VEIL OF DOUBT Is exceptional historical fiction. Plus, it is mostly true.

Emily Lloyd was a wife and mother of four children until, one by one, they died. What would you think? The townsfolk think it is obvious: Mrs. Lloyd killed all five of them. She is taken to jail.

Powell Harrison is a well-known lawyer in town. He, along with two other lawyers, defends Mrs. Lloyd. At first they want to declare her innocent by reason of insanity. Eventually, though, they defend her as simply innocent; either someone else did it or it was an accident through no one's fault.

Throughout the story is the mystery of Lara and Lilith. They are the two women who live in the "twin home" next to Mrs. Lloyd. (I imagine this is what we call a duplex nowadays. Lloyd lived on one side; they lived on the other.) Both before and during the trial, Harrison tries in vain to speak with them. They never seem to be home.

An "Authors Note" is at the end of VEIL OF DOUBT. Do not make the same mistake I did and read it first. It spoiled the mystery for me. But do read it.

I'm so glad I read this book. I won it through librarything.com.