurelia's betrothed and he will surely spring in to action. Perhaps his brother Seth will also he!p. Unlike their mean, drunken father, the Spendlove brothers can be trusted. Upon learning of the kidnapping, the brothers can't understand why natives would take the Quiner sisters. They've traded with them and have never had problems with natives. It doesn't make sense. Most importantly, when Mr Quiner was alive, the Potawatomi came into the Quiner's store. Sirius Quiner believed the natives were peaceful and fair. Why, then, would the Potawatomi kidnap the frightened girls? "Usually the Potawatomi take for revenge," Mary had said, looking at Old Adam. "Or to replace someone in their tribe who has died. But no battles since a long time." - Mary, THIEVING FOREST. Susanna will set off on a mission, a journey wrought with danger, through the ancient forest. On the other side of the forest, Susanna will have to summon all of her courage and strength if she is to survive the dark, unholy Great Black Swamp and the rumored evil that lurks in both. "In forest you must lose fear," Old Adam says over his shoulder. "See with all your senses. Only way to be safe." - Old Adam, THIEVING FOREST. Overall, super impressed with the writing and storyline. It's fair to say I'll be reading more of Martha Conway. Matter of fact, I'd be thrilled to once again meet up with the good folks who live in or around the edge of Thieving Forest.

Great story enlivened by historical detail

Early Ohio history well researched and full of real people and their adventures. Worth reading.

Ecape the mundane Immerse into the roots of life.

loved this read. it was full of adventure and the characters were very well developed and unique. it was refreshing to read something that was not like the current trends.

5 stars

I don’t give 5 stars lightly but I think this one deserves it. If you like historical fiction, like the writings of Diana Gabaldon and Sara Donati, you will like this book!