"Insightful historical fiction"
In 1892, the first ship debarks at Ellis Island loaded
with hopeful immigrants looking forward to a new start on
the first day of the new year. A contributor to Harper's
Weekly, dime novelist Marshall Webb is at the scene of the
docking to observe the goings-on so he can write a series
of articles and eventually a book. On the island, Marshal
meets Dutch arrival Christina Van der Waak, whose trust and
optimism in the American system he believes will make quite
a good story, but she instantly vanishes. Marshall concludes that there is more to Christina than
just the tale of an upbeat emigrant and he begins to make
inquiries into what happened to her. His investigation
takes Marshall all over Manhattan and leads to reformist
Rebecca Davies and Colden House, a shelter for abused
women. Rebecca joins Marshall on his quest as the search
for the apparently abducted young woman turns frantic and
quite dangerous. ISLAND OF TEARS is a detailed historical mystery with
romance to spice up the relationship between the lead duo.
The story line is filled with action that occasionally
slows down when author Troy Soos pays homage to the Gay
Nineties with incredible descriptive depths rarely seen in
a novel. This thrilling mystery enlightens and
entertains the audience. Hopefully further collaborations
between Rebecca and Christina will occur as fans of
historical tales will believe Mr. Soos hit a home run off
of that HANGING CURVE. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted October 8, 2001
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