Indie spotlight is my effort to help Indie authors with marketing. You can help too by sharing this post far and wide. Below is a review I did for The Historical Novel Society, The Washashore by Marshall Highet and Bird Jones.
BOOK REVIEW
1929. Emily Cartwright has just lost her mother, and her Aunt Isabel, who was estranged from her mother, has been named as her guardian. She travels from Nebraska to Martha’s Vineyard to live in Aunt Isabel’s grand home. She is immediately made to give up her first name and go by her middle name, because Emily was the name of Aunt Isabel’s daughter who had vanished years before. Emily makes a friend, Fiona, daughter of the housekeeper, and is just finding her way around when Aunt Isabel’s friend, Ann, is found dead. Isabel suspects murder and enlists Emily to be her eyes and ears around the house and town. As Emily starts to investigate, will she find the killer, and are she and Isabel in danger?
This is an enjoyable story with likeable characters and an intriguing mystery. Emily is both an orphan and a “fish out of water,” moving from a country life in Nebraska to her wealthy aunt’s luxurious home. The fact that the skills she learned in Nebraska are great assets is made plain this story, as she is stronger for it, both physically and mentally. Aunt Isabel is the very definition of a “grand lady,” but she also possesses a keen mind and an iron will. There is a theme of grief and moving forward, as Emily is grieving for her mother, and Isabel is grieving for her lost daughter. The Prohibition Era, including the way the rumrunners used the island, is well portrayed. The mystery is intriguing and there are some successful red herrings. There is also an action-packed ending to this story that shouldn’t be missed. Fans of historical mysteries will enjoy this one. Recommended.
I received a copy of this book from the Historical Novel Society. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
PURCHASE LINK
*Click on the cover below to buy this book on Amazon.
BEFORE YOU GO
If you read this book, be sure to leave a review on Amazon. It is very important for Indie authors because the more reviews a book has, the more Amazon will promote it. It does not have to be a masterpiece. Just a couple of quick lines will make the author’s day. Please also remember to share this post with all of your social media followers.
Great review and the books sounds very much worth reading! Thank you! xo
Thanks Gail!
I tried to correct the typo ‘books’ to ‘book’, but I was too late…lol
A lovely review and it sounds like a book I’d enjoy. Thank you.
The Martha’s Vineyard setting sounds intriguing. I lived there for a couple of years when I was a kid.
Interesting! Did you ever go back to visit?
My brother did, but I haven’t been back.
It’s nice to read your wonderful review of this intriguing book, Bonnie. Thank you for posting it.
Thanks so much, Tim!
My pleasure, Bonnie. 😊
This sounds intriguing! Thanks for the great review.
[…] Indie books and authors. I posted reviews of The Weight of Snow and Regret, Amanda in Ireland, and The Washashore. I get a lot of requests from Indie authors, and my list is long, but I try to read as many as I […]
Sounds like a book I’d like to read. Great review