Smoke Rose to Heaven

by Sarah Angleton

New York, 1872.

Diviner Ada Moses is a inder of hidden things and a keeper of secrets. In her possession is a lost manuscript with the power to destroy the faith of tens of thousands of believers.

When a man seeking the truth knocks at her door with a conspiracy theory on his lips and assassins at his heels, she must make a choice.

Spurred by news of a ritualistic murder and the arrival of a package containing the victim’s bloody shirt, Ada must either attempt to vanish with the truth or return the burden she has long borne to the prophet responsible for one of the most successful deceptions in US history.

Protecting someone else’s secret may save Ada’s life, but is that worth forcing her own demons into the light?

Genres: Historical Fiction

257 pages, Paperback

Published February 4, 2020

About the author

Sarah Angleton is the author of four novels, including the companion historical thrillers Gentleman of Misfortune and Smoke Rose to Heaven, tales of mummies, scoundrels, and smoking guns. Her third historical novel, White Man's Graveyard, is a 19th century family saga following the story of Pennsylvania siblings Annie and Sylvanus who find themselves on opposite sides of both the ocean and a monumental conflict over what it means to be free. Paradise on the Pike, her fourth novel is a historical mystery set against the backdrop of the 1904 World's Fair. Her books also include the humorous essay collection Launching Sheep & Other Stories from the Intersection of History and Nonsense, patterned after her weekly blog with which she explores the ridiculous in both history and every-day family life.

Reviews

[D. Peach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book isn’t typical of those I normally read, and I’m happy to report that I enjoyed it. Spanning the mid to late 1800s, Ada Moses relates the story of her life to an old man called the Prophet, a key influencer of the Mormon faith at its initiation. The entire book is Ada’s narrative, but it’s told in such a way that I was immersed in Ada’s experiences as they unfolded.

The impetus driving Ada to tell her story to the Prophet is a secret manuscript that came into her possession as a child, a manuscript that is dangerous to the Mormon faith. The document has put her life at risk, and she wants to tell her story before death finds her. Though this was interesting, it wasn’t the plot thread that sucked me in and didn’t let go.

For me, Ada’s human story was more compelling. Her mother dies when she’s a child, and her father gives her away to his sister and her husband. Ada’s aunt is a fundamental Christian zealot and her uncle is a snake oil salesman with some skill at dowsing and other esoteric arts. Ada is caught in the middle, trying to navigate her way safely through her aunt’s fanaticism and seeking some desperately needed parental love which she finds in her uncle and his unsavory business partners. I was riveted by her psychological and emotional growth, insights, and perspectives. Her experiences guide her choices and determine who she ultimately becomes. This is a character-driven story, beautifully written, and thoroughly engaging. Highly recommended.

[D.L. Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ada Moses is a fortune teller in the late 1800s and has her life turned upside down by a visitor. Knowing her life is in danger, she hurries to tell her story to a Mormon prophet, armed with a manuscript she’s had since childhood. Although that part of the plot held my interest, when Ada told the story of her childhood, my heart was with her. Her abandonment was heartbreaking enough, but who she was left with was even worse. I could not find many adults in her life that I liked, which spoke highly of the author’s ability to make me dislike them. There were con-men, religious zealots, mental illness, and a lot of broken souls surrounding this poor girl as she grew up. She learned to maneuver through the craziness, and there were some chances to explore a bit of her natural abilities. I understood how Ada could put her trust in one person, even though he had betrayed her before. Ada’s weakness made sense to me and strengthened her when she needed it. I will be reading more by this author and highly recommend this!

[Balroop Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smoke Rose to Heaven by Sarah Angleton is a slow and heavy book that poses some serious questions about faith, religion and fanaticism, especially when it is thrust upon somebody. Plagiarism is just one historical aspect of the story of Ada, who tries to understand the significance of life in the midst of selfishness, pretense, fraudulence and betrayal. It is a heart-breaking account of how a seven-year-old Ada handles her fate after being abandoned by her father, who quietly disappears from her life. Her aunt, a religious zealot, brings her up, without caring for her emotional yearnings and family bonding. Fear lurks around her to mold her into an agnostic, with a dark secret buried within her heart.

Smoke rose to heaven is symbolic of much ‘smoke’ that hovers around Ada, in many forms and she tries in vain to snuff it out of her life. I sympathized with Ada, the child but couldn’t do so when she grew up and walked willingly into the traps she could’ve avoided. I shuddered at her physical and spiritual weaknesses in the presence of demonic aunt Harriet. Sarah didn’t let her grow despite her intuitive abilities, probably because her focus seems to be the plot and the secret. All her characters play their assigned roles and don’t develop beyond that. Except for two typos, the book is good but slow-paced.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

During our quarantine, I had the please of listening to Angleton read this book live on Facebook. From the very beginning, it was quiet easy to to imagine being right in the middle of this story. Her words were so descriptive that very little effort was needed to see and sometimes even smell your surroundings. Her characters are brought to life and what surprised me most was how I thought that I was thinking I would really come to like a certain character but as the story progressed, I came to love a completely different one instead.

To be honest, when I first started listening to this book, I didn't know that it was tied to another one of Angleton's books titled Gentleman of Misfortune!, which is another great read! There is a nice overlap in stories but they are coming from different perspectives. You don't need to read them in a certain order to enjoy both. Very nicely done! Highly recommended!!

[Katie Boring · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I read it within a week. The story is about Ada, telling Mr. Ridgon her story growing up to adult. Also, her trials. Ada, had a horrific thing happen to her that she had more trails, than ever predicted. I thought this was a fast read. Though I would read Gentlemen of Misfortune first before reading this. I say this because a part of what happened in Gentlemen of Mjisfortune is mentioned in this book. Though it is a small part. Otherwise, I would recommend this book for any adult or mature reader. Though it is clean, some parts of it can be scandalous such has the fortune readings Ada tells other people.

[Lonnie Whitaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Angleton’s recent novel, Smoke Rose to Heaven, is a winner. Set in late nineteenth century New York, Angleton weaves a tapestry of mystery and intrigue surrounding an actual historic conspiracy theory about the origins of the Book of Mormon. I haven’t ready anything as interesting on the subject, since Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s A Study in Scarlet or Jon Krakauer’s Under the Banner of Heaven. It is well-crafted and engaging, with characters that are easy to picture. I recommend it to historic fiction and mystery fans and give it five stars.

[Tammie Painter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within the very first chapter, Smoke Rose from Heaven grabs you, intrigues you and pulls you in when a secret document sends a woman fleeing for safety. As the book takes you through Ada’s life of torn alliances, Angleton’s writing makes you feel every hurt and every triumph. Overall, Smoke Rose from Heaven is an entertaining and historically fascinating journey through zealous religion and underhanded spiritualism.

[TMDGReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ava's compelling narrative held me tight; the sad tale of her childhood and how she struggled into adulthood with her maniacal aunt kept me reading. The aunt's character traits fell well-balanced between good and evil, and with uncovered glimpses into her life story, it was hard to completely hate her. I highly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading its companion novel to read more about the snake oil salesman, Lyman, who played a large role in Ava's journey.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is written by a Missouri author and is the first of two novels about Ada, one who possess the ability to discover lost things. Ada "finds" a special book that some believe was written before Joseph Smith penned the Morman bible. Historical fiction and a great mystery read.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating story, with historical facts thrown in. This "what if" situation of a controversial topic was well researched, well written, and tastefully done in my opinion. The story itself keeps you in suspense. I never was quite sure of what the outcome would be.

[BJ Filla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great writing, and wove history, faith, and fiction together beautifully

[Pat Wahler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ada Powell is a woman with a powerful secret, one she's kept hidden away for decades. When a man raps on her door seeking the truth, Ada is pushed to a decision. The time has come to deal with the dangerous manuscript in her possession... before it's too late.

If you enjoy well-researched historical fiction with hints of mystery and suspense, this novel is right up your alley. Highly recommend!