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
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