Riddle of Spirit and Bone
About
In this dual timeline novel, the discovery of a skeleton buried beneath a city sidewalk leads a group of student archaeologists on a quest to discover its identity. In 1951, three newly homeless women seek the aid of a cunning spiritualist, who leads them on a perilous journey from one séance to the next. As the past collides with the present, layers of time peel back to reveal long-buried secrets of loss, love, and murder.
Praise for this book
"Ghosts, mediums, and skeletons: oh my! . . . Korsmeyer's propulsive mystery is perfect for fans of Lisa Wingate."
An intriguing mix of historical fiction and murder mystery, Riddle of Spirit and Bone . . . is a mystery that compels readers to ask: What is observable? What is knowable? And what can be trusted? . . . The 1851 timeline takes readers on a journey through the past . . . . the layers of the past are rooted in our daily lives. Riddle of Spirit and Bone brings them to life.
The 19th-century timeline is intriguing, especially the art of Jane and Jed and the “camera obscura” that they use in developing their sketches. The grief-crazed and betrayed Madeleine is the perfect example of the type of person a charlatan might have targeted. The romance of Jane and Jed is believable and moves at a perfect pace for the era. The 2015 romance of Dan and Karen is not as developed and feels rushed, but this time period is otherwise used well to peel back layers of the unsolved mystery. Recommended.