The Right Kind of Fool

Written by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Narrated by Pilar Witherspoon

Thirteen-year-old Loyal Raines is supposed to stay close to home on a hot summer day in 1934. When he slips away for a quick swim in the river and finds a dead body, he wishes he’d obeyed his
mother. Desperate for help, he runs to the mountain cabin of his mostly absentee father, frantically trying to communicate the news with his hands.

Driven away by fear and guilt over his son’s deafness, Creed has played a distant part in Loyal’s life and language. But when he’s pulled into the murder investigation, he discovers that what
sets his son apart isn’t his inability to hear but rather his courage. As the impact of the murder ripples through their West Virginia town, both will learn what it took to kill a man and what it takes to become one.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 3, 2020
• ISBN: 9781705003466

Sarah Loudin Thomas

Sarah Loudin Thomas (sarahloudinthomas.com) is the author of numerous acclaimed novels, including The Finder of Forgotten Things, The Right Kind of Fool, winner of the 2021 Selah Book of the Year, and Miracle in a Dry Season, winner of the 2015 INSPY Award. She worked in public relations for Biltmore Estate for six years and is now the director of Jan Karon's Mitford Museum. A native of West Virginia, she and her husband now live in western North Carolina.

Reviews for The Right Kind of Fool

[jenniferrobb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

At its heart, this is a book about family reconnecting and about people connecting with each other. Though overprotective, I think it was a good thing that Loyal's mom sent him to the school for the deaf. It taught him communication skills if nothing else. I was glad to see Michael and Rebecca become friends with Loyal. I was also glad to see Creed realize he could communicate with his son and Delphy to realize that Loyal was growing up.

[estherfilbrun · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I didn’t expect such character depth when I got into this book, but wow—what a lovely surprise! I especially loved how the deaf character in here interacted with the world—it never felt fake or forced, but very realistic. Yet the story kept going just fine through his point of view, which I was astounded with!The mystery, too, was fascinating—and I appreciate how that ended up. It was quite involved and not straightforward, which I enjoyed. I rarely manage to guess the ending to a mystery anyway, but this one was very well done.This is a story of rejection and healing, distance and understanding, grief and forgiveness. Overall, it was a lovely read, and well worth the time! Recommended.I was given a review copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.

[fcplcataloger · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Author Sarah Loudin Thomas kept me totally immersed in this moving look at a family's efforts to do what is best for their hearing-impaired son in 1934 West Virginia. Loyal's mother and father have totally different views about their son and Creed Raines chooses to live alone in the mountains while Delphy and Loyal remain in their Beverly, West Virginia home. A murder in this small town changes all of this and Creed finally realizes that his perceptions of his thirteen-year-old son and his choice to abandon his family have been foolish, to say the least.I loved the Raines family and the author's beautiful depiction of their emotions. Loyal's desire to simply belong. Delphy's desire to protect him from being hurt by other people that results in her being overprotective. Creed's feelings of guilt and his efforts to stay distanced from his boy. And then, as a tragic mystery enters their lives, Loyal's joy that his father is with him and they are communicating together!There are so many reasons for me to love this book. A West Virginia setting that is so similar to my own Kentucky roots, the coming-of-age story of an extraordinary young teenager, a husband and wife trying to mend their marriage, and a mystery that kept me fully intrigued. I can't say enough good things about this amazing book and I would love to see it as a movie!I received a book from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

[beautyinthebinding · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Right Kind of Fool is the first book I have read by Sarah Loudin Thomas. I am so glad that I gave this story a chance. I fell in love with Loyal, Creed, and Delphy right at the beginning. Not only were the characters highly interesting, but their unique family situation and town culture drew my attention. Add in a murder and my interest was hooked. Even though it took me nearly a week to read through the book, I never lost interest or forgot where I was in the story. Every evening, it felt like a treat when I picked up this novel to read.Surprisingly, I empathized and identified deeply with Loyal Raines, a deaf teenage boy on the cusp of becoming a man. Both his and his parents’ struggles and character development felt authentic. As their complicated relationships strained and strengthened, I rooted for things to work out for all involved. To my surprise and pleasure, plots twists that felt natural and right kept things fresh. I appreciated the inspiring themes of loyalty, honesty, and overcoming fear that permeated this novel.I recommend The Right Kind of Fool to readers who enjoy historical fiction driven by relationships possessing tension, growth, and commitment. I found this book fascinating and I look forward to reading more novels by Sarah Loudin Thomas. 5 Stars!Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

[eccl-3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Right Kind of Fool, by Sarah Loudin Thomas, is a great story of a thirteen year old boy, Loyal. He lost his hearing and speech after getting sick as a young boy. Shortly after, his father moved to the mountain near the family home, visiting only for short times. Loyal was at the river when he ran across a dead man. He ran to his father for help. HIs father, being a former law enforcement worker, takes charge of reporting the incident while keeping his son out of the investigation.I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is well written with strong characters, lots of action and many twists and turns. It was hard to put this book down as I wanted to know who done it. I enjoyed seeing how determined Loyal was to keep the other children safe and to become friends with them while teaching them how to communicate with him. I especially enjoyed how the father just dropped everything to help solve the crime and work on his relationship with his wife and son.I received an ebook copy of this book from Bethany Publishing through NetGalley, this is my honest review.

[eamace · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Maybe all he needed to be was the person God made him. - LoyalLoyal is a 13 year old boy, who is just a little different than his friends, having lost his hearing as a young child. A very smart young man, he still feels like he doesn’t fit in, something his dysfunctional family life only compounds. His mother is overprotective and his father, Creed, is mostly absent. There is plenty of guilt and blame filling the chasm between his parents.Finding a dead body certainly would scare anyone and Loyal is no different. In helping with the investigation, he and his parents learn that he is capable of so much more than they give him credit for. — You are braver than I ever was. I’m proud for folks to see that - Creed to Loyal The author has done a fabulous job of taking us inside the world of the deaf, showing us just how difficult it is for them to communicate and yet subtly teaching us how we can facilitate conversation with them. After all, we are all different, hearing or non-hearing. May we all be ready to learn new ways of understanding others.A copy of this book was received through Bethany House Publishers and Baker Publishing Group. The comments and impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this story, a mama bear with her claws out, no a human mother that wants to wrap her thirteen year old son in a tight cocoon, and why? Well, Loyal is deaf, he seems to be brilliant, but because he can't hear his mother protects him constantly. I can see why she is feeling that way, but this boy is now stumbling on manhood, and the first time he spreads his wings, he ends up finding a body.You will love Loyal's Dad Creed, and see the blooming relationship between father and son, and why now? He feels responsible for the loss of his son's hearing.This story is rich in small town life, and during a time of revitalization in this country, and greed.I loved how this boy blooms and spreads his wings, including making friends, and making others see him beyond his disability!I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.