Product DescriptionRose Callahan, newly appointed eldress of the community of Believers at the Kentucky Shaker viliage of North Homage, confesses to a nagging resentment toward Andrew, sent by the lead ministry in Mount Lebanon to act as trustee. She knows little about the man, except that he's taken charge of the Medicinal Herb Garden, over which Rose previously had control, and he's been expanding the tiny industry and experimenting with new medicinal herbs.
Now two little girls have suddenly become deathly ill, and Rose's attention turns to the herb garden. Suspecting that the girls may have taken a notion to nibble on pretty but poisonous plants, she fears their hallowed land may have accidentally been turned into a killing ground. But as Rose investigates, mysterious death invades the gentle oasis of their spiritual world, and some chilling secrets come to light...secrets that bring Rose closer to a truth that even a nonviolent Believer might kill to keep.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Charming Historical Mystery
Most people probably don't know what a Shaker is. I certainly didn't when I bought "Sins of a Shaker Summer" at a book sale several months ago. I was just looking for a new mystery to read, and I really didn't pay too much attention to the description on the back cover. It was on sale; what more can I say? :)
For those who don't know, a Shaker is a member of a sect, like the Quakers, that began in the 1700s. The name "Shaker" referred to their spirit-inspired trembling, which you'll witness ... Read More
Rating: - A shakin' good read.
An intricate and fascinating mystery, Sins of a Shaker Summer provides an intimate glimpse into a way of life that is all but gone. Woodworth's Shaker mysteries are all top-notch. Anyone who likes a good mystery will enjoy this trip into the strange and compelling world of the Shakers. Highly recommended.
Rating: - Historical mystery worth reading
In the Shaker village of North Homage, Kentucky seven-year-old Betsy and eight-year-old Nora becomes deathly ill from eating and/or drinking "pretend tea" and "magical flowers". When the two unconscious youngsters are found, the entire Shaker community becomes shaken by their tortorous struggle to survive. Eldress Rose Callahan believes the two little girls ate poisonous herbs found in the community's Medicinal Herb Shop that is experimenting on various formulas.
