Taylor's Reviews > Enemies of Doves

Thank you so much to LSBBT, the publisher, and the author for providing me with a finished copy in exchange for an honest review.

“IT WASN’T HOW WE WERE BORN OR RAISED THAT MADE US THE MEN WE ARE TODAY. IT WAS WHAT HAPPENED THAT DAY THAT SET THE REST OF OUR LIVES IN MOTION.”

In less than 320 pages, Shanessa Gluhm’s powerful debut delivers a family saga that captures everything I love about storytelling. With fully formed and fleshed-out characters, a narrative pacing that keeps you hungry for answers, and themes that could resonate with readers young and old, Enemies of Doves provides a captivating fictional story that felt entirely tangible.

Maybe it’s because the action is divided over the course of 60 years of the characters’ history with tidbits being gleaned from major and minor players alike, but consuming this story felt like learning my own family history from a beloved grandparent. I could envision being told the tumultuous tale during a family reunion with chatty aunts and uncles chiming in with those supplemental details that truly round out a story. And not because I can personally relate to some of the heinous tidbits revealed in this decade-spanning novel, but rather because of Gluhm’s empathetic exploration of the human condition. Her ability to portray a character as they see themself, as they’re seen by others, and how that affects and shapes their life’s narrative was truly impressive given the amount of years she needed to address with so few pages to do so. It allows you, as the reader, to form true bonds to these characters and see how tiny, seemingly insignificant choices can accumulate into decisions that will leave lifelong scars.

“LIVING THINGS SHOULDN’T BE CAGED…”

Tackling everything from racism, poverty, PTSD, war, child abuse, prison, and our duty to our fellow man, Enemies of Doves packs a punch in nearly every chapter. Thanks to the synopsis, I knew I was diving into a book full of secrets surrounding a duo of brothers, but I did not expect the subtle social commentary hidden within its pages. Some topics were addressed with just a sprinkled line or two, while others evolved throughout the book. What blew me away was how the issues plaguing the characters in the 1940s could very easily be written about modern-day characters. Perhaps it’s these universal themes that gave me such a real connection to the material, but I have a strong feeling that this book will linger long after it’s placed back on the shelf.

“A SECOND LIE, A SECOND PACT AND — HOPEFULLY — A SECOND CHANCE.”

There’s so much to talk about when it comes to this book. The incident that sparked the initial secret between brothers and what’s kept them tied to it for decades. The love triangle that developed between them during WWII. The aftermath of trauma and how it changes people. The lengths we’re willing to go for a loved one wronged. A grandson’s search for truth and a new family to call his own. Or the mega plot twists Gluhm employed to keep readers on their toes.

Whether it’s one or all of these topics, Enemies of Doves is clearly a book you’ll want to discuss long after the epilogue is read. All is not what it seems and I personally think it’s best to go in with as little information as possible and let the story take you where it will. If you’re in the market for a murder mystery full of secrets, sacrifice, and heart, I suggest aligning up with this debut.


TW: racism and usage of racial slurs, PTSD, depression, child abuse, murder, violence, infidelity, and more. Please feel free to send me a message or comment if you'd like a more thorough breakdown of themes addressed in the novel!