Title: Whispers Beyond the Veil
Author: Jessica Estevao
Genre: Historical fiction/mystery
Setting: Old Orchard Beach, Maine, 1898
Main Character: Ruby Proulx
5 Things to know about Ruby Proulx:
- She was raised by her father and grew up traveling the medicine show circuit with him, helping to sell his "miracle" elixir to the needy and gullible.
- On the side, she tells fortunes using her dead mother's Tarot cards.
- She knows how to read people and can lie without batting an eye, but she has a good heart.
- When her father's latest get-rich scheme ends up killing a man, Ruby runs to Hotel Belden in Old Orchard Beach, which is owned by her Aunt Honoria whom she's never met.
- In order to help save her Aunt's hotel--which caters to the Spiritualist crowd--she pretends to be a medium who can speak to the dead even though her only psychic ability is the voice she occasionally hears advising her what to do (because it turns out, Ruby is clairaudient just like her mother was).
My thoughts: This is a fun read. I like this time period. And Ruby is a great character, as are the other people she meets at the hotel, like Mrs. Doyle, the stern housekeeper who knows when someone is lying to her, and the two elderly Velmont sisters who are hoping to contact their dead father through Ruby. Then there's Officer Yancey who is investigating the recent murders at the hotel and who suspects that Ruby is somehow involved. Even though she's not. And while this isn't the most tightly woven mystery I've ever read, the few flaws and loose ends here and there didn't stop me from enjoying it. In fact, I liked it enough to have already put the next book in this series on hold at the library.
Happy Reading!
This one sounds good. Sometimes books don’t need to be perfect to be good.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a fun read despite its flaws. :)
DeleteI've read the second in this series (Whispers of Warning), but not the first. I loved the setting that featured the Spiritualist movement, but thought it was a little slow. I don't know if I reviewed it on my blog, but I did on GR. Spiritualist towns fascinate me, especially novels set in real places like Lily Dale, NY, but a seaside town has its own ambiance. :)
ReplyDeleteThe setting is pretty awesome in this book. I'd like to live in a seaside town someday. :)
DeleteThis sounds great and is set during one of my favorite time periods. I'm definitely adding this to my wishlist.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite time periods to read about, too. :)
DeleteRuby sounds like an interesting character; and I like the time period too. :)
ReplyDeleteThe books I read about monsters aren't literally classics but they are fun to read-entertainment is the main thing and it sounds like you got it!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you! Entertainment is the main thing when it comes to reading. :)
DeleteI haven't read this author but think I will check this one out, sometimes it's imperfections is what makes it a great wee tale xxx
ReplyDeleteLainy http://www.alwaysreading.net
Yeah, I noticed some of the flaws, but it didn't stop me from enjoying the characters and the story. :)
DeleteI hadn't heard of this one before, but it sounds REALLY good. I'm putting it on my TBR list on Goodreads. Thanks for another awesome-sounding rec!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy! :)
DeleteI can't wait to read this. I need to dig it off my TBR pile and dive in!
ReplyDeleteIt's a fun one. :)
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