THE BRIDGE
by Shanna Hatfield
In Hatfield’s novel, a fateful accident on Christmas Eve alters the lives of several people whose paths cross in unexpected ways.
On Christmas Eve morning, police sergeant Archer Raines is pulled away from his relaxing day off to deal with a crisis. A man named Leon Mumford, driving a pickup pulling a camper, pulled across four lanes of traffic on the St. Johns Bridge, causing a massive wreck. Leon then climbed onto the bridge railing and threatened to jump, claiming to be armed when police officers approached. Archer is the expert called in to talk Leon down. Heavily pregnant Rosalee is headed home to grab files for an important meeting when she’s stopped by the wreck. When she goes into labor (three weeks early), Nova, a nurse on her way home after a long shift, offers to take her to the hospital and stay with her until her husband arrives. Carter, the owner of a tow truck company, is called in to deal with the extensive damage from the wreck and hopes it won’t delay his evening plans with his family. Ian is running late for his dream-job interview when his car won’t start; his chaotic rideshare driver, Kate, ends up being the most memorable feature of his day after they narrowly avoid the obstruction on the bridge (“He wondered if the tough girl persona was part of a defense mechanism or if she really was into the whole dark and brooding scene”). These characters’ storylines converge for a heartwarming ending that underscores the role of chance in human connection. This story is well structured with brisk pacing. Hatfield expertly braids the various storylines together, though the means employed to conceal connections between some characters are unnecessary. The tone is light and (mostly) handles difficult subjects with ease. The Leon situation ends in a melodramatic and somewhat cliched manner, but the characters in the main cast are likeable and easy to root for. The conclusion perhaps drags on longer than necessary, but the happy endings are all earned.
A treat for holiday story lovers, like a hot cup of cocoa.