Tuesday, September 19, 2017

WHISPERS OF WARNING by Jessica Estevao

Publisher:     Berkley
Published:     September 19, 2017
ISBN:        978-0425281611
Genre:      Historical Mystery, Paranormal Mystery
Format:     Print
Obtained via:  Publisher
Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina  myreviewbooks@aol.com

FOUR HEARTS

 

 
After leaving behind her con artist father and recovering emotionally from solving her first murder, Ruby Proulx is settling into life at the Belden Hotel.  The hotel is part of her family legacy from her mother’s side.  Her aunt, Honoria has welcomed her with open arms and an open heart.  The Belden stands out in Old Orchard due to its amenities—psychic readings of all manner and classes for those who wish to learn.  Ruby’s particular talent is clairaudience—the ability to hear voices from beyond the veil.  Despite hearing “the voice” for most of her life, with the help and support of her aunt and her aunt’s staff she has begun to trust and rely on what it tells her.  She is delighted when suffragist Sophronia Foster Eldridge comes to stay at the Belden and offers to assist Ruby learn more about her gift.  But something seems off…something is not right.  When Sophronia asks Ruby to add something to her readings, something more than what her own intuition tells her, Ruby feels an intense disquiet.  Not only that, what Sophronia proposes could expose a part of Ruby’s past she’d much prefer to leave there.  When Sophronia turns up dead Ruby’s dilemma is solved…or is it?
 
I thoroughly enjoyed Jessica Estevao’s first Change of Fortune Mystery, WHISPERS BEHOND THE VEIL and eagerly awaited the next story in the series.  With WHISPERS OF WARNING she did not disappoint.  First of all I enjoy a good historical mystery.  They are among my favorites.  I also enjoy a paranormal that deals with psychic abilities.  Estevao gives us both in her Change of Fortune series.  A bonus for readers are her historical notes at the end of the books. 

There’s so much to like in this series and in particular WHISPERS OF WARNING.  First of all there is the setting of Old Orchard and in this book there is the pending opening of the Pier which is purported to be the longest entertainment pier in the country.  This thread was hinted at in book 1 and is carried into book 2.  It’s not jarring, but an integral part of the story.

The main characters, Ruby and Yancey, have some nice growth and development, especially Ruby as she becomes more comfortable with her psychic skills.  And Yancey plays a part in that as he starts to come around to believe in Ruby’s skill.  It’s not a sudden turns around but a well-done, natural progression.

Estevao blends several prominent historical issues into the story adding depth to the mystery.  The story is nicely paced told in a voice that has you sitting down to savor each word.  Because of the language of the time this is not a quick read, but one that absorbs you into the story. 

You do not have to have read book 1 to enjoy WHISPERS OF WARNING, however, if you do not partake of both you are missing out on some good reading.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

 

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