The Histories That Haunt: A Q&Z Regency Mystery

The Histories That Haunt: A Q&Z Regency Mystery

An inherited estate. A hostile steward. A corpse in the forest—and a past that refuses to stay buried. Newly married and eager to begin their life together, Zoe and Quinton Coleville arrive at Cedarbrook, Quinton’s ancestral estate. But the welcome is anything but warm. Two days later, a body is found near the crumbling shell of the old manor house hidden deep in the woods. A shadowy figure seen in the West Wood only fuels the local legend of a Coleville ghost watching the estate, protecting its secrets, unable to rest. With their friends on the way to visit—and quickly drawn into the mystery—Zoe and Quinton begin to unravel the tangled history of Cedarbrook, discovering buried loyalties, old betrayals, and a history steeped in loss. As they dig into the past, they realize that every legend begins with a truth, and more than ghosts can haunt. Because at Cedarbrook, the past isn’t dead. It’s waiting. "The Histories That Haunt by Sandra Preisler and Taylor Preisler is part of the Q&Z Regency Mysteries series. Newlyweds Zoe and Quinton Coleville have moved into Cedarbrook, but they don't quite get the welcome they expected. A local legend tells the story of the Coleville ghost watching over Cedarbrook, keeping its secrets intact, and a shadowy figure and a dead body only add fuel to the fire. It doesn't take long for the couple to get pulled into investigating, sifting through Cedarbrook's history for answers, and what they find is shocking. Local legends aren't always fiction; sometimes the truth is just much harder to bear. The past is no longer buried at Cedarbrook; it's waiting, and it's down to Zoe and Quinton to get to the bottom of it before anyone else has to die. The Histories That Haunt by Sandra and Taylor Preisler is the fourth book in this series, and although I read it as a standalone, I would strongly recommend reading the series to get a better feel for the main characters. That said, I didn't have any trouble understanding the main characters and relating to them. This story offers plenty of twists and turns and a few surprising ones at that, and the plot's premise is unique. It's a puzzle wrapped up in a novel, and it will test you to your limits as you try to unravel the clues; you won't guess the ending. It's a story with a difference, and, like me, you'll struggle to put it down once you start reading. It's part thriller, part murder mystery, and part paranormal, an interesting mixture that really works. It made me want to go back to the beginning and read the whole series in order. Highly recommended reading for anyone who loves something just a little different." - Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite "The Histories that Haunt by Sandra and Taylor Preisler is the fourth book in the Q&Z Regency Mystery series. Zoe is excited to start life with her new husband, Quinton, at the family estate he inherited. But the welcome they receive isn't exactly warm. A couple of days after they move in, they discover a body in the woods. While that should be concern enough, when a shadowy figure is spotted, rumors begin circulating that the Coleville ghost is behind the death. Zoe and Quinton aren't sure they believe in a ghost spying on the estate, but as they're pulled into the mystery, they begin to question the manor's history. They uncover a shocking history steeped in betrayal, secrets, and old loyalties, which could bring about something more dangerous than the truth. The ancestral manor's importance in the plot is crucial as the secrets and history buried within its walls draw Zoe and Quinton into the mystery. The historical setting takes you into the past, while the manor's secrets take you a step further, which is a clever way of showing how history never goes away despite the time that passes. Through the ghostly figure, the past can literally haunt the present. This gives an eerie and chilling tone to the plot. The start of the story is about new beginnings, with Zoe and Quinton beginning a new chapter in their lives, only for it to take an unexpected turn. Despite the difficulties and obstacles they face, the two remain united and work as a team. At times, the writing is poetic with descriptive phrases that are perfect for the historical setting, as the style is reminiscent of classic literature. Sandra and Taylor Preisler breathe life into strong characters with a narrative that offers various perspectives. The Histories that Haunt has an intriguing premise that blends the era with mystery and suspense to create an exciting and addictive read." - Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite