Gerry asked Cecily Wolfe:

JUST A THOUGHT: I enjoyed your book, but I have not read a lot of stories set in the 1800's. I can't judge the acuracy of the period, but I wondered at the absence of wagons and horses and the mention of electic lights, perhaps they were gas lights?

Cecily Wolfe Hi Gerry - at the end of the 19th century, a lot of technology was just beginning to be made available to the public, including electric lights and telephones. Those people in positions of authority or with money would have had access to these technologies much sooner than everyone else. Many of the Newport mansion owners would have had electric lights as the Davenports do (this is mentioned only once, and it is noted that the electric lights are harsh as opposed to the gas and candle light people are used to) simply because they could afford it (and it would demonstrate their wealth) and someone like Dr. Colt, as a physician with a need to contact others quickly, would have a telephone (and the means to pay for one, although his practice doesn't make him rich by any means). The horse and buggy/carriage/cart doesn't come up not because there aren't any, but just because the characters walk. The Davenports and their neighbors would all have had carriages to take them wherever they needed to go.

Today Newport is still very much a walking city (in my experience), which is one of the benefits of the area.

This photo is Newport about 1900 (courtesy of the Newport Public Library).