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The Green Dress by Liz Tolsma - Harriet Peters is called to the bedside of her dearest friend, Lizzie Robinson, when Lizzie falls ill. Lizzie is in agony, and it seems to be the same mysterious illness that has already taken other family members. Harriet is frustrated that Sarah Jane Robinson, Lizzie's mother, insists on consulting only Dr. Beers, who doesn't seem to be helping at all, and in fear for Lizzie, she brings in the new young doctor in town. Dr. Michael Wheaton does his best, but it's already too late for Lizzie.
In her final moments, Lizzie begged Harriet to look after the two young children in the home, so Harriet agrees to move back into the Robinson home to do so. She gives up much of her independence in doing so, as well as risking her hat-making shop. But she is also afraid of what will happen to Sarah Jane's young nephew, Tommy, and daughter Gracie, so she decides to stay despite her misgivings about Mrs. Robinson and the threatening Dr. Beers. Harriet tries to keep up her friendship with Michael and shares her concerns about the mysterious illness with him. She also consults him about Tommy's health as he is growing weak and seems under nourished. Michael grows more convinced that the deaths are not due to an illness and that they are very suspicious. Harriet reacts with horror, but as time goes on, she begins to accept that Michael may be right. Mrs. Robinson and Dr Beers are vehemently opposed to having Michael anywhere near the house and try to limit Harriet's movements and contacts.
When Tommy gets sick, Harriet risks everything to get Michael to come see him. Despite the opposition of Mrs Robinson and Dr Beers, Michael does his best but Tommy succumbs to the illness. By this time, Michael is certain that someone is poisoning members of the Robinson household and has shared what he knows and suspects with an older doctor and the local chief of police. He urges Harriet to leave the house, but she is pressured to stay and out of fear for Gracie, she does.
Only when one of the older boys becomes ill and Harriet herself gets sick, can Michael get close enough to hopefully pinpoint who is to blame before anyone else dies.
As with all of the stories in this series, The Green Dress is based on an actual criminal case, although some license is taken with a few of the details. The background of the real case is explained at the end of the novel, and it's quite chilling. I appreciated the nearly impossible dilemma Harriet faced, and the conflicted past that complicated Michael's response. It's easy for the reader to see the suspicious behaviors and figure out what is going on, but the suspense lies in wondering how long the murderer will get away with it and how many victims will be claimed before the end. The tensions of the developing relationship between Harriet and Michael adds to the suspense as well.
From the publisher:
Fiction Based on Strange, But True, History
True, riveting stories of American criminal activity are explored through a unique series of historical romantic suspense. Collect them all and be inspired by the hope that always finds its way even in the darkest of times.
When Harriet Peters came to Boston in 1882, the Robinson family took her in like one of their own, and Harriet became closer to Lizzie Robinson than her own siblings. Now, four years later, Lizzie is deathly sick, failing quickly just like several others in her family have done over the past few years. How can so many in one family die from the same mysterious illness? Harriet doesn't have answers, but she is determined to help the family, bringing in a new-to-the-neighborhood doctor, Michael Wheaton.
As Harriet and Michael close in on the answer, putting their own lives at risk, can the cause be found before anyone else dies?
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley for the purpose of this review.
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