Historical Fiction/Paranormal Fiction
Date Published: March 11th, 2025
Publisher: Acorn Publishing
In 1890s Missouri, secrets are a matter of survival.
Clairvoyant Sarah Richardson screams as her older sister Katherine is forced into a straightjacket and thrust into a carriage bound for the St. Louis City Lunatic Asylum. She is devastated to learn Katherine has been blamed for her inadvertent role in an abused woman’s murder. Now, too frightened to speak up, she hides the truth that it should have been her in that carriage.
Sarah’s mounting guilt becomes too much, and she heads to St. Louis, determined to regain her sister’s confidence and prove herself worthy of forgiveness.
While working to heal their relationship, Sarah meets a timid housewife who tries to hide her bruises. When troubling psychic visions of the woman begin to affect her, she sees an opportunity to atone for her past mistakes. Desperate to do whatever it takes to make things right, Sarah embarks on a perilous journey that may cost her everything—including her own life.
500-Word Excerpt from THE SEER
We departed as pale orange blushed above the black horizon. I refused to turn for one last look at the house or the pasture, especially when some of the cows bellowed. I’d only heard that mournful noise when their calves were taken from them, and I wondered if they knew we weren’t coming back.
I looked up from the wildflowers I held in my hand to watch the emerging sun’s glow turning streaky gray clouds into shades of raspberry, apricot, and melon. I didn’t chance looking away because the dawn is quick to show her colorful array, and just as quick to fade it all into blue. I’d once asked Grandma Rose if the pale colors of sunrise were God’s way of reminding us how we should behave toward one another, and the fiery colors of sunset of what to temper within ourselves. She said that was a fine way to decipher God’s messages to us, and even if other people can’t see auras like we can, maybe a part of their soul understands.
It’d rained for a few hours overnight and Daddy was doing his best to take it slow, but the wagon swayed every time our wheels hit a muddy rut. I was glad when we finally turned onto the less bumpy Main Street. Not too many people were out, yet those who were stared at us crammed into our buckboard. The back was piled high and things were strapped to the sides while every space between us and under the seats was filled. When we passed the schoolhouse, my heart pinched a little as I wondered how long it would take for our classmates to realize they wouldn’t be seeing us again. There wasn’t a nice one amongst them so I shouldn’t have cared. Yet, for some reason, it mattered.
When we arrived at the cemetery, Daddy helped Grandma Rose out of the wagon. He trudged ahead as the three of us lifted our skirts and did our best to avoid patches of mud or rain puddles. We picked our way around several resting places, trying not to tread on them too much.
When we reached Momma’s headstone, we stood in silence.
Victoria Elizabeth Richardson
1860 — 1893
Beloved wife and mother
It had been three years since the Lord took her. It seemed longer. I was ashamed I had a hard time keeping her features fixed in my mind or remembering the sound of her singing voice.
My throat tightened when Daddy sniffled. Tears streaked down and he didn’t even try to hide them or wipe them. I looked at Katherine. She was watching Daddy and crying too.
He knelt and placed his hand on her headstone. “I swear you won’t be forgotten.” A sob broke through, and his shoulders moved up and down as he tried to get ahold of himself.
I’m sorry, I thought to Momma as I knelt and placed my flowers down. I hoped Katherine didn’t feel as guilty as I did for causing us to abandon her.
About the Author
Award-winning author Raquel Y. Levitt holds an MFA in creative writing and a master’s degree in English. Her short stories have been published in various anthologies and literary journals and reflect her passion for writing about strong women finding their voice and their power. She is a world traveler, an amateur nature photographer, and a collector of cool rocks. Raquel and her husband live, work, and play in the Texas Hill Country and Montana’s Bitterroot Valley. The Seer is her debut novel.
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