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writing style was kind of bland, making it slow, and not working for me. though i loved the premise and the historical elements, it wasn’t enough for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Girl Friday Productions for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I've never read a historical fiction book based on true crime. I really enjoyed the plot, the suspense, the intense trial of Emily Lloyd. The flow of writing was excellent. Sharon Virts really did her research and this book was magnificent! Lots of interesting medications prescribed in the 1870s. I enjoyed the Virginia setting and the Baltimore, Maryland references. I'm a Marylander, so I always enjoy reading about Maryland.
Since I had never read up on the trial of Emily Lloyd prior to reading this book, I was constantly guessing what she was hiding and if she was going to be found guilty of the crimes she was being accused of. It was definitely a heartbreaking story and she obviously went though so much trauma in her life. I thought the ending wrapped up very nicely and I'm looking forward to reading more from Sharon Virts.

Highly recommend if you enjoy true crime and historical fiction!

"Veil of Doubt" by Sharon Virts is a courtroom thriller based on a true story of Emily Lloyd in the 1800’s, a woman who was being tried for murdering her 4 children. I felt that the story was very well researched and written in an engaging way. I look forward to reading many more books written by Sharon Virts.
I thank Girl Friday Productions and NetGalley for this E-ARC. My review is entirely my honest opinion.

#GirlFridayProductions, #SharonVirts, #VeilofDoubt,

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

3.5/5 stars

This was such a cool historical fiction and true crime procedural wrapped in one. I really enjoyed learning the story and, as a police procedural junkie, the narration style was engaging and entertaining. However, there were a lot of characters and elements that just didn't feel necessary, which impacted pacing and my ability to focus on the main story. I also found "the big twist" painfully obvious, but maybe that's just because of how much police/crime media I've consumed.

So on the pros, I really enjoyed the narration, the story, and the blend of reality to fiction. The author clearly had a lot of knowledge and respect for the subject matter and is obviously a talented storyteller. I would definitely recommend this to anyone that enjoys true crime or police procedurals!

Great recommendation for fans of true-crime and historical fiction. This is based on a true story with engaging characters and a real page-turner. The twist at the end was surprising and makes it a worth-while read for crime junkies who love historical thrillers.

When author @sharonvirtsbooks first reached out I was very intrigued hearing about this mixture of historical fiction, true crime thriller and legal procedural.
I was not disappointed, I was hooked right from the start and loved the well researched historical fiction as well as the courtroom drama aspect of it. The defending attorney's thought process was laid out so well and at the same time so we'll grounded in it's time.
Mental health, the insanity defense and justice were central to this heartbreaking story that just kept me engaged and turning the pages. Even better - this book ended with a detailed author's note. I highly recommend reading this book if true crime or historical fiction is your thing - this book archives an interesting blend.
A big thank you yet again to author Sharon Virts for spoiling me with bookish socks and chocolates on top of my NetGalley widget for an eARC - I truly appreciate the goodies but also truly loved this book. I love reading books that center on trials and compare modern day to times gone by - this book reminded me of Chris Bohjalian's Hour of The Witch in that way.

This historical novel, set in the American Reconstruction Era, is based on real events.

In the aftermath of the American Civil War, the South is traumatized, angry, and facing economic difficulties. Mayor Robert Bentley of Loudoun, Virginia, up for reelection and under pressure from the taxpayers, looks at Negroes and indigent women as "millstones around the neck of the community." So when widow Emily Lloyd, mother of four, files for her deceased husband's pension, Mayor Bentley says she doesn't need it, it's only greed.

The authorities, who already disdain Emily, become very suspicious when her family members die, one after the other. The official story, supported by Emily's physician, Dr. Randolph Moore, is that Emily's husband Charles died of heart failure in 1868; Emily's aunt, Elizabeth Hammerly - from whom Emily inherited a house - died from a flu in 1869; Emily's sons, 8-year-old Henry and 10-year-old Charles Jr., died from eating poisonous pokeberries, which they mistook for blueberries, in 1871; Emily's daughter, 5-year-old Annie, succumbed to cholera in February, 1872; and Emily's remaining daughter, 3-year-old Maud, died from a stomach malady in March, 1872.

This last misfortune is too much for the townsfolk, and Loudoun's Mayor Bentley and Sheriff Bernie Atwell decide to do something. Mayor Bentley summons a coroner's inquest, and while little Maud's dead body is still warm, lying on her bed, two physicians cut the child open right in front of her mother. A subsequent analysis of the child's organs reveal that Maud consumed arsenic, and Emily is then accused of poisoning ALL her deceased family members, some of whom are exhumed for analysis. For her part, Emily adamantly denies any wrongdoing and insists that someone else is responsible and that blaming her is a terrible mistake.

Attorney JW Foster decides to represent Emily.....and asks his fellow lawyer, Powell Harrison to join him. Foster insists, "Mothers don't kill their babies, and Emily Lloyd didn't poison hers. She's a decent woman and is entitled to fair representation." Powell doesn't want to take on an infanticide case, but he feels he must, or Emily won't get a fair trial. In Powell's view, the prosecutor, Mort Kilgour, is not so much interested in finding the truth as he is in winning over the court of public opinion.

When Powell's wife tries to dissuade him from representing Emily by saying people will talk, Powell responds, "Let them talk. None of them give a cent about the truth. All they want is to dish out vengeance for all they lost during the war. When they aren't blaming the Yankees, they're blaming the Negroes or the poor."

In the end, Powell, who has experience trying cases against Prosecutor Kilgour, is lead attorney for Emily, with JW assisting, and Powell's law partner (and brother) Matt giving advice. A good part of the book is a courtroom drama, with jury selection; motions; testimony of experts; testimony of witnesses; and so on.

In 1872, many things were different than today. For example, the prosecution wasn't required to share discovery with the defense, and could actually withhold evidence; men had the 'right' to beat and choke their wives; property that a wife inherited belonged to her husband; and more. All this is relevant to the story.

As Powell and JW work on Emily's case, they recall Civil War events. JW was in a rat-infested Yankee prison camp, and Powell fought in the terrible Battle of Gettysburg, where he remembers the Yankees firing their big guns, grapeshot everywhere, riddled bodies dropping to the ground, and dying men being loaded onto wagons with limbs missing and gaping wounds.

A wartime tragedy also befell Powell's sister Alice. Union soldiers came to a farm where Alice was staying with a friend and ransacked the home, took the silver and all the winter stores, burned the barn, and seized the livestock. Later, three drunk soldiers returned and beat and raped Alice and her friend.

The novel is well-researched and has numerous references to real historical court cases as well as detailed descriptions of methods used to test for arsenic. The book has a strong religious bent, and the characters often quote the Bible and talk about God.

The suspense tale and the ambiance of 1872 Virginia will appeal to fans of historical mysteries.

Thanks to Netgalley, Sharon Virts, and Girl Friday Books for a copy of the book.

Ms. Virts’ publicist offered me an e-galley of Veil of Doubt and I’m so glad that I said yes! What an intriguing and captivating read! I could not help but be amazed that this story is based in fact. Sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction! I could not put this book down as I struggled with “did she? Or didn’t she?”

This is my first opportunity to read Ms. Virts’ writing and I could tell that she had spent hours researching this true court case. Her story immerses you into the 19th century and the morés of that time. Her characters have a rich depth to them; and even though they are not perfect, I sympathized with them.

This book deals with difficult subject with the death of children allegedly by their mother. The background pulls the reader in and the courtroom drama is riveting. There is an aha moment where everything clicks and the twists weren't so apparent. Obviously well researched and the arsenic chemistry was not too much detail but interesting. I will look for more to read by this author.

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley

VEIL OF DOUBT by Sharon Virts is an absolutely riveting historical fiction/crime mystery book based on true events surrounding the trial of a mother charged with the murder of her young daughter in 1872 Leesburg, Virginia. I could not put this book down from start to finish.

Emily Lloyd is accused and charged with poisoning her young daughter, Maud. The widow has tragically already had to bury three children previously and is considered odd even by her friends, who are few. The entire town suspects her of the crime.

Powell Harrison is a brilliant attorney who has returned to his hometown to partner with his brother in their late father’s practice. He is approached to take on Emily’s case. While he gets resistance from friends and even his own family, he feels he is the most experienced lawyer to help Emily. As the facts of the case emerge, Powell begins to suspect Emily’s erratic behavior might be hiding an even deeper secret.

This is one of my favorite historical fiction stories this year. I was completely engrossed from beginning to the end. The book is based around the investigation and trial for several murders supposedly perpetrated by Emily Lloyd. While some suspense/mystery books featuring court proceedings can be boring or dry at times, I never felt that way with this story. The way evidence was collected, tested, and evaluated was interesting and period appropriate. I knew where the character twist was headed before the ending, but still found it fascinating as well as discussions of other mental traumas related to the Civil War. The author’s research into the true crime case and the Reconstruction era is evident.

I highly recommend this compelling historical fiction/crime mystery based on a true story. Make sure you have time set aside because you will not be able to stop turning the pages.

Dark thriller

Emily Lloyd is charged with the murder of her children in a town convinced she is guilty but defence attorney Powell Harrison is tasked with finding out if that is really true. The more Powell learns about Emily, the more suspicious that something unknown and a different truth lies in wait, if only he can figure it all out before Emily is convicted perhaps incorrectly.

A very complex and dark physiological thriller, interwoven with deep levels of mystery surrounding current and past events, and character behaviours. Initially, understanding Powell’s hesitancy to get involved with the case given his own memories was easy, but then they seemed to spur on his desire to get the truth and if it was as he suspected, save Emily from a horrid fate. While he might be able to help her with her case, he seemed to know that no matter what the outcome he’d probably never save her from any demons from the past that were haunting and driving some of her behaviour that other’s labelled erratic.

Given the era, the story and character reactions to events appeared accurate. But it is good to represent that even in those times, there were people trying to make sense of psychological traumas and behaviour differences in those that had endured traumatic times. Piecing together clues was deep and insightful and started to paint a bigger picture that all might not be as it seemed in the eyes of those desperate to convict a troubled woman.

Not my usual type of read, but intriguing and given the nature of the story, well written and delivered to keep the reader inquisitive and guessing right up until the last minute.

Did she or didn’t she? That’s the question that reverberated with me while I read.
I was entranced by the fact the novel was based on an actual story and I was eager to learn.
Virts,takes readers back to a time before medicinal advancements and there is a lot of articles.
Many liberties were taken for the sake of the story.
It definitely left me wondering mmmmmmhmmmmm?/

Veil of Doubt by Sharon Virts was an engaging historical mystery, a medical drama, and legal procedural; it had a little something for everyone. It is an intriguing story based on fact, set in post Civil War America. Widow, Emily Lloyd, is accused of killing her three-year old daughter, Maude, but in the past, there have been several other family members who have died under her care. Emily’s attorney, Powell Harrison, provided robust representation. It was a well-researched and well-written, highly recommended read. 4.5 stars.

A book that drew me-in from the first pages historical fiction based on a true crime.A mother accused of murder ing her children well researched with many forensic details.A courtroom drama with many twists.#netgalley #girlfriday.

A gripping, moving and shocking historical mystery based on a true story. I found the book to be well written, well thought out and paced. I appreciated the amount of research that the author did prior to writing this book.

Reconstruction-era Virginia

Emily Lloyd is a widow who has been accused of killing her three-year-old daughter, Maude. It is not the first time someone in her home has died. Her husband and their three children died mysteriously. Now that Maude has passed away as well, the town’s rumor mill is spinning. How could so many deaths have occurred in her home?

After Emily is charged, Powell Harrison, a diligent, hardworking and intelligent lawyer agrees to take her case. He will rely on his wits, the forensics at the time, and the interviews he conducts to represent Emily Lloyd and present his case in court.

I enjoy books based on real people and are inspired by real events. This one did not disappoint. I was instantly intrigued and wondered, like the characters in this book, how her entire family died in her home. How could this happen? I wanted to know more and enjoyed how everything played out. This book had a little bit of so many things that I enjoy in a book: mystery, forensics, legal/court procedurals, and the search for the truth!

Well written, gripping, and thought provoking.


Thank you to Girl Friday Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

"An Unforgettable Historical Mystery with Powerful Themes"

This compelling story is set in 1872 Virginia during the Reconstruction Era, following the life of a young widow, Emily Lloyd. Within the first few pages, we learn of her unimaginable grief as three of her children have already passed away, and her daughter, Maud, is on the brink of death. The tragedy deepens as evidence suggests Maud was poisoned, leading to Emily's arrest for murder.

At first glance, one might be quick to judge Emily as an evil woman. The all-male jury, as women are not permitted to serve as jurors during this time, appears disinterested in her defense until her attorney, Powell Harrison, compels them to consider the scientific evidence that could provide an alternative explanation for Maud's death.

This fact-based novel is a riveting read that I couldn't put down. Powell Harrison's character easily serves as an inspiration for Atticus Finch in "To Kill A Mockingbird." He is a man of principle who delivers a remarkable defense. The most significant twist in the story, however, revolves around Emily's mental health. Nearly 50 years before Freud's groundbreaking work on the human psyche, Powell recognizes that Emily is struggling with inner turmoil due to a violent past and a traumatic present. As the truth gradually comes to light, it is both chilling and blindsiding.

This writer unquestionably deserves acclaim and recognition for bringing Emily and Powell to life while shedding light on a time when women had no power within the justice system and mental health was poorly understood. The story concludes with a jaw-dropping revelation that will leave readers astonished.

Two of my favorite genres combined… a historical fiction thriller based on a true store from the late 1800’s! I was hooked from the very beginning!

When Emily Lloyd's three year old daughter Maud dies of a mysterious illness, the town becomes suspicious. Maud is the 4th and last child of Emily's to die along with her husband and aunt. The town's people think that she may have poisoned them, and she is being charged with murder.

Virt’s character development is amazing and you can tell a lot of research went into this book. The author’s notes are also a must ready!! I highly recommend this book!

"So who is to blame?"

Ah! The question that lingers on every page of the meticulously researched true crime historical fiction Veil of Doubt by mesmerizing author Sharon Virts.

The life of young widow Emily Lloyd, in 1872 Reconstruction Era Virginia, is one of unimaginable grief. Within the first few pages of this transfixing story we discover that three of her children have died and now her daughter Maud is at death's door. How could a mother bare such loss? As Maud's short life slips away evidence reveals that she was poisoned and Emily is arrested for murder.

Now you might think what an evil woman. In fact, the all male jury (women can't be jurors in this time in history) are actually bored listening to any testimony in her defense...until the very calm, intelligent and clever defense lawyer Powell Harrison forces them to hear the scientific evidence that paints a different picture of what might actually be the cause of Maud's untimely demise.

I couldn't stop reading this enthralling fact based novel. Powell was easily an inspiration for Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird. A man of principle who gave the defense performance of a lifetime. The biggest twist is Emily's mental health. Almost 50 years before Freud wrote his findings of the tricks of the mind, Powell knows that Emily is suffering from inner turmoil from a violent past and traumatic present. As the truth surfaces it's not only chilling but a knock down blindside.

There's no doubt that this writer deserves all the stars, all the accolades for bringing Emily and Powell to fame and reminding us how women had no power in the justice system, that there wasn't such a thing as mental health, and there is nothing quite like reading the last few words of a book that leaves you jaw dropping dumbstruck!

I received a free copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Guilty Until Proven Innocent

In a sleepy town in reconstruction era Virginia a widow is accused of murdering her husband, children, and her aunt. With racial and economic tensions still running high after the Civil War, this does not bode well for Mrs. Emily Lloyd. As a widow living closer to the “wrong side of town” she is seen as a drag on the economy, and someone better left in the shadows or exiled all together. And with politics also coming into play the entire thing does not sit well with local attorney Powell Harrison who reluctantly takes up Mrs. Lloyd’s case. Together with his brother and a longtime friend the team initially set out for an insanity defense, but when their discovery leads more toward mishandling by the prosecution they take a different tack. With the odds and public sentiment against them, the team changes gears, but will it be enough to save a possibly innocent woman from the gallows?

Veil of Doubt is the second novel by author Sharon Virts and explores the real-life exploits and trial of Emily Lloyd. Accused of murdering her husband, aunt and four children, Lloyd could arguably be one of the United States’ first serial killers. But was she? In a time in our history where little was known about mental health was this the work of a cold-hearted killer or a mentally ill woman unaware of her actions? Virts does a fabulous job of portraying Emily as the doting, chaste widow who adored her children and grieved deeply for them. A victim of circumstance, she was only following doctor’s orders, but as the evidence continues to point back to her, the attorneys have a momentous task ahead of them to sway the all-male jury. In a time when women were viewed as nothing more than chattel or window dressing, it seems that the widow’s fate is sealed before the trial even starts.

What began for me as a borderline slow to get moving tale ended up morphing into a page turner that I found myself waking up in the wee hours to continue reading. Virts has taken a historical event and filled in blanks with much artistic license to weave a perfect tale of “what if”. Was Emily Lloyd crazy, calculating and shrewd, or was she just a helpless victim of happenstance? The world may never know, but Virts’ version of things is not only plausible but also makes for great reading. I lived for the courtroom scenes where I could picture all involved parties attempting to prove their arguments, the gallery of bystanders awaiting the outcome, the defendant with her sometimes erratic and bizarre behavior and the ever-beleaguered judge. The peek into what forensics and investigative methods must have looked like back in the 1800s was also very interesting for me as well, being a fan of police procedurals.

If you like books that are based on real life events that will pull you into the narrative itself, Veil of Doubt is an excellent read that may have you wanting to delve more into the person of Elizabeth Lloyd for your own research.

I was provided a copy of this title by Stephanie Barko, Literary Publicist. I have voluntarily chosen to write a review. All opinions are my own.

BOOK: THE VEIL OF DOUBT
AUTHOR: SHARON VIRTS
PUB DATE: OCTOBER 2023
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REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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I'm always a fan of Legal Thrillers and good Lawyers, so it's not surprising I requested it. I liked it, it was very, very good. The Author did a good job in showing the story, I can see the research she did while writing the book. Let me just say I know more about arsenic and bismuth.
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Powell, our MMC, was an amazing lawyer. If I'm ever in a bind, I won't hesitate to hire. He's diligent, smart, a lover of justice, and always willing to fight for his clients in the right way. I liked him, his brother Matt and his friend, JW. I also liked that I got insights into his personal life
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Now, the legal case the book was based on. I loved reading the arguments between the lawyers. It felt like I was in court with them. I loved everything about the court case, but I don't really like the ending of the book.
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I empathized with the suspect, Emily Lloyd. She's had a lot of bad experiences, and losing all members of her family twice, it was really heartbreaking. But, I still suspected her throughout the book until I found out who the real perp was. I promise you'd never think of it, I didn't!
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I liked this book, i'd have given it 5 stars if not for the ending. Y'all know I love a perfect ending without any ambiguity. This book had an ambiguous ending, and I felt justice was not served. But, it's still worth a read(definitely! )