When nineteenth-century attorney Sarah Woolson defied convention by opening her own San Francisco law firm, she found that clients—paying clients, that is—were wary of a woman managing their legal affairs. Just as her patience and her money are running out, Sarah attends a séance at San Francisco’s Cliff House that turns out to be much more than “silly parlor tricks.” After a dramatic display, Russian clairvoyant Madame Olga Karpova and her guests discover that one of the people seated at the table has been brutally strangled.
Later, when two more of the guests are found slain, Sarah is pressed into defending the accused murderer. Working on her client’s case, she quickly finds herself at the center of a complicated murder plot involving ghosts, gypsies, and City Hall. It’s hardly proper behavior for a nineteenth-century woman, but Sarah wouldn’t have it any other way.
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"Shirley Tallman has a lovely historical voice and I love, love, love this series. Looking forward to picking up the latest one, hopefully it's not the last in the series."
— Ericka (5 out of 5 stars)
“[An] entertaining and atmospheric 1880s San Francisco whodunit…Tallman throws in some unexpected twists, keeping the reader guessing to the end.”
— Publishers Weekly“Sarah Woolson is spunky as hell—law was a very male profession in the 1880s—and San Francisco is a great locale.”
— Contra Costa Times“This is a fine historical series with a strong female sleuth who stands up for herself and plots that raise issues that remain relevant today.”
— Booklist" I loved this book! I have never read a historical mystery book, but this one certainly hooked me. I can't wait to read the rest of her books. "
— Diana, 12/5/2013" I would actually give this 2 1/2 stars. It wasn't as good as the first one probably because the mystery was not as much of a mystery. Also, the characters became a little repetitive - which can happen in a series. But it was still a fun read. "
— Cherilee, 11/22/2013" Very fun, I'm excited to read the rest of these. "
— Alia, 11/11/2013" Another Sarah Woolson mystery set in 1880s San Francisco. Entertaining. "
— Paulette, 9/30/2013" Getting a bit tired of how Sarah rerates Robert. I am all for a strong female character, but give me a break ... Robert can not possibly be that dumb! "
— Diane, 9/1/2013" Another great Sarah Woolson mystery. Shirley Tallman is a wonderful author and this book was just as great as her others. Highly recommend it! "
— Sarah, 7/27/2013" This is a great mystery book from the turn of the century. I have read other books by Shirley Tallman, and have liked them all. "
— Rick, 5/24/2013" A good mystery. I read it as a reminder of my visit to Cliff House, San Francisco. It reminded me a bit of the Caleb Carr mysteries, same era. "
— Jackie, 4/22/2013" It was a little slow and exceeding descriptive in the first few chapters. I was about to abort reading this book but I decided to keep reading a few more chapters. It was an easy, entertaining read. "
— cassie, 3/28/2012" This 1800's mystery started out slowly but got going towards the middle and by the end of the story I was glad I continued with it. I wouldn't put this at the top of my favorite books but it was interesting and I would recommend it. "
— Sherri, 3/17/2012" An interesting and entertaining look back into a time not that long ago, when woman were supposed to 'know their place'. "
— Nikki, 3/12/2012" This is another great continuation to the series about a female attorney in San Francisco around the turn of the century. "
— Marilyn, 12/30/2011" Sort of a cheesy book, but it was ok if you don't want to think much. "
— Alicia, 12/25/2011" Not my favorite Sarah Woolson book. I thought ST has written the others with much more character development than this one had. "
— Naomi, 12/24/2011" really enjoying this series. 1880s San Franisco women lawyer. "
— Laura, 9/2/2011" It was a little slow and exceeding descriptive in the first few chapters. I was about to abort reading this book but I decided to keep reading a few more chapters. It was an easy, entertaining read. "
— cassie, 4/6/2011" Another Sarah Woolson mystery set in 1880s San Francisco. Entertaining. "
— Paulette, 3/2/2011" I would actually give this 2 1/2 stars. It wasn't as good as the first one probably because the mystery was not as much of a mystery. Also, the characters became a little repetitive - which can happen in a series. But it was still a fun read. "
— Cherilee, 1/3/2011" I loved this book! I have never read a historical mystery book, but this one certainly hooked me. I can't wait to read the rest of her books. "
— Diana, 5/25/2010" Getting a bit tired of how Sarah rerates Robert. I am all for a strong female character, but give me a break ... Robert can not possibly be that dumb! "
— Diane, 5/21/2010" really enjoying this series. 1880s San Franisco women lawyer. "
— Laura, 5/11/2010" A good mystery. I read it as a reminder of my visit to Cliff House, San Francisco. It reminded me a bit of the Caleb Carr mysteries, same era. "
— Jackie, 9/20/2009" This is a great mystery book from the turn of the century. I have read other books by Shirley Tallman, and have liked them all. "
— Rick, 4/4/2009" This 1800's mystery started out slowly but got going towards the middle and by the end of the story I was glad I continued with it. I wouldn't put this at the top of my favorite books but it was interesting and I would recommend it. "
— Sherri, 9/20/2008" Sort of a cheesy book, but it was ok if you don't want to think much. "
— Alicia, 1/3/2008Shirley Tallman is an award-winning writer with a flair for historical mysteries. She has written a number of successful romance novels and has coauthored several screenplays produced by NBC, ABC, and CBS. She has recently finished a screenplay for Paramount Studios. She lives in Eugene, Oregon. Visit her on the web at www.ShirleyTallman.com.
Carrington MacDuffie is a voice actor and recording artist who has narrated over two hundred audiobooks, received numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards, and has been a frequent finalist for the Audie Award, including for her original audiobook, Many Things Invisible. Alongside her narration work, she has released a new album of original songs, Only an Angel.