The Yellow Lantern

Author: Angie Dicken
Genre: Historical Fiction
Series: True Colors: Historical Stories of American Crime #3
Release Date: August 1, 2019

In 1824, Josephine Clayton is considered dead by everyone in her Massachusetts village—especially the doctor she has assisted for several months. Yet, she is still very much alive.
 
After the doctor’s illegal dealing with his body snatcher to obtain her body, Josephine awakens, positioned as the next corpse for his research. To cover up his crime, the doctor tries to kill her, but Josephine begs to be spared. They strike a deal—Josephine will leave her village and work at a distant cotton mill. All the while, she’ll await her true mission—posing as a mourner to help the body snatcher procure her replacement.
 
At the mill though, Josephine is praised for her medical remedies among the other female workers, gaining attention from the handsome factory manager, Braham Taylor. Yet, when Braham’s own loved one becomes the prey for the next grave robbing, Josie must make a choice that could put her dark past behind her or steal away the promise of any future at all.
 
What price will Josie pay for love when her secrets begin to unravel?

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Reviewer: Mindy Houng

The Yellow Lantern is the third book in the series True Colors: Historical Stories of American Crime by three different authors. Angie Dicken’s fictionalized account of the actual crime of robbing graves for medical experimentation and research sparked my interest even as the horror of it made me cringe. I’d heard of “body snatchers”, but I’ve never really thought much about them. Dicken’s obvious research into the subject added realism to the story, which took place in Massachusetts in 1824.

I enjoyed the growing relationship between Braham and Josie as they got to know each other. It was a bright spot in an otherwise quite dark, Gothic story. Josie’s heart for healing and her compassion drew me to her, and I could feel her distress at her unsolvable dilemma. I had a little difficulty keeping track of all the different characters in this tale, but it was fun to see this author try her hand at another genre. She captured the atmosphere of the time and circumstances well. With twists and turns and a few surprises along the way, I was kept guessing at the outcome to the very end. I’m looking forward to reading more of her stories in the future.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the author/Barbour Publishing. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Paula Shreckhise

The Yellow Lantern by Angie Dicken is a book in the series True Colors, Historical Stories Of American Crime. 

The Yellow Lantern is seen as a symbol of light and life and if it is extinguished—Death! 

Josie Clayton learned the art of healing herbs from her mother. She also told Josie that the symbol of Lilacs is first love. “Mother told her to always remember her first love — Christ, the Creator and Comforter.”
 
Josie has always tried to do what is right, even working to get her father out of debtors prison. Now forced into something illegal in order to once again save her father, Josie is conflicted. “She was stuck between two men - one whom she’d loved all her life, and one who stirred something inside her she’d never felt before. Her loyalty to one was an inevitable choice at the expense of the other. How could she choose between affection and her very own blood?”

“Josie walked beneath the shadow of a secret, one that would astound any kind, upstanding soul.”

She goes to work in a cotton mill run by Braham Taylor. Braham is trying to navigate the management of the mill and some troubling family situations. 

When Josie is accused of something nefarious, will she be able to clear her name and win back the trust of one she holds dear? 

The level of suspense didn’t seem to let up, making for a wonderful gothic tale about grave robbers. 

This story never failed to keep my interest. I learned about early cotton mill work and the customs and attitudes of the early 1800’s. The author captured the era through the fascinating descriptions and the believable characters. 

I received this ARC book from the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

Wow! I was intrigued by the premise of this book, but I never imagined how hooked I would be from the first page to the last​ Although it is the third book in the series it is perfect as a standalone.

I have never read anything by Angie Dicken, and I am pleased to say she has a new reader in me. The opening pages of this book are startling, yet so well written you almost feel it happening. Imagine waking up to discover you have been dead and buried, and a doctor is standing over you with a scalpel in his hand. Dr. Chadwick is very put out that his corpse, Josephine Clayton, is alive and so he tries to kill her but is stopped by his grave digger, Alvin. What transpires from there is a convoluted plan to keep Josephine alive by forcing her to participate in his grave robbing. She only agrees, because her father has aligned himself with the doctor and is now threatened with prison or worse by the network of grave robbers who keep the doctor (and others like him) well supplied.

Josephine is sent away from her hometown to work in a mill, and it is there she meets Braham Taylor. Braham is intrigued by the lovely Josephine and starts to fall for her. What he doesn't know is that she is there to procure bodies for the evil doctor. What happens next is too good to divulge so you'll have to read the book to find out!

A perfect mix of historical fiction, romance, mystery and murder. A combination that will keep you reading until the wee hours of the night!

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Barbour Publishing through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

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