Carved in Stone by Elizabeth Camden

    Carved in Stone

   Book Summary

Gwen Kellerman is an heiress to the infamous Blackstone family, whose history of scandal nearly destroyed her. She now lives a quiet life at the idyllic college founded with her family's fortune and hopes to keep the tragedies of her past safely behind her.

Patrick O'Neill survived a hardscrabble youth to become a lawyer for the downtrodden Irish immigrants in his community. He's proud of his work, even though he struggles to afford his ramshackle law office. All that changes when he accepts a case to challenge the Blackstones' legacy of greed and corruption by resurrecting a thirty-year-old mystery.

Little does Patrick suspect that the Blackstones will launch their most sympathetic family member to derail him. Gwen is tasked with getting Patrick to drop the case, but the old mystery takes a shocking twist neither of them saw coming. Now, as they navigate a burgeoning attraction, Patrick is the only one who can save Gwen from new danger on the horizon. 

   My Thoughts

Carved in Stone by Elizabeth Camden is the beginning The Blackstone Legacy series.  The author transports readers back to 1900 in New York City between the Five Points neighborhood and Manhattan.  The author provided beautiful word imagery that allows readers to visualize the scenes from the book.  I can tell the author did her research for this book with her descriptions of Five Points, the way people dressed, conveyances, attitudes, and behaviors, and so much more.  Elizabeth Camden also includes interesting historical details that enrich the tale.  The characters are realistic and developed.  Patrick is an Irish immigrant who was fortunate to have a benefactor who helped him attend law school and become a lawyer while Gwen grew up in the world of academia and wealth.  Patrick and Gwen begin on opposite sides of an issue, but they soon find themselves working towards the same goal.  Carved in Stone was well-written with gentle pacing.  It started off a little slow for me, but I soon became engaged and was swiftly turning the pages to see how the story would unfold.  Carved in Stone reminds us that appearances can be deceiving.  We should not judge a person based on their appearance, background, or their differing opinions.  It reminds me of the phrase, “Never judge a book by its cover.”  The other lesson is the art of compromise.  Carved in Stone is our introduction into the complex and large Blackstone family.  It will be interesting to see what happens next with the Blackstone’s.  Carved in Stone is an intriguing historical novel with baleful book, stainless steel, an extravagant yacht, a compromised college, a flush family, and rough neighborhood.

Carved in Stone is available from Amazon*.  You can find Elizabeth Camden's other novels here.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope I have helped you find a new book and/or author.  On Saturday, I am featuring Halloween Party Murder by Lee Hollis, Barbara Ross, and Leslie Meier.  I hope that you have an amusing day.  Laughter is the best medicine.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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