Candles in the Dark

by Louise Bates

Pauline Gray, journalist by day and novelist by night, discovers anonymous letters are being sent to a young widow, insinuating that her husband did not die by accident. Pauline’s compassion and journalistic instincts combine to help her to seek an answer to who is sending these letters, and why. Was Bob Ferris really murdered, and if so, by whom? Before long, Pauline is uncovering evidence of a local smuggling ring and stirring up secrets some people would rather remain buried along with the dead. Despite the danger, Pauline won’t stop until she has shone a light into the hidden places of the past and seen justice done for the grieving widow and her son. No matter what the cost …

109 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 6, 2017

About the author

Louise Bates is the pen name of author E.L. Bates. As Louise Bates, she writes historical mysteries. (E.L. Bates is for her fantasy and science fiction stories, in particular her Whitney & Davies series which blends magic with historical mystery--the best of both worlds.) When not juggling her two separate writing personas, Louise works as a freelance editor.

Reviews

[A.M. Offenwanger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of beta-reading this book, and liked it from the first. Having just re-read the finished version, I like it even better.
The sense of time and place, i.e. the setting of small-town New York during the era of the Depression and Prohibition, suffuses the whole book, not only in the vivid, detailed descriptions (and the historic accuracy! Thank you!), but also in the background motivations of the characters' actions. What I particularly appreciate about this story is the attitudes conveyed. Pauline Gray is a writer who finds herself inadvertantly trying to investigate a murder that has taken place in her small community. But as a woman in the 1930s, she does not have the free hand a policeman would have; yet as a person of conscience, she cannot turn a blind eye to the injustice that has disturbed her peaceful community.
CANDLES IN THE DARK is not only a whodunnit in which we follow the sleuth in trying to solve the murder, but the story of a woman coming to grips with what her conscience and place in life lead her to do. An excellent read, both as a historic novel and a murder mystery.

[E.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this novella as a change from my usual fantasy and science fiction, setting it in my hometown back in the 1930s. It was truly a labor of love as I strove to keep the flavor of the day and place as authentic as possible.

I loved writing this story and even continued to love it when I read it now--always a good sign! I hope enough people enjoy the adventures of Pauline &co. that I can write many more novellas in this series. After all, there are a lot more little towns up in northern New York waiting to be explored ...

[Claudia Ainsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read

Great storyline, well developed characters, and enough mystery to keep you guessing. I found I had a hard time putting the book down once I would start reading.

[Meltintalle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relateable characters, a well-realized setting, and a good mystery make this an excellent afternoon read.