Review By: Gretchen Fronk
Published: 2024
Genre(s): Historical Fiction
Audience: Grades 8–12, Adult
Reviewer’s Note: “The author is local and the book’s content is local. It has been an ongoing mystery for decades, and this book illuminates the truth.”
Goodreads Link: The Girl in the Glass Coffin: The Tonkin Affairs
Summary:
Set in Oswego, New York during the Gilded Age, this historical fiction novel recounts the true and haunting story of ten-year-old Virginia Tonkin, whose death sparked one of the region’s most enduring legends. When her parents refused to bury her and instead kept her in a glass coffin within their home, the family’s lives became the subject of fascination, scandal, and tragedy. The novel delves into the secrets, love affairs, and blackmail that surrounded the Tonkins and sheds light on the truth behind decades of rumor and speculation.
Review:
Living in Oswego and having passed the Tonkin house countless times, it is thrilling to finally have a story that explores this long-standing local mystery. Lee Ellen Hickey masterfully combines fact and fiction to reveal what truly happened to the Tonkin family, providing long-awaited answers while sparking curiosity for more. The inclusion of historical photos adds depth and context, allowing readers to better visualize the people and places woven into the story. Although some questions remain, this book offers a fascinating and respectful portrayal of a family whose story has captivated Oswego for generations. A must-read for anyone interested in local history or true mysteries.
