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The Mystery at Sag Bridge
A century-old murder mystery…A dangerous ghost…An amateur historian…What binds them together?
Cora Tozzi is a retired businesswoman who, after nursing her mother through her final illness, wishes only for a peaceful orderly world in her suburban Chicago home. When an angry spirit begins to leave cryptic messages on her computer and threatens those around her, Cora is forced to dig into the town’s notorious past to uncover secrets that will free the bonds that tie her and the spirit. With the help of her husband and their friend, Frannie, Cora uses her skills as an amateur historian in a search that takes them into unexpected terrain including subterranean passages, an eerie graveyard, and shadowy paths in isolated forests where a sinister predator is awakened. As they battle unpredictable supernatural powers, the story takes a poignant turn: the spirit’s life is revealed, and both women, a century apart, examine threads into the past and the future, their loss and longing linked across the generations.
Cora Tozzi is a retired businesswoman who, after nursing her mother through her final illness, wishes only for a peaceful orderly world in her suburban Chicago home. When an angry spirit begins to leave cryptic messages on her computer and threatens those around her, Cora is forced to dig into the town’s notorious past to uncover secrets that will free the bonds that tie her and the spirit. With the help of her husband and their friend, Frannie, Cora uses her skills as an amateur historian in a search that takes them into unexpected terrain including subterranean passages, an eerie graveyard, and shadowy paths in isolated forests where a sinister predator is awakened. As they battle unpredictable supernatural powers, the story takes a poignant turn: the spirit’s life is revealed, and both women, a century apart, examine threads into the past and the future, their loss and longing linked across the generations.
328 pages, Paperback
First published April 4, 2015
4 people are currently reading
431 people want to read
About the author
Pat Camalliere
10 books36 followersPat Camalliere is the author of the popular, five-star-rated Cora Tozzi Historical Mystery Series. Her debut novel, The Mystery at Sag Bridge. was published in 2015. Her second book, The Mystery at Black Partridge Woods, was published in 2016. The Mystery at Mount Forest Island was published on 3/27/20.
Pat lives with her husband in Lemont, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. She serves on the boards of the Lemont Historical Society and the Lemont Public Library District. She is a member of the Society of Midland Authors, Sisters in Crime and the Chicago Writers Association. She writes a blog about local history that can be read on her website at www.patcamallierebooks.com.
Pat lives with her husband in Lemont, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. She serves on the boards of the Lemont Historical Society and the Lemont Public Library District. She is a member of the Society of Midland Authors, Sisters in Crime and the Chicago Writers Association. She writes a blog about local history that can be read on her website at www.patcamallierebooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 29, 2018
In this unique, well-researched, and well-written novel, the setting becomes its own multi-faceted character. Pat Camallieire exposes the innermost thoughts of her diverse human and spirit characters, which allows the reader to care about their lives and to root for a happy outcome to their individual predicaments.
May 11, 2015
The first word that comes to mind to describe this novel is "fun." I enjoyed it immensely. I don't usually read ghost stories, so I was surprised how much I liked this one. The premise in intriguing: it combines the modern story of a retired woman, grieving the lost of her mother, with a century-old murder story. The two stories intersect because Cora, the modern protagonist, encounters strange happenings wrought by a vengeful ghost. The book is structured like a sandwich, a beginning modern section, a central historical section, and an ending modern section. Cora makes a discovery near the end of the first section that leads naturally into the historical part of the story. One of the things I liked best about the novel was Cora herself. I immediately warmed to her. I thought her relationships were believable. Her marriage to Cisco and her friendship with Frannie felt real and lived-in. The writing also has an easy flow to it. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this story to anyone who likes mysteries, paranormal stories, or historical fiction.
February 6, 2016
Ghostly! The Mystery at Sag Bridge is a fictional story of a haunting in a real place. The haunting is imagined by the author but the location is real. Lemont Illinois is a suburb of Chicago and according to history, has a number of hauntings in it
Cora Tozzi is now retired and just wants to live the years she has left with her husband Cisco. Cora has always been the victim of happenings that she can not explain in her life. Things being moved or misplaced, drawers opening on their own and other unexplained events. Cora has given this ghost the name of Angel as she thinks it might be a guardian angel protecting her. She gets used to these events and life goes on. She took care of her parents and her mother is recently deceased and the odd occurrences happen with more frequency. She decides to try and figure out what she can and this leads her to an elderly woman who gives Cora a diary. This diary is from a young woman who lived in Lemont taking care of her mother and the farm along with her husband, her sister, and brother in law.
Cora reads the diary and she starts to get messages on her computer that start to frighten her. Something wanting her help. As Cora gets further into the diary she is confused as what the spirit wants from her so she enlists the help of a priest from St.James Church. The spirit does not like this at all and on a visit to Cora and Cisco's home, he is attacked but a wolf right in their front yard. The priest is badly hurt and can not help Cora in figuring out what she should do to get these manifestations to stop. She gets her hubby, who is skeptical at this point, and her friend Frannie to help. They scour old records that they find at the historical society and in the tunnel that they discover.
Back in the day, there were tunnels under the town that made it easier for owners of shops to get their goods. Ships unloaded and then the goods were taken to each shop underground. The tunnels were eventually closed as the town back in the late 1800's started to suffer as business's started moving out of the area. As the 'ghost' becomes more
As the story emerges it seems that a man was murdered in the churchyard along with his wife and infant. The killer was never found and Cora comes to the conclusion that the ghost is the woman wanting justice to be done. Now, Cora, Cisco, and Frannie are in a race against the clock to make things right before their own lives are endangered.
This is one of the best ghost stories I have read in a long time, I actually read this book in one sitting. I often wonder when you look at old pictures what were their lives like and what tragedy befell them because most everyone has had some sort of tragedy in their family history. Pat Camalliere tells a story that is fiction but you never know, something like this could and maybe did happen. You just have to imagine. The cover? That is a picture of the church in the story that really existed and is now the site of the Lemont Historical Society.
Cora Tozzi is now retired and just wants to live the years she has left with her husband Cisco. Cora has always been the victim of happenings that she can not explain in her life. Things being moved or misplaced, drawers opening on their own and other unexplained events. Cora has given this ghost the name of Angel as she thinks it might be a guardian angel protecting her. She gets used to these events and life goes on. She took care of her parents and her mother is recently deceased and the odd occurrences happen with more frequency. She decides to try and figure out what she can and this leads her to an elderly woman who gives Cora a diary. This diary is from a young woman who lived in Lemont taking care of her mother and the farm along with her husband, her sister, and brother in law.
Cora reads the diary and she starts to get messages on her computer that start to frighten her. Something wanting her help. As Cora gets further into the diary she is confused as what the spirit wants from her so she enlists the help of a priest from St.James Church. The spirit does not like this at all and on a visit to Cora and Cisco's home, he is attacked but a wolf right in their front yard. The priest is badly hurt and can not help Cora in figuring out what she should do to get these manifestations to stop. She gets her hubby, who is skeptical at this point, and her friend Frannie to help. They scour old records that they find at the historical society and in the tunnel that they discover.
Back in the day, there were tunnels under the town that made it easier for owners of shops to get their goods. Ships unloaded and then the goods were taken to each shop underground. The tunnels were eventually closed as the town back in the late 1800's started to suffer as business's started moving out of the area. As the 'ghost' becomes more
As the story emerges it seems that a man was murdered in the churchyard along with his wife and infant. The killer was never found and Cora comes to the conclusion that the ghost is the woman wanting justice to be done. Now, Cora, Cisco, and Frannie are in a race against the clock to make things right before their own lives are endangered.
This is one of the best ghost stories I have read in a long time, I actually read this book in one sitting. I often wonder when you look at old pictures what were their lives like and what tragedy befell them because most everyone has had some sort of tragedy in their family history. Pat Camalliere tells a story that is fiction but you never know, something like this could and maybe did happen. You just have to imagine. The cover? That is a picture of the church in the story that really existed and is now the site of the Lemont Historical Society.
September 28, 2015
Mystery at Sag Bridge: Pat Camalliere
What would happen if your life was being monitored by an unknown entity and you did not know it? What would you think if things that you put away instantly got misplaced or something that you just put down was moved but not by you? What would you do if something happened to someone you knew and you did not realize that you might be linked to the outcome or incident? Cora Tozzi is a retired businesswoman and her life changed many years ago when things started to happen, incidents that she could not explain occurred and she began thinking that she had what she calls an Angel watching over her and doing playful things to get her attention. As the years wore on the Angel would appear and disappear for long time periods until the present when the activities of this entity or spirit became dangerous and violent. Just why was Angel becoming more assertive and why would things from Cora’s past and incidents in the present link her to searching and learning about a one hundred year old murder in the town where she lives: Sag Bridge, Illinois?
Cora spends her days dealing with the historical club, her book club and other areas of interest within her community. But, when things start to disappear and objects that she had placed in one place are no longer where she put them she informs her husband Cisco and gets mixed reviews. Her book club is made up of a varied group of women each having their own opinions on life, the people in the community and their views on the book chosen by the club. But, one meeting would change it all as Frannie, the African American member shares her story about her community, their lack of acceptance for her and the fact that her brother, who is violent created lies about her having everyone treat her like a pariah. Frannie is tough, outspoken and definitely someone you want on your side. She is so like me that I really like her as a character and person. When she shares her story one young woman named Valerie comes back at her in such a rude and mean way that Cora demands that she leaves and never return to her home or the club. Valerie is vindictive and decides to get even with Cora by creating stories about Angel, the mob and other things that Cora shared within the meeting. But, sharing them with a reporter she hoped would help Cora lose reelection to the library board. But, somehow Angel might have caught wind of what she did and when things come to light the author allows readers to understand just how this spirit or avenging angel knows exactly what Cora is up to and going to do. As Valerie sends a letter to reporter the same reporter decides to check out her facts with Cora. Although she believes her paper still prints the lies and what happens to Valerie for her cruelty is sad. You the reader decide if she deserved what she got.
As the story progresses we learn more about Angel, how she came to pass, why the wolf is an integral part of her life and how she came to be called Maime. The chapters that reveal the past to readers will help you understand why Cora has to find out just why this is happening, why anyone that has ever wronged her past and present is being hurt or killed and just how she can stop what has been set in motion so many years ago without the loss of any more lives. But, Frannie is on her side but her husband is still quite skeptical. When the wolf attacks Father McGrath in front of them will he change his mind?
A diary might open the doors needed to solve a one hundred year murder of a family. Written by a young woman named Meg and falling into Cora’s hands the diary speaks to her, as does the spirit. Growing up in Sag Bridge where the woman who had the diary lived, she gave Cora the diary and for some reason Angel has attached herself to Cora and wants her to solve the murders. Packey and Meg were married and had a fight before he left for work. Just what is Meg and what is her link to Angel? Where does the wolf come in? Why did the wolf attack the priest and why did the priest have to kill the wolf that was protecting Meg’s body and that of her family?
Sag Bridge, Illinois is the setting for this story and is a populated place in Cook County, Illinois. It is an important waterway junction and is within the village limits and postal delivery zone of Lemont, Illinois. St. James at Sag Bridge Catholic Church is listed on the National Register of Historical Places and is the setting for a very profound and compelling scene-taking place in the cemetery. Rock quarries such as the one that Packey, Meg’s husband worked in were developed there in the mid-19th century. The quarries are no longer in operations but businesses in Sag Bridge are selling stone products today. Unfortunately, if you visit there the original bridge at Sag Bridge is gone except a small remnant of Old Archer Avenue.
Cora has many questions and together with Cisco and Frannie she has to decide ho she is going to defeat Angel. Does she really want her to go? What connection does she have to her own mother since Meg’s and Cora’s mothers were both difficult and unyielding. Why does Angel thing Cora is the daughter she lost? Why is she protecting her?
Were Angel’s powers limited to Cora’s house? Why do the vengeful acts take place somewhere else? Valerie’s attack, the attack on Father McGrath, the murders, the computer messages that direct Cora’s moves and the research and articles from the time period of the murders might reveal just who and why they were killed. But, Angel won’t rest until Cora solves the murders and why is Cora so bent on doing this? Why does she feel guilt about the way she handled taking care of her mother for so many years when she did everything right?
The revelation as to why the family died, the rational behind the killer’s motives leads back to the past and the ending you just won’t expect. Just who orchestrated the accidents and the bad things and why you won’t believe and the interaction between Cora and the spirit will explain why Angel attached herself to Cora and created a world for Cora that would now change. An ending that will bring tears to your eyes and a new window of vision to Cora’s. The Mystery at Sag Bridge will keep readers wondering what else might be in store for Cora, Frannie and Cisco. Can you hear the howling of the wolf? Do you see and Angel?
Author Pat Camalliere gives readers much food for thought in a heartfelt, heart-breaking novel of two women who needed to find peace and understanding when dealing with family love, relationships and secrets. A story that everyone will want to read and many will identify with.
Fran Lewis: Just Reviews/MJ Magazine
August 10, 2015
The Mystery at Sag Bridge by Pat Camalliere is a wonderful gem of a read. While a 'ghost story', this book is more mystery and suspense, as the title would suggest. If you happen to be looking for horror, keep truckin'.
The story takes place in a historic setting, though both Cora's and Mavourneen's tales are fictional. In-depth history research went into this writing, and it clearly shows. Cora and Mavourneen's characters were full of depth and personality. I felt myself drawn into their stories, sharing emotions with their ups and downs.
Other characters were handled with equal care. One place that really sticks in mind is the response of a young boy who proclaimed that a flowering cactus must not have liked another character because it never bloomed til after said person's death. Typical brutal, yet amusing, candor from young ones. That's so a line my niece would use, heavens forbid!
I am an anthropologist/archaeologist by training, and I loved the attention to historic detail. My favourite part, hands down, is the middle section, Mavourneen's section, dealing with the end of the 1890s. The only thing I really did not like was an episode of severe eye trauma. Having lost an eye myself, I tend to be very sensitive to (read easily freaked out by) eye trauma of even the mild sort.
The story puts me in mind of book The Turning of the Screw, and the movie The Others, only happier. If you liked either of those, or things similar, give Camalliere's The Mystery at Sag Bridge a try. I'm quite sure you'll enjoy it!
The story takes place in a historic setting, though both Cora's and Mavourneen's tales are fictional. In-depth history research went into this writing, and it clearly shows. Cora and Mavourneen's characters were full of depth and personality. I felt myself drawn into their stories, sharing emotions with their ups and downs.
Other characters were handled with equal care. One place that really sticks in mind is the response of a young boy who proclaimed that a flowering cactus must not have liked another character because it never bloomed til after said person's death. Typical brutal, yet amusing, candor from young ones. That's so a line my niece would use, heavens forbid!
I am an anthropologist/archaeologist by training, and I loved the attention to historic detail. My favourite part, hands down, is the middle section, Mavourneen's section, dealing with the end of the 1890s. The only thing I really did not like was an episode of severe eye trauma. Having lost an eye myself, I tend to be very sensitive to (read easily freaked out by) eye trauma of even the mild sort.
The story puts me in mind of book The Turning of the Screw, and the movie The Others, only happier. If you liked either of those, or things similar, give Camalliere's The Mystery at Sag Bridge a try. I'm quite sure you'll enjoy it!
September 28, 2015
Red City Review: “Told with storyteller’s craft, The Mystery at Sag Bridge is fiction at its best. Rich landscapes and a world steeped in mysticism brings the world lushly to life. Written from Cora’s point of view, the story moves from past to present giving the reader a sensation of being pulled back and forth in time. Camalliere has created a compelling narrative with complex characters. Revealing how two women relate to their families, friends, and the community around them. Cora’s depth of character growth throughout the book is a testament to Camalliere’s skill and writing prowess. Whatever you are looking for in a good read, you will [find] a little bit of everything in The Mystery at Sag Bridge.”
May 23, 2015
A charming debut novel combining mystery and the paranormal for a thoroughly entertaining read. A retired couple is drawn into the supernatural by an unquiet spirit. Cora, the protagonist, was dimly aware of a guardian spirit. When that ghost becomes dangerous to her friends she resolves to make contact. Cora discovers that the guardian is connected deeply to the history of her town and she must learn that history to solve the Mystery at Sag Bridge.
The characters have depth and held my interest and sympathy. I would have given five stars, but the pacing of the plot seemed a little slow at two or three points in the story. Otherwise, the action and motion were well developed and exciting to read.
Highly recommended.
The characters have depth and held my interest and sympathy. I would have given five stars, but the pacing of the plot seemed a little slow at two or three points in the story. Otherwise, the action and motion were well developed and exciting to read.
Highly recommended.
September 15, 2015
Susan Roy, President, Lemont Area Historical Society: “Pat Camalliere has crafted a compelling mystery that introduces readers to the unique history and features of Lemont, while immersing the characters in a tender exploration of how our mothers influence our lives. All readers who enjoy mystery, history, engaging characters, or a touch of the supernatural will love this book.”
September 11, 2015
This book was a real page turner! The story revolves around the mysterious link between a young woman of the past and a woman from the present. It takes place in my hometown and the author does a wonderful job of weaving an intriguing story with our town's rich history. I can't wait for the next book to come out!
September 26, 2015
Held my interest from the start! I loved the author's characters and sense of humor. Just the right blend of mystery, paranormal and real people in a location I know and love!
December 6, 2017
I found the historical part of this book to be very interesting. Obviously there was a lot of research done before writing this book.
Read
November 13, 2017Interesting and local flavor.
September 20, 2024
The historical section was good, but the rest was a slog. Sooooo much happened for no reason. The ghost in the computer was a bit much. Could have been 200 pages shorter.
July 23, 2018
At any time when you read a book, whether it is fiction, non-fiction, historical fiction, horror or any other genre, the reader must try to understand what the author is trying to tell them. When I read a book, I need to make sure that my mind is clear, I have an unbiased opinion of the author, and that my snacks are prepared and ready before I crack open that book.
Moreover, while reading, I keep track in the back of my mind the five main parts that make up a book: 1) Characters; 2) Plot; 3) transition; 4) dialogue, and 5) Scenery. I do this with every book that I read, whether it is a dud or something that pulls me into the story and makes me a part of it. Pat Camalliere’s “The Mystery at Sag Bridge,” did neither for me. Actually, I found the book too lengthy in the beginning with the historical background.
Let us start with the characters. Cora and Angel are the two primary characters. Cora is married to Cisco; Angel is a spirit that runs wild in Cora’s house. Though Cisco does not believe Cora that there is a “ghost” living with them, he finally concludes, after several incidents, that there is and steps in to help Cora to help Angel leave the mortal realm for the heavens. There are quite a few secondary characters; you do not need a scorecard to keep track of them. Nevertheless, keep an eye on Frannie, she is a force to be reckon with and helps Cora and Cisco in research and keeps everyone in line.
The characters are wonderfully developed; they work well with each other. As the story progresses, the number of characters are thin out and only three remain. They grow and mature on each other, as characters should, and become independent of the main characters. There is no overshadowing of the characters whatsoever.
The plot. This has to be the most important part of the book. The plot must be plausible; must be able to grab the readers’ attention at the get go. I found the plot to be plausible; however, it did not grab my attention right away. As I said earlier, I felt that the beginning of the book took excessively long with the historical background. I felt that the author could have intertwined the historical and non-historical together in hopes that it could have been smother in transitions and gave more imagination to the reader. Though the process in which the author took was fine, it was not until about the middle of the book that everything started to come together, a deeper and better understanding of what was happening, and what was to come. Though the plot developed throughout the novel, I felt that the element of surprise was missing and you could almost second-guess on what was going to happen next.
Transition. The transition between characters and scenes were well done. The argument at the book club meeting, at Cora’s house, shows it. The ability to switch between characters and scenes is an art. If not done correctly, can leave the reader in the dark and lost.
Dialogue. This is how the author gets their characters to talk to each other and express a concern of what is going on to the reader. Sometimes dialogue can get lost, muddle, and jumbled in the process. A good author can keep the characters’ thoughts in order and interject them at the appropriate time. Camalliere nailed this part on the head.
Last, but not least, the scenery. Before I go any farther here, I need to go off on a tangent and explain myself here. The story takes place in the southwest suburb of Lemont, Illinois, a community that lies within three counties; the majority of it is in Cook County, Illinois. For the most of the historical aspect of the story, the plot takes place in Lemont. For the fictional part, it take place in a fictional community called Sag.
If anyone were familiar with the development of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, you would understand the fact that the towns that border or straddle the canal, were actual camps for the canal workers or were prospective towns laid out by the surveyors. The lots were to be sold to help bring in revenue for the completion of the canal. Lemont, Romeoville, Lockport and many other towns were plotted and developed during the construction of the canal.
With that said, and with the understanding that Sag was fictional, the scenes were lackluster. There was a lot of time spent inside at Cora’s house and at the Lemont Area Historical Society. From reading and understanding where Sag might have been located at, I believe that Sag was along the current Archer Avenue probably in the area of the Paw Paw Woods Nature Preserve.
To me the scenes lacked some good descriptions. It would have been nice to be there with Cora in the cemetery while she was talking to Angel. I felt that the drab scenes took away from the story. There is a fine line when it comes to describing the scenes. Too much and your imagination cannot run wild; too little and your imagination cannot develop the picture that the author is trying to convey. It has to be the perfect mix. Authors like Stephen King and Agatha Christie have the right mix when it comes to describing scenes.
“The Mystery at Sag Bridge” is a good read. It’s a page turner, but not a fast turn. If you are into local history, then look no farther.
Moreover, while reading, I keep track in the back of my mind the five main parts that make up a book: 1) Characters; 2) Plot; 3) transition; 4) dialogue, and 5) Scenery. I do this with every book that I read, whether it is a dud or something that pulls me into the story and makes me a part of it. Pat Camalliere’s “The Mystery at Sag Bridge,” did neither for me. Actually, I found the book too lengthy in the beginning with the historical background.
Let us start with the characters. Cora and Angel are the two primary characters. Cora is married to Cisco; Angel is a spirit that runs wild in Cora’s house. Though Cisco does not believe Cora that there is a “ghost” living with them, he finally concludes, after several incidents, that there is and steps in to help Cora to help Angel leave the mortal realm for the heavens. There are quite a few secondary characters; you do not need a scorecard to keep track of them. Nevertheless, keep an eye on Frannie, she is a force to be reckon with and helps Cora and Cisco in research and keeps everyone in line.
The characters are wonderfully developed; they work well with each other. As the story progresses, the number of characters are thin out and only three remain. They grow and mature on each other, as characters should, and become independent of the main characters. There is no overshadowing of the characters whatsoever.
The plot. This has to be the most important part of the book. The plot must be plausible; must be able to grab the readers’ attention at the get go. I found the plot to be plausible; however, it did not grab my attention right away. As I said earlier, I felt that the beginning of the book took excessively long with the historical background. I felt that the author could have intertwined the historical and non-historical together in hopes that it could have been smother in transitions and gave more imagination to the reader. Though the process in which the author took was fine, it was not until about the middle of the book that everything started to come together, a deeper and better understanding of what was happening, and what was to come. Though the plot developed throughout the novel, I felt that the element of surprise was missing and you could almost second-guess on what was going to happen next.
Transition. The transition between characters and scenes were well done. The argument at the book club meeting, at Cora’s house, shows it. The ability to switch between characters and scenes is an art. If not done correctly, can leave the reader in the dark and lost.
Dialogue. This is how the author gets their characters to talk to each other and express a concern of what is going on to the reader. Sometimes dialogue can get lost, muddle, and jumbled in the process. A good author can keep the characters’ thoughts in order and interject them at the appropriate time. Camalliere nailed this part on the head.
Last, but not least, the scenery. Before I go any farther here, I need to go off on a tangent and explain myself here. The story takes place in the southwest suburb of Lemont, Illinois, a community that lies within three counties; the majority of it is in Cook County, Illinois. For the most of the historical aspect of the story, the plot takes place in Lemont. For the fictional part, it take place in a fictional community called Sag.
If anyone were familiar with the development of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, you would understand the fact that the towns that border or straddle the canal, were actual camps for the canal workers or were prospective towns laid out by the surveyors. The lots were to be sold to help bring in revenue for the completion of the canal. Lemont, Romeoville, Lockport and many other towns were plotted and developed during the construction of the canal.
With that said, and with the understanding that Sag was fictional, the scenes were lackluster. There was a lot of time spent inside at Cora’s house and at the Lemont Area Historical Society. From reading and understanding where Sag might have been located at, I believe that Sag was along the current Archer Avenue probably in the area of the Paw Paw Woods Nature Preserve.
To me the scenes lacked some good descriptions. It would have been nice to be there with Cora in the cemetery while she was talking to Angel. I felt that the drab scenes took away from the story. There is a fine line when it comes to describing the scenes. Too much and your imagination cannot run wild; too little and your imagination cannot develop the picture that the author is trying to convey. It has to be the perfect mix. Authors like Stephen King and Agatha Christie have the right mix when it comes to describing scenes.
“The Mystery at Sag Bridge” is a good read. It’s a page turner, but not a fast turn. If you are into local history, then look no farther.
March 27, 2023
I was actually disappointed by this novel. I really looked forward to the story, but the introduction was disappointing. I felt the characters were either two-dimensional, or had their character flaws dismissed for ridiculous reasons. When the haunting incidents occurred, there was no real reason for the conclusions that the main character drew as to why she was being visited by a vengeful spirit, or how to resolve the issue. I live near the Cal-Sag area, and near where the town called Sag Bridge must have been, I've been to the St. James of the Sag Church. I expected this novel to include one (or more) of the many mysterious and spooky occurrences that actually DID happen in this part of the Chicago area.
July 27, 2019
Delightful book
This is an engrossing book merging events from more than 100 years ago with current times. I loved the descriptions of early Sag Bridge and Lemont and I can't wait to explore the area myself. Pat has created a wide variety of colorful complex characters in both eras. I am looking forward to reading more of Pat's work.
This is an engrossing book merging events from more than 100 years ago with current times. I loved the descriptions of early Sag Bridge and Lemont and I can't wait to explore the area myself. Pat has created a wide variety of colorful complex characters in both eras. I am looking forward to reading more of Pat's work.
January 6, 2024
The first ten chapters are like disjointed diary entries, but by the eleventh it becomes a connected narrative that I found very intriguing: why is the ghost becoming more violent, and why is Cora being followed by a wolf?
June 2, 2022
A fantastic mystery and ghost story!
July 6, 2015
I didn’t know that this book was a murder/ghost story. I was expecting a murder mystery set in Lemont, IL. I feel bad that I didn’t like this book. I found the murder mystery weak and the ghost pretty lame. The plot was advanced mostly through dialogue. Therefore the story line was repeated every time a new character stepped into the picture.
I did like the story about the murder that took place in the 1800’s and the history of Lemont. I also liked the cover art.
Over all I didn’t like the ghost part. I thought it was a bit silly. I could bring myself to believe a ghost was helping with her own murder and taking revenge on friends of the main character. There is not much chance I will read another book by this author.
I did like the story about the murder that took place in the 1800’s and the history of Lemont. I also liked the cover art.
Over all I didn’t like the ghost part. I thought it was a bit silly. I could bring myself to believe a ghost was helping with her own murder and taking revenge on friends of the main character. There is not much chance I will read another book by this author.
May 21, 2022
A charming and moving story that takes place in Lemont, Illinois. Cora Tozzi is a retired medical manager who is being haunted by the ghost of a young mother who was killed in a graveyard in 1898. To free the ghost from her earthly ties, Cora uses her skills as an amateur historian to uncover the murderer, with the help of her husband and her outrageous friend, Frannie. Much of the history and geographic uniqueness of this Chicago suburb is revealed in the telling of the story. Yes, I wrote this book, but I hadn’t re-read it for a number of years and needed to freshen my recollection of the details. I impressed myself! It’s quite a good book.
November 13, 2016
I loved the idea of the book, but it probably could have been told in a short story. Like other reviewers there was so much repeating information to move the plot forward it seemed kind to fluff it up and add length. At times, I was pulled out of the story entirely from some of the character dialogue it just didn't seem to flow like a real conversation.
October 8, 2015
Great read with good character development. I did not think I would like a "supernatural" story, but I did! Can't wait until the next book is out. Since I live in Lemont I loved learning the history of our area!
March 30, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. It is a mystery and a ghost story rolled into one ! It also includes history of Lemont, IL , where the story takes place. It started out slow, but had my full attention after a few chapters.
May 25, 2016
Boring, unimaginative, poorly written. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
December 28, 2018
* Appreciate backdrops of geography, Irish Immigrants, book club and apart from that, the after ending notes. Enjoyed characters of Fannie and Bridie. Cozy, ghostly mystery.
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