Veiled in Smoke by Joceyln Green

ABOUT THE BOOK

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 after Meg burns her hands in an attempt to save a family heirloom, they 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 not only died during the fire--he was murdered. Even more shocking, Stephen is charged with the crime and committed to the Cook County Insane Asylum.

Though homeless, injured, 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.

MY REVIEW

I was going to use some quotes in this review and even saved some but that's not how' I work. I decided to let the Lord lead me in this review.

Jocelyn Green sure knows how to get your adrenaline pumping with excitement, fear, learning about love and to appreciate what is right in front of you the whole time

The setting is absolutely perfect for all that I've described above.

Imagine yourself if you were caught in a huge fire that big and in the middle of the whole town trying to escape. Impossible you say? Pretty much but for some, like Meg, Sylvie and their father came through. Oh and we can't forget Nathaniel Pierce investigative reporter.

I just love him for his kind, caring and persistence to get things done even if it is the right thing to do.

Sometimes doing the right thing isn't what others would have us do. They only want to hear had truths, lies and whatever else the case may be.

I also want you to Imagine how you'd feel after you've lost everything except the clothes on your back. You'd be in shock of course but I think I'd throw in that I'm thankful for being alive too!

What one door closes another one will open. Maybe there are some lessons that God wants to teach us that we never would have seen before.

I love how Green shows how this wonderful family survives the fire with God's Grace. I of course held my breath and I certainly felt myself panicking along with all of Chicago to get away from it.

Green writes about what we know as today PTSD and what was known then Soldiers heart. I had to look it up to see what the definition was. Let's just say, I learned quite a bit.

I finished this book in two days because it was sooooo good! And exciting too!

Yes, there were a few places where it dragged a bit but then it picked up when there was some mystery involved.

No, I didn't like Jasper at all! He made me upset for a bunch of reasons.

Green is a talented author who does her research well. I think I'm now a forever fan.

This is my favorite book besides Echoes Among the Stones.

I'm looking forward to seeing what Green has in store for us in the next book.

I give this book five stars all the way and I wish more.

The cover is awesome as always. I love that it gives you a hint of things to come.

My thanks to Netgalley and Bethany House for an incredible read so far for 2020.

I was NOT required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jocelyn Green is a former journalist who puts her investigative skills to work in writing both nonfiction and historical fiction to inspire faith and courage.

The honors her books have received include the Christy Award in historical fiction, and gold medals from the Military Writers Society of America and the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.

Complex and nuanced characters, rich historical detail and twisting plots make her novels immersive experiences. Her fiction has been praised by Historical Novel Society, Romantic Times, Library Journal, historians specializing in her novels’ time periods, as well as popular and acclaimed authors Laura Frantz, Lori Benton, Jody Hedlund, Sarah Sundin, Joanne Bischof, Julie Lessman, and more.

Jocelyn loves Broadway musicals, the color red, strawberry-rhubarb pie, Mexican food, and well-done documentaries. She lives in Iowa with her husband, two children, and two cats she should have named Catticus Finch and Purrman Meowville.