by Darcie Chan
First published 2015
Emily tackles the ambitious project of transforming a grand Mill River mansion into a bed-and-breakfast. As she strips away layers of old wallpaper and clears out forgotten rooms, she stumbles upon a hidden collection of letters. These intimate correspondences reveal long-buried secrets about an ancestor connected to Father O'Brien, the local priest who has become part of the community's fabric. Meanwhile, Father O'Brien works closely with a mother and her son as they navigate the anguish of having a family member missing in Afghanistan. The letters Emily discovers create unexpected connections between past and present, weaving together stories of separation, hope, and the bonds that tie families across generations. Her restoration project becomes more than renovating old walls and floors.
Genres: historical-fiction, mystery, contemporary, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, secrets
Setting: Mill River, Afghanistan
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
613 pages · Hardcover · Thorndike Press