WHISPERS BEYOND THE VEIL

 

WHISPERS BEYOND THE VEIL

By Jessica Estevao

Berkeley Prime Crime

338 pgs

 

Found this quaint mystery novel in a New Hampshire bookstore many years ago. On the back cover blurb, it reported the tale took place in 1898 in the seaside town of Old Orchard, Maine. Then we realized the cover depicted the book’s heroine, Ruby Proux standing on the beach gazing at the famous pier that jutted out into the Atlantic. Having spent many happy summer days in that town during our youth, purchasing the book was never a question. 

The book opens in Canada, with a young Ruby Proulx is traveling the carnival circuit with her father, a selfish snake-oil-salesman who, after her mother’s passing, brought her up to be his assistant in his many flim-flam schemes. When one of his outlandish plans results in the death of a carnival worker, the two have no recourse but to flee. Which leads to Ruby’s second shock. Her father directs her to take the train south into America and find succor at her aunt’s hotel in Old Orchard, Maine. Honoria Belden is her late mother’s older sister whom she has never met. In fact, Ruby knows absolutely nothing about her mother’s past, other than a few names uttered by her father over the years. 

Once in the quaint little seaside town, Ruby discovers a world of both charm and mystery. Honoria is a larger-than-life figure who immediately embraces her arrival, showering her with affection and kindness; qualities Ruby is totally unfamiliar with. She soon learns that her aunt’s hotel is a gathering place for spiritualists of all types. From card readers to gazers of crystal balls, their presence is the primary attraction of summer guests. When an expected medium fails to show up, Ruby offers to assume her duties, falling back on her confidence tricks taught to her by her father. 

At first all goes smoothy, but when a hotel guest, there to investigate the legitimacy of the various spiritualists is murdered, Ruby finds herself caught up in complicated mystery that not only threatens her beloved aunt, but also to expose her own criminal background. “Whispers Beyond the Veil,” is unlike most “cozy” mysteries due to a heroine who’s own character is not altogether decent and watching Ruby’s conscience evolve throughout is affair is captivating. Ruby Proulx is one heroine you will not soon forget.