What the Dead Leave Behind

Gilded Age Mystery, Book 1

By: Rosemary Simpson

Narrated by: Sarah Zimmerman

As the Great Blizzard of 1888 cripples the vast machinery that is New York City, heiress Prudence MacKenzie sits anxiously within her palatial Fifth Avenue home waiting for her fiance's safe return. But the fearsome storm rages through the night. With daylight, more than 200 people are found to have perished in the icy winds and treacherous snowdrifts. Among them is Prudence's fiancé - his body frozen, his head crushed by a heavy branch, his fingers clutching a single playing card, the ace of spades.

Close on the heels of her father's untimely demise, Prudence is convinced Charles's death was no accident. The ace of spades was a code he shared with his school friend, Geoffrey Hunter, a former Pinkerton agent and attorney from the South. Wary of sinister forces closing in on her, Prudence turns to Geoffrey as her only hope in solving a murder not all believe in - and to help protect her inheritance from a stepmother who seems more interested in the family fortune than Prudence's wellbeing.

Filled with richly colorful characters, fascinating historical details, and thrilling moments of suspense, What the Dead Leave Behind is an exquisitely crafted mystery for the ages.

©2017 Rosemary Simpson (P)2017 Tantor

Excellent story!

Excellent story and narration. The story flowed very well and character development is good. Definitely recommend!

Good Mystery

I enjoyed the story. The story flowed nicely. The characters were interesting. The narrator did a great job. I liked the twists and turns.

Author is Precise, if not Lengthy

i would have scored this book much higher if the author had a better ending for this somewhat interesting story. The fact that it is a period piece with no mention of slavery and otherwise tranquil life in young and bustling New York almost causes one to not notice the modern interjections she makes into the story. Otherwise, you can't help but root for Prudence and feel she is given a case of bad luck in life if she wasn't so determined about her discernment. It goes on fairly well enough for a while, situating the plan to uncover murder and develop some sort of liberty for poor Prudence, until you think it is about time to wrap things up but of course that can't happen. The author is an expert in dragging plots on, and with event details rather than character descriptions and colorful adjectives that might make these detours more beautiful and worthwhile. Instead we are consistently delayed in finding out exactly how it ends that i eventually gave up rather than going back a second time. once is enough for me and bravo on the solid novel. But don't expect me to wait around this long ever again if her name graces the cover.

Wow

I did not know what to expect but wow! Intense at times and a gently woven mystery of deceit, intrigue and murder!

Loved every minute and cannot wait to see what happens next!

Very good read

Really enjoyed this book. It kept my attention. If there are sequels, I will be reading them.