A Place of Stone and Shadow — Jane Nickerson

When sixteen-year-old Fiona O'Malley leaves home to attend Wyndriven Female Academy in Reconstruction-era Mississippi, she has a good deal to worry about. But with her new servant, Bridey, Fiona hopes to leave the spirits she has been seeing behind her.

Fiona finds Wyndriven's ancient abbey home daunting, despite her best efforts. After all, the monstrous building holds the lives of all those who have lived there. And died there.

To Fiona's delight, she makes friends with the girls, as well as the spirit of an attractive eighteenth-century gentleman, and the charming estate manager. However, she is tested by the deeper secrets and mysteries of Wyndriven. What will become of their lives--and their souls--if she is unable to overpower the mysterious evil that refuses to die?

A bit supernatural tale, a bit murder mystery, and a bit romance, A Place of Stone and Shadow is the latest lush, haunting, and layered story from the author of Strands of Bronze and Gold and The Mirk and Midnight Hour.