Step into the beguiling world of 1926 New York and discover the power of resilience, friendship, and love from award-winning author Jocelyn Green.
Elsa Reisner's lifelong dream of working as an ornithologist at the American Museum of Natural History is fading as the job begins to drain her passion. But fate takes an unexpected turn when she is assigned to catalog the bequest of a recently deceased patron whose Gothic country mansion holds secrets and treasures waiting to be discovered.
As Elsa delves into her task, she forms an unlikely bond with the estate's delightful gardener and her daughter, as well as an architectural salvage dealer who still bears scars from the Great War. Together, they embark on a thrilling treasure hunt for a missing relic intended to safeguard the servants' futures before the estate is sold. At the same time, Elsa's body seems to betray her with new symptoms from a childhood disease that isn't through with her yet.
With the brooding veteran and her handsome colleague joining the search, Elsa must navigate the tangled web of secrets and hidden motives along with the changing state of her health. As her deadline looms ever closer, will she be able to secure a new life for her friends before the estate slips from their grasp?
My Review:
Author Jocelyn Green has written a world from the 1920’s filled with such rich detail that I wish I could visit the mansion she described along the Hudson River. Choosing a the profession of an ornithologist for the main character, Elsa Reisner, was interesting. I loved the rambling home of a reknown millionaire and his wife, and the task that Elsa is given to catalog and retrieve the birds from their collection. I am familiar with many of the birds that are described and loved learning more about them as well as new ones too.
The misperception of how Elsa’s family felt about her contracting polio and its aftereffects caused her to see things in a different manner. I loved that she was courageous and spoke with her parents about what took place. I can imagine how freeing it was for all involved to confess their feelings and move forward in their relationship.
There are so many wonderful characters in this story. Luke, the wonderful, caring, and protective man. I wish everyone had a person in their life like him. He was the perfect match for Elsa. Danielle, a child with autism who could see things in a way that was uniquely her. Tom, a man who was carefree and loving and recovering from the horrors of war.
The topic of eugenics is part of the story and shows the devastation that it creates. I loved how many of Ms. Green’s characters would be labeled as imperfect but how distinctive each one of them is. I could see the tapestry of each of them fitting into Elsa’s life.
Other things to love:
Treasure hunt
Mystery and Danger
Faith of characters
Things aren’t always what they seem
Restoration
I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction. It can be read as a standalone even though it is part of the On Central Park series. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book provided to me by the publisher through NetGalley and Austen Prose. All views are only my opinion. I was not required to write a positive review.
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