A high-stakes mystery of romance and intrigue that takes place in the Gilded Age of Chicago. It’s mid-September 1893 and Eloisa Carstairs is the reigning debutant of Gilded Age Chicago society. To outsiders she appears to have it all. But Eloisa is living with a dark secret. Several months ago, she endured a horrible assault at the hands of Douglass Sloane, heir to one of Chicago’s wealthiest families. Fearing the loss of her reputation, Eloisa confided in only one friend. That is, until she meets Detective Sean Ryan at a high-society ball. Sean is on the fringes of the Chicago elite. Born into a poor Irish family, becoming a policeman was his best chance to ensure security. Despite social boundaries, he is enamored with Eloisa Carstairs. Sean will do anything to keep her safe—even if he can never earn her affections. Eloisa longs to feel normal again, but a killer is on the loose. In the last month, three debutants have been accosted by an assailant wielding a knife, and Eloisa fears for her safety at every event she attends. As the danger in the city increases, and as the romance between Eloisa and Sean blossoms, they both realize they want to be seen as more than how the world views them. But will they catch the killer before all their hopes come crashing down? “Shelley Gray writes a well-paced story full of historical detail that will invite you into the romance, the glamour . . . and the mystery surrounding the Chicago World’s Fair.” —Colleen Coble, USA Today bestselling author of Rosemary Cottage and the Hope Beach series The Chicago World Fair Mystery series Book 1— Secrets of Sloane House - Book 2— Deception on Sable Hill - Book 3— Whispers in the Reading Room - Book length: 86,000 words - Includes discussion questions for book clubs “Full of vivid descriptions and beautiful prose, Gray has a way of making readers feel like they are actually in Chicago during the World’s Fair. … the mystery surrounding the ‘Slasher’ keeps the reader engaged throughout.” --- 4 star review -- RT Book Reviews Shelley Gray is the author of The Heart of a Hero series. Her Amish novel (written as Shelley Shepard Gray), The Protector , recently made the New York Times best seller list. A native of Texas, she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Colorado and taught school for ten years. She and her husband have two children and live in Southern Ohio. Visit her website at www.shelleyshepardgray.com Facebook: ShelleyShepardGray Twitter: @ShelleySGray Deception on Sable Hill By Shelley Gray ZONDERVAN Copyright © 2015 Shelley Gray All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-310-33850-5 CHAPTER 1 CHICAGO, SEPTEMBER 1893 Don't keep me in the dark for another second, Eloisa," Quentin Gardner teased as they waltzed across the gleaming parquet floor of his family's crowded ballroom. "Where have you been? No one has seen you in what seems like ages. You've missed quite a few of the events around the fair." "I've been the same places you have," she replied, taking care to keep her voice light and steady. "Though to be honest, it would be a wonder if you were able to spy me among this year's debutantes clamoring for your attention." He chuckled. "I've hardly been that in demand." " The Tribune did just list you as one of society's most eligible bachelors." She raised an eyebrow, half expecting him to act surprised. Quentin enjoyed pretending he was above such things as the society pages. He didn't deny the article. Instead, his cheeks flushed. "I was only on that list because of my family's money." "And perhaps your good looks too." She tapped his shoulder lightly with her gloved hand. "I've been told that blue eyes and coal-black hair are an irresistible combination." "You and I both know that article was mere gossip." "One that has a shred of truth, though." "Even if I was surrounded by a bevy of young ladies—which I most definitely was not—I would have noticed if you were in our midst. You have not been out, Miss Carstairs." With effort she kept her expression impassive. "You sound so sure about that." "That's because I am." Just as she was formulating a reply, Quentin twirled her around. Then, as she chuckled at his exuberance, he eased her a bit closer. "I've missed your company, Eloisa. What made you decide to suddenly be so elusive?" She had a very good reason. A very good reason that only a handful of people knew about. It was imperative that she keep it that way. As she felt his warm breath brush against her neck, her unease returned. Pressing on his shoulder, she attempted to regain some space between them. "Quentin, there's no need to hold me so close." Something flashed in his eyes before they filled with hurt. Anger? Frustration? "I'm not doing anything inappropriate. I simply want to talk to you without having to raise my voice." She tried to pull away again, but his arm around her waist was very strong. "The way you are holding me is rather improper." "Hardly that. Besides, I can promise that