Spring Reads: Through the Shadows

Abingdon Press; 320 pages; $14.99; Blog Tour; Buy Link

Book 3 of The Golden Gate Chronicles by Karen Barnett is now available to purchase in bookstores, titled Through the Shadow. You might recall me reviewing book 1, Out of the Ruins on here a year or two ago; though I don't believe I have read the second entry. Nevertheless, I went ahead and read the third installment earlier this month.

Set in 1908 (two years after the big earthquake hit San Francisco), Through the Shadows centers on a young woman named Elizabeth King who is spending her days helping young women escape the brothels in Chinatown, an area of San Francisco where corruption and illegal activities occur.

Elizabeth thought she was the only one that wanted to cleanup the city, well, that is until she meets Charles McKinley, a young attorney who shares the same passion as her. This is a love story, so you can pretty much guess that there are sparks between the two. Sadly, Elizabeth has a few skeletons in her closet that slowly seeps out and jeopardizes her future.

Final Thoughts: Just by glancing at just the cover, I would have believed this was a Sherlock Holmes novel, but this is actually the third and final book in The Golden Gate Chronicles. I prefer my historical fiction reads to be set in the 1800s, but occasionally I do read a few that are set in the early 1900s, like this novel is set in.

The novel has a lot good things going for it - well-written and likable characters, a believable plot, intriguing dialogue and great descriptions, which the latter is a must for a historical fiction novel. Overall, though it's not my typical cup of tea, I found myself loving every bit (well, page) of Through the Shadows. It surpassed all my expectations. 

*Disclaimer - I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author: Karen Barnett is the author of Beyond the Ashes, Out of the Ruins, and Mistaken. Named the 2013 Writer of Promise by Oregon Christian Writers, Karen lives in Albany, Oregon, with her husband and two kids. When she's not writing novels, she loves speaking at women's events, libraries, and book clubs.