Jess Montgomery's Kinship historical mystery series (The Widows, The Hollows, The Stills, The Echoes) is one of my favorites, and when I learned that she has a new book coming out under the name Sharon Short, I had a big smile on my face. This new book has all the hallmarks of being just as good as her Kinship mysteries. Let me tell you more about it!
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| Available December 3, 2024! |
Synopsis:
"Many miles from anywhere in the middle of Lake Erie, Trouble
Island serves as a stop-off for gangsters as they run between America
and Canada. The remote isle is also the permanent home to two women:
Aurelia Escalante, who serves as a maid to Rosita, lady of the mansion
and wife to the notorious prohibition gangster, Eddie McGee. In the
freezing winter of 1932, the women anticipate the arrival of Eddie and
his strange coterie: his right-hand man, a doctor, a cousin, a famous
actor, and a rival gangster who Rosita believes murdered their only son.
Aurelia wants nothing more than to escape Trouble Island, but she is hiding a secret of her own. She is in fact not a maid, but a gangster’s wife in hiding, as she runs from the murder she committed five years ago. Her friend Rosita took her in under this guise, but it has become clear that Rosita wants to keep Aurelia right where she is.
Shortly after the group of criminals, celebrities, and scoundrels arrive, Rosita suddenly disappears. Aurelia plans her getaway, going to the shore to retrieve her box of hidden treasures, but instead finds Rosita’s body in the water. Someone has made sure Aurelia was the one to find her. An ice storm makes unexpected landfall, cutting Trouble Island off from both mainlands, and with more than one murderer among them.
Both a gripping locked room mystery, and a transporting, evocative portrait of a woman in crisis, Trouble Island marks the enthralling standalone suspense debut from Sharon Short, promising to be her breakout novel, inspired by a real island in Lake Erie, and true events from her own rich family history."
Aurelia wants nothing more than to escape Trouble Island, but she is hiding a secret of her own. She is in fact not a maid, but a gangster’s wife in hiding, as she runs from the murder she committed five years ago. Her friend Rosita took her in under this guise, but it has become clear that Rosita wants to keep Aurelia right where she is.
Shortly after the group of criminals, celebrities, and scoundrels arrive, Rosita suddenly disappears. Aurelia plans her getaway, going to the shore to retrieve her box of hidden treasures, but instead finds Rosita’s body in the water. Someone has made sure Aurelia was the one to find her. An ice storm makes unexpected landfall, cutting Trouble Island off from both mainlands, and with more than one murderer among them.
Both a gripping locked room mystery, and a transporting, evocative portrait of a woman in crisis, Trouble Island marks the enthralling standalone suspense debut from Sharon Short, promising to be her breakout novel, inspired by a real island in Lake Erie, and true events from her own rich family history."
Wow! This certainly sounds like a good'un, doesn't it? Knowing how talented Sharon Short is as a storyteller, I can't wait to get my hands on Trouble Island. How about you?
The characters do sound really interesting, Cathy! And I very much like the setting for this, too. I can see a lot of possibilities here, so I'm not surprised you're looking forward to it so much!
ReplyDeleteShort has really proven herself to be a wonderful (historical) storyteller.
DeleteIt does sound like a good one!
ReplyDeleteIt does! I'm really looking forward to it.
DeleteSounds fast paced and interesting
ReplyDeleteYes!
DeleteCan't wait for your review.
ReplyDeleteI thought you might be interested in this one, Kathy. :-)
DeleteFascinating setup! I'll look forward to your review :)
ReplyDeleteOoooh, the pressure! ;-)
Delete