In 1910 Michigan, Perliett VanHilton is a self-proclaimed rural healer, leaving the local doctor, George Wasziak, convinced she practices quackery. It doesn’t help that her mother, Maribeth VanHilton, is a Spiritualist who regularly offers her services to help others speak to their dearly departed. But when Perliett is targeted by a superstitious killer, she relies on both George and an intriguing newcomer for help.
In the present day, life has not developed the way Molly Wasziak dreamed. Facing depression after multiple miscarriages, Molly is adapting to her husband’s purchase of a new farm. A search for a family tree pulls Molly deep into a vintage web of deceptions, made more mysterious by the disturbing shadows and sounds in the old farmhouse.
Perliett fights for her life, and Molly seeks renewed purpose for hers as she uncovers the records of the dead. Will their voices be heard, or will time silence their truths forever?
My Thoughts:
I have yet to miss a Wright book. There’s something positively addicting about them. I love and appreciate a gripping mystery. And I equally love and appreciate a dual-timeline. And she brings both together in perfect harmony. If you’re into creepy mysteries, you’ll certainly want to pick up this or any other Wright novel.
Just like with the rest of her books, I’m left guessing to the very end. The setting was very interesting. On the “safe” hand, you have an old farm house, complete with chickens. It’s cute and endearing. And the couple is struggling with their marriage, so it was a blessing to watch them reconnect. On the very “unsafe” hand, you have ghost sightings, unsolved murders, and talking to the dead.
I knew going into this book that we’d be touching on a subject that I don’t really care to dabble with. But I felt confident that Wright would bring in a balanced approach by the end of the book, which she did, however, after a while, it did feel a bit … uncomfortable to continue walking into a seance. To be fair, I knew this would be a topic on the table and Wright was clear about what the Bible teaches on the subject, so I can’t complain there. Just personally … I kinda wanted to not go back in the room after the first one.
But this was, once again, a very well-told story.
Rating and Recommendations: I’m givingit 5 stars. I recommend it to those looking for Christian mysteries, dual-timelines, and especially those looking for the on-the-edge-of-your-seat mysteries.
~ I received a copy from Bethany House. All thoughts are my own. I was not compensated for this review or required to give a favorable one.
Christian Author: A.M. Heath 