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Fiction. Romance. Christian Fiction. Historical Fiction. Lydia's job at the library is her world-until a mysterious patron catches her eye ... and perhaps her heart.Just months after the closure of the Chicago World's Fair, librarian Lydia Bancroft finds herself fascinated by a mysterious dark-haired and dark-eyed patron. He has never given her his name; he actually never speaks to a single person. All she knows about him is that he loves books as much as she does.Only when he rescues her in the lobby of the Hartman Hotel does she discover that his name is Sebastian Marks. She also discovers that he lives at the top of the prestigious hotel and that most everyone in Chicago is intrigued by him.Lydia and Sebastian form a fragile friendship, but when she discovers that Mr. Marks isn't merely a very wealthy gentleman but also the proprietor of an infamous saloon and gambling club, she is shocked.Lydia insists on visiting the club one fateful night and is suddenly a suspect in a murder. She must determine who she can trust, who is innocent, and if Sebastian-the man so many people fear-is actually everything her heart believes him to be.… (more)
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There is a murder midway in the book but there really isn't that much of a mystery in the book. If you are buying this book because you think it will be a great suspense book you will be disappointed. It was a great book but suspenseful it was not. The mystery played a minor role in the story.
I was pleased with the ending of this book and did not want it to end. I was given an e-copy of this book to read compliments of Netgalley and Zondervan.
There is a murder midway in the book but there really isn't that much of a mystery in the book. If you are buying this book because you think it will be a great suspense book you will be disappointed. It was a great book but suspenseful it was not. The mystery played a minor role in the story.
I was pleased with the ending of this book and did not want it to end. I was given an e-copy of this book to read compliments of Netgalley and Zondervan.
This books focuses on Lydia, a sweet, smart, young woman, whom her mother’s focus is
Now Sebastian Marks has pulled himself up from the boot straps to be rather well off, after growing up in the ghetto, and now owns a Gentlemen’s Club. Now what would these two ever have in common, besides the love of books?
We do get to visit the fair grounds that are now pretty well closed up, especially after the fires, and most of the exhibits have packed up. We travel with Sebastian and Lydia and enjoy what is left of the buildings through the eyes of these two, and it made me wish I could have seen it in person.
Come along for another great mystery on the streets of Chicago, and be ready for some fear for the safety of these people, and they may just be accused of murder. Wow!
You will root for these two to have a relationship, and there is another couple we also want to unite, come and enjoy this read and get lost in their lives.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zondervan, and was not required to give a positive review.
Sebastian Marks runs the Silver Grotto in Camp Creek Alley section of Chicago (a bad section of town). Sebastian dresses like a gentleman (and acts like a gentleman), but he is not. He has educated himself through books. Sebastian does not feel that he is good enough for a lady like Lydia Bancroft (and Lydia, not knowing that he owns a club, believes she is not good enough for Sebastian). One day Sebastian runs into Lydia and her fiancé, Jason Avondale (a gentleman who is a real bottom feeder) at the hotel where he lives. They are having afternoon tea as their first outing as an engaged couple (and without a chaperone). Jason hurts Lydia (grabs her wrist and twists it) and Sebastian intervenes. It is the beginning of their friendship. Could it lead to more? One night Lydia insists on visiting the Silver Grotto (not a good idea). Jason Avondale is killed and left in front of the club. Lydia and Sebastian are suspects in the crime. Who really killed Jason?
I found Whispers in the Reading Room to be more of a romance book than a mystery. The mystery was child’s play to solve (very, very easy which was so disappointing). We have the typical back and forth romance. I found the lesser characters to be more interesting. I liked Bridget O’Connell (Sebastian’s personal maid) and Vincent Hunt (manager of Silver Grotto and Sebastian’s personal assistant) to be very compelling characters. Whispers in the Reading Room is supposed to be a Christian book but you would not know it. There is only one very short discussion on religion in the whole book (and it is between Vincent and Bridget). I found Lydia to be a contradiction. In some ways she is a typical bookworm (loves to read, nose always in a book, and very little real life experience). But then Lydia wants to experience life (understandable). When she gets an opportunity, she promptly falls asleep with a book! That makes no sense (especially in a club). This novel felt like it was not edited (needed more work to polish it). I give Whispers in the Reading Room 3 out of 5 stars.
I received a complimentary copy of Whispers in the Reading Room from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Whispers In the Reading Room by Shelley Gray is the third book in her Chicago World's Fair Mystery Series. It is the first book I've read by her and worked fine as a stand alone novel. A seamless writing style featuring well-developed characters and a bit of suspense made this novel a pleasure to read. The character of Sebastian Marks had an especially mysterious air in the beginning that really caught my attention and helped to generate my initial interest in the book. The plot was interesting and well-paced. I really have no complaints regarding this novel and will mostly likely read it again. I recommend Whispers In the Reading Room by Shelley Gray to fans of inspiration romances. While the religious element is not heavily integrated, there are religious references.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook free through Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
I received this book for free from Litfuse Publicity in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.
Lydia Bancroft loves
Whispers in The Reading Room has great, if unconventional, characters. Sebastian is a man of contrasts. He has worked hard to disguise his roots and appear to be a gentleman. But his business ventures and tactics eliminate his entrance into genteel society. Lydia is part innocence and part steel. Quiet and obedient, she is also intelligent and determined. Secondary characters are almost as strong, and I enjoyed the scenes with Sebastian’s assistant, Vincent, and personal maid, Bridget. There are a few themes that bring depth to the novel. The untrustworthiness of appearances is a thread throughout. Wealth, family name and societal position do not make a gentleman, just as place of birth do not doom one to disrepute. Friendship is another theme. I liked that Sebastian and Lydia became friends first. And while the characters often felt alone, their true friends were there all the time. More of a book with an historical setting rather than a strict historical novel, Whispers in The Reading Room had all the flavor of Chicago in the late 1890s — progressive changes along with past problems and societal ills.
A quick and entertaining read, I very much enjoyed Whispers in The Reading Room.
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(Thanks to Zondervan and LitFuse for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Author: Shelley Gray
Pages: 352
Year: 2015
Publisher: Zondervan
My rating is 5 stars.
Whispers in the Reading Room is a wonderful tale about people coming to realize that they are needed, valued, loved and redeemable. The
Author Shelley Gray has woven an excellent series set in Chicago with the adventure and action of the World’s Fair going on in the background. Readers will meet seedy characters and characters that show us courage, faith, love and hope. In Whispers in the Reading Room, we meet a librarian named Lydia who is never satisfied by reading one book so she constantly reads all types and genres. Lydia is living her life through the fictional characters she meets because her real life brings her reminders of never measuring up to the demands of the times or her mother.
Sebastian’s past is one he left behind, reinventing himself in order to appear as a gentleman. While he wasn’t born into the upper class, he begins to visit the reading room to immerse himself in the various words of wisdom, knowledge and for the love of escaping his present dark reality. For a time he feels he can ignore reality and no longer have to guard his words, actions or appearance. Yet, both Lydia and Sebastian along with two helpful servants come to realize that they are better by being with the one they love than pushing them away. Above all one or two minor characters realize that looking for other people to fill a sacred place in our hearts can be filled only by God.
I can relate to both Sebastian and Lydia’s love of reading for a variety of reasons, and I appreciate those who share their stories with us. When I come across a person who isn’t a reader by choice, it breaks my heart as there is so much to enjoy if one would but open a book. I hope you will enjoy the three books Shelley Gray has written and then consider sharing them with someone else.
Have you heard the saying that “things learned are caught rather than taught”? It’s true because the love I have of reading was instilled in me as my mother had my siblings and I reading whether we were in school or not. During the summer we would go to our rooms to read instead of napping. Reading is an adventure just waiting for you to enjoy!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I initially really liked
Lydia could have been me in a different life. Shy, awkward with strangers, book-lover working in a library (my dream job!!), and completely inept when it comes to relationships, she was channeling me, I swear. So of course, that made her immediately relatable to me.
Yet, things went downhill real fast. Lydia lost any depth she had when she let her shy, retiring side keep control. She was a passive vessel for others to channel their emotions through and for the story to push around. And Sebastian’s protective side quickly became controlling, obsessive, and scary. I’d almost say “stalker” but not quite that far (no doorway lurking happened). It seemed like whenever Lydia was in the picture, the rest of the world was valued at nothing as the story got rolling, which is not healthy in any relationship.
The secondary characters also suffered a bit here. Hunt was just as bad as Sebastian in the over-protective, controlling aspect. His insistence on focusing on Bridget to the exclusion of most everything else was scary, to say the least. He was a Sebastian junior. Bridget I actually liked. She was such a strong and practical character. She took life as it fell on her head and came up with concrete plans with which to meet those challenges.
Unfortunately, the plot/story didn’t do much to save the book overall. It waited way too long before kicking in. It wasn’t until 51% through the story before the murder happened or anything for that matter, story-wise. Before that point, it was endless conversations, movement from place to place, or melodramatic confrontations (i.e. more conversations!!).
An intriguing premise and initially good characters weren’t enough to save this puppy. Characterizations went sour (though Bridget rocked!!) and the actual plot waited too long before making an appearance. If I hadn’t been reading this book for NetGalley, would I have finished it? Meh… Who knows… Either way, I’d pass on this title.
Note: Book received for free from publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review (and boy was I honest!).
When Lydia finds out about Sebastian's gambling club , she ignores the seeming overprotective friends and stubbornly chooses to be with him. He is mysterious and that intrigues her. She wants excitement in her life and she gets that and more. What happens one evening at the club will change Lydia forever. What did she witness? Is she responsible for a crime? The book is cleverly written with intrigue and a mystery that is sure to keep you glued to the pages. We get a glimpse of the seedy side of Chicago and it's dark and unsavory characters. The author describes this time period with superb accuracy and makes the city come to life.
I loved the fact that Lydia was a librarian and I felt connected to her right away as I worked at a library for fifteen years. You meet all types of people that are intriguing and friendly. Lydia is written with a fierce strength and willingness to support her mom . She does have an issue with trusting people and Sebastian will have her questioning if she can trust him or not. Don't miss this engaging story set in Chicago right after the World's Fair during the late 1890s. The story is fascinating with characters that must rely on faith , friendship and prayer to overcome obstacles. At the end of the book, is several discussion questions that could be used in a book club or for personal use. They are thought provoking and helps you take a deeper look at the book and it's wonderful message of hope, love, faith and prayer.
I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild for an honest review.
The story is told from a lot of different points of view - Lydia, who seems to be the main character and were all the focus ends up; Sebastian, the male lead, as well as a maid and an assistant who really build on Sebastian's story and persona. I think that this was an interesting way to tell this story. Lydia is a dainty character, although very strong for what she is going through and Mr. Marks is there to be her protector whether she wants him or not. Now the other point of views really are there to lend to Mark's persona and how he became who he is and how he operates and it was refreshing almost to see other characters feel things about him. I really liked the characters interactions and how their point of views played through the tale.
Now this was supposed to be a mystery and I didn't really see anything mysterious happening. There is a murder but not until about 3/4 through the book and then it is obvious at least who had not done it. That being said, not the greatest as far as a mystery book goes but the romance was very nice.
Shelley Gray
Book Summary: Lydia’s job at the library is her world—until a mysterious patron catches her eye . . . and perhaps her heart. Just months after the closure of the Chicago World’s Fair, librarian Lydia Bancroft finds herself fascinated by a mysterious
Review: This was a great book! Although I am reading it out of order it was a stand alone and nothing was revealed to ruin the previous books when I get around to reading them. I really liked all the characters, although Lydia’s mother was difficult they were well written. The characters had flaws, like real people. This story held enough suspense that it kept my interest, yet as always Shelley Gray is a great writer and I have not yet read a book of hers that I did not like. I am looking forward to reading the first two books.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Zondervan Fiction for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
When I started reading this, it was so good, I didn't want to stop. At work yesterday I planned out my race home and worked the cooking and de-spidering of the front hall (don't ask) around getting as much of this book read as possible first. Then,
This is a Christian mystery. I don't like reading Christian anything. I am Christian, but my faith is a quiet, private thing I don't feel the need to work into every thought and conversation I have. The way I see it, my faith in God doesn't require a constant reminder. But don't let me get started; the point is, I don't want to read about characters gushing on about God and how he'll take care of everything, or put them on the right path, or whatever it is they think he'll do (two words: free will).
On top of this, it isn't even a mystery; yes, there are dead bodies, and yes, they are suspected of the murder of one of them. But the four main characters never investigate anything; they're too busy courting each other and worrying about reputations and whether or not they're going to go to jail. This is a Christian romance wearing a murder mystery feather in its hatband.
Having said all of that, the book was still very, very readable. The faith in God stuff was only really 4, maybe 5?, short paragraphs interspersed throughout the story, so it was never preachy. Much. Nobody was getting saved, anyway. I'd have been able to ignore it, but Sebastian and Lydia each had to mire me in their internal monologues of "I'm not worthy! I'm not good enough! I don't deserve good things" and in light of the whole Christian angle, the redemption theme became way too heavy-handed, as we went from honest introspection, to wallowing, to drowning in their shortcomings pretty quickly. These issues combined brought my rating down a star. The last half-star was knocked off for lack of any really compelling mystery.
This is the third book of a 3 book series, but each features different characters that only make minor appearances in other books. I was easily able to read this one first and felt no need to play catch-up with previous events.
I doubt I'll buy either of the other books new, but I'd be tempted if I came across them at used book prices. Christian fiction just isn't my thing, but if any of my BL friends enjoys the sub-genre, I can highly recommend this one. Gray is a good writer, and she sucked me right into her characters' lives.
I especially loved Lydia as she is quite similar to me and it made it very easy for me to empathise with her and really feel the things she is
I also absolutely loved the ending and it made me very happy that all the main characters got to be happy in the end. All in all, this was truly a lovely book.
* I received this title from NetGalley
The book doesn't focus on the murder nor the solving of it, it revolves the relationships of the four main
I hated the characters, I found no redeeming qualities and I hated the writing.... Almost every-single chapter was nothing but: "I hate you", "I love you", "He hates me", "she hates me", "I never want to see you again", "I can't live without you", "Marry me", "I'm leaving you because I'm not good enough" Just incessant whining and individual pity parties. Better shelved in "Romance" not "Mystery"
I have no idea who purchased this for the collection, but I know it wasn't me!