Woven Dreams

In 1863 New York City, police officer Benjamin McCauley patrols the poor Irish neighborhood of Five Points. Benjamin is a bit frustrated because the residents do not trust police after their experiences with law enforcement in their native land. When he finds a murder victim, Benjamin expects no help. However, Sarah Granger, manager of the Second Avenue mission for Needy Children, helps the cop by taking charge of the victim's little boy and his infant sister.Benjamin begins his inquiries, but receives no information from the neighborhood residents. He returns to the mission allegedly trying to obtain clues from Sarah and the little boy. However, deep in his gut he knows he goes back there to see Sarah, who is also attracted to the police officer. Unbeknownst to Sarah and Benjamin, the case is linked to a Southern conspiracy to cause problems for the Northern Army. The conspirators will do anything including murder to further their cause.WOVEN DREAMS weaves elements of a historical mystery into a Civil War romance. The mix works as Benjamin struggles between his love and respect for Sarah vs. police procedures in a murder investigation. The lead characters are a fine duo while the distraught little boy will touch readers' hearts. The who-done-it and historical tidbits add to the excitement and turn Joanna Hampton's tale into a winner.Harriet Klausner