Heritage of Shadows

Gene (Genevieve Bonneau) is finally reunited with the aristocratic Southern family she never knew. Although her long-lost grandfather still denies Gene her inheritance, she finds several reasons to stay in Louisiana--not the least of which are several attempts on her cousin's life and the handsome but distant Jonathan Eversleigh. May, in typical fashion, really waits until chapter sixteen to metaphorically take us there, but, as usual with May, it's well worth the wait. This is the first of May's books in which she touches upon the issue of race. However, aside from a few carefully crafted Jefferson/Hemmings moments, the main character, Genevieve, does not deal with it and thus we are given no vicarious insights into May's own views. Personally, I hope that May will write a novel that addresses her perspectives on bridging the racial divide, as I am sure she has had such experiences. This book is extraordinarily gripping and the back cover photograph is now imprinted on my soul.