“Whispers in the Reading Room” by Shelley Gray *book review* clean christian fiction

Whispers in the Reading Room (The Chicago World’s Fair Mystery Series) by Shelley Gray

This story takes place in Chicago during the 1890s. Although this is book 3 of the author’s “Chicago World’s Fair Mystery Series”, I haven’t read the other two books and thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Intrigue, suspense and romance were all a part of this great mystery with librarian Lydia Bancroft. Lydia isn’t like most women in society during that time period. She loves to read and learn and doesn’t care about her place in society or getting married just because its what is expected. She has alot of responsibilities with having to work, take care of the household and her mother; but she pushes through each day with a positive attitude and determination. I really enjoyed her personality and how she treated others around her. One day she meets a library patron, Sebastian, who catches her eye and later learns he is a very important and feared man by those around him. As she gets to know Sebastian and some of his employees, people around her start getting injured and falling in love happens unexpectedly.

I really enjoyed this clean, christian fiction mystery by this author. Typically Shelley Gray writes Amish fiction, so this was a nice change to read something different by her.

This story had a good steady pace that kept my interest and enjoyment thru the very end of the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media-all opinions are my own.

Book Description:
Lydia’s job at the library is her world—until a mysterious patron catches her eye . . . and perhaps her heart.

Just months after the closure of the Chicago World’s Fair, librarian Lydia Bancroft finds herself fascinated by a mysterious dark-haired and dark-eyed patron. He has never given her his name; he actually never speaks to a single person. All she knows about him is that he loves books as much as she does.

Only when he rescues her in the lobby of the Hartman Hotel does she discover that his name is Sebastian Marks. She also discovers that he lives at the top of the prestigious hotel and that most everyone in Chicago is intrigued by him.

Lydia and Sebastian form a fragile friendship, but when she discovers that Mr. Marks isn’t merely a very wealthy gentleman, but also the proprietor of an infamous saloon and gambling club, she is shocked.

Lydia insists on visiting the club one fateful night and suddenly is a suspect to a murder. She must determine who she can trust, who is innocent, and if Sebastian Marks—the man so many people fear—is actually everything her heart believes him to be.

About the author:
Shelley Gray is the author of The Heart of a Hero series. Her Amish novel (written as Shelley Shepard Gray), The Protector, recently made the New York Times best seller list. A native of Texas, she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Colorado and taught school for ten years. She and her husband have two children and live in Southern Ohio.
Visit her website at www.shelleyshepardgray.com Facebook: ShelleyShepardGray Twitter: @ShelleySGray