Three authors, three intertwined plot lines, one doomed ship; yet somehow it all comes together in The Glass Ocean (#775). This is the second book co-written by popular authors Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig and Karen White. This mystery/romance takes place on board the Lusitania in 1915, tragically sunk by the Germans just off the coast of Ireland.
Sarah is a modern-day historian who has had a huge success with an earlier book but now is hard pressed financially to keep her mother cared for in an expensive memory unit. She is searching for an idea for a follow-up blockbuster when she stumbles across a personal connection to a crew member of the Lusitania with his own mysterious connection to a British aristocrat on board.
Caroline is a southern belle from an impoverished family who has married an extremely wealthy self-made man. Their marriage is encountering difficulties, and her husband's decision to sell an unpublished Strauss waltz manuscript given to her as a wedding present to a buyer in England against her wishes has exacerbated matters. Meeting Robert, an old childhood friend, on board the ship rekindles old feelings.
Tess is an imposter. Her sister has lured her on board with a promise that the forgery job she will undertake will be her last, and the key to a new, honest life in England. But when Robert sniffs out her disguise, she begins to suspect that the job is far more dangerous than Ginny has led her to believe.
The mysteries past and present keep this plot sailing along. The details of the sinking of the Lusitania are accurate, and the authors note that they were inspired by Erik Larson's excellent non-fiction account Dead Wake (See my post of 3/26/15.). Now I can't wait to read this trio's previous collaboration, The Forgotten Room. Please keep them coming!
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