book by Jocelyn Green

The Windy City Saga Book #1

Publisher’s Blurb

Meg Townsend and her sister, Sylvie, seek a quiet existence managing the family bookshop. Meg feels responsible for caring for their father, Stephen, whose spirit and health are both damaged from his time as a prisoner during the Civil War. Her one escape is the paintings she creates and sells in the bookshop.

Then the Great Fire sweeps through Chicago’s business district. The fiery explosions and chaos stir up memories of war for Stephen as he runs from the blaze and becomes separated from his daughters. Days later, when the smoke has cleared, Meg and Sylvie manage to reunite with him. Their home and shop are lost, and what’s left among the ashes may be even more threatening than the flames, for they learn that a close friend was murdered the night of the fire–and Stephen has been charged with the crime. After he is committed to the Cook County Insane Asylum, where they cannot visit him, Stephen feels as lost to them as the shop that now lies in rubble.

Though homeless and suddenly unemployed, Meg must not only gather the pieces of her shattered life but prove the truth of what happened that night, before the asylum truly drives her father mad.

Details

  • Title: Vailed in Smoke
    • Author: Jocelyn Green
    • Series: The Windy City Saga #1
    • Publisher: Bethany House (February 4, 2020)

My Thoughts

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙜𝙤 is blended expertly with the struggles of two sisters and their father, who is suffering from the aftermaths of the Civil War. An interesting mystery also manages to weave its way into this historical fiction.⁠

𝗩𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗺𝗼𝗸𝗲 is a book you won’t want to miss. Not only is the cover of this book beautiful, but the story is too.

Stephen

Stephen, Meg and Sylvie’s father, has come back from the war a completely different man. Being in a prison camp during the Civil War has left him cautious and paranoid. He is always watching for enemies so it’s not unusual for him to patrol their roof at night, looking for the enemy. It is known to many that he is out of touch with reality. So during the Great Chicago Fire when Stephen’s friend is killed with Stephen’s gun, it only makes sense to officials to tuck Stephen away in an asylum. This experience is eye-opening regarding the treatment of those considered harmful and insane at that time.

Meg and Sylvie

The story describes various activities that might have happened in Chicago, including selling relics from the fire. But these things are expertly intermingled into relationships and a growing mystery. Meg and Sylvie, who run a bookstore, are sure that their father would never have killed their family’s friend. But can they prove what really happened while trying to rebuild their home and store after the fire?

What Concerned Me

While the mystery did add interest to the story, it was slightly, and I go heavy on slightly, disappointing.

What I Liked Most

The story and characters were interesting, plus I liked the many references to the fire in Chicago.

Rating:

About the Author

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 co-authored 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.

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