Meg and Sylvie Townsend manage the family bookshop and care for their father, Stephen, a veteran still suffering in mind and spirit from his time as a POW during the Civil War. But when the Great Fire sweeps through Chicago’s business district, they lose much more than just their store.The sisters become separated from their father and make a harrowing escape from the flames with the help of … of Chicago Tribune reporter Nate Pierce. Once the smoke clears away, they reunite with Stephen, only to learn soon after that their family friend was murdered on the night of the fire. Even more shocking, Stephen is charged with the crime and committed to the Cook County Insane Asylum.Though homeless and suddenly unemployed, Meg must not only gather the pieces of her shattered life, but prove her father’s innocence before the asylum truly drives him mad.
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Persevering in the face of tragedy:
An interesting yet somewhat depressing tale. It tragically deals with the fire that destroyed much of Chicago
as well as PTSD and the terrible treatment of those with mental health issues. However it also highlights the resiliency of the residents and how many were able to persevere by relying on their faith. It was a reminder that when all seems hopeless God is there, He cares and intervenes on our behalf.
Whilst I enjoyed the elements of mystery and intrigue; I generally found it slow going and tedious and felt it was overly long at 416 pages.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
….I’m not afraid of storms, for the One who made the sea is in my boat with me. – Meg’s mother
The opportunity to learn more about little known historical events is one I greatly appreciate. Once again this author does not disappoint, weaving a story around the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 that puts the reader right in the middle of this horrific conflagration. The refining of the various characters was incredible to follow as they all strove to become better versions of themselves. The resilience of the survivors as they immediately start to rebuild portraying a tapestry of hope that never dies, the entrepreneurship of the young and the faith that all things could be new was woven throughout this fabulous novel.
Meg, Sylvie and Stephen own the Corner Books & More – a wonderful shop filled with books of all ages. While Stephen repairs the rare books, Meg spends her time painting scenes from the old masters. Will Stephen’s unfortunate war-time memories from his tenure in Andersonville change the course of this life as well as that of his daughters? PTSD is real and I appreciated the sensitivity the author used when writing how this can affect a lifeWill the Great Fire permanently scar this family?
‘The story isn’t over yet – we never know what the next chapter holds. God is working and things are happening even when it’s not written on the page right in front of us – Meg
I received an ARC through Baker Publishing Group and NetGalley. The comments, impressions and 5 star rating are my own and were in no way solicited.
A must-read if you like authentic historical fiction! When I picked up my first Jocelyn Green book, I was hooked. I proceeded to read all the books she has written. I love her stories and frequently find myself googling the history she writes about after I finish her books. Veiled in Smoke grabbed my attention and never let go. Her real portrayal of the awful Chicago fire practically had me looking over my shoulder ready to run. The story of Meg & Sylvie Townsend and their civil war veteran & Andersonville prison camp survivor father Stephen is both heartbreaking and hopeful. I learned that what we now call posttraumatic stress disorder, was historically known as soldier’s heart in veterans of the American Civil War. Author Jocelyn Green excels at research and storytelling, making every story she writes very interesting and meaningful. As I read about Meg’s burn injuries and the slow and painful partial healing to her hands, my right hand and wrist are healing from 1st and 2nd-degree burns from a scary kitchen grease fire. I decided you really don’t need to experience what the characters experience to love the story! Meg had to adjust to a new normal. She recalled her mother’s prayer “There is beauty in the imperfect too. You are a God who uses broken vessels. You are not afraid of human limitations or scars.” All of the Townsends are each on their own difficult journey learning about what matters most: faith, family, and friends. I highly recommend Veiled in Smoke for all historical fiction lovers and for all who enjoy a great story. And stay tuned at the end for the Author’s Note with further information on the true history found in this book. I love this part and am so glad she includes it at the end of her stories.
Thank you to Bethany House and Net Galley for an early copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
“Veiled in Smoke” by Jocelyn Green focuses upon the lives of Union Civil War veteran, Stephen Townsend, and his daughters, Meg and Sylvie. He suffers from “soldier’s heart”, now called PTSD, which has a profound effect upon his family. The reaction of his daughters to his illness, who work in his book store, rings with hope, love and acceptance. When their father’s troubles overwhelm, they rise to the challenge especially when those in authority inflict the unthinkable upon their father. After interviewing Stephen for a series that reporter Nate Pierce is writing, his heartfelt empathy for this hurting family during their time of crisis, causes him to get involved. Then when Jasper Davenport moves next door, life gets complicated. Sylvie takes a shining to this handsome man, but how much does she really know about him? Quite a few points in this story ring true from this reviewers experience, but an added bonus is that in places the writing sings with high prose. Although this book is not a romance in the classic sense, since it is based upon actual people and events, it falls into the category of an historical novel with romantic elements within the storyline. Without doubt, “Veiled in Smoke” by Jocelyn Green is a captivating, exquisite story to be savored. This reviewer highly recommends this book. It’s an awesome five star read.