ABOUT THE BOOK
Can a Legacy of Sadness be Broken at the Menger Hotel?
Visit historic American landmarks through the Doors to the Past series. History and today collide in stories full of mystery, intrigue, faith, and romance.
Young widow Hedda Krause checks into the Menger Hotel in 1915 with a trunk full of dresses, a case full of jewels, and enough cash to pay for a two-month stay, which she hopes will be long enough to meet, charm, and attach herself to a new, rich husband. Her plans are derailed when a ghostly apparition lures her into a long, dark hallway, and Hedda returns to her room to find her precious jewelry has been stolen. She falls immediately under a cloud of suspicion with her haunting tale, but true ghost enthusiasts bring her expensive pieces of jewelry in an attempt to lure the ghost to appear again.
In 2017, Dini Blackstone is a fifth-generation magician, who performs at private parties, but she also gives ghost walk tours, narrating the more tragic historical events of San Antonio with familial affection. Above all, her favorite is the tale of Hedda Krause who, in Dini’s estimation, succeeded in perpetrating the world’s longest con, dying old and wealthy from her ghost story. But then Dini meets Quinn Carmichael, great-great-grandson of the detective who originally investigated Hedda’s case, who’s come to the Alamo City with a box full of clues that might lead to Hedda’s exoneration. Can Dini see another side of the story that is worthy of God’s grace?
Visit historic American landmarks through the Doors to the Past series. History and today collide in stories full of mystery, intrigue, faith, and romance.
Young widow Hedda Krause checks into the Menger Hotel in 1915 with a trunk full of dresses, a case full of jewels, and enough cash to pay for a two-month stay, which she hopes will be long enough to meet, charm, and attach herself to a new, rich husband. Her plans are derailed when a ghostly apparition lures her into a long, dark hallway, and Hedda returns to her room to find her precious jewelry has been stolen. She falls immediately under a cloud of suspicion with her haunting tale, but true ghost enthusiasts bring her expensive pieces of jewelry in an attempt to lure the ghost to appear again.
In 2017, Dini Blackstone is a fifth-generation magician, who performs at private parties, but she also gives ghost walk tours, narrating the more tragic historical events of San Antonio with familial affection. Above all, her favorite is the tale of Hedda Krause who, in Dini’s estimation, succeeded in perpetrating the world’s longest con, dying old and wealthy from her ghost story. But then Dini meets Quinn Carmichael, great-great-grandson of the detective who originally investigated Hedda’s case, who’s come to the Alamo City with a box full of clues that might lead to Hedda’s exoneration. Can Dini see another side of the story that is worthy of God’s grace?
MY THOUGHTS.....
This is a dual-time novel that alternates between 1915 and 2017 and it is a fascinating look at reality versus illusion. Was there a ghost of Sallie White who visited Hedda Krause during her stay at the Menger Hotel in 1915? Did that ghost steal Hedda's jewelry and then return to visit her again and again or was this an attempt for Hedda to benefit from the attention that it created? What part did the investigating detective play in this mystery?
Hedda's story becomes a part of a present-day plotline that involves Dini Blackstone, a magician and tour guide, and events that occurred in 1915. Her fascination with a written account, The Memoir of Hedda Krause, leads her to a discovery that is surely more than a coincidence. This memoir and a shoe box that belonged to Detective Irvin Carmichael may hold the truth of Sallie, Hedda, and the stolen jewels if....his great-great-grandson Quin is willing to reveal the contents.
I enjoyed learning the true historical details about Sallie White and the Menger House and author Allison Pittman successfully weaves them into a fascinating story that kept me guessing until the very end. She creates a link between Hedda and Irvin's past and Dini and Quin's present that is truly a haunting connection! If you enjoy historical fiction mixed with Christian romance, you'll certainly enjoy The Lady in Residence.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Hedda's story becomes a part of a present-day plotline that involves Dini Blackstone, a magician and tour guide, and events that occurred in 1915. Her fascination with a written account, The Memoir of Hedda Krause, leads her to a discovery that is surely more than a coincidence. This memoir and a shoe box that belonged to Detective Irvin Carmichael may hold the truth of Sallie, Hedda, and the stolen jewels if....his great-great-grandson Quin is willing to reveal the contents.
I enjoyed learning the true historical details about Sallie White and the Menger House and author Allison Pittman successfully weaves them into a fascinating story that kept me guessing until the very end. She creates a link between Hedda and Irvin's past and Dini and Quin's present that is truly a haunting connection! If you enjoy historical fiction mixed with Christian romance, you'll certainly enjoy The Lady in Residence.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Allison Pittman is the author of For Time and Eternity, Stealing Home, the Crossroads of Grace series, and her nonfiction debut, Saturdays With Stella. A high-school English teacher, she serves as director of the theater arts group at her church. She is also the co-president of a dynamic Christian writers group in the San Antonio, Texas area, where she makes her home with her husband and their three boys.
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