The Ghosts of Whidbey Island by author Victoria Ventris Shea falls into the gothic, historical, and interpersonal drama genres. With historical research and imaginative storytelling, it is a captivating immersion into the rich history and folklore of the Pacific Northwest that includes both indigenous people and settlers. Intertwined with ghostly elements, it is a haunting, poignant narrative.
This engaging novel tells of Isaac Ebey, a farmer and lawyer, who becomes a pioneer in the mid-1800's to join a wagon train on the Oregon Trail bound for the Pacific Northwest. Although Oregon Territory has just become American land, British-owned Hudson Bay Company continues to trade. Ebey is side-tracked by the gold rush and San Francisco, then settles briefly in what will become Olympia in south Puget Sound where he becomes friends with the town's founders and meets Chief Seattle.
Moving further north, Ebey becomes the first permanent white settler in what will become Coupeville on Whidbey Island and forms a positive relationship with his Skagit neighbors, particularly Snetlum, a village leader at Snakelum Point, as well as the Klallam people from Port Townsend who camp on the beach below his cabin.
Ebey's family joins him as he navigates the challenges of farming, territorial demands, his wife's failing health, and conflicts with northern Indians. Ebey is instrumental in the formation of Washington Territory and is against the aggressive decisions of its first governor, Isaac Stevens.
The characters, particularly Isaac Ebey and Snetlum, are intricately drawn; their struggles and relationships are characterized well with meaningful dialogue that gives a sense of period and attitude. The vivid descriptions of Whidbey Island are gorgeously penned with evocative imagery, transporting readers to the rugged landscapes and turbulent times of the mid-19th century. As the narrative unfolds at a steady and entertaining pace, the intertwining of historical events and supernatural occurrences creates a sense of unease and mystery, keeping readers engaged until the very end.