Introduction

Nineteenth-century attorney Sarah Woolson is still trying to get her life together. Against her family’s wishes, she opens her own San Francisco law firm, only to find that clients---paying clients, that is---are wary of allowing a woman to manage their legal affairs. Just when her patience, as well as her money, are about to run out, Sarah and her friend and former colleague, Robert Campbell, attend a séance at San Francisco’s Cliff House. Making their way through the worst storm of the season, they arrive at their destination to find themselves in for much more than, in Robert’s words, “silly parlor tricks.” After a dramatic display of spirit apparitions, flying trumpets, and phantom music, Madame Olga Karpova---a renowned Russian clairvoyant---and her guests make a grisly discovery: One of the twelve people seated at the table has been brutally strangled.

Later, when two more séance participants are found slain, Sarah is pressed into defending the accused murderer. Working on her client’s case, she quickly finds herself at the center of a complicated murder plot involving ghosts, gypsies, and City Hall, all the while facing off with Robert in a volatile legal battle and investigating her brother Frederick’s shady political dealings. Hardly proper behavior for a nineteenth-century woman, but Sarah wouldn’t have it any other way.

Feisty and determined, Sarah continues to flout the notions of “proper” femininity in this series that is a turn-of-the-century answer to Legally Blonde.

“Credible characters, cleverly subtle clues, and a highly satisfying conclusion mark these intriguing tales as superior examples of [their] subgenres. . . . Fans of nineteenth-century sleuths like those of Anne Perry and Miriam Grace Monfredo will be well satisfied.” ---Publishers Weekly (starred review)

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Excerpt

Chapter One

"I can’t believe I let you talk me into this!” Robert Campbell grumbled.

As if to punctuate this complaint, jagged bolts of lightning flashed across the night sky, followed by a resounding clap of thunder. That brief burst of light revealed my companion’s tense face as the cabbie’s frightened horse nearly ran our brougham off the road. Eddie Cooper—the young lad I’d met several months ago during the Russian Hill murders—quickly brought the dappled gray under control. Unfortunately, he seemed disinclined to lessen his horse’s pace as the first heavy drops of rain splashed onto the roof of the carriage. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

From Shirley:

1) At the beginning of the novel, Sarah drags Robert through an horrific storm to attend a seance at the Cliff House. Spiritualism, psychics and clairvoyants were quite popular worldwide during the nineteenth-century. Why do you think people were exploring such a controversial philosophy during this time period?

2) In order to become an attorney in 1880 San Francisco, Sarah has vowed not to marry, yet it's impossible to ignore the growing chemistry between she and Robert Campbell. At a time where decent women were expected to stay at home and mind the house and children, do you think Sarah can ever marry and still continue her legal career?

3) Considering how determined Sarah is to live an independent life and launch her new law practice, why do you suppose that at the age of 27 she continues to live at home?

4) Despite Robert's criticism of Sarah's outspoken opinions and unconventional nature, why do you think that he's usually there for her when the chips are down and she really needs a friend? If he disagrees so strongly with her life choices, why does he defend her in the end, even when this brings censure upon him from his employer and fellow lawyers?

5) Sarah's sister-in-law Celia appears to be a conventional nineteenth-century woman, yet she's fascinated by Sarah's dedication and will to succeed in a very unfeminine career. Do you think this is because Celia supports her out of love and genuine respect? Or do you think that, despite their outward show of shock and contempt, some ladies of San Francisco secretly envy Sarah's fierce independence and disdain for society's mores?

6) In the 1880s, people were very disinclined to allow a woman lawyer to handle their affairs, unless there was no other choice. Do you think at least some of this prejudice remains to this day? If so, do you think women will ever enjoy equality in the workplace?

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