The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

This book was not as enjoyable as Morton's previous books. The plot felt a bit contrived, and while the initial idea--that a letter could ruin lives for the lack of its delivery--was intriguing, the plot didn't make that idea make sense in contrast. I really enjoyed the digging for the basis of the mudman story, but in the end, the frantic plot advances at the end couldn't make up for a slow start and the contrived nature of the story.