In the fall of 1919, Thea Hansen’s world seems to spiral out of control. First, her dearly loved father dies suddenly from the influenza epidemic sweeping across the globe. Then her brother, Lloyd, returns from The Great War transformed into a brooding stranger. Could it get any worse? Yes, indeed. With a brutal murder close to home and her brother as chief suspect, Thea’s wildly spinning world … spinning world doesn’t look like it will slow down anytime soon. She’s lived in bucolic Blessing, Kansas, all her life, after all, and hasn’t had much experience with out-of-control worlds.
Still, the bright and level-headed Thea knows a good thing when she sees it, and she sees it in the person of Augustus Davis. As her brother’s former commanding officer, Gus Davis knows Lloyd is no murderer and as a skilled attorney, he’s determined to prove it. Together, Thea and Gus will deal with unexpected malice and obsession, with assault and fear, with secrets and suspects, and in the end, ordinary little Blessing will hold a lot of shocks for Thea Hansen. Passions revealed. Lies uncovered. Murderers exposed. But what Thea is willing to do to keep her world balanced and her future settled may be the most surprising thing of all.
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Smiling at Heaven concludes where the first novel of Hasley’s Laramie Series began —in Blessing, Kansas. With 40 years between events in the first book and last, the story of the Davis family and their extended lives comes to a satisfying conclusion.
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The Laramie Series
1. Lily’s Sister 2. Waiting for Hope
3. Where Home Is 4. Circled Heart
5. Gold Mountain 6. Smiling at Heaven
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Very well researched and believable. Unique 1919-20 setting.
Interesting, good book about harder times and coming of age to no-so-gentler times. The main characters are sharply drawn and keep you reading. The plot is strong from start to finish and not telegraphed or completely obvious.
A little bit of a slow read but worth reading. I would have liked it better without some offensive language.
I really enjoyed this book. I liked it so much that I plan to read other books in the Laramie series.
Loved this book.
In my experience, there are two types of historical fiction. In the first, the historical background reads more like the results of the author’s research. There are a lot of details, but they function more like fill with little attention to relevancy. Then there are books like this one, in which history plays an integral role in the …
L-o-n-g and d-r-a-w-n out.
Wonderful! No way to predict the end. Kept guessing until almost the last page. Great Book!
Such a nice diversion from the every day novel
Expected
PTSD back in the 1900 was challenging especially when no one really knew that much about it. this book is a good read from start to finish.!
Loved it
I’m reading this now. I like the fact that it’s a different set up and not so predictable. Still not sure ” who done it”
I want MORE! Sorry to shout, but I enjoyed this book more than any other in the last month. (I read an average of 5 books a week, and start then delete another 4-5 books.)
It’s set after the end of the first World War, which is a time that fascinates me. The characters are likeable, the mystery is interesting, and I will miss the characters now …
I loved these characters and want to read more!!! Absolutely great character development, exciting storyline, clever twists kept my attention.