Amy Snow

Set in Victorian England, this engrossing first novel chronicles the secretive treasure hunt that the titular heroine undertakes following her friend’s death. After finding an infant Amy abandoned in the snow, kindly child Aurelia Vennaway brings the baby into her family’s sprawling mansion, much to the chagrin of Aurelia’s spiteful and haughty rich parents. Amy is raised in the kitchen and treated like a servant when not kept out of sight, though the older Aurelia loves her like a sister. Aurelia’s declining health derails her parents’ plans to marry her off. She begs them to let her go on a short chaperoned trip before her heart fails her. What began as a three-month trip stretches to over a year, with Aurelia’s letters from different cities growing more uncharacteristically flighty and infrequent. Aurelia’s health rapidly worsens upon her return. After her death, she leaves Amy a letter that includes money and instructions to begin a complicated quest in London that will guide Amy to several locations in order to uncover a secret that Aurelia has been hiding. Rees has a fresh story with a great hook. There is a less successful love triangle involving Amy and two men, but the main plot is rife with mysterious clues, intriguing people, and varied settings. (June)