In this historical mystery from the "superb" Hattie Davish series, the traveling secretary discovers some Civil War grudges are still deadly twenty-five years on (Library Journal).

Hattie Davish is delighted to be ably assisting her wealthy employer, Sir Arthur Windom-Greene, an English scholar who is fascinated by the American Civil War and who is hard at work putting together a definitive biography of Union general Cornelius Starrett.

Their research takes them to the small town of Galena, Illinois, where they quickly learn that the twenty-five years since the war's end have done little to heal old wounds. Distrust and betrayal seem to linger in everyone's minds—none more so than General Starrett's own pompous son, Henry. Hattie is certain he has something to do with a string of bizarre incidents that have recently plagued the town—and her suspicions are bluntly confirmed when the much-disliked Henry turns up dead.

Between her work for Sir Arthur, preparing for Christmas, and unscheduled visitors from her past, Hattie hardly has time to investigate a murder—but her curiosity prevails, and she soon finds herself lost in a labyrinth of secrets and deceit that leads to more questions than answers . . .

The bestselling author of A Lack of Temperance continues her Victorian-era mystery series that Emily Brightwell calls "a welcome addition to the genre."