“The Unveiling of Polly Forrest” by Charlotte Whitney 310 pages
Readers get ready to block off some to when you start reading this historical mystery! Definitely a page-turner.
Polly Wolcott is only twenty years old when she marries the much older Sam Forrest. She marries him because she doesn’t want move from rural Michigan to Connecticut to help her mother take care of her grandmother. And, it doesn’t hurt that Sam appears to be wealthy. He has his own thriving farm.
But it is 1934; the Great Depression has gripped America. Even Sam is affected. Crops and farm animal’s prices are at the lowest anyone has even seen. Then Sam is killed in a freak farm accident that is brutal. Polly isn’t mature enough to, nor does she want to, take over the farm by herself. So what will happen?
Author Whitney’s novel is narrated by three individuals: Polly, Polly’s sister Sarah, and Sarah’s husband, the local preacher Reverend Wesley Johnson. Three distinct voices in short chapters that tell the story from all three points of view.
In the beginning, Polly is not accused of murdering Sam. After all it does appear to be an accident. However, the Sheriff’s Office is looking into his death. He and his deputy question Polly, Sarah and Wesley for what seems like an eternity. The novel is set from February 7 to December 25, 1934. The questions last through the summer.
The two strangers claiming to be White House Police show up at Polly’s door, demanding answers to their questions and thoroughly search the house and all the outbuildings. Seems like Sam was involved in some pretty shady dealings that left me reading the pages as fast as I could.
During the course of the
story, Polly’s unveiling comes in many ways---from her views and days as a flighty
young woman to a more wizened, experienced woman. I thoroughly enjoyed this
who-dun-it set in the glories of rural Michigan and the hardships of farm life.
“The Unveiling of Polly Forrest” is a thrilling read and receives 6 out of 5
stars in Julie’s world.
Julie - Thank you for being such a fan of Charlotte's work, not only for her second novel but for her debut release as well. Love your reading enthusiasm!
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