Historical True-Crime
Veil of Doubt
"When a mother is charged with murder in a town already convinced of her guilt, can justice survive the verdict?"
About This Book
A story rooted in real history, brought to life through fiction
Emily Lloyd, a young widow in Reconstruction-era Virginia, is accused of poisoning her three-year-old daughter Maud. It isn't the first death in her home — her husband and three other children all died of mysterious illnesses over the years. When Maud succumbs, the town suspects foul play, and Emily is charged with murder. Enter Powell Harrison, a soft-spoken, brilliant attorney who recently returned to his Virginia hometown after years away. Initially reluctant to take the case, Harrison becomes irresistibly drawn in as details emerge suggesting a far more sinister truth lurking beneath the family's horrible fate. What begins as a straightforward prosecution unravels into a medical mystery that challenges everything the town believes about Emily — and about justice itself. Based on a shocking true story, Veil of Doubt is part true-crime thriller, part medical and legal procedural, filled with rich period detail gleaned from exhaustive research. Perfect for fans of Margaret Atwood's Alias Grace and readers who love historical fiction with real teeth.
Reconstruction-era Virginia (1870s)
A Widow Accused
In Reconstruction-era Virginia, widow Emily Lloyd faces murder charges. The case against her seems clear to everyone in town — everyone except the man assigned to defend her.
A Defender Who Won't Look Away
Defense attorney Powell Harrison takes the case — and the more he digs, the more he uncovers a truth far darker and more dangerous than anyone bargained for.
When Reputation Overrides Justice
In a community rebuilding after the Civil War, reputation and convenience can outweigh truth. Veil of Doubt is the story of what happens when someone insists on the truth anyway. Finalist, Best Historical Fiction 2024.
- Reconstruction-era Virginia and its fractured social order
- The precarious legal position of widows and women in 19th-century courts
- The power of small-town reputation over the course of justice
- Early defense advocacy and the limits of forensic evidence in the era
Sharon weaves these real events into the fabric of the story, creating a narrative that honors the actual people and moments that shaped this era.
Reconstruction-era Virginia — a community rebuilding after the Civil War, where old loyalties, old grudges, and the weight of reputation make the truth dangerously hard to speak.
What Readers Are Saying
"What began as a slow-to-start tale ended up morphing into a page turner that I found myself waking up in the wee hours to continue reading."
— Jennly Reads
Jennly Reads
"Sharon Virts' latest novel kept me turning pages and left me thinking about the characters long after the last chapter. Absolutely amazing."
— Sarah Ferguson
Duchess of York
"The fact that it's based on a true, Southern crime makes it all the more haunting."
— Amanda DuBois
Bestselling Author of The Complication
"Veil of Doubt receives 5 out of 5 stars. I loved it!"
— Julie's World Book Reviews
Julie's World Book Reviews
"Virts pulls back the layers of how polite society in late nineteenth century Virginia concealed unsavory actions behind closed doors. A very worthwhile read."
— Eileen Joyce Donovan
Award-Winning Author
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