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The Yellow Lantern: True Colors: Historical Stories of American Crime
by Angie Dicken - The opening of this novel is quite chilling. Josephine Clayton wakes up confused, because she expected to be in heaven, but it's nothing like she'd believed. And immediately realizes that she's not actually dead, but is about to be the subject of the doctor's experiments! The latest body to be snatched from the grave by resurrection men! Thankfully she is able to speak enough to stop Dr Chadwick, and with some help from Alvin, her father's manservant, her life is spared. Yet everyone believes she is dead so to tell the truth would expose the doctor's crime. Alvin makes a bargain for her life, but it means she must take on a new identity in a nearby town, and be the lookout spy for grave robbers.
As Josie Clay, she begins work at a cotton mill, knowing her wages will be helping her father stay out of debtor's prison, but abhorring her obligation to help procure a corpse to replace her own. She will have to pose as a mourner to help the body snatcher rob the grave.
Josie's knowledge about herbal remedies and medicine earns respect among the other female workers, and the notice of the factory manager, Braham Taylor. Braham is constantly caught between his admiration for the mysterious Josie, and his complicated obligation to the factory owner. When someone from Braham's own family is possible prey for the grave robbers, Josie is caught in an even more impossible situation. And to make matters worse, many of the female workers at her boarding house become ill and Josie is accused of poisoning them. Who can be trusted and who is part of the grave robbing scheme?
I found the opening chapter or two difficult to navigate, as I tried to sort out what was happening and who the characters were. The scene and point of view changes were abrupt and confusing. Once I had my bearings, the story certainly did keep my attention with the impossible choices that Josie was presented with, and the many characters that were ambiguous or suspicious. The writing style is a bit over the top for my taste, with many descriptive phrases that were heavy handed and weighed down the narrative unnecessarily.
From the publisher:
Forced to Spy for Grave Robbers
True Colors - Fiction Based on Strange-But-True History
In 1824, Josephine Clayton is considered dead by everyone in her Massachusetts village - especially the doctor she has assisted for several months. Yet, she is still very much alive.
After the doctor's illegal dealing with his body snatcher to obtain her body, Josephine awakens, positioned as the next corpse for his research. To cover up his crime, the doctor tries to kill her, but Josephine begs to be spared. They strike a deal - Josephine will leave her village and work at a distant cotton mill. All the while, she'll await her true mission - posing as a mourner to help the body snatcher procure her replacement.
At the mill though, Josephine is praised for her medical remedies among the other female workers, gaining attention from the handsome factory manager, Braham Taylor. Yet, when Braham's own loved one becomes the prey for the next grave robbing, Josie must make a choice that could put her dark past behind her or steal away the promise of any future at all.
What price will Josie pay for love when her secrets begin to unravel?
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
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