The Lost Children-Books on Tour (Review) WWII Historical Fiction-Available Now

I try and avoid sad books, because there’s enough sadness in real life and I read to escape.

Some authors like to wallow in the sadness of their stories, while others use the sadness to show fortitude and the resilience of the human spirit. In spite of being a book filled with tragedies, this one belongs in the latter category, and I am very glad that I read it.

As I have mentioned a few times, I find it interesting when my reading topics seem to follow patterns. I recently read another book that centered on the evacuation of young children to the countryside out of cities and strategic towns in WWII England.

This one has a similar setting, but I was pleased to find a different perspective on the experiences of the children. Molly and Jacob were fortunate to have found a town like Leadburn which proved that it really does take a village to raise children, especially in the face of war and uncertainty.

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I don’t want to go too much into the plot because I think that the reader needs to experience Molly and Jacob’s journey on their own; it will be much more powerful.

I liked how they befriended people who were in similar situations to them. Everybody in the town had lost somebody important, whether it was in the war, by natural causes, or (in Frieda’s case) by force. They all showed bravery in the face of adversity, especially Molly.

The author did a fantastic job of illustrating how loss doesn’t have to define the rest of one’s life and how good people can come together to support each other, maybe thereby lessening their feelings of loss. Isolation does nobody any good.

I also liked how the author showed the importance of making connections with other people. One never knows the influence a person can have on somebody else. Sometimes, it could even result in people who were kept apart coming back together.

Ultimately heartwarming and uplifting, I’m glad that I got through the sad parts (and yes, I did cry) because Molly and Jacob will stay with me for a long time.

Twitter: @ShirleyDWriter

Author Bio:

Shirley Dickson was born and grew up in the seaside town of South Shields. She left school at fifteen and can’t remember a time when she didn’t write. She entered her first short story competition in ‘School Friend’ when she was eleven. After Shirley retired from auxiliary nursing, she was able to devote her time to writing.

After living in various locations, she settled under the big skies of Northumberland and has lived with her husband in the same house for over forty years. Shirley has three daughters and four grandchildren and likes nothing better than family gatherings.

The Italian Girls-Books On Tour (Review)-Historical Fiction (WWII Italy)-Available Now

It’s funny how my book choices/tours seem to go in waves. For a while, the historical fiction novels I was reading were mostly about the French resistance. Then there were a few about Jewish people being hidden in different countries. Even a few about England.

But this is the third or fourth book in the past few weeks that has focused on Italy. I find it fascinating, because WWII is often remembered as Hitler’s War, but Mussolini was right in there with him, at least for a while.

My love for learning through historical fiction is nothing new to anyone who has read past reviews. This time, I got the fascinating perspective of Italian cinema. It’s one of those little things that one never thinks about (who can think about movies while there’s a war going on?) but continue they did…at least for a while.

I thought that the author did a fantastic job of paralleling the stories of Livia and Isabella. Although their lives were completely opposite of each other (university student and actress), they had much in common. I also liked how their stories touched each other, but never fully intertwined.

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Each of the women were brave, although one was more forthright and took action. The other was a reluctant hero who stayed naïve for far too long. By the time the latter person “woke up” she had even more difficult choices to make, which led to a complicated end-of-the-war time for her.

If anything, the author clearly wanted to get the point across that in a time of struggle, it is important to choose your side wisely; otherwise, it might be chosen for you and you’ll have to take whatever happens as a result.

What I thought was most interesting about this book was the period in which it takes place. Many people don’t realize that the Italians (in a strange way) were more protected under Mussolini – at least, several of them had become comfortable with the fascist government.

Once he was removed, however, there was a vacuum of leadership that allowed for the Germans to invade and take over. The author did a great job illustrating the depravity of the Germans, their defiance of societal norms, and the desperation they exhibited when they knew they were failing.

It was also a stark reminder of just how far the German occupation expanded before it was beat back by what seems like sheer will…at least in part. When I read books like this, I am reminded of how easy it was for them to grab their footholds, and how it can never be allowed to happen again.

This story of fortitude, bravery, and the compelling urge to do the right thing should be on the top of your reading list.

Author Bio:
Debbie Rix has had a long career in journalism, including working as a presenter for the BBC. Her first novel, The Girl with Emerald Eyes was set around the building of the tower of Pisa and she has since released Daughters of the Silk Road and The Silk Weaver’s Wife. Debbie writes heartbreaking historical novels about love, tragedy and secrets. 

The Assistant – Blog Tour (Review) – Psych Thriller-Available Now

I have read three of this author’s books (The Good Neighbor, The Good Mother, and The Guest), and I usually find them to be decent psychological thrillers. This one is no exception.

One of the hallmarks of a good psych thriller is keeping the reader guessing right up until the very last pages. There should also be a good number of twists and maybe even a few red herrings to keep that thrill going.

This book had both of those in spades.

From the title and description, I thought that it would be a completely different plot than what it ended up being, so that was pleasantly surprising. I enjoyed that aspect of it.

I liked the juxtaposition between Vanessa and Laura. In spite of their differences in jobs (and attitudes), they actually had more in common than either one realized, which made their conflict a little more interesting.

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While their interactions were realistic, I found each of them on their own to be a little bit more confusing. Vanessa ran very hot and cold about her working relationship with her boss. It wasn’t until very late in the book that it became clear as to why she was confused. It also took a couple of eye-opening events for her to see the truth.

Laura was more of an enigma to me. She started out as a seemingly bitchy workmate, but quickly revealed herself to be overambitious and driven. But to what detriment? Has she always been this way? And what really happened with her ex-husband?

That last question sat with me for a long time, because I felt like there was more to the story that we never got. Her memories of time with him seemed to stop abruptly when there was more to be mined.

I did feel like the plot lost focus a bit. It almost seemed like the author wanted to cover too much: workplace gossip, the drive to succeed, the struggle of women in the workplace, how simple moments can be misunderstood leading to bigger problems….there was a lot to unpack.

I did think the author used a unique way to show how much Laura’s fears preyed on her mind. And her obsession with running was a great metaphor for her work life. I thought that was particularly well-done.

All told, this story did have me guessing right up until the final pages. That wasn’t entirely because there was “edge of my seat” action, but because I kept trying to figure out where the main point of everything was. As I said, it got a bit muddled and unfocused.

I’m going to go with “ambition can be a killer and drive a person mad.” You’ll have to read the book to find out why.

About Cathryn Grant:

Cathryn Grant writes psychological thrillers, psychological suspense, and ghost stories. She’s the author of twenty-three novels. She’s loved crime fiction all her life and is endlessly fascinated by the twists and turns, and the dark corners of the human mind.

When she’s not writing, Cathryn reads fiction, eavesdrops, and tries to play golf without hitting her ball into the sand or the water. She lives on the Central California coast with her husband and two cats.

Cathryn is the author of The Guest, The Good Mother and other psychological thrillers. THE ASSISTANT will be her fourth novel published with Inkubator Books.

Dead Woman Crossing (Books On Tour Review-Crime Thriller-Available Now)

I’ve never hidden my excitement at finding a new detective/crime series. This time, it comes in the form of Kimberley King, a transplant from NYPD to Custer County, Oklahoma.

I thought the premise was timely, probably even more so than the author intended. Kimberley has decided to move to Oklahoma (where her mom lives) to be able to spend more time with her young daughter.

From the beginning, there are also hints of something that happened on the job, but the reader gets that in flashback form, as events in her new town lead Kimberley to remember a pivotal case in NYC.

I thought that the connection between the two could have been stronger. Kimberley’s memories and motivations didn’t seem to be pivotal as they could have been. Perhaps if the crimes had been more similar? The only it seems to work for me is if the author is laying the groundwork for a through-line for future book plots.

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I liked Kimberley, for the most part. (Caveat: I’m picky of everything to do with NYC and NYPD due to my personal connections with both. So, some of this can probably be taken with a grain of salt). I thought her instincts were good, and I liked how she was torn between trying to fit into the confines of her new job but still maintain her self-imposed standards.

However, I also felt that her attitude didn’t always ring true. There were a few times where she seemed more caricature or stereotype rather than a legitimate person. Again, that’s a personal observation, not necessarily any fault of the author.

The case itself was decent, if a little underbaked. I liked how the author laid everything out, but kept some facts hidden which caused me to suspect more people than I needed to; I like it when an author does that.

I did also like that there was an uneasy feeling about a couple of characters from the start. It was an effective way to make the reader suspicious, but without being able to pinpoint exactly why or what to be suspicious about. It made the resolution just a bit more interesting as well, which was good, because at the same time it kind of came out of nowhere.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I liked the personalities of the sheriff’s department, and hope that future books continue to explore the different officers and their backgrounds. I think there is enough there to keep this series going for a while.  

Instagram: jradlerauthor/
Twitter: @jradlerauthor

Author Bio:
Originally from Wisconsin, J.R. Adler currently lives in Ithaca, New York with her husband, Drew, and her English Bulldog, Winston. When not writing, you can find her reading, playing board games, travelling, and binge watching The Office for the umpteenth time. 

The Bluebell Girls (Books on Tour Review-Summer Romance-Available Now)

I love working with different publishers because I get a cross-section of genres, and I never know what my next read will be. After a string of psych thrillers, crime procedurals, and historical fiction, I was thrilled to read this pleasant story about family ties and romance.

After being introduced to the town in The Lilac House, I was so excited to visit Lake Summers again. The author has a knack for creating a place that makes the reader feel like they’re “coming home” just like the characters (in this case, Jenna). There is something about the way the author describes towns and houses that is just…comfortable.

Once again, small-town life and politics is captured perfectly, warts and all. It is heartwarming to read about people who still care about their hometown, and who support each other when the chips are down. That kind of love and pride for a way of life means something, especially these days.

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I particularly liked the generational aspect of this story. The set-up is simplistic but effective. Sweet still lives in Lake Summers. Jenna (her daughter) moved away and started a family of her own…until her husband decided he wanted a different family.

Jenna is considering a permanent move back to Lake Summers to lick her wounds and figure out the next chapter in her life, brining her teenage daughter, Sophie, with her. That plan accelerates when Sweet has an unexpected fall down the stairs and exhibits signs of memory loss (early Alzheimers?)

It’s effective plotting that bring three generations of women together at a time when each is at a turning point in their lives. At any given time, I could relate to each of the characters: Sweet, for what she is no longer able to achieve; Jenna, for not knowing which way to turn; and Sophie for having her world upended.

If The Lilac House had me at “ballet,” The Bluebell Girls had me at “theater.”  

I especially related to Sweet and her love for facilitating theater productions for the town. That’s exactly what I used to do. The descriptions of how Sweet seemed more alive and was able to get everything done was familiar and felt personal. Her “two words” especially struck a chord in me.

As to the romance, I liked how the author hinted at something that happened between Jenna and T.J. when they were younger, gradually letting the story build (and it’s not what you expect it to be).

However, you know that they’re destined to be together. But it isn’t easy, and the journey to get there is heartfelt and realistic. I also like how the author uses flowers to explore aspects of humanity (as in Jenna realizing why her mother planted bluebells). And the covers are just gorgeous!

Get this one to read before the very last vestiges of summer are gone. I’m glad I did. I’ve fallen in love with this town and the characters. I hope I get to visit it and explore with the author a few more times!

Author Bio:
Barbara Josselsohn is an award-winning journalist and novelist who loves crafting stories about strong protagonists facing a fork in the road. Her novels center around second chances, family relationships and, of course, romance. She is the author of the Lake Summers series set in the fictional town of Lake Summers, nestled in the Adirondacks Mountains, which includes the books The Lilac House and The Bluebell Girls. Before joining with Bookouture, she published The Last Dreamer, a women’s-fiction novel from Lake Union Publishing, along with hundreds of articles and essays in major and regional publications about family, home and relationships. She lives just north of New York City and enjoys escaping to the beach or the mountains whenever she can. Other than writing, her biggest passion is her family: husband, her three kids, and her indefatigable shih-poo! 

The Stolen Letter (Books on Tour Review-WWII Fiction-Available Now)

I’ve made no secret of how much I like to learn from historical fiction novels. I would be willing to bet that most people who read the genre do so for the same reasons. There’s just something about learning while enjoying a good story as well.

I’ve been fortunate in this regard, especially lately, because I particularly like learning about aspects that are usually overlooked. Oddly, this is the second book in a week that centered on an English woman in Italy during the rise of Mussolini in the early days of WWII.

I actually like it when this happens, because (as I have mentioned before) I love to learn from historical fiction. When I find (even by accident) books that have similar themes, I feel like I gain a deeper understanding of the period and the issues. That’s certainly the case here. I really liked this author’s previous book, In Darkness, Look For Stars, so I was looking forward to this one.

I thought the set-up was a grab, and it drew me in right away. I mean, any time you are in WWII fiction and you have Nazis in the opening scene, you know that there is going to be some hidden meanings or events.

As much as I liked the story, the premise was a tad shaky. A 19-year-old English female traveling to Italy in September 1938 seems foolish, especially if anyone at the time had been paying attention. But that relocation was vital to the plot, and Stella did seem pretty sheltered, so I was able to overlook it .

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I could tell right away that Monica and her brother were up to no good. But the intrigue was certainly well-written. At times I felt more like I was reading a mystery, which made me that much more invested in figuring out what was really going on with the dynamics.

And yes, there were times that I wanted to yell at Stella to stop being so naïve. Thank goodness Ted was there to do that for me! I think he was my favorite character, only because most of the time he seemed to just “get it.”

He was aware when others weren’t and seemed to be a voice of reason. He was also the personification of perseverance, and I love how he taught that to Stella.

I particularly liked the motivating factors behind the entire plot. I have always found the plundering of art by the Nazis to be a particularly fascinating psychological study, largely due to their (illogical) reasonings and excuses for their actions in this regard. I thought the author handled this very well with both facts and speculation (for the purpose of the plot).

Another strength was the author’s descriptions of Florence. I know that there were many changes over the years, especially having to rebuild after the war, but I was there in the 90s, and there were several locations that were familiar. That was a nice stroll down memory lane for me.

I’d definitely recommend this book to fans of historical fiction, and even to those who like a little bit of mystery.  

Twitter: @ClaraBooks
Facebook: ClaraBensonBooks/

Author Bio:

Clara Benson is the author of the Angela Marchmont Mysteries and Freddy Pilkington-Soames Adventures – traditional English whodunits in authentic style set in the 1920s and 30s. One day she would like to drink cocktails and solve mysteries in a sequinned dress and evening gloves. In the meantime, she lives in the north of England with her family and doesn’t do any of those things.

To find out about new releases and receive a FREE, exclusive Angela Marchmont short story, sign up to her mailing list at clarabenson.com/newsletter.

The Faithfuls by Cecilia Lyra – Books On Tour (Review)

I’m not going to lie, I had very mixed feelings about this book. I ultimately chose to look at it as a book about family secrets, even though there were some aspects that drew my focus (more on that later).

I do want to start by saying that I absolutely loved the first book in this series, The Sunset Sisters. The characters were strong, the story was plausible, and there were several heartwarming moments. I was hoping for the same from this one.

I did get a story of intrigue and family secrets. I liked the premise of a small town built around a factory. And I definitely did not see a few of the twists coming.

I thought the style of writing was effective, especially how the author used “interviews” interspersed among the chapters to give the reader commentary on actions that are in the past, but have yet to be told in the plot. They served as a Greek Chorus and were effective.

The action also shifts between multiple perspectives, which works well. It’s never confusing, and the different points of view give a more holistic view of the events at hand. It also gives the reader more insight into the characters.

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I liked Gina. She was the most level-headed character in the entire book. In spite of everything she went through, she still remained relatively strong. I also liked her son, Calan, and Malaika. They were interesting characters, and their journey was a bit touching.

I did not like Alice. In fact, I think she is one of the ugliest characters I have ever “met” and that goes for serial killers and psychotic kidnappers. Every time she had a chapter, I had to keep myself from skipping through, because she annoyed me that much.

I couldn’t decide whether the author was writing her to be representative and make a statement or as a commentary on her particular point of view. There were times that I felt like I was being yelled at rather than enjoying a story, as some of the “opinions” were heavy-handed. I was disappointed in how Alice’s story ended. I don’t think it was deserved, and there was nothing uplifting or motivating about it.

I wish there had been more of a tie to the first book with more similar characters. The connection tying the two books together was tenuous at best and seemed more contrived than realistic.

All of that being said, though, it was still a decent book and was a great illustration of how secrets can work from the inside to destroy, but how a little faith and trust can go a long way. If there’s a third in the series, I hope it returns to the tone of the first book.

Author Bio:
Cecilia is an author with a reading addiction — a serious one. She is a lover of wine and all things chocolate, and the proud mother of Babaganoush, an English Bulldog. She is also a recovering lawyer, but asks that you do not hold that against her. 

Into the Burning Dawn by Natalie Meg Evans – Books On Tour (Review)

If you’re like me, you enjoy different genres of books. But I have recently found that even within a genre, there can be different approaches. I know that seems obvious but bear with me for a minute.

Take historical fiction, for example, and let’s use WWII. There are some books that set the action smack dab in the middle of the war, and others that use a dual storyline of modern day to historical, tying threads together. Of course, there are multiple approaches, but those are two of the most common that I have come across.

Then there are books like Into the Burning Dawn, that use the war more as a backdrop. Now, I know there’s more to this book than that, but I found the perspective of an English nanny in Naples pre-WWII during the rise of Mussolini (and further into the war) to be fascinating and informative.

It was apparent that the author already had a background in this era or had completed copious amounts of research, because the details of the region were plentiful and well-described. In the early pages, I could practically smell the lavender and garlic as well as the sea air.

Actually, the amazing descriptions continued, but later on it became petrol burning, smoke, and dust. That’s how talented this author was when it came to creating full scenes.

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In the beginning, I also got a definite “Sound of Music” vibe, with the young nanny brought up in a convent, seeing to the kids of a stern, older landowner. There were more parallels as well. Imogene’s war with herself over who and how to love, her care for children even at the peril of her own life, and her desire to do the right thing all felt very “Maria-ish.” That’s not a bad thing.

I found the juxtaposition between the two brothers to be interesting as well. Fabrizio was the dashing, dangerous cad, while Giancarlo was the level-headed leader of business. I do think Imogene was blinded by “bad boy” vibe of Fabrizio (which is logical, given her upbringing). (There was a touch of Captain Von Trapp in Giancarlo as well).

I did find Imogene to be inconsistent at times. In the early days of the war, when people referred to the British soldiers, planes, and ships as “her Army/Navy/etc.” she made a distinct point of correcting them and saying that they weren’t “hers.” But at the same time, she thought of them as hers.

I suppose that would be logical confusion given the climate and culture, but it made her seem a bit weak-minded. Which is actually interesting, because I think she saw herself the same way a lot of the time. But she still managed to persevere and survive. And it wasn’t at all easy for her at any point.

Out of all of the secondary characters, I especially liked Annabella. She was down to earth, but also practical and realistic about situations. There were times when it seemed like she was Imogene’s conscience.

I’m not going to tell you how everything turns out, because that would ruin the story for you. Suffice to say that the author continues her realistic portrayal of war and the path of havoc it wreaks all the way until the last pages.

For an epic story of family and loyalties and accurate retellings of wartime, look no further than this one – you’ll be engrossed from beginning to end.  

TWITTER:  @natmegevans
FACEBOOK: NatalieMegEvans  

Author Bio:

Natalie is a RITA nominated, USA Today Bestselling author of six novels: The Dress Thief, The Milliner’s Secret (re-titled “The Girl who Dreamed of Paris”), The Wardrobe Mistress, Summer in the Vineyards, The Secret Vow and most recently, The Paris Girl. Look out for a heartwrenching WW2 inspired novel set in Italy, due out Autumn 2020.

Visit her website at https://www.nataliemegevans.uk

Natalie Meg Evans has had a varied career, first as an actor in London’s fringe theatre, then as a PR exec and company director and finally, dream achieved, as a full-time writer. She lives with two very lively dogs in rural mid Suffolk.

Natalie has collected numerous awards for her writing including the UK’s Harry Bowling Prize (2012). The Dress Thief was nominated for a coveted RITA Award by Romance Writers of America and it won the Greek Public Book award for the best foreign novel; also, the UK’s Festival of Romance readers award (where readers rather than industry professionals select and judge). The Milliner’s Secret was shortlisted for the same award.

Natalie was also nominated for the coveted Daphne du Maurier award and was named a finalist for a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart award.

Natalie’s titles are available as Spoken Word. She loves to hear from readers.

Their Silent Graves by Carla Kovach – Books On Tour (Review)

In my review of the previous book, Her Last Mistake, I wrote that “there were a few times I felt that Gina’s memories bogged the plot down. I wanted to get back to the action of the story.”

Well, I got my wish. This time Gina’s past actually becomes more of the story (more on that in just a minute).

As with previous books, the author jumps right into the action, giving the reader a peek into an event in the past, 24 year ago…but of whose past we’re not quite sure. We then jump forward 12 years to another incident, but still with no real clue as to the connections.

I love the way this author set all of that up, because when we get to present day, we have some sort of background on current events; we know more than the police do, anyway. Not that it helps too much, because as always, this is a clever plot that keeps the reader guessing.

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I will also mention now that it’s set around the end of October, so it’s excellent reading for this time of year. While it’s still a cracking good investigation, there’s a spooky element to it that fits the season perfectly.

As always, the team works together smoothly. We get a few more insights into their dynamics, but for the most part, it’s just good, steady investigative work from everyone.

As to Gina’s personal matter, we know from past books that Gina has some traumas that have left her scarred and shaken. This time, one surfaces in the most unexpected way. As she is busy with the case at hand, she also has to determine what the truth is about this new twist from her past.

It all weaves together for a page-turning crime thriller. And a special shout out to the title which has an awesome double meaning.

Sometimes it’s difficult to write a review about a series, especially when it gets to later books, because the “newness” may wear off. When that happens, later books can seem repetitive.

However, there is something to be said about knowing that you are going to get a solid criminal investigation with interesting plot points (and twists), engaging characters, and a ruthless killer.

That’s what you get here, and it’s another winner.

Author Bio:

Carla Kovach was born in Birmingham, UK and now resides in Redditch, Worcestershire. Author of supernatural drama ‘Flame,’ psychological thriller ‘To Let,’ crime thriller ‘Whispers Beneath the Pines,’ and holiday comedy, ‘Meet Me at Marmaris Castle.’ Carla also writes stage and screenplays, some of which have been produced in the Worcestershire area.

The Orphan of Cemetery Hill by Hester Fox – Blog Tour (Review)

I thought this book would be a great read for this time of year, and I wasn’t wrong. But it was so much more than a spooky story. It was poetically dark yet uplifting. I know that sounds counter-intuitive, but I found it riveting.

As you can read from the blurbs, Tabby has the ability to communicate with the dead. She and her sister, Alice, were orphaned at a young age, but then Alice also disappeared once they got to Boston, so Tabby has been on her own for many years.

Taken in by Eli, who tends a local cemetery, she only uses her gift (she doesn’t see it as such) sparingly, and usually to try to communicate with Alice (who she assumes is dead).

Through a chance encounter when she is young, her life becomes intertwined with that of Caleb, who is of a different station than she is, and they meet again later in life, striking up an undefined friendship. But they are still worlds apart.

However, events shortly occur that upend both of their lives. Bodies are being stolen from the cemetery and Tabby soon finds out that there is much more than your normal, everyday grave robbing occurring. The reality is much darker and nefarious than she can imagine.

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I found Tabby’s story to be intriguing and realistic. I really liked the setting of 1844 Boston; it was a look at a pre-Civil War city, where the rich had frivolous interests and the poor stuck to the shadows.

The story was strongest at the beginning while Tabby was in Boston and it seemed a little muddled when Caleb and Tabby’s storylines diverged from each other. But it became apparent as to why that plot point was necessary. That being said, time was very fluid, and some of the sequential events didn’t seem to match up.

I thought the author did a great job detailing customs of the time, especially those centering around the dead and dying. “Watchers” and “layers” were essential. And I thought the concept of the resurrectionists was especially fascinating.

I also liked the connections that Tabby had with the various characters. I don’t want to give anything away but there were subtle similarities in the actions of a few of them that were nicely done.

I hesitate to call it gothic fiction (although several do) because I just can’t reconcile “gothic” and “pre-Civil War” in my mind. Regardless, I would definitely recommend this book, especially heading into a spooky season.

And I will certainly be looking for more books by this author.

Author Website: http://hesterfox.com/
TWITTER: @HesterBFox
Insta: @trotfoxwrite
Goodreads: Hester_Fox

Hester Fox is a full-time writer and mother, with a background in museum work and historical archaeology. Most weekends you can find Hester exploring one of the many historic cemeteries in the area, browsing bookshops, or enjoying a seasonal latte while writing at a café. She lives outside of Boston with her husband and their son.

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