Clara Driscoll comes to life in this historical novel set in New York City between the 1890’s and 1908. The story, which is based on letters written by the real Clara to her family in Ohio, wrapped me in the world of leaded glass during the heyday of Tiffany lamp creation. Clara is a woman of creativity who plants herself in the realm of working men, when women were not seen as equals. I found the author’s work a rare glimpse into the striking contrast of life at the turn of the last century.
When Clay Jenson plays the cassette tapes from a mysterious package he's received, he's surprised to hear the voice of his dead classmate, Hannah. On it, she details the circumstances leading up to her suicide, illuminating the betrayals and secrets that demonstrate the consequences of even the smallest actions. The message about how we treat one another, although sometimes heavy, makes for a compelling read.