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| Struggling through the years of the Great Depression, twenty-year-old Polly marries farmer Sam Forrest for his financial assets. Their farm is next to the one that her older sister, Sarah, and brother-in-law Wes live on. Wes is also the local Methodist minister. Sarah and her husband have three children to support, too. Sarah has always felt that her younger sister was self-absorbed, and inconsiderate of others. Polly's mother, who has moved to Connecticut to care for her mother, and Sarah tried to talk Polly out of marrying the much older Sam, but Polly was not to be deterred. When she set her mind to something, it was impossible to talk her out of it. Despite being newlyweds, Polly is far from happy. The man she thought would take care of her is not the man she thought he was. He's threatened her, forbid her from leaving their house without his permission, beaten her at times, and won't let her near the barn, where he spends all of his free time. But one day while Polly was at Sarah's house, they hear horrific screams coming from Polly's farm. Rushing there, Wes finds the mutilated body of Sam, apparently mauled by his vicious bull. But how did the bull's pen gate get left open? Sam was always careful to keep it closed. The local police consider Polly a suspect, and Sarah and Wes wonder the same. For Polly, freedom from Sam, and having some financial resources means she can look into establishing herself as a hat-maker, a dream she's had since childhood. Polly's vision of opening a hat-making shop is on hold as the police continue their investigation. Then, some strangers show up at Polly's home, claiming to be White House police. They want to search her home until Wes shows up, and sends them on their way. Why would the government want to inspect the farm? What secrets did Sam keep from Polly? THE UNVEILING OF POLLY FORREST starts immediately with questions about Polly's involvement with Sam's death. She laments how life treats her, argues with her sister, refuses to even pretend to be the grieving widow, and hides several secrets from her family. Her letters to her mother have made Sam sound like the perfect husband, and she's denied that the broken ribs and constant bruises she's sported had anything to do with Sam. Just what is Polly hiding? And why? Each chapter of THE UNVEILING OF POLLY FORREST is told by a different narrator. Sarah, Wes, and Polly each reveal their thoughts, suspicions, and personal feelings for each other, as well as their individual theories on Sam's death. Who would want Sam dead? What was he doing all those times in the barn? Readers will be turning the pages to find out. A well-written, compelling mystery, it will be hard for readers to put this book down. Jani Brooks |
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THE UNVEILING OF POLLY FORREST - Charlotte Whitney