When the dark whispers started Inary Cameron thought it was time for a change. She, and her cats, travelled to the house she had inherited from her Aunt. When she arrives the doors are unlocked, there is a fire going, and things were stocked in the fridge. That was strange as she hadn't told anyone she was coming. It turns out her neighbor, Ford Werlich, had made a deal with her Aunt. In exchange for some land he would, upon her death, keep the house ready everyday until her niece took posession of the house. That is not the only thing Inary learns. Ford was also engaged by her Aunt to keep her safe from harm and initiate her in what she needed to know about her birthright. Inary has a hard time excepting her legacy but with Ford's help as well as a little girl she meets at the sanitarium where she works she does accept things, just in the nick of time. A hidden room, a hidden key, and an unkown intruder all make for an exciting and engaging tale.
I liked how that cats were a part of what goes on, as well.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. In the shadows line I have read other things written by Jane and have always liked all the books of hers that I have tried. That being said I have gotten more picky through the years and have tried to only buy books I think I will like after reading the back blurb. This is in contrast to when I first started reading, decades ago, and didn't have any defined tastes so read almost anything. 
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Use the talents you have, for the woods would by silent if no birds sang except the best. (from a flip inspiration book-'Thoughts for my daughter')
I love this book
This has got to be one of my top favs out of the Shadow line. Every time I'm out shopping somewhere and I see agates for sale, I think about this story.
Leanne
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