Novels Now

There is lace in every living thing: the bare branches of winter, the patterns of clouds, the surface of water as it ripples in the breeze…Even a wild dog’s matted fur shows a lacy pattern if you look at it closely. - The Lace Reader- pg 101

Sophya “Towner” Whitney grew up around Salem, Massachusetts. She comes from an influential family with a long history there. She and all of the women in her family read lace and can see the future.

When she was 17, her sister died and Towner had to get away from Salem so she fled to California. She hasn’t been back since. However, a call from home saying that her beloved Aunt Eva is missing brings Towner back and she must confront all that she thought she had left behind.

This book is part historical fiction and part cozy mystery(as defined here)with a little psychological and supernatural mystery thrown in for good measure. It delves quite a bit into the past of Salem, Ma. which, as most people know, is the place where the witch trials took place in the 1600s. The mystery part comes when Eva Whitney mysteriously disappears and is eventually found dead and we follow the switchback trail of mystery to the surprising conclusion

I actually passed through Salem very briefly about 4 or 5 years ago and had talked with my husband about visiting again at some point. Now, it’s something I would like to do more than ever.

For me, this book was not a heart-pounding thriller. I felt that the author gave out the details of the story at a leisurely pace. This was fine with me because I absolutely loved the way that she described the thoughts and feelings of the characters as well as her vivid descriptions of the landscape. As an extra benefit, the mystery was excellent as well.

This book was a pleasure to read. The writing is lyrical and the characterization of the Whitney women is ethereal yet it skillfully deals with the issues of grief, abuse and family relationships. I highly recommend reading this one. (4.5/5)