The Premonition at Withers Farm by Jaime Jo Wright

The voices of the past cannot stay silent forever.

In 1910 Michigan, Perliett VanHilton is a self-proclaimed rural healer, leaving the local doctor, George Wasziak, convinced she practices quackery. It doesn't help that her mother, Maribeth VanHilton, is a Spiritualist who regularly offers her services to help others speak to their dearly departed. But when Perliett is targeted by a superstitious killer, she relies on both George and an intriguing newcomer for help.

In the present day, life has not developed the way Molly Wasziak dreamed. Facing depression after multiple miscarriages, Molly is adapting to her husband's purchase of a new farm. A search for a family tree pulls Molly deep into a vintage web of deceptions, made more mysterious by the disturbing shadows and sounds in the old farmhouse.

Perliett fights for her life, and Molly seeks renewed purpose for hers as she uncovers the records of the dead. Will their voices be heard, or will time silence their truths forever? 

Paperback, 400 pages

Published October 11th 2022 

by Bethany House Publishers

4.5/5 stars

Jamie Jo Wright it is one of my go to authors. I know I’ve mentioned it before in each review, but what I Iove about her books is how she weaves current social situations with stories of the past. 

In The Premonition of Wither's Farm Wright took this reader back to 1910 to a young woman named Perliett. Perliett had hopes of becoming a doctor one day, but instead finds herself in the midst of a local murder and herself a target.  Present day is the life of Molly, who has recently moved into the country, to the area from Perliett's past. Reeling from multiple miscarriages, depression and anxiety follow.

These two lives collide in a way I didn’t anticipate. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery, the friendships and the how mystic/spiritualism stayed true to the times.  A little slow at times but I was kept on my toes as both story lines unfolded.  The characters were unique and likeable. Again, the author doesn’t hold back in describing Molly's deep hurt and feelings of worthlessness as she struggles day to day.

The conclusion and how these 2 story lines meshed fit the bill nicely.  One I didn't really see coming.  Premonition is Christian fiction that reflected authentic day to day struggles in a realistic manner.  

This book was part of my 2022 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge.