Book : City Of Shadows (a Counterfeit Lady Novel) -...

-Titulo Original : City Of Shadows (a Counterfeit Lady Novel)

-Fabricante :

Berkley

-Descripcion Original:

In this Counterfeit Lady Novel, now in paperback, from USA Today bestselling author Victoria Thompson, newlywed Elizabeth Miles must use her unlawful skills to expose a dangerous charlatan.Elizabeth Miles Bates has returned from her honeymoon with Gideon and is taking great pride in having completely forsaken her disreputable past. Then her friend Anna Vanderslice begs her to use her talents to save her widowed mother from an unscrupulous medium. Annas mother has been attending seances in hopes of connecting with her son, David, who died of influenza. Anna just learned that Mrs. Vanderslice is paying the medium ever-increasing sums of money in her eagerness to make contact. Mrs. Vanderslices obsession is in danger of ruining them.Madame Ophelia is working with a group of con artists to fleece as many grieving New Yorkers as possible before moving on to another city. Elizabeth knows that simply exposing the medium as a fraud will not be enough to recoup the stolen money; the only way is to con the medium and her cohorts. Elizabeth recruits Gideon, her aunt Cybil, and her partner, Zelda, to lend a hand. Can Elizabeth and her gang of amateurs fool the professionals? Or will speaking to the dead lead to deadly consequences? About the Author Victoria Thompson is the Edgar® and Agatha award-nominated author of the Gaslight Mysteries, including Murder on Pleasant Avenue, and the Counterfeit Lady Mysteries, including City of Scoundrels. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. CHAPTER one Elizabeth looked up from the letter shed been writing when the maid announced the unexpected arrival of her best friend, Anna Vanderslice. Before she could rise to greet Anna or even open her mouth to ask the maid to show Anna in, Anna brushed unceremoniously past the startled maid and cried, Elizabeth, youve got to help me! Being a gently reared young lady, Anna wasnt given to outbursts like this, especially in front of the servants. Of course, Ill help you, Elizabeth said, rising quickly from the small ladys desk where shed been sitting and moving to where Anna stood, anxiously wringing her hands, just inside the library doorway. Lucy, would you bring us something cool to drink? Elizabeth asked the still-flustered maid. Lucy scurried out, obviously glad to escape what promised to be a strange situation. Whats the matter? Elizabeth asked, taking Annas hands in hers. They were like ice in spite of the warm day. What kind of help do you need? The despair that clouded Annas face truly frightened Elizabeth. She hadnt seen her friend so upset since Annas brother, David, had died of influenza last fall. Oh, Elizabeth, I . . . She glanced at the still-open library door, obviously just realizing that she shouldnt be discussing anything upsetting where the servants could hear. Sit down, Elizabeth said, hurrying to close the door and give Anna the privacy she needed. Anna took one of the comfortable chairs placed in front of the now-cold fireplace, sighing wearily as she sank down into it. Elizabeth took the other chair when she had shut the door securely. The chairs had been chosen for comfort so two gentlemen could sit and smoke and converse in the quiet of this cozy book-lined room at the end of a long day, but they would serve just as well for women to share a bit of bad news. Now what is it? Elizabeth demanded almost desperately. Its Mother. Your mother? Elizabeth echoed in alarm. Is she ill? Oddly, no, Anna said with a frown. You knew she took to her bed after David died. I think her heart was truly broken. She came to my wedding, Elizabeth reminded her. And she would sometimes go to church, but until recently, she rarely left her bedroom. But recently? Anna sighed. Recently, she has discovered a medium. Elizabeth blinked in surprise. You mean, a fortune-teller? Oh, shes far more than a fortune-teller. She conducts s ances. Elizabeth knew a