First published 2009
China Bayles arrives at a historic Shaker village in Kentucky hoping for rest and recovery. She plans to study the community's fascinating culture and learn about their traditional medicinal herbs. The village should offer the perfect retreat from her usual concerns. Instead, China discovers a community torn by conflict and beset by a string of troubling incidents. The peaceful religious settlement faces problems that seem to multiply with each passing day. China begins to suspect the current troubles connect to secrets buried in the village's past. When she uncovers old journals filled with long-hidden scandals, China thinks she might solve the mystery of the village's recent misfortunes. The historical records reveal disturbing events from decades earlier. But before she can piece together the full story, someone dies under shocking circumstances. Now China must dig deeper into the archives and historical documents. She races to understand how ancient sins have reached forward to claim a modern victim. The investigation forces her to navigate between two time periods, tracing connections that span generations.
Genres: historical-fiction, suspense, mystery, thriller
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: amateur-detective, dual-timeline
Setting: Shaker Village, Kentucky
Period: 20th-century
320 pages · Hardcover · Berkley Pub Group