The Dark Unwinding

In Sharon Cameron's debut novel, international intrigue in 1850s England is the backdrop for 17-year-old Katharine Tulman's discovery of a host of family secrets. Gifted with numbers, Katharine slaves away for her odious aunt and cousin, keeping their books and managing their servants. When her aunt sends her off to have her (very rich) Uncle Tulman declared insane, there's a silver lining for her: if she can keep her position as overseer of cousin Robert's books, she'll be able to maintain some control over her life.

The situation becomes complicated almost as soon as she arrives at Stranwyne Keep. Katharine's uncle, clearly unbalanced and sometimes childlike in his behavior, is also brilliant. His elaborate projects and contraptions require a whole village to make and maintain them--a village full of refugees from workhouses. As Katharine falls in love with the place, she also fears for her own sanity. Troubled dreams and sleepwalking incidences lead her to believe she might share more with her uncle than she'd care to admit. Moreover, there's foul play at work, and the source may go as far up as the French court.

Cameron's endearing heroine is cut from strong cloth. She must make hard choices and face uncomfortable truths as she's swept up in a sweet love story and the adventure of a lifetime. The author captures the tenor of 1850s England without belaboring her setting, providing a vivid background against which her characters can shine. --Jenn Northington, events manager at WORD bookstore

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