Shattered Peace: A Century of Silence by Julie McDonald Zander is a dual-time novel that weaves together a story about a soldier who returns home “shell shocked” from World War I and a present day story of that soldier’s great great great granddaughter.

The story takes place in Centralia, Washington. One part of the story focuses on a 1919 Armistice Day Parade in Centralia. The town found itself at odds. The the Veterans didn’t agree with the Union workers point of view and the union workers didn’t agree with the Veternas. . The union workers were known as Wobblies.

The second part of the story take place during present day where the soldiers great great great granddaughter is suffering from her own scars while serving in Iraq. Her journey to overcome her PTSD and find hope again mirrors her great great great grandfather’s journey.

Julie McDonald Zander weaves these two stories together in a thoughtful story that highlights how trauma can find itself across the generations. The author also acknowledges that healing is only possible through faith and perseverance. Ms. Zander makes the connection of the past and the present poignant and unforgettable.

The novel brings to light on a forgotten part of American history. The story resonates with the feelings of resilience, pain, love, and God.

I would like to thank the author, BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Shattered Peace is a beautiful and haunting dual time line story focusing on post war trauma both current and post WWI. The time period stories based on true historical events surrounding a tragic conflict on Armistice Day in Centralia, Washington are woven seamlessly together. The characters are well written and the story engaging, well researched, faith filled and very interesting.
Thank you to Books Go Social and NetGalley for the opportunity to read for my honest review.

The Centralia Tragedy occurred on November 11, 1919, in Centralia, Washington, during an Armistice Day parade. This event led to a nationwide crackdown on radical leftists, known as the Palmer Raids.

The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), aka the Wobblies, had a history of clashing with the local community in Centralia. The IWW's anti-capitalist views and opposition to US involvement in WWI were seen as unpatriotic and radical by many residents. In 1914, 47 IWW members were forced out of town, and in 1917, the IWW hall was raided and vandalized. The Wobblies persisted, reopening their hall in 1919.

On Armistice Day, the American Legion, comprised of war veterans, marched in a parade. Rumors had circulated that they would attack the IWW hall, and the Wobblies had prepared for a potential confrontation. As the Legionnaires approached the hall, they stopped in front of it, and a subset of the group raided the hall, forcing the door open. The Wobblies, who had been advised by lawyer Elmer Smith that they had the right to defend themselves if attacked first, fired upon the Legionnaires. Legionnaires - Warren Grimm, Arthur McElfresh, Ben Casagrande, and Dale Hubbard were killed, and several others were wounded.

Wesley Everest, a WWI veteran and IWW member, was pursued by a mob after fleeing the hall.He killed one man and wounded another before being captured. That night, a group of vigilantes broke into the jail, seized Everest, mutilated him, hung him from a bridge, and shot him multiple times.

Seven IWW members were arrested on murder charges and jailed.Some were released later on, but none of the Legionnaires involved in the raid were arrested or prosecuted.

The Spruce Production Division was a US Army unit established in 1917 to produce high-quality Sitka spruce timber and other wood products needed to make aircraft.The division was part of the Army Signal Corp's Aviation Section. Its HQ was in Portland, OR,and its main operations centre was at Vancouver Barracks in WA.Workers in the division were members of the Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen, a union specifically established to support the army's wood production operations.

Book Review: Shattered Peace: A Century of Silence by Julie McDonald Zander
(Christian Historical Fiction | 150–200 words)

Shattered Peace is a compelling dual-time novel that skillfully weaves together the trauma of two wars a century apart—World War I and the Iraq War. Set in Centralia, Washington, the historical thread follows a young Irish woman whose sweetheart returns from the trenches of France suffering from what was then known as “shell shock.” Tensions escalate during the real-life 1919 Armistice Day clash between union workers (Wobblies) and veterans, casting a long shadow over the town’s history.

In the present-day narrative, the soldier’s great-great-great-granddaughter carries her own scars from serving in Iraq. Her struggle to overcome the weight of war and rediscover hope mirrors her ancestor’s journey, making the connection between past and present both poignant and powerful.

Julie McDonald Zander delivers a thoughtful, faith-filled story that highlights how trauma can echo across generations, yet healing is possible through faith and perseverance. The novel shines a light on a forgotten chapter of American history while offering a message of resilience, love, and the enduring presence of God. Highly recommended for readers of Christian fiction and historical narratives.

I received an advance review copy from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Shattered Peace
A Century of Silence
by Julie McDonald Zander
Publisher: BooksGoSocial
Series: None
Rated: 3-4
Obtain: Borrow
Back of the Book: “A mysterious inheritance. A buried secret. A town still haunted by its past.
When Navy Seabee Colleen Holmes inherits an old house in Centralia, Washington, she uncovers a dark truth hidden for a century about the violent clash of November 11, 1919, when a peaceful parade turned deadly. Through forgotten letters and diaries, she unravels a past some want to keep buried. Inspired by true events, Shattered Peace is a gripping time-slip novel of love, loss, and a town divided by the echoes of its past.”

Impressions: It is overwhelming when the beginning of a book contains pages of character explanations, however, the story was easier to follow than had led me to believe. I find it interesting to see real people’s stories interwoven into a story. I enjoyed the raw emotions this controversy provoked and the different sides of history that were explored. The violence (assault and murder) and death in this story might trigger some folks.

Quotes: “’ And they're talking now about us wearing these six-ply gauze masks. I can scarcely breathe with it on.' ” - History repeats itself, and it is fascinating to study.

“’ Shake that shame off your shoulders. Let it roll off like boulders. Never belonged there in the first place.’”

Thank you, NetGalley and publisher, for the opportunity to review this book!

I was most surprised by this author. What a great read! The research was stellar, and the writing was excellent. I had never heard of this incident in Centralia, Washington in 1919. But the way she brought in the background of the characters, the dual timeline, the war experiences and the Wobblies was par none. She does touch on PTSD, and it also was described and re-enacted very well.

There are several situations taking place in different centuries told by letters and personal experiences. One is a soldier in WW-1, one is a veteran from Iraq, one is a young lady waiting on her love to come home. The author covers them all very well. The details of the actual Nov 11th, 1919, event was impressive.

This was a great book, comes in with high 5 stars.

Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley.

This is a fascinating story during WWI. A woman soldiers now looking back through her life. It is very well written. Thank you to NetGalley for a chance to read this ARC. The review is my own.

This was a tough read and a tough one to review. It's excellent (Julie McDonald Zander deserves an award), with plenty of detail, all meticulously researched and plotted with finesse by a professional journo.

A split time novel, it centers around true events a century old, that resulted in a tragedy hardly ever spoken of and which, even now, a 100 years later, inflamed passions.

In the present, the novel centres around Colleen Hughes a Seabee who has served four years and a tour of Iraq. Discharged now, and fighting PTSD etc, she moves to Centralia to take possession of her grandmother's house, now hers. She wants to lie low and lick her wounds, but God has other plans.

She discovers her great, great grandmother's diary, set in Centralia during World War I. The entries refer to life during World War I, both for those in the front lines as also back in Centralia.

As the truth of events a 100 years old comes into focus, is there healing for wounds from long ago and also for present day wounds that Colleen and others carry?

The author has done an excellent job in moving between the two timelines at the perfect points in the novel, keeping the tensions and curiosity of the reader alive. The characters evolve slowly but surely, steadily morphing into their final avatars, finding that there is peace, rest, restoration, faith and love as they trust God and surrender to Him. Confession is indeed good for the soul.

Content warning from publishers: This novel mentions rape, post-traumatic stress disorder, and the violence of war as well as faith and redemption.

I was given an ARC to read by @NetGalley & @BooksGoSocial , but the opinions are my own.

** spoiler alert **


(I received this arc from Netgalley, and this is my honest take on this book)

This book is based on the events in Centralia, Washington, in November 1919. This is a Christian Historical Fiction book with a duel timeline. The present timeline follows former Navy Seabee Colleen Holmes, who moves to Centralia, Washington, to live in her grandmother's house, which she inherited. She tries to move on and despises her past coming back to haunt her. The second timeline takes place during WWI. In this timeline, we follow three characters: Michael, Bridget, and George. It was a bit confusing to keep up with each perspective, and at times, I would get mixed up with characters and their thoughts. The second timeline highlights how families were torn apart as a result of the outcome of WWI.

I didn't care for Colleen; however, it is truly sad to see what guilt she carries with her. She struggles heavily with PTSD from the time she serves. She also battles the death of her mother and younger brother. On one hand, I felt bad for Michael, a soldier who described the events of WWI and what he went through. Not to mention, I especially enjoy his character development and how he redeemed himself. As for Bridget and George, who are siblings, I also appreciate their perspectives. I was heartbroken to find out that George's true love, Peggy, died and didn't make it. I was rooting for them!

The book's exploration of faith is a source of inspiration. It wasn't until I was well into the book that the faith elements became apparent, but when they did, they added a layer of depth to the narrative. The redemption at the end of the book is also a powerful testament to the strength of faith. While romance isn't the primary focus, its subtle presence throughout the chapters is a welcome addition.

Content Warnings
Mentions of death
Violence of war (Including but not limited to: lynching, seeking vengance)
Mentions of Post-traumatic stress
Mentions of rape (doesn't go to detail and is brief)

While it took a little bit to really suck me in, I really loved this story. This was an event in history I had not previously heard about, and was interested in seeing how everything played out.
The author did a great job on explaining both sides of the story, and mirroring that against the experiences of soldiers in our time was a real eye opener. As a reader, it was easy to see how George and Michael got to their viewpoints and convictions, and how different feelings warred with each other at the same time. A great story of love, suffering and ultimate redemption.

Shattered Peace, A Century of Silence brings to life a part of history that I was unfamiliar with until now. By Julie McDonald Zander this dual timeline has a present day looking back and a 1919 as happened. The 1919 Centralia Tragedy was not something I had heard about at all. With compelling characters and a plot closely researched, this story is a must read for anyone who values history and wishes to learn from it.