The Wings of Poppy Pendleton
One awful morning in 1907, young Poppy Pendleton goes missing, apparently taken from her bed in her wealthy parents’ castle on Koster Isle in the Thousand Islands. Then her father is found dead, and the mystery of the century begins. Did a killer take Poppy? And is she still alive?
In 1992, Chloe Ridell lives on Koster Isle, where her family has resided for years. Tourists are still drawn to the ruined castle and the story of the missing girl, but Chloe’s main concern is running her business and preserving the island. Then young Emma appears on Chloe’s doorstep, looking lost and alone, but refusing to provide many details. And when a reporter shows up asking questions about Chloe’s grandfather and the Pendletons, Chloe finds herself trying to unravel two mysteries—those of Poppy and Emma.
This is an intriguing dual-timeline novel with the points of view alternating mostly between Amelia, Poppy’s mother, in 1907 and Chloe in 1992. The mystery is complex and has plenty of red herrings. The glimpse of the Gilded Age in all its decadence is both awe-inspiring and shocking. The book echoes with resounding loss, including Amelia’s loss of Poppy and Chloe’s loss of her grandparents. The girl Emma represents vanished and disappearing girls in another way and is an important part of the story. Another theme touches on the relationship between mothers and daughters, and how those bonds are formed. Throughout it all shines the Christian message of God’s plan and His love in times of danger and despair. This is a heart-touching Christian mystery that fans of Gilded Age fiction and historical mysteries will enjoy.
