Elizabeth Camden’s Carved in Stone begins a new series surrounding the Blackstone family. When Patrick takes on a somewhat unsavory client who challenges the Blackstone family, he had no idea that he would be thrust into the path of Blackstone heiress, Gwen Kellerman.
My Review of Carved in Stone
Carved in Stone is an interesting look at social classes highlighting that at the core we’re all human. Money doesn’t make us better than other people and poverty doesn’t make us nobler…though I’ll admit that at times Gwen’s family was downright disgusting in their snobbishness.
The Characters in Carved in Stone
Carved in Stone was a compelling read and I was drawn into the characters’ stories and wanted to know more about them.
Gwen was a sweetheart and her goodness and willingness to help others shone through. I was glad when she finally built up the courage to pursue her dreams.
Patrick genuinely cared about the people in his community and did His best to serve them. Though Gwen was from a higher class, his ingrained desire to help others shone through.
I also enjoyed Liam’s character. He was just contrary enough to be fun and interesting. I look forward to seeing how his character develops in later books.
The Themes in Carved in Stone
Readers will be reminded that though bad things happen, God is still in control and He’s able to make good things come out of even the worst events in our lives.
Carved in Stone also shows that prejudice goes both ways: anyone can look at what a person has and make a judgment call. What a person has or does for a living is a determinant of their character. Instead, one’s character is developed through experience and life choices.
Final Thoughts on Carved in Stone
The two mysteries (one old, one new) are intertwined with the romance between Patrick and Gwen which keeps the plot interesting.
Patrick had a lot of legitimate reasons for feeling the way he did when he was around Gwen’s family, but he made the effort to put aside his snobbishness and get to know them. I would have liked to see more of how that played out since there were so many examples of them being mean to him. But, overall, I like how it played out.
I received an advanced reader’s copy from the publisher through NetGalley; a positive review was not required. Purchase Carved in Stone on Amazon | Christian Audio
About Carved in Stone
Gwen Kellerman is an heiress to the infamous Blackstone family, whose history of scandal nearly destroyed her. She now lives a quiet life at the idyllic college founded with her family’s fortune and hopes to keep the tragedies of her past safely behind her.
Patrick O’Neill survived a hardscrabble youth to become a lawyer for the downtrodden Irish immigrants in his community. He’s proud of his work, even though he struggles to afford his ramshackle law office. All that changes when he accepts a case to challenge the Blackstones’ legacy of greed and corruption by resurrecting a thirty-year-old mystery.
Little does Patrick suspect that the Blackstones will launch their most sympathetic family member to derail him. Gwen is tasked with getting Patrick to drop the case, but the old mystery takes a shocking twist neither of them saw coming. Now, as they navigate a burgeoning attraction, Patrick is the only one who can save Gwen from new danger on the horizon.
About Elizabeth Camden
Elizabeth Camden is best known for her historical novels set in gilded age America featuring clever heroines and richly layered storylines. Before she was a writer, she was an academic librarian at some of the largest and smallest libraries in America, but her favorite is the continually growing library in her own home.
Her novels have won the RITA and Christy Award, and she lives in Florida with her husband who graciously tolerates her intimidating stockpile of books.
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