Veiled in Smoke
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- $13.99
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
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 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 was murdered on the night of the fire. Even more shocking, Stephen is charged with the crime and committed to the Cook County Insane Asylum.
Though homeless 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.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Christy Award winner Green (Between Two Shores) sets this tumultuous, affecting tale against the backdrop of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Meg Townsend's father, Stephen, hasn't been the same since he was released from a prison camp during the Civil War. He patrols their roof, determined to protect his family from dangers that only exist in his mind. Hiram Sloane is Stephen's only friend, who also acts as a benevolent uncle to Meg and her sister, Sylvie. When the fire strikes, the family's home and bookstore are destroyed, Meg's hands get badly burned, and Hiram is found murdered and Stephen is charged with the crime. Meg is devastated when her father is committed to an asylum, where he is diagnosed with "Soldier's Heart" (today known as PTSD). Soon Meg enlists the help of Chicago Tribune reporter Nate Pierce to help her discover the truth about her father's involvement in Hiram's murder. Meanwhile, Sylvie develops feelings for Hiram's grandnephew Jasper Davenport, who shows the suddenly homeless sisters nothing but kindness. As Nate and Meg become closer and Jasper appears to be hiding a dark past, Green engagingly weaves subtle faith elements into the mystery and romance. Fans of Lisa Wingate will enjoy this.
