The Grays of Truth

By: Sharon Virts

Narrated by: Shana Pennington-Baird

From bestselling historical true-crime author Sharon Virts comes a gripping tale of murder and deceit.

In Reconstruction-era Baltimore, members of the city’s elite keep turning up dead. Below the polished surface of high society, there are illicit affairs, jilted lovers, financial hardships, and countless motives for murder. When Jane Gray Wharton’s husband, Ned, dies unexpectedly while overnighting at his brother’s home, Jane has no reason to question the circumstances of his death. But on a visit to the same house a few weeks later, both Jane and her daughter fall gravely ill, and Jane begins to suspect foul play.

Though a trained chemist and former nurse, Jane is haunted by a history of delusion, loss, and institutionalization. As the unexpected and devastating deaths begin to multiply, Jane’s grip on reality starts to slip. When a respected army officer falls terribly ill after visiting the Whartons’ Baltimore home, Jane’s greatest fears become all too real. The time has come to act—but who will believe her? And can she even trust her own mind?

Inspired by true events involving one of Baltimore’s most powerful families, The Grays of Truth is the story of one woman’s quest for answers in her fight for redemption—and to save the man she loves.

©2024 Sharon Virts (P)2024 Flashpoint

Critic reviews

“Inspired by a true story and meticulously researched, the underbelly of high society Reconstruction Era Baltimore is brought brilliantly to life in Sharon Virts’s atmospheric and deeply absorbing murder mystery The Grays of Truth. I loved it!” —Mark Sullivan, bestselling author of All the Glimmering Stars and Beneath a Scarlet Sky

“Readers [will] become thoroughly engrossed in a mystery that emerges to combine with power plays, politics, and matters of the heart.” —Midwest Book Review

“With The Grays of Truth, Sharon Virts has written a gripping historical mystery filled with twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end. Vividly drawn and carefully researched, the story transports you back in time and holds you willingly captive through the last page. Once I picked up this book, I couldn’t put it down!” —Amanda Skenandore, author of The Medicine Woman of Galveston

Historical Mystery Inspired by True Events

THE GRAYS OF TRUTH by Sharon Verts

Read by: Shana Pennington-Baird

The narration for this was just okay. I did pair with the book and found I liked reading the book rather than listening to the audiobook.

A dark and gripping historical mystery tale of murder and deceit.

Inspired by true events, (which adds a layer of intrigue to this story) involving the rich and powerful Wharton family, of Baltimore. Taking place in 1867-1872, in Reconstruction-era Baltimore, members of the city’s elite keep turning up dead. We get a look at the darker side of upper class society in this period. Jane Gray Wharton finds herself at the heart of it all. First her husband dies while visiting his brother’s home and a few weeks later, both Jane and her daughter fall gravely ill at the same home. Jane, a trained chemist and former nurse, begins to suspect foul play. As the deaths start to multiply, Jane’s mental health is questioned, and her greatest fears become all too real. Set in a time when women were silenced, dismissed, and had limited rights.

This is my second read by Sharon Virts and I was throughly engrossed in the story from beginning to end with the secrets and betrayals. I like the extensive research she does for her well crafted story telling. I look forward to reading her book, Masque of Honor: A Historical Novel of the American South, as well as, what she writes next.

Very engrossing

This is an excellent and engrossing Historical Fiction novel set in the mid 19th century. A story about mores, extended family, mental illness, serial murder, and justice and the way these things were considered and dealt with in 1870. It's also a page-turning mystery that gets better the more you read. Well-researched and written by Ms. Virts and an excellent narration by Ms. Pennington-Baird. This is the second book I've read by the author, and both have been intriguing and great listens. Highly recommended.

Outstanding!

Action packed with a fascinating view to life in another point in time! Well done, Sharon Virts! Your best yet!

The story line.

This book was a page turner, couldn’t wait for the next chapter! A great historic novel.