About the Book:
Elsa Reisner's lifelong dream of working as an ornithologist at the American Museum of Natural History is fading as the job begins to drain her passion. But fate takes an unexpected turn when she is assigned to catalog the bequest of a recently deceased patron whose Gothic country mansion holds secrets and treasures waiting to be discovered.
As Elsa delves into her task, she forms an unlikely bond with the estate's delightful gardener and her daughter, as well as an architectural salvage dealer who still bears scars from the Great War. Together, they embark on a thrilling treasure hunt for a missing relic intended to safeguard the servants' futures before the estate is sold. At the same time, Elsa's body seems to betray her with new symptoms from a childhood disease that isn't through with her yet.
With the brooding veteran and her handsome colleague joining the search, Elsa must navigate the tangled web of secrets and hidden motives along with the changing state of her health. As her deadline looms ever closer, will she be able to secure a new life for her friends before the estate slips from their grasp?
My Thoughts:
The Hudson Collection lands as book two in Jocelyn
Green’s On Central Park series. Like its predecessor, The Metropolitan
Affair, this novel started slow but grew into an enjoyable story that had
me rooting for the main characters. I admired Elsa’s competence and personal
journey. Her friendship with Luke became a source of support and balance that
turned into a beautiful romance. I love a humble, kind, supportive hero, so it
was a pleasure to watch the development of their relationship.
Beyond the characters, while reading The Hudson Collection, I also enjoyed the mystery of the lost medieval aviary, the thought-provoking quotes, and the sensitivity with which the author handled PTSD, physical scars, and autism. These elements combined with other topics and themes to create depth and interest. Perhaps the overarching theme of the novel was dealing with adversity in a healthy way. This played out in Elsa’s life as she faced workplace discrimination, eugenics philosophy, and the physical effects of childhood polio. As always, Jocelyn Green’s extensive research showed in her depictions of the time and the formation of her characters.
I recommend The Hudson Collection by Jocelyn Green to readers who enjoy inspirational historical fiction with depth. 4.5 Stars!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
About the Author:
Jocelyn Green (JocelynGreen.com) inspires faith and courage as the bestselling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including the Christy Award-winning The Mark of the King and Drawn by the Current and her On Central Park series.
