A Visitation of Angels

Pluto's Snitch #4

by Carolyn Haines

Elizabeth Maslow is an educated woman living in the isolated town of 1920's Mission, Alabama. She's defied the town's definition of a woman's place--she's unmarried and given birth to a child with webbed hands and feet. In a town fraught with superstitions and religious repression, Elizabeth is dangerous.

But Elizabeth is much more than an unwed mother. Since the birth of Callie, who she believes is fathered by an angel, she's been able to "dream the truth." And she's determined to testify in behalf of Slater McEachern, a man charged with the brutal murder of a local woman.

Elizabeth insists McEachern is innocent. She's determined to speak, no matter the cost.

Spirit detectives Raissa and Reginald arrive to help Elizabeth save McEachern--before she ends up on the gallows with him.

Raissa and Reginald must unravel a crucial question. Does Elizabeth's gift come from an angel, or from something much, much darker.

In the world of spirits and the dead, Raissa has learned to trust no one, especially not the dead. The dead lie.

Genres: Mystery, Historical

380 pages, Paperback

Published September 30, 2019

About the author

Carolyn Haines is the USA Today bestselling author of over 70 books. In 2020, she was inducted into the Alabama Writers Hall of Fame. She was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alabama Library Association, the Harper Lee Award for Distinguished Writing, the Richard Wright Award for Literary Excellence, as well as the "Best Amateur Sleuth" award by Romantic Times. Born and raised in Mississippi, she now lives in Alabama on a farm with more dogs, cats, and horses than she can possibly keep track of.

Reviews

[JoAn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Visitation of Angels by Carolyn Haines was a sad, chilling, creepy and enthralling story from beginning to end. Although this is book four in this series, it can easily be read as a stand alone.

Raissa and Reginald have their hands full with this one as this small community is in the grip of sinister forces that will do whatever is necessary to keep their place in this world. This smoothly paced plot was filled with deep emotions, twists, clear descriptions of the characters and the community and action as Raissa and Reginald discover more about the evil that has invaded this small town. Ms. Haines is a master storyteller that never disappoints.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Visitation of Angels is an intense, creepy, edge of your seat book. Written in true Carolyn Haines style. This book kept me captivated, intrigued so I did not want to put it down.
Descriptions of the area made me feel as if I was there with Raissa and Reginald.
This is book 4 in Pluto’s Snitch series but can be read as a stand alone. Although it would be better to start from book 1.
One of my favorite series. I am already looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Highly recommend!!

I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it. Opinions are my own.

[Kristin Whitehouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. I wish the author got them out faster. Creepy, gothic and fantastic characters.

[Paula Ratcliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows Raissa and Reginald who are called to investigate by Elizabeth Maslow whose adamant that a man is about to die for something he didn't do. When they arrive in Mission they find out it's not as forward thinking as other towns. Raissa and Elizabeth should be in the kitchen tending hom and not asking questions or in the case of Elizabeth having a child out of wedlock with webbed hands and feet. Will they figure out who killed Ruth a local woman and why? Did Slater McEachern do it or is someone that determined that he should pay for another's crime?

As they investigate a dark entity keeps appearing to the girls claiming to be Gabriel, but is he who he says he is or is it something more sinister? What does the entity want and how many will be impacted before Raissa and Reginald get to the bottom of it?

I love this series they are deep and engaging and keep you going wondering how it will end? For anyone who loves a geat ghost story or good vs evil will definitely be captivated by this series as I was!

[Lesli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good addition to the series. I like the angel mythology; I’ve read a few book and am a fan. I hope to see Michael again. He was a great addition to the gang. This book stirred emotions in me of how stupid were were as a nation as few as 100 years ago. It really made me as mad as Rassia. A chapter about how Mission looked a month after they left would have been a nice addition.

Few criticisms: I wish some homework would be done before jumping head first into a new case. Counting on people to come and rescue them is impractical.
The end was a little wordy...I was ready for the action and to get to the conclusion and it was just on and on with description.

[Susan M Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know what to say

I have had the good fortune to read about both fallen angels and about watchers, so I wasn't surprised about the story line. But I would get upset with Raissa because she would jump into the den of lions without giving any thought to the other characters. I had to remember that these are characters in a book. That is how good the stories are. Very believable.

[Tammy O · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy Carolyn Haines’ mysteries. Raissa and Reginald are both very likable characters with a lot of personality. The people they meet as this mystery unfolds are good, bad, evil, gifted, wise, scared and/or brave. I enjoyed almost all of them!

[Carrie Dalby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is a great blending of historical Southern Gothic mystery. Besides the main detectives, this fourth book offered a lot of interesting players and turns that kept me intrigued. Haines does grotesque in Southern Gothic masterfully.

[Dianna Stratmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, I am really enjoying this series. It has just enough paranormal, mystery and suspense. A great book to get you through these long days.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Visitation of Angels by Carolyn Haines is a magically told story that kept me guessing.
Can Raissa and Reginald figure out who killed Ruth before they are hanging from the gallows?
Raissa and Reginald
This adventure takes our supernatural investigators to Mission, Alabama. It's 1920, and the 19th Amendment has been ratified, but in Mission, there is nothing equal about anything. The man who owns the town rules the town and everyone in it. It's like a sinister cult. Yet, there seems to be more going on than just prejudice and control. Once Raissa and Reginald get to Mission, they realize just how bad it is, and even though they both know how dangerous it is there, they want to help the people out.

Reginald is in as much danger as Raissa. If the townsfolk finds out about him, they will hang him and the women he is trying to protect. I think that Reginald feels what is around, but he can't pinpoint exactly what it is since he has never been up against anything like it. But that doesn't stop him from doing the needed research and having a plan to get out safely. I think he goes above and beyond to help the people of Mission even though they aren't friendly to outsiders. He is coming into himself. The more we get to know him, the more I like him.

Raissa is again the focus of the evil entity. The work she and Reginald are doing is causing people to take notice. She makes some terrible errors in this installment, but I think she has learned a valuable lesson. I find her even stronger than before. She truly has this unique gift and a heart of gold.
The Mystery
Elizabeth Maslow calls Pluto's Snitch to Mission to help save a man from being sentenced to death for a crime he didn't commit. Although, her actions could get her and her child killed. Raissa and Reginald go to Mission but finding a solution isn't going to be easy. In fact, it will be dangerous. No one involved may make it out of Mission alive. Who is Gabriel, and how is he involved in all of this? That is just one of the many questions going through their minds.
Five Stars
Wow, Ms. Haines had me seriously thinking about this one; even with the title, I had a hard time. I didn't figure it out entirely until Raissa did. My rating for A Visitation of Angels by Carolyn Haines is five stars. I highly recommend this book and the series. It has a beautiful blend of history, mystery, paranormal, relationships, and setting.

I am looking forward to the next book in the series.


The Pluto's Snitch Series

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of A Visitation of Angels by Carolyn Haines.

Until the next time,



This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove

[Marjorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read any of the other Pluto's snitch series, in fact I purchased this book in error as I don't like starting a series of books part way through. However, it did sound like an intriguing premise so I decided to just plunge on in and give it a go. I can honestly say that not having read any of the previous books was not a barrier to enjoying this one. The characters soon become clear in your head and the author shows you what they are all about rather than telling you. There is some background information given at several points during the story and whilst this was fine for a newcomer to this fictional world it may be an annoyance to someone who is reading "in order".

There is a lot going on in this story. Setting aside the more spiritual and supernatural themes there is a lot about general 1920's social attitudes. Raissa is a thoroughly modern woman and finds that she needs to sublimate her personality and dress in a way that is not her usual fashion when she finds herself going to rural Alabama. A place where women are seen and not heard, where skirt lengths are definitely much longer than in her more metropolitan circles. She also finds that she is not expected, or encouraged, to have let alone voice an opinion and that despite women now having the vote rural Alabama is still clinging to notions and morals of 100 years ago where the womenfolk are concerned.

Along with the heavy feminism thread running through the tale it also touches on attitudes towards homosexuality. Reginald very definitely has to hide who he is and you get the definite impression that Raissa is more than just his close friend and business partner, she is also his beard. The story also touches on corruption of officials, ostracism of those that do not conform to one set of rigidly held beliefs; eg. the sign when they enter Mission regarding Gypsys.

The construction of the world is very well done and the descriptions of the strange society in Mission is very well drawn. I could not detect any judgment from the author about the sheer wrongness of the situation there, she allowed Raissa and Reginald to articulate that, what I did get was a clear and concise, almost bored, description of how it was and how it would be. Nice not to have something overdramatised or a "look how terrible it all is" agenda and for the author to allow their characters to speak rather than them overtly manipulating them to fit their personal agenda.

Unfortunately, this is supposed to be a supernatural tale and I did find that this aspect was rather disappointing. Initially the nature of Gabriel was confusing and then you become very frustrated with Raissa for taking so long to figure out what is going on. There is a nice twist towards the end with the Pinkerton Agent (whose name I cannot remember but think it may have been Michael). There is a lot of drawing out events which I think was supposed to generate tension for the reader but I found it just dissipated things for me and everything felt rather slow going until the last 20% or so of the book when things get very pacy.

Not a bad read, but not a great one either.

[Elexndra · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book................. read in one sitting.......very well written..............thoroughly enjoyed!!
great that all proceeds go to helping animals!

[Janette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the story. I have read all the Pluto snitch novels and looking forward to #5.

[CarolKat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this book, I was intrigued by it being set in the 1920's and the main characters being Spirit Detectives. Certainly not a common occupation.

The heat is on right from the beginning of this book, outsiders are not welcome and if they have different beliefs it becomes dangerous.

Raissa and Reginald have come to this backwoods, isolated town at the request of Elizabeth Maslow, she's become a target in this cultish environment because she is educated, unmarried, the mother to a child who is very different from the norm and she believes a man accused of murder is innocent because she 'saw' the truth in a dream. Not exactly the way to become accepted.

As Raissa and Reginald start their investigating there is more than a little intimidation in the form of being followed everywhere they go. This makes saving a man convicted of a crime he didn't commit even more difficult. Elizabeth herself is in the path of danger and just keeps putting herself out there.

Then there is that dark entity, one that Elizabeth claims is an Angel. That is more than just a little scary at least to me.

This book had my on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next, it was scary, intriguing, emotional and tearful.

I really have to go back to the beginning of this series, I think I'm hooked.

[Susan Yawn Tanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Visitation of Angels pulled me in and under with swift precision. Slater McEachern has been charged with the grisly murder of an unarmed woman. But this is not Slater McEachern’s story. Elizabeth Maslow – already an outcast in Mission, Alabama – has dreamed of Slater’s innocence and is determined to speak for him.

Mission is a small town of narrow minds and prejudices which doesn’t allow diversity in any guise. And Elizabeth is anything but non-diverse. Although unwed, she has dared give birth to a daughter without remorse or apology to anyone. Worse, the child has webbed hands and feet. The inhabitants of Mission believe Callie to be a child of evil. Elizabeth believes Callie was conceived with an angel.

As they race to identify the real killer, Raissa and Reginald must determine if either belief is true. Or if, perhaps, both are true. For Lucifer was also an angel. The premise of the book, ultimately, is the struggle for supremacy between that which is bright and good and that which is dark and evil. It is a premise that is laid out in a series of breath-taking twists and turns, scenes that will keep your heart pounding and your feet on shifting sand. And though I warn you to read with the lights on, I must also warn that the grip of the story will linger long after sunrise.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raise a and Reginald are on their way to Mission, Alabama for their new case. They have received a letter from a young woman, Elizabeth Maslow. She has appealed to them to help save her friend, Slater McEachen, who's been accused of the murder of her friend Ruth. She has had a vision that he's innocent and the sheriff won't listen to a mere woman. Mission is ruled by Lucias Wilkins who is also the head of the church founded by his grandfather. Elizabeth also mentions that her child had been possibility fathered by an angel. But Raissa feels darker forces are at work in this town and works to save Elizabeth, her daughter, and her friend by joining forces with Michael would also be more than he seems.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was probably my favorite of the series so far. I appreciate that this series is more than just about “ghost hunting.” Each new book seems to explore a different paranormal issue, person or creature. Raissa and Reginald are learning and growing and I appreciate their dynamic. This book had plenty of action, suspense and surprises, along with important lessons about education, isolation and fear. A good read with a good message. Can’t wait for the next one!

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

This book, as previous Pluto Snitch books have, terrified me on some levels. Yet, always held a foot firmly down to earth so I couldn’t stop reading it. The main characters Raissa and Reginald are extremely likable and you can’t help but enjoy the terrifying ride. I admit, Im easily scared, I never read horror, but these are not horror, just very gothic and lovely at the same time.

[Elaine Orr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Realistic plot and historical portrayal

I enjoyed the 4th Pluto's Snitch book and look forward to the next one. It was a complex plot, with a range of characters, and the main ones were well-developed. I did get a little sidetracked with the mystical elements. There is a lot of background information about angels that I skimmed over. But I've enjoyed all the books in the series and we'll go to the next one.

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Visitation of Angels is an intense, intriguing and riveting story. There are so many dramatic things that happen in the book, I had a hard time putting it down. This is the first book of this series I have read but I had no trouble following along. I am looking forward to reading the previous books.

[Marissa Broadus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole series is amazing!!! I cannot get enough of it. They really take the reader on a ride! I never know exactly what is going to happen in the books. It's such a thrilling read. It grips you from start to finish. I think about them for days and days after. So much thought and detail goes into them with the time period and I just get soo immersed Raissas world.

[Liz Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually read at bedtime, to fall asleep. Ms. Haines messed with my sleep! Each Pluto's Snitch is a wonderful stand alone novel, and excellent in the development of these characters. Reginald and Raissa have become my friends and I worry about their safety.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book........and I highly recommend it. I can hardly wait for the next one!

[Jennifer Wertz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed A Visitation of Angels. This book is intriguing and it quickly captured my attention. It is exciting and dramatic with so much happening that it is impossible put the book down. I like the characters and found the book so interesting.

[Bellewitch66 · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and scary addition to the Pluto’s Snitch Series

I couldn’t finish this book in one night, what dreams I had!
When I finally got to the climax, I was relieved and now can’t wait for the next book!

[sandra fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing

The latest Pluto's Snitch book was worth waiting for. The beautiful prose and intriguing story made it hard to put down. Looking forward to the next one. Thanks Carolyn Haines.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great installment of Pluto’s Snitch

Great book couldn’t put it down. Dark, evil, and twists and turns throughout. Can not wait for the next one!

[Mare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edge of your seat kind of series. I can't wait for the next one.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best one of the series so far!!! Love the creepiness, and I will never look at a buzzard the same way again!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Impossible to put down!