Comment

Sep 06, 2018AConsolver rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
4 Stars - I recommend if you enjoy mysteries, historical fiction, and strong female characters. When Janie finds her brother, murdered, at his mansion's opening costume party she knows there is more to the story that meets the eye. Her family, one of the richest in the United States, is very proud and suddenly has a ruined reputation. When no one else will seek to investigate her brother's murder more fully, she teams up with Mr. Burke, a journalist, in hopes of discovering the truth, and getting justice. The story shifts back and forth between Janie and Mr. Burke solving the murder, and her brother Bay and his wife Annabelle's past. Both plots reach their apex at once in an exciting revelation. I haven't read a ton of mysteries, and I had not read any of Willig's other books (though The Pink Carnation has been on my shelf for OVER 10 YEARS!), so I didn't know quite what to expect. I was immediately swept up in the intertwined stories. I loved Bay and Annabelle, I loved Janie as she sought to find her place in the world. I loved that there were so many layers to this mystery, so many people involved, so many moving pieces. There were several twists and turns in this story, which I appreciated, and did not see coming. I did guess the murderer, but only toward the end (about 70% through). The climax of the story kind of blew me away though, and I enjoyed the resolution. Overall, if you enjoy mysteries and historical fiction, I think that you will enjoy this book!