This novel came to my attention from a very unlikely source. It is an eclectic mix of several genres, including mystery, suspense, historical fiction, and the occult.  The title refers to the art of “lace reading”, a method of fortelling the future.  Some historical references to the Ipswich lace industry are made at the beginning of each chapter, in the form of “The Lace Reader’s Guide”.  Interwoven throughout are scenes of past and present day Salem, Mass.

Towner Whitney returns to her native Salem after moving to California. Her great-aunt Eva, who raised her, has gone missing. Her return brings her face-to-face with her past, some events of which she has either conveniently forgotten, or reconstructed to help her cope.  The novel will keep you guessing as to what is real and what is not.  And once you’ve read it, you will most likely want to make a visit to Salem to take another look at the statue of Roger Conant.