The Waving Girl

Savannah Secrets #12

by Gabrielle Meyer

Everyone in Savannah knows the tale of Florence Martus, the Waving Girl. Between 1887 and 1931, while living with her brother at a lighthouse on Elba Island, Florence waved at every ship coming in and out of the port of Savannah. Legends have always existed about the shy woman, but Meredith and Julia are dismayed when author Regina Terrance releases a book that claims there was a darker side to Florence and her waving ways. Could it really be true that she was sending signals to enemy ships?

It isn’t long until Julia and Meredith receive a visit from Florence’s great-great-niece, Mary Martus. Mary wants to hire Magnolia Investigations to prove that Regina’s book is a sham and help restore Florence’s good name. But before they can proceed, the author goes missing, and Mary becomes the main suspect in Regina’s disappearance! Can Julia and Meredith prove Mary’s innocence and clear the reputation of their beloved Waving Girl?

Hardcover

About the author

Gabrielle Meyer grew up above a carriage house on a historic estate near the banks of the Mississippi River, imagining real and make-believe stories about the occupants who had lived there. She went on to work for the Minnesota Historical Society and loves writing fiction inspired by real people, places, and events. She currently resides in central Minnesota on the banks of the Mississippi River, not far from where she grew up, with her husband and four children. By day, she’s a busy homeschool mom, and by night she pens fiction and non-fiction filled with hope. Learn more about Gabrielle and her writing by visiting www.gabriellemeyer.com.

Reviews

[Victoria Marie Lees · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Waving Girl by Gabrielle Meyer is a deep cozy mystery about smearing someone’s reputation. In my mind, this novel echoes a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” This is absolutely true. Thank you, Eleanor. But it is very difficult to live by. We are human and fallible.

In this cozy, Julia Foley is our protagonist. She and partner Meredith Bellefontaine, of Magnolia Investigations, are hired to clear the name of Savannah Georgia’s historical figure Florence Martus, the Waving Girl, by her great-great-niece Mary Martus. Florence’s memory is being maligned in a recent book by “New York Times bestselling author” Regina Terrance [p-7, Hardback edition]. The plot thickens when Julia and the reader realize that some characters are not who they seem to be.

The interesting thing about these Savannah Secrets novels from Guideposts, is how the troubles in the main mystery plot echo in the personal story plot. Julia is supervising a youth retreat at church and a few of the teens are having personal problems. Then there is the historical side of the story. Savannah Secrets always reveal the historical evidence along with the mystery.

If you are looking for an all-ends-well story, you can’t do better than The Waving Girl by Gabrielle Meyer.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely read. I love the history mystery aspect of the book. Highly recommend!