Ruby Proulx is finally feeling
more secure and settled at her Aunt Honoria’s seaside
hotel, the Belden, in Old Orchard, Maine. She earns her keep
by giving psychic readings to the guests who stay at the hotel.
The hotel offers several metaphysical professional services,
but Lucy’s own, guided by an inner voice she hears and
the use of Tarot cards, seems to be the most in demand.
A new guest has arrived, Sophronia Foster Eldrige, who is
a spiritualist herself, and also an outspoken suffragist.
Sophronia plans to get all of the women in town involved in
her movement with a rally and a march, both of which are frowned
upon by many of the men, especially those in power as town
police and leaders. After the march is sabotaged, resulting
in injuries to several people, Sophronia is found drowned,
and Ruby is convinced she was murdered. Officer Warren Yancy,
of the Old Orchard police force, is of like mind, but convincing
his possibly corrupt boss to go along with an investigation
seems unlikely. Will the killer get away with murder? Just
how high up does the corruption go? And what of the secrets
Miss Foster Eldrige was hiding from everyone around her?
I enjoyed reading more about Old Orchard and getting to follow
Ruby and the others through another complicated case. Officer
Yancy and Ruby are destined for romance, and the cast of characters
continues to develop nicely. The author clearly did a great
deal of research on the suffragette movement and the passions
that were invoked on both sides of the issue.
As with the first book in the series, Whispers Beyond the
Veil, I was captivated by the bygone era, and intrigued by
the paranormal aspects of the story. Ruby is a fascinating
young woman, and I look forward to watching her grow as the
series continues. The mystery is well-plotted, and I recommend
the book to readers who would like to take a step back from
today’s troubled times and perhaps become aware that
no matter when one is alive, there are always troubles to
be borne and survived.
Highly entertaining, and written with a depth of historical
background. You’ll want to add this to your list of
books not to be missed in 2017!
Reviews of other titles in this series
Whispers
Beyond the Veil #1
Whispers
of Warning #2
Reviewers Note: Author also writes the Sugar Grove
Mysteries as Jessie Crockett
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