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The year is 1924, the heyday of the revived Spiritualist movement. Fourteen-year-old Annie and her mother are successful purveyors of psychic chicanery; they move from town to town, cashing in on the fad for clairvoyant guidance.
When they arrive in Peach Hill, Annie is once again compelled into her part of the act: she has to pretend that she’s the village idiot in order to more easily listen in on gossip that her mother can put to use as a fake seer. But something happens in Peach Hill. Annie’s tired of missing school, drooling, and keeping her eyes crossed. This is not the way to attract the kind of male attention she wants. She decides to drop the guise, but no sooner than she does, her mother comes up with a new scam. Now she’s a faith healer and Annie’s troubles have just begun.
This is Marthe Jocelyn at the height of her powers as a novelist. How it Happened in Peach Hill is by turns funny, suspenseful, and heartbreaking as it explores the world of those who peddle hope and comfort for profit.
From the Hardcover edition.
“Inventiveness, humour and a sharp understanding of human nature underlie every sparkling word of this story…. Highly recommended.”
—The Toronto Star, Deirdre Baker
“The blend of coming-of-age, adventure, and intrigue, framed by details of small-town life and a classic con, will appeal to fans of spunky female characters and readers of historical fiction alike.”
— Quill & Quire
Praise for Mable Riley: A Reliable Record of Humdrum, Peril, and Romance:
“… this novel is a delightful elixir of Little House on the Prairie and Anne of Avonlea.…”
— School Library Journal
“For its strong setting and well-wrought characters, send Mable Riley to the head of the class.”
— The Horn Book
From the Hardcover edition.
Marthe Jocelyn is an award-winning author and illustrator who worked for many years as a toy designer before turning her hand to writing. Her picture book, Hannah’s Collections, was shortlisted for a Governor General’s Literary Award for Illustration. Her novel, Mable Riley, won the first TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award. She has created five picture books, written six novels, one work of nonfiction for older readers, and edited one collection of short stories.
From the Hardcover edition.
Visit Marthe Jocelyn's Website
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