I have mixed feelings about this one- there are a lot of things I liked and enjoyed, but also a handful of things that didn't work for me. The Southern setting and history of the era was well-described and fascinating, I really liked India's character and personality, and the plot was intriguing. I had a difficult time with Phillip- he was so likeable and quite heroic, but at times he pulled back and there was a lack of emotion. The story is told from India's point of view, and I think more cues to how he was feeling in those moments would have helped the romance not be so awkward. The pacing didn't feel smooth to me, with scenes ending in the middle of observations and conversations that felt important but not resolved- in the moment or later. The climax of the outcome of the trial was satisfying, but then more clues kept cropping up, and it seemed like the story would never end as one secret after another came to light and had to be additionally resolved. And then in the end, there was one left hanging! So it was a bit frustrating to feel like the story was winding up, only to have in prolonged with more choppy pacing. I definitely enjoyed the first half of the book more, but had to keep reading to finish it all up. A more succinct wrapping up would have been appreciated.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions expressed in this review are my own)

A young actress accused of murder. The mysteries new and old. And the hope growing out from ruins - both figuratively and literally.

I am a huge fan of Ms Dorothy Love´s work. So I am not happy to report that this novel does not work for me.
I have mixed feelings about this - on the one hand, India Hartley is an ideal heroine: beautiful, of a good character, strong personality, kind - and interesting and appealing, which is not always the case. And post-civil war Savannah is a beautiful setting for this play of honour, love and the good fight against the tragedy, misunderstandings and malice.
But - the novel is seriously prolonged. The environment sure deserves some visual acknowledgement and the beloved characters from Ms Love´s previous works (namely Celia Mackay) deserves some visitations - but a "heartless" editor concerned about the main story would do wonders here.
Also, being an ardent mystery lover - the mystery here just doesn´t work. I also find the echoes from Daphne du Maurier´s Rebecca and Charlotte Brontë´s Jane Eyre here being a bit overboard.

But, having said all that - the writing skills of Ms Love are extraordinary, so her work here offers you a quite good reading experience anyway. And one can enjoy being lost in the land of past and in the land of imagination, even if one´s mind can register the discrepancies (from personal point of view), right? This one surely can!