MY REVIEW:

“Deception on Sable Hill” is the second book in Gray’s A Chicago World’s Fair Mystery series. Featuring Eloisa Carstairs whose story began in the first book of the series, “Secrets of Sloane House”, this book introduces some new characters but the reader will also recognize a few familiar faces along the way. This narrative is set against the backdrop of the World’s Fair where a killer is preying on young society women and somehow Eloisa has found herself right in the middle of the mystery.

Eloisa carries a secret of her own. Although an innocent victim, her secret could destroy her reputation as well as her chances for an acceptable marriage. She has managed to keep her secret to herself until she met Detective Sean Ryan. Although Sean can never hope to have a relationship with Eloisa because they are on different levels of society, he has determined to protect her at all costs.

Easy to relate to and realistic characters paired well with an imaginative plot that had plenty of twists and surprises to keep me on my toes. I was firmly convinced that the killer was one person but I was 100% wrong about that. I was actually relieved because as the story progressed I began to like the person I suspected. In fact, I am in hopes that this particular person will play a major role in the next book of the series. I am not naming names because that could lead to spoiling another’s fun.

I enjoyed everything about “Deception on Sable Hill” except for the fact that it was over much too soon and I will be impatient at the wait for the next installment. I enjoy everything by this author, no matter which genre she writes.

This book was provided for review by the BookLook Blogger Program of Harper Collins Christian Publishing.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The World’s Fair is nearing its end, but the danger in Chicago lingers.

It’s mid-September of 1893 and Eloisa Carstairs is the reigning beauty 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 outskirts of the wealthy Chicago lifestyle. Born into a poor Irish family, becoming a policeman was his best opportunity to ensure his future security. Despite society’s restrictions, he is enamored with Eloisa Carstairs. Sean seethes inside at what he knows happened to her, and he will do anything to keep her safe-even if he can never earn her affections. .

Eloisa longs to feel normal again in the midst of the danger surrounding the Chicago World’s Fair, but a killer is on the loose. In the last month, three debutantes have been accosted in the city by an assailant wielding a stiletto. As the danger in the city increases, and as Eloisa’s and Sean’s romance 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 tumbling 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, recently 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 Facebook: ShelleyShepardGray Twitter: @ShelleySGray