Book of James
This is an extraordinarily well written mystery thriller about a family's secret. It's hard to believe that this is the author's first novel. The abundant descriptions of the characters and the locale make the reader feel like they are on location. The intricate plot revolves around the courageous efforts of the protagonist Mackenzie to untangle the riddle of her dying husband's last wish.
That quest brings her to Chestnut Hill and the prestigious old moneyed Monroe mansion, the home of Mac's former mother-in-law. The author carefully and thoughtfully creates a foreboding mood between the mansion's many tunnels, locked doors, and the openly hostile behavior of Cora. The tale is intricate but the reader is never confused. Instead the reader is confident they know the secret: until they're repeatedly found to be wrong.
The last 25% of the story will have the reader screaming at Mac to get the hell out of there. You need to read it to see if she does. This is a fabulous novel especially for a first time novelist