BOOK BLURB
Meg and Sylvie Townsend manage the family bookshop and care for their father, Stephen, a veteran still suffering in mind and spirit from his time as a POW during the Civil War. But when the Great Fire sweeps through Chicago’s business district, they lose much more than just their store.
The sisters become separated from their father, and after Meg burns her hands in an attempt to save a family heirloom, they make a harrowing escape from the flames with the help of Chicago Tribune reporter Nate Pierce. Once the smoke clears away, they reunite with Stephen, only to learn soon after that their family friend not only died during the fire–he was murdered. Even more shocking, Stephen is charged with the crime and committed to the Cook County Insane Asylum.
Though homeless, injured, and suddenly unemployed, Meg must not only gather the pieces of her shattered life, but prove her father’s innocence before the asylum truly drives him mad.
MY THOUGHTS
A beautifully written tale of a disastrous and difficult time in history. The characters are so real and as the book progresses, the hearts are unveiled as we come to know these characters and watch them grow and learn.
The setting is well done, the plot fascinating and compelling. A story I stayed up late into the night to read and savor.
There was something intangible in this book that just made it almost impossible to put down. Perhaps, like Stephen, I as a reader suspected something. I wasn’t even sure what it would be, yet I knew eventually the smoke would clear to reveal the truth of the narrative.
The history in this novel is fascinating. It was a instant grasp and such a wonderful part of the story to start out with a man from the Civil War. If ever a horrendous and unimaginable story exists, it’s that of Andersonville. I felt like it was pure genius by the author to weave that tale within this story.
It’s a book to inspire to persevere with God…and one I could pick up now and read it again as it’s so compelling. I’d still felt completely riveted to the story long after I had closed the book.
I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
