Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Even more mystery in Chicago's Gilded Age -- Deception on Sable Hill

Shelley Gray's Deception on Sable Hill continues her Chicago World's Fair Mystery series in grand style.  It picks up very shortly after the conclusion of Secrets of Sloane House (my review is here) with Eloisa Carstairs as one of the main characters.

The extravagance of the Gilded Age is once again important in this story, set against the backdrop of the closing days of Chicago's World's Fair.  Although there is evidence of some changes happening in society, Eloisa and Sean find themselves caught in the struggle of the times as well as right in the middle of a dangerous crime spree.  

Some of the characters from the first book play roles in this story, but Shelley also brings in several new ones as well.  Watching Eloisa search for who she wants to become as she tries to overcome major hurts makes for a very intriguing story.  A variety of other characters who find themselves at various points along society's changing class continuum keep the story and its mystery moving at a very enjoyable pace.

I highly recommend both books in this series as great reads.  I don't know whether there are more books to come in this series, but I would certainly enjoy reading them if there are.

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

The World’s Fair has introduced many new ideas to Chicago society—but can two individuals from very different backgrounds find love together?

It’s mid-September 1893 and Eloisa Carstairs is the reigning debutant of Gilded Age Chicago society. To outsiders she appears to have it all. But Eloisa is living with a dark secret. Several months ago, she endured a horrible assault at the hands of Douglass Sloane, heir to one of Chicago’s wealthiest families. Fearing the loss of her reputation, Eloisa confided in only one friend. That is, until she meets Detective Sean Ryan at a high-society ball.

Sean is on the fringes of the Chicago elite. Born into a poor Irish family, becoming a policeman was his best chance to ensure security. Despite social boundaries, he is enamored with Eloisa Carstairs. Sean will do anything to keep her safe—even if he can never earn her affections.

Eloisa longs to feel normal again, but a killer is on the loose. In the last month, three debutants have been accosted by an assailant wielding a knife, and Eloisa fears for her safety at every event she attends. As the danger in the city increases, and as the romance between Eloisa and Sean blossoms, they both realize they want to be seen as more than how the world views them. But will they catch the killer before all their hopes come crashing down? 

About the Author:

Shelley Gray is the author of The Heart of a Hero series. Her Amish novel (written as Shelley Shepard Gray), The Protector, made the New York Times best seller list. A native of Texas, she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Colorado and taught school for ten years. She and her husband have two children and live in Southern Ohio.

Visit her website at www.shelleyshepardgray.com 
Facebook: ShelleyShepardGray
Twitter: @ShelleySGray

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