Today’s book review features
Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green.
Book Blurb
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.
From Goodreads
Author Information
Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning and bestselling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including The Mark of the King; Wedded to War; and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she coauthored with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. Her books have garnered starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and have been honored with the Christy Award, the gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America, and the Golden Scroll Award from the Advanced Writers & Speakers Association. She graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, with a B.A. in English, concentration in writing. She loves Mexican food, Broadway musicals, strawberry rhubarb pie, the color red, and reading with a cup of tea. Jocelyn lives with her husband Rob and two children in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Visit her at www.jocelyngreen.com.
From Author Website
Danielle’s Review
Veiled in Smoke is the first book in Jocelyn Green’s The Windy City Saga series. Meg Townsend simply wants to help her father and paint, but when the Great Chicago Fire destroys everything, she must figure out if she and her sister and father can rise from the ashes along with the rest of the city.
Nathaniel Pierce meets the Townsend family when he visits to interview their father for an article series he’s writing for the newspaper. Stephen Townsend is a Civil War POW survivor who suffers from Soldiers Heart or PTSD. When he comes across a lost Stephen in the chaos of the fire, Nate must decide whether to involve himself with the family. And Meg in particular.
As a Chicagoland native, I grew up with stories of the Chicago Fire. So, whenever I see a novel set during that time, I’m immediately intrigued. Jocelyn Green brings the terror, confusion, and aftermath of the fire into striking light. Not an easy book to read since it delves so deeply into trauma, but the author handles the topic both respectfully and honestly.
If you enjoy stories set in Chicago that explore it’s complicated history, Veiled in Smoke is an excellent choice. The twists and turns leave the reader hoping for a happy ending.
I purchased a copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.
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