The Mesmerist: A Novel By Caroline Woods

In The Bethany Home Mysteries by Caroline Woods, historical suspense takes center stage in a gripping tale set in 1894 Minneapolis. Against the backdrop of a national financial crisis and the burgeoning popularity of spiritualism, the Bethany Home for Unwed Mothers becomes a nexus of intrigue when a series of mysterious deaths rock the community.

The arrival of a new guest, Faith, who refuses to speak or reveal her past, intensifies the atmosphere of suspicion. Her silence is quickly misinterpreted as evidence of dark magic, casting a shadow over the Home's reputation. Abby, a Quaker and the Home’s treasurer, dismisses the mystical rumors as baseless but is concerned about the potential scandal. Determined to protect the Home’s mission, she tasks Faith’s roommate, May, with investigating Faith’s background.

May, eager to secure her engagement and future with Hal, a man whose trustworthiness she doubts, begins her search into Faith’s past. Her investigation leads her into a hidden side of Minneapolis, bringing her closer to the city’s elite and Hal than she anticipated. As May delves deeper, she uncovers unsettling truths that challenge her understanding of everyone around her, including Abby and Faith.

As more women fall victim to the unknown killer, May must navigate a web of deceit and reassess her own desires and alliances. The Bethany Home Mysteries weaves a tense, richly detailed narrative with complex characters, offering a fresh take on classic American suspense through the eyes of three dynamic women.