LitPick Review
A Drowned Maiden’s Hair
Maud Flynn is a horrible child—and particularly proud of it. However, when she is “handpicked” from the Barbary Asylum for Female Orphans by the Hawthornes, a strange trio of elderly sisters (bubbly Hyacinth, strict Judith, and uptight Victoria), Maud is eager to please—promising she’ll be as pious as an angel, as long as she doesn’t have to return to Barbary. Though Maud finds herself feeling uneasy around the Hawthornes almost immediately with their strange ways, secret conversations, and bizarre behaviors, she isn’t complaining about her own room, a full stomach every night, and, best of all, a real, running-water bathroom. But when the sister’s begin to train her in the “family business”—or, the arts of a medium—she soon begins to uncover soon of the darker secrets of the Hawthorne legacy. Asked to aid in a con that could potentially send the Hawthornes over the edge (monetary-wise, anyway) Maud is sucked into a vortex of deceit, lies, and deception through the scam of the sophisticated—and decidedly rich--Mrs. Lambert. Having lost her child, Caroline, years ago, Mrs. Lambert has scoured the country for the best mediums, oracles, and mystics, challenging their skills and promising them a hefty sum if they can bring back the image of her daughter back from the dead. With Maud in tow, the Hawthornes head off to offer Mrs. Lambert their “services”—but will Maud be willing to play the part, or will she shatter the illusion?
“On the morning of the best day of her life, Maud Flynn was locked in the outhouse, singing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
Opinion:
Against all my reservations at first, I really enjoyed this book. It was unique and edgy, in theory, with twists and turns that kept you on pins and needles. Maud was the perfect main character—though she was a younger protagonist, I identified with her almost immediately. Her fiery will and good heart really set her character development off and running. I had so much fun watching her grow! The sister’s, on the other hand, were the perfect example of things not being always what they seem. You never knew what was coming next. The exposition was tight, the sentence structure flowing and slightly foreboding, adding to the suspense in the book. I definitely feel like Schlitz has the makings and potential of a wonderful author! Spiritualism can sometimes be a tricky topic, but Schlitz seemed to attack the topic and navigate it well. Sometimes, though, it seemed like the plot ran a little weak—some seemingly unrelated events were occurred that I couldn’t quite figure out if they were related or just fillers. The prose and the simple idea of the book certainly made up for it, though. In the end, a five-star read that I would definitely recommend!
“She trusts me,” Hyacinth said……. ”She’s almost ready….” She brushed her palm against Maud’s cheek. “You see, Maudy? Do you see why we need you so badly?” Maud nodded, grave-faced. She saw.”
I would recommend this book for all ages, as there is no cursing or impropriety in the book. However, if the mention of spiritualism bothers you, you may need to look into another avenue.
Will Maud go along with the Hawthornes charade in her endless quest to find love—or will she let her desire for the truth set her free? Read A Drowned Maiden’s Hair by Laura Amy Schlitz to find out!
