What do you think?
Rate this book
Beacon Hill #3
The White Crow
The White Crow
When the lights come on after a séance in the parlor of Victorian Boston’s most celebrated spiritualist, a pillar of the community lies dead. The world of restless and vengeful spirits has invaded Beacon Hill--while Caroline Ames, seated next to the victim, may hold the key to an all-too-real crime.
From the mysterious device called the telephone to the new electric conveyances that cross the Charles, a tide of change is rising around Caroline, her brother, Addington, and their boarder, Dr. MacKenzie. For Caroline, it has been a time to face her loneliness--and the growing affection she feels for Dr. MacKenzie. For Addington, it is a time marked by the fierce, ineffable pull of a beautiful but dangerous woman. Now they find themselves in the center of a maelstrom, at the heart of a case of multiple murder. And while a killer has already claimed two victims, a clairvoyant has revealed the third: “Ames next...”
When the lights come on after a séance in the parlor of Victorian Boston’s most celebrated spiritualist, a pillar of the community lies dead. The world of restless and vengeful spirits has invaded Beacon Hill--while Caroline Ames, seated next to the victim, may hold the key to an all-too-real crime.
From the mysterious device called the telephone to the new electric conveyances that cross the Charles, a tide of change is rising around Caroline, her brother, Addington, and their boarder, Dr. MacKenzie. For Caroline, it has been a time to face her loneliness--and the growing affection she feels for Dr. MacKenzie. For Addington, it is a time marked by the fierce, ineffable pull of a beautiful but dangerous woman. Now they find themselves in the center of a maelstrom, at the heart of a case of multiple murder. And while a killer has already claimed two victims, a clairvoyant has revealed the third: “Ames next...”
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
25 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 4, 2018
I have an avid interest in the Spiritualism movement of the 1800s (and early 1900s), and have invested a good deal of research, particularly as related to the explosion of fraud mediums who arrived on the scene. I picked up this book based on the title alone (it relates to a quote regarding Leonora Piper, believed to be an authentic trance medium) and was not disappointed. Although the story is essentially a murder mystery—a prominent citizen is killed during a séance—I found the blend of fact and fiction a perfect balance. I love this time period! Toss in Barnum’s circus, the debut of the telephone, Boston society, plus three likeable lead characters and you’ve got a great story. Descriptions are vivid, and the author’s attention to detail places you in the era as if you are there. I could see the gas lamps, hear the clop of hooves over cobblestones, and feel the close confines of the séance room. Beautifully written!
I didn’t read the first two books in this series, but the author provided enough background that I had no problem picking up on several ongoing plotlines. This book can be read as a standalone, complete to itself, or as part of the series. The authenticity related to certain historical figures and, of course, the practice of Spiritualism was an added bonus. An enjoyable read!
I didn’t read the first two books in this series, but the author provided enough background that I had no problem picking up on several ongoing plotlines. This book can be read as a standalone, complete to itself, or as part of the series. The authenticity related to certain historical figures and, of course, the practice of Spiritualism was an added bonus. An enjoyable read!
April 29, 2019
Caroline Ames persuades their lodger Dr Mackenzie to attend a séance with her at the home of Mrs Sidgwick. But at the end one of the people round the table is found dead. Her brother, Addington Ames, a non-believer, is shaken when automatic writing reveals 'Ames next'.
An enjoyable well-written cozy mystery
An enjoyable well-written cozy mystery
December 9, 2022
Loved this series, wish the author had written more
November 8, 2009
I hadn't read the first two mysteries in this series and I won't read more. Wooden characters and historical details seem shallow.
May 1, 2018
The basic idea was good.
I quite e joyed this book.The idea is ingenious and it went well at first , but little by little the chief characters became more and more tiresome.It is difficult to decide if the author wished to expose the shallow mind set of the people or the era .Certainly she illustrated how their over formal exterior was indeed a shield for their dark interior true personalities
The last part was quite disappointing , simplistic and no unexpected revelations .In fact I thought the book personalities were so slow catching up on the obvious that I felt quite impatient. I put it down to the effect of a few families intermarrying for two hundred Yeats , as mentioned in the book.
There is quite a lot of embedded humor which may or not be intentional .I hope it is intentional .
I quite e joyed this book.The idea is ingenious and it went well at first , but little by little the chief characters became more and more tiresome.It is difficult to decide if the author wished to expose the shallow mind set of the people or the era .Certainly she illustrated how their over formal exterior was indeed a shield for their dark interior true personalities
The last part was quite disappointing , simplistic and no unexpected revelations .In fact I thought the book personalities were so slow catching up on the obvious that I felt quite impatient. I put it down to the effect of a few families intermarrying for two hundred Yeats , as mentioned in the book.
There is quite a lot of embedded humor which may or not be intentional .I hope it is intentional .
July 14, 2017
Sorry series ended!
September 10, 2007
Peale, Cynthia – The White Crow – VG
The newest Beacon Hill Victorian mystery takes Caroline Ames into the suspect world of spiritualists. Her brother Addington disapproves, so she attends a s ance with their boarder, Dr. McKenzie. Unfortunately for them, another attendee drops dead after receiving a message from "beyond."
Having lived in Boston, I do love books set there. Peale does a wonderful job of conveying the period and developing her characters. I really like the way this series is progressing.
The newest Beacon Hill Victorian mystery takes Caroline Ames into the suspect world of spiritualists. Her brother Addington disapproves, so she attends a s ance with their boarder, Dr. McKenzie. Unfortunately for them, another attendee drops dead after receiving a message from "beyond."
Having lived in Boston, I do love books set there. Peale does a wonderful job of conveying the period and developing her characters. I really like the way this series is progressing.
December 14, 2008
Better than the first in the series, but still not great. I'm glad I skipped the second book & went straight for the third.
April 10, 2009
Set in late 1800's - murder at seance.
August 11, 2011
I love mysteries set in the Victorian Era...generally, I prefer British, but these set in Boston are very well done. three and a half stars
April 24, 2013
so far i love the history of turn of the century boston and it is awesome to know how people lived during that time! I anxiously waited to find out how poor mr clay died!
January 2, 2015
Competently written, yet ultimately rather dull, historical mystery, set in late 1800s Boston.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews