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Georgetown Ashes
Annie Gillette, a successful and accomplished 50-something and now a widow, is struggling under the weight of personal loss. She is too young to curl up in a corner and watch life pass her by, but what can inspire her to step out and create a new life for herself?
Maybe it is home, a place called Georgetown—an historic, upscale neighborhood of Washington, DC.—a place that has reinvented itself many times over the centuries. Maybe its past will rouse her to action.
When murder shatters the peace and she discovers a 19th century journal, Annie is caught in a web of lies and betrayal.
She must Will she retreat into the shadows of grief or step into the light?
Will she answer her front door when love knocks?
When she walks Georgetown’s cobblestone streets, will she listen to the whispers of past mysteries and present dangers?
As the stakes rise and the web of secrets entangle her, can she find the strength to save herself?
Maybe it is home, a place called Georgetown—an historic, upscale neighborhood of Washington, DC.—a place that has reinvented itself many times over the centuries. Maybe its past will rouse her to action.
When murder shatters the peace and she discovers a 19th century journal, Annie is caught in a web of lies and betrayal.
She must Will she retreat into the shadows of grief or step into the light?
Will she answer her front door when love knocks?
When she walks Georgetown’s cobblestone streets, will she listen to the whispers of past mysteries and present dangers?
As the stakes rise and the web of secrets entangle her, can she find the strength to save herself?
- GenresMystery
410 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2024
25 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 9, 2024
ARC copy of book received from author.
Georgetown Ashes is an intriguing story and makes for a great read. Historical fiction fans will love this book! It really has something for everyone--a widow attempting to break out of her crippling grief and start to live again, possible budding romance, and at the center of it all, a murder mystery! I found myself drawn to this book by an interest in the history of Washington D.C. and its environs and it did not disappoint. It presents very interesting historical details and facts about the D.C. neighborhood of Georgetown and weaves those into the main storyline flawlessly.
The story goes back and forth from around 150 years ago to the present through the main character's reading of a Journal of historical significance. It's a clever way to unfold the story and shine the light on what took place in the past that leads to the events currently unfolding.
We are steeped in the atmosphere of Georgetown and its unique and charming local restaurants, coffee spots and shops. The author's description of the locale is interesting and informative. The book is well written and the character development is excellent. I love the notes of positivity such as the importance of true friends, that this book offers, though those are juxtaposed with the dark side of life: murder, vice, disillusionment and mental illness. It shines a light on the healing powers of a bond with a cat and even backyard wildlife. I found that to be an especially heartwarming part of the story.
Georgetown Ashes is an intriguing story and makes for a great read. Historical fiction fans will love this book! It really has something for everyone--a widow attempting to break out of her crippling grief and start to live again, possible budding romance, and at the center of it all, a murder mystery! I found myself drawn to this book by an interest in the history of Washington D.C. and its environs and it did not disappoint. It presents very interesting historical details and facts about the D.C. neighborhood of Georgetown and weaves those into the main storyline flawlessly.
The story goes back and forth from around 150 years ago to the present through the main character's reading of a Journal of historical significance. It's a clever way to unfold the story and shine the light on what took place in the past that leads to the events currently unfolding.
We are steeped in the atmosphere of Georgetown and its unique and charming local restaurants, coffee spots and shops. The author's description of the locale is interesting and informative. The book is well written and the character development is excellent. I love the notes of positivity such as the importance of true friends, that this book offers, though those are juxtaposed with the dark side of life: murder, vice, disillusionment and mental illness. It shines a light on the healing powers of a bond with a cat and even backyard wildlife. I found that to be an especially heartwarming part of the story.
December 3, 2024
Georgetown Ashes is a dual timeline story with our modern heroine, Annie, trying to find a new direction for her life after being widowed, while helping her insecure neighbor who just had a construction worker murdered in her back yard. The mystery is the construction worker, but I was just as invested in Annie’s future and how she starts out her plans. And the detective is intriguing!
The historic part centers around a journal that the neighbor threw out which Annie is entranced by. (She loves old things!) Miss Millicent wrote it as she ran the house as a high-class, legal brothel in the days of Washington City. Politics, high-powered people, and the few opportunities women had for independence are tied together with rich descriptions and side characters.
Georgetown Ashes kept me reading late two (!) nights in a row. I enjoyed both the modern and historic sides, but I think the modern was my favorite. I really hope Ms. Reiss continues the series—I want to see how Annie gets on! 4-1/2 stars, only for a couple pet peeves of mine. Recommended for those who enjoy mysteries and dual timeline historicals.
The historic part centers around a journal that the neighbor threw out which Annie is entranced by. (She loves old things!) Miss Millicent wrote it as she ran the house as a high-class, legal brothel in the days of Washington City. Politics, high-powered people, and the few opportunities women had for independence are tied together with rich descriptions and side characters.
Georgetown Ashes kept me reading late two (!) nights in a row. I enjoyed both the modern and historic sides, but I think the modern was my favorite. I really hope Ms. Reiss continues the series—I want to see how Annie gets on! 4-1/2 stars, only for a couple pet peeves of mine. Recommended for those who enjoy mysteries and dual timeline historicals.
November 21, 2024
The author has woven a story that takes the reader between the present day and a time well over 100 years ago. This is accomplished by the main character reading a historical journal. Our protagonist is working through grief and wanting to get past the grief dominating her life. The area around Georgetown is wonderfully described. The characters are well developed and the story, which includes not only the widow and her grief journey but a possible romance and, of course, a murder. It also showcases the importance of friendships. I enjoyed this story.
November 10, 2024
Annie - a widow on a mission. She is not going to allow her grief to dictate her life. Along with the help of her friends, she is taking big steps to prove to herself that she can move forward and thrive. Throw in a murder, a neighbor with a mental illness, a romantic admission, and so much more. Get a peak at what Washington City was like 150 years ago. I can't wait to see where life takes Annie next. A truly sublime novel. This story deserves a few more stars. Highly Recommended.
November 21, 2024
Georgetown Ashes jumps between two story lines - a murder set in the present day, and the story of a brothel that occupied the same building 150 years ago. I wasn’t really a fan of Annie, the main character in the present day sections although she did get stronger as the book went on. In fact my favorite parts of the book were the chapters set in the past.
November 21, 2024
This book was beautiful. I appreciated the two worlds we experienced- present social Georgetown and the town of the Gilded Age. Weiss skillfully wove a mystery, an old diary, and a person striving to find herself into a beautiful story. I loved it.
November 21, 2024
Great story, love the two time periods and the issues they face.
November 24, 2024
great book
I loved this book! I read it in one day. Could not put it down. Looking forward to another book in this series.
I loved this book! I read it in one day. Could not put it down. Looking forward to another book in this series.
December 21, 2024
A very entertaining mystery of the past - The history of it is very intriguing as well, and the twist is a good one!
May 14, 2025
Must Read
It is a page turner. Don't usually like books that time travel, but is what made the book so good. Can't wait for the next book.
It is a page turner. Don't usually like books that time travel, but is what made the book so good. Can't wait for the next book.
February 15, 2025
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
Nestled in the heart of Washington, D.C., Georgetown is a neighborhood steeped in history and brimming with charm—a place where cobblestone streets whisper secrets of the past. Once a bustling port on the Potomac River, it’s now home to high-powered lawyers, cunning legislators, and eccentric shopkeepers. But beneath its polished exterior, danger lurks in the shadows.
When Annie Gillette stumbles upon a decades-old secret buried in Georgetown’s storied past, her quiet life is upended. Grappling with the loss of her husband, Annie is drawn into a tangled web of intrigue, where betrayal and murder threaten to shatter the neighborhood’s picture-perfect façade. To complicate matters, a long-time friend is determined to win her heart—just as Annie begins to realize she might also be in danger from the killer.
Will Annie uncover the truth before her own history comes to a deadly end?
MY TAKE
Annie, whose life was wrapped around her late husband's, finds herself at a loss. She's still recovering from his death nearly a year ago, but she finds she's not wanted on the committees she used to lead that helped her husband's job. Now that she's ready to move back into life again, it's driven home rather pointedly that she's not needed. Her husband left her in a comfortable financial position. She's a lawyer but hasn't worked as one in years.
Then she wakes one morning to discover police and neighbors gathered across the street where one of the workers on a home remodel project has been found murdered. Thus begins a journey of discovery for Annie, not just regarding the poor murdered man and whoever killed him, but of Annie herself.
Reiss does a fabulous job of writing relatable heroines and fascinating side characters. Especially one particular Greek American police detective. I hope this is the first book in a new series.
Nestled in the heart of Washington, D.C., Georgetown is a neighborhood steeped in history and brimming with charm—a place where cobblestone streets whisper secrets of the past. Once a bustling port on the Potomac River, it’s now home to high-powered lawyers, cunning legislators, and eccentric shopkeepers. But beneath its polished exterior, danger lurks in the shadows.
When Annie Gillette stumbles upon a decades-old secret buried in Georgetown’s storied past, her quiet life is upended. Grappling with the loss of her husband, Annie is drawn into a tangled web of intrigue, where betrayal and murder threaten to shatter the neighborhood’s picture-perfect façade. To complicate matters, a long-time friend is determined to win her heart—just as Annie begins to realize she might also be in danger from the killer.
Will Annie uncover the truth before her own history comes to a deadly end?
MY TAKE
Annie, whose life was wrapped around her late husband's, finds herself at a loss. She's still recovering from his death nearly a year ago, but she finds she's not wanted on the committees she used to lead that helped her husband's job. Now that she's ready to move back into life again, it's driven home rather pointedly that she's not needed. Her husband left her in a comfortable financial position. She's a lawyer but hasn't worked as one in years.
Then she wakes one morning to discover police and neighbors gathered across the street where one of the workers on a home remodel project has been found murdered. Thus begins a journey of discovery for Annie, not just regarding the poor murdered man and whoever killed him, but of Annie herself.
Reiss does a fabulous job of writing relatable heroines and fascinating side characters. Especially one particular Greek American police detective. I hope this is the first book in a new series.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews