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Jennie's connection with her twin brother, Toby, grew stronger after he died in 1864. Now Jennie must rely on her ability to communicate with the dead to find out what has happened to her beloved fiance, Will, while he was off at war. The army says he died honorably in battle. His brother... read more

Summary edit see section history

The first series of pictures in Jennie's scrapbook consists of a photo of her brother, Toby, and a letter informing their uncle of his death. One night, Jennie is lying in bed when a commotion begins in the house. Her cousin Quinn has returned wounded from the Civil War and when he looks at... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

The first series of pictures in Jennie's scrapbook consists of a photo of her brother, Toby, and a letter informing their uncle of his death. One night, Jennie is lying in bed when a commotion begins in the house. Her cousin Quinn has returned wounded from the Civil War and when he looks at Jennie he betrays a dark secret: his brother and her fiance, Will, has died in the war. As they rush him into the house, Aunt Clara, whom Jennie already despises, gives her room to Quinn and says Jennie will stay in his old room.

The next is a picture of the scrapbook itself and a photo of her servant and friend, Mavis. Mavis rushes inside and collects Jennie's things, taking them up to Quinn's old room, which he'd used to escape from the family. She holds Toby's christening cup and attempts contact with him, explaining that he has refused to leave her despite being dead. Mavis catches her and Jennie explains her fears that Will has died as Mavis prepares the room and dismisses Jennie's fears.

The following scrapbook pages include a telegraph informing Uncle Henry of the death of Will, a photograph of Will and Quinn as young boys, and some Hellborne which Jennie attempted to take to Quinn. Jennie tries to visit Quinn. During the visit he expresses his fear that she will hate him for coming back when she expected Will, and Jennie sees his wound has caused a permanent deformity. He tells her how Will died but Jennie fears there is something he is not telling her.

A photograph of Aunt Clara, scribbled on with insults adorning it; a photograph of Uncle Henry; and a photograph of Jennie's mother and father as well as their dates of birth and death. Jennie's breakfast with Aunt Clara is awkward and hurtful. Jennie informs Clara that Quinn wishes to speak with her and lies to explain that she will now be taking care of Quinn. There is a brief argument but Clara resigns and Jennie wonders if it will be their last breakfast before the disintegration of the family.

A brooch she has stolen from Aunt Clara; stickers labeled "Soluble Morphine" adorn Jennie's scrapbook and she questions if Will is "suffering so very much." Since being informed of Will's death, the house has gone quiet, and Jennie visits Quinn but he refuses to speak. She is reminded of a time he drank too much and kissed her. She also notes that he has changed: talking to himself, having a hard time sleeping, roaming, and taking too much morphine. Jennie and Mavis discuss their concerns with each other, fearing he has gone insane, and Mavis mentions he has covered all of the mirrors in the house. Jennie reminisces on her old friends at Putterham School and how they would scoff at her friendship with a servant like Mavis, but she is comforted. Jennie remembers an incident where Aunt Clara dismissed Jennie's mourning as "childish" because she didn't really love Will. She then decides to no longer help her out and steals a brooch from her. On Christmas, Jennie and the Pritchett's attend church and Uncle Henry and Aunt Clara discuss his funeral service. Afterwards, Aunt Clara forces Jennie to remove her engagement ring.

A Putterham School photo of Jennie and her classmates in 1861 with various notes and pictures drawn on the people; a photograph of an older Will and Quinn. Jennie is gossiping about Aunt Clara to her Putterham schoolmates Rosemary and Flora. Jennie steps beyond the boundaries of gossip into how much she despises Aunt Clara and the girls are taken aback. She switches the subject and they discuss Silas, Flora and Rosemary's brother, before moving on to Quinn and the rumor that he is addicted to opium, which Jennie loyally dismisses. Jennie has an inkling of doubt about his behavior, as he ripped a picture of Will and himself just two days previous. Jennie asks if she can visit the sisters on Tuesday but the girls avoid the issue and claim that debutante season is to blame.

A photo of a deceased two-year-old, Amelia Rose, who is explained to be Uncle Henry and Aunt Clara's daughter; Rosemary's ticket to a private seance; a photograph of Will in a suit and tie looking scholarly.

Characters/People edit see section history

  • Quincy/Quinn: The ill-tempered twin of Will and cousin of Jennie. When he returns wounded from the Civil War, he brings with him the luggage of mystery.
  • Mister Geist: Paranormal photographer whom Quincy suspects is a fraud and whom Uncle Henry is desperate to reach.
  • William Pritchett: Gentle-tempered, friendly twin brother of Quincy and cousin/fiance of Jennie. His death brings about the mystery of this story.
  • Jennie: Main character, fiance of Will and sister to Toby, who has contact with the dead and attempts to unveil all of the mysteries surrounding their deaths.
  • Mavis: Add a description of this character.
  • Aunt Clara: Jennie's aunt who is a large, strict woman whom Jennie has much dislike for. She is mean to Jennie.
  • Toby: Jennie's twin brother who died from dysentery before he could fight in the Civil War. Despite being deceased, his ties with Jennie have grown stronger and she communicates with him.
  • Nate Dearborn
  • Uncle Henry
  • Miss Lovell
  • Madame Broussard
  • Mrs. Sullivan
  • Curtis
  • Viviette
  • Locke
  • Wortley
  • Frances
  • Flora: Crooked-nosed friend of Jennie's. Likes to gossip.
Show all 18 characters
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First Sentence edit see section history

It's dark outside, an elsewhere hour between midnight and dawn.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Lisa Brown (Author)
  2. Adele Griffin (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: Add the language.
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Country: Add the country of publication.
Publication Date: 2010
ISBN: Add the ISBN.
Page Count: 262

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