The Mesmerist

"Caroline Woods’ The Mesmerist is an immersive and compelling story inspired by the Bethany Home for Unwed Mothers and front-page news about a serial killer in 1894 Minneapolis. Deftly mixing crime fiction and historical women’s fiction in a tightly plotted, tension-filled tale, the novel focuses on three very different women who work together to save their home – and stop a killer. Abby, the staunch Quaker; May, seeking her happily-ever-after; and Faith, who arrives at the Bethany Home mute, are unforgettable female characters in a story of magic, mystery and murder. The Mesmerist will linger long after you turn the last page."