THE SECRET STAIRCASE

An effort to turn a Maryland town into a Victorian living-history museum is stymied by murder.

Kate Hamilton is nearly overwhelmed by the sheer scope of the job her friend Lisbeth has talked her into. The Henry Barton Mansion is the centerpiece of Lisbeth’s effort to turn dying Asheboro into a tourist mecca. The first job is to find contractors to bring the electricity and plumbing up to code before the job of restoring the house, which is in remarkably good shape. With help from researcher Carroll Peterson and her own boyfriend, professor Josh Wainwright, Kate tries to find out more about the reclusive Henry and Mary Barton. After interviewing several contractors, Kate hires Morgan Wheeler, who’s respectful of the house and Kate’s plans. When work begins in the kitchen, Morgan sees that the proportions are off. Using a spy cam, he peers behind a false wall and discovers a corpse at the bottom of a closed-off stairway. Although the body has been there a long time, the police must still get involved, and Kate’s curiosity is piqued. One of Morgan’s subcontractors, a rather unpleasant plumber, is soon found dead at the bottom of the cellar stairs. The discovery of Mary’s diaries not only shines a light on the Bartons’ lives, but also provides a clue to murder.

Although the mystery has its moments, it’s the search for historical clues that keeps you turning pages.