Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Staff Picks A Lady in Disguise by Sandra Byrd (Adult Fiction)

A Lady in Disguise by Sandra Byrd

Gillian leaves her father’s poorly attended funeral and stumbles upon a plain clothed police officer searching her home without permission. Why? What are the police looking for?

“...Louisa said, “Scared us to death, it did, when he broke in. Didn’t expect to find us here, no doubt.”

“Why would a policeman break in, I ask you, and one your father worked with at that?”

Gillian is strong willed, a woman of faith, naive to the ways of the world and pursuing answers with little thought to her safety. Her father’s body was found on a city street. Was it an accident or murder? She is unexpectedly orphaned and left in a precarious and dangerous predicament. Gillian now realizes how a woman can be taken advantage of. Who can she trust? Every time Gillian tries to uncover clues about her father’s accident, reputation-threatening people try to ruin her livelihood. Why? Why is she threatened by people who were once considered close friends? Gillian must decide if finding the truth is worth losing everything, including two potential romances and the ability to help a local charity that mentors young girls past the pantomime age for kids in the theater.

I loved the theatrical side to this story. I was fascinated by the method and materials Gillian worked with to make stunning seasonal dresses. I was also amazed at how Gillian went about designing gowns for the theatrical performance of Cinderella.

This author saved the best story for last in The Daughters of Hampshire series. I was spellbound by this Victorian romance/Gothic Thriller. I was sorry to have it end. This makes for a wonderful summer read, a great book club pick; with a delightful conclusion to the series. I highly recommend it. It’s a keeper.

Nora St. Laurent
Collection Support Aide


69 comments:

Caryl Kane said...

Wonderful review Nora! I love Sandra Byrd's stories!

Unknown said...

Sounds like a good read.

Connie Porter Saunders said...

Thank you for a great review. Makes me want to read it soon!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great story.

Linda Buice said...

Sounds like it would be a great read.

Lee Carver said...

I haven't read any of this series, but this one piques my interest. Thanks for bringing the spotlight on Sandra Byrd's novels.

Southern-fried Fiction said...

I'll put it on my list to grab at the library, Nora. Thanks for reviewing it. I love your reviews!

Cheri S. said...

This sounds like a great book! Thank you so much. I love series too so this is perfect. Definitely on my TBR pile!

JBarr5 said...

Sounds like a great read. Especially like when a woman can use her hands and knowledgeable skill of a trade to help others less fortunate. . Love charity work also myself. Would read this in a heart beat.
Thanks for sharing your review.
Julie

Susan P said...

Ooh, this has intrigued me. Thanks for sharing with us!

Dawn Kinzer said...

I loved this book, Nora! Fun to read your thoughts on it. It's like you read my mind!

Deana said...

Loved your review. I haven't read any of the authors books before but now I must read this one.

Mary Hake said...

I enjoyed this book too. Great review.

Robbye said...

This sounds interesting! Great review!!

MJSH said...

Thank you, Nora, for the insightful and wonderful review of the book. I totally agree! It was a good read that wove the ways of the police department in that era with the fascinating environment of costume and fashion design with a dash of mystery and romance! Anyone who loves historical fiction would appreciate this novel.

Virginia Winfield said...

I loved this story also. I believe it was the best also.

Mrs Tina said...

Wonderful review Nora! I have not read anything by Sandra Byrd yet.
Blessings, Tina

Anne Rightler said...

Looks like I have one more for my TBR pile! Thank you for sharing your review.

Patricia Bradley said...

This is a new-to-me author and the story sounds wonderful! Thanks for showcasing it.

Stormi said...

Sounds like a great one! :)

KK Absher said...

Sounds fabulous! Great review...

max said...

This book has received additional positive reviews on Amazon

Brenda said...

Sounds like a great book!

Unknown said...

I love a good mystery, one that keeps you guessing about who really did it and why, A Lady in Disguise reads like a good mystery to read on a stormy night, thanks for the new book.

Cordially Barbara said...

Gillian is such a beautiful character, and I love that she works with the costumes of a theatre. Such a neat premise!

Babbling Becky L said...

Sounds like a great book!

Dali Castillo said...

Sounds great! Putting it on my to read list.















Library Lady said...

We have Sandra's books in the church library. I love libraries whether they are public or religious. I also volunteer in the church library and have for almost 40 years.
Sandra is a great author and your review did her proud, as we say in the South.
Janet E.

Deanna Stevens said...

This is in my reading stack! I'm moving it up... thanks

Sandra Byrd said...

Oh, thank you Nora, for this lovely review. I've always ever only wanted to write to entertain, encourage, and bring a new story world and characters to love to readers. I'm delighted you find that A Lady in Disguise does that! Thank you, too, to the library staff (here and everywhere!) for selecting my books in addition to just encouraging all of us readers. I'll have a new book in this genre out in 2018 - I hope readers might consider keeping in touch at www.sandrabyrd.com !

Maggie Brendan said...

What a great review! Sounds like the book's a winner. Thanks, Nora.

Linore Rose Burkard, Novelist said...

I've read this author before and really enjoyed her writing. This sounds like another winner. Thanks for posting, Nora!

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

I love her engaging novels too.

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

You should definitely put it on your TBR list.

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

I'm happy to introduce you to Sandra Byrd and her books. They are listed as a Gothic Thriller. You'll be up late reading this one.

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

I'm glad to hear this! You'll be glad you checked this author out.

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

The leading lady was intriguing as she had a passion for designing dresses for the Cinderella play and for young ladies for their season. She also had a heart to help young ladies learn a trade so they didn't end up in a bad situation. You will need to check this out Julie.

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

LOL!

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

Glad to hear that Deana. I hope you are able to get this at the library.

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

I'm glad to hear you loved this book as much as I did. It had so many fascinating aspects to it. I instantly cared for the main character and her leading young man.

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

Glad to hear that Virginia.

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

You won't be sorry Anne!

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

I'm happy to introduce you to this author. You are going to love her books.

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

Yes, it is Adoniee. I like how you said that. There is lots of mystery to this story.

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

I loved that aspect of the story too Cordially

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

Thanks for your kind words Janet. Thanks for your service in the library.

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

You won't be sorry you moved it up a book or two. But be prepared to be hijacked into the story that won't let you go until the end.

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

It is Linore. It is!

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

Great to see you here Sandra. I do like how you drop readers into the time period you write about and give them a front row seat in solving the mystery you've created. I'm excited to hear you have another book to be released in 2018.

Sonnetta Jones said...

Sounds exciting. I am intrigued.

jacqui19 said...

This sounds really intriguing, Nora. Thanks for the review.

Littluns said...

Genuine from the heart review Nora.

Pam said...

This is such a terrific book with so many twists and turns to the plot. Gillian doesn't know who she can trust. Since the book is written in first person, we don't know who she can trust either, which just heightens the suspense. Sandra Byrd writes gothic romantic suspense very well!

Janice said...

This sounds like a wonderful tale of mystery and drama. Since my church has a substantial drama outreach, I think this would be a perfect read for a church group. Thanks for the details about costuming in your review, Nora. Please do more reviews. I trust your choices in recommendation.

Unknown said...

I don't think I've ever read a Sandra Byrd novel, but you sold me on it. I love those kind of reviews. Nice job, Nora. Thank you for sharing.

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

Hi, Janice; Thank you for your encouragement and telling me about your drama group. You are right about this being a perfect fit for your church group. This author takes you behind the scene of theater and has you sit beside Gillian as she helps the younger women she's hired create beautiful dresses. It's a win win!

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

Pam, That is another thing I adored about this book and how the author wrote the story. Thanks for your in put.

strgth4yu said...

Sounds like a great story! I love anything that catches my attention and keeps me in the story. Thanks for sharing.

Kim Justice said...

I have not picked this one up but will be putting it on my TBR list today. Author Sandra Byrd is still kinda new to me but enjoyed reading The Secret Keeper a few years ago. So thanks for sharing this review.

KateB said...

Thanks for the great review and your recommendation, Nora. I've just checked the series on Amazon, all the books look very interesting. I added it to my TBR pile (or mountain to be precise.)

Vickie said...

Nice review, Nora. I haven't read any of her books before, but you make me want to read this one.

Sharon said...

Your review is enticing and inviting, Nora! I think I have read Sandra Byrd but it was a different type of novel than this one. I'll have to check out this series.
Thanks for the scoop! Will add to my Goodreads TBR pile!

Gina Griffin Johnson said...

Wonderful review. Sounds like a great book.

Scrambled Dregs said...

Sandra Byrd spins terrific tales. Thanks for the review!

scaro said...

Sounds intriguing. Thanks, Nora for the review
and introducing me to this author.
Carol Smith
penelope223@yahoo.com

Gail said...

Love Sandra's books! Great review, Nora!

pricey said...

I just finished this book and it was a good read. It was interesting to read about the dresses at the time. There's a little bit of a twist at the end and good tension throughout the book as Gillian tries to figure out who (and how) to trust.

vicjbr said...

great review

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

I'm glad to hear you read it. I loved the part about the dress making. There was a fun twist at the end. Loved the message of the book too!