"The Premonition at Withers Farm" by Jaime Jo Wright

In 1910 Michigan, Perliett VanHilton is a self-proclaimed rural healer, leaving the local doctor, George Wasziak, convinced she practices quackery. It doesn't help that her mother, Maribeth VanHilton, is a Spiritualist who regularly offers her services to help others speak to their dearly departed. But when Perliett is targeted by a superstitious killer, she relies on both George and an intriguing newcomer for help. In the present day, life has not developed the way Molly Wasziak dreamed. Facing depression after multiple miscarriages, Molly is adapting to her husband's purchase of a new farm. A search for a family tree pulls Molly deep into a vintage web of deceptions, made more mysterious by the disturbing shadows and sounds in the old farmhouse. Perliett fights for her life, and Molly seeks renewed purpose for hers as she uncovers the records of the dead. Will their voices be heard, or will time silence their truths forever?

This is definitely one of Wright's eerier books. One thing I can count on with Wright's novels--no matter how supernatural events might seem at the beginning--there will be an explanation proving it decidedly is NOT supernatural. There were moments in this one where I wondered how she was going to pull it off, but looking back, there is a trail of breadcrumbs to follow before the big reveals. I know the spiritualist movement was big in the beginning of the 20th century, and it makes for some disconcerting subject matter. Thank goodness for dear George and his interjections of truth into the matter!

In some ways, this book is an exploration of grief: Perliett for her father, Molly for her miscarriages, Glenna for her sister, Mr. and Mrs. Withers for their daughters; all react to death in different ways, some more healthily than others, but none in a neat and tidy way. I enjoyed reading about a married couple, even though Molly and her husband are out of step in their grieving processes and must work to keep their marriage. Excellent as always!

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.