Lacking Natural Simplicity

Ghost of the White Nights, by L.E. Modesitt, Jr; Tor, 2002. A sequel to Of Tangible Ghosts and The Ghost of the Revelator, this third book in the series of alternate history mysteries about Dr. Johan Eschbach continues the strenghts of the earlier books. Set in an version of Earth where ghosts are real and the United States never formed, these books use education, the arts, politics, ecology, and intrigue to show their setting and embroil the reader in Eschbach's adventures. The society Modesitt builds is interesting, and books are well written.