Eloisa Carstairs may be the reigning beauty of Gilded Age Chicago society, but that doesn’t mean she is without problems and difficult heartaches. Eloisa is suffering from an assault by Douglass Sloane, another rich kid from a wealthy family in Chicago. Eloisa is scared to say anything about the assault, and she now feels that she has been ruined for life.

This is another awesome Shelley Shepard Gray book that I loved!! The second book in The Chicago World’s Fair Mystery Series, they mystery continues thoughout the community of the wealthy that live in the area. I really enjoyed the detailed information about the first Worlds Fair in Chicago, 1893, and again, Ms. Gray made me feel as though I was living during that era in the story! And then there is Detective Sean Ryan, from the other side of the tracks, as far as wealth is concerned. Sean grew up in an area that wasn’t fit or safe for someone like Miss Eloisa, and even though he was attracted to her, Sean knew Eloisa would never look at him twice. But the beauty of this story is, Eloisa was tired of being the daughter of one of the wealthiest families in Chicago, and was really eager to reach out to those in need to help them. Imagine what her parents thinks about this?

I highly recommend Deception on Sable Hill for those who love mysteries, as well as those who enjoy a good clean entertaining and fun story. While getting irritated at the rich folks and the way they live, you will also love the way Ms. Gray brings the entire Sable Hill staff into the story in a unique way. And while you are checking out Deception on Sable Hill, don’t forget to check out the first book in the series, Secrets of Sloane House.

What is the real worth of a person?

Eloisa Carstairs was raped. And this is scary and traumatising crime made on a person - and if you are a beautiful Chicago socialite in the times od Chicago World Fair (year of 1893), your reputation is your best asset. So Eloisa is quiet and pretending all is well, suffering quietly and considering herself "damaged goods".
Sean Ryan is an Irish policeman - which means a low class citizen in the eyes of then high society, and a social ladder climber amongst people he had grown up within.

These two would normally never meet - but there is a series of crimes against the young socialites going on. And Sean is set to find the slasher who is cutting and killing women of high society.
And more, he knows what happened to Eloisa - and is able to see her not as a victim or damaged, but as the true lady she is.

I love how Shelley Gray writes. She is both bold and warm. And maybe that is the readon why I have mixed feelings about this book. She IS bold and warm - and yet she is not enough.
Take Eloisa - I love how Ms Gray is speaking about the horrible crime of rape and the issues of damaged view of themselves the victims might experience. This is the topic that needs to be discussed - and I am applauding to the authoress of Christian fiction to speak about this.
It is beautiful to see how God can bring the good from the evil - like the crime propped Eloisa to see the suffering in the world and to fight to see that she is more than her rape, her circumstances, her face and her wealth.
And yet - I would love even the bolder moves, like the confrontation with the rapist and even more realistic suffering (as this trauma has some very, very serious consequences and the victims might fight their consequences for a very long time and need God to heal them continually).
And take her and Sean - I fear that their future is not going to be all rosy as they truly are from different worlds. It is unrealistic not to see the conflicts their different upbringing might bring.

So - powerful stuff and yet somewhat controlled. I hope that the next time the authoress will be able to go even deeper. Which might be sounding harsh -but I know that she is more than capable to go there, and I am saying this as a fan.

Having said all that - I liked the book. My heart goes out for all like Eloisa, who are suffering in the quiet. You are much more than your circumstances. I am praying for you to know that and to heal.

And yeah, Sean Ryan is a formidable romantic hero!