Mr. Splitfoot by Samantha Hunt

Ruth and Nat are living in a home, having been abandoned by their respective parents. The home is taken care of by a minister and the home is called Love of Christ! Ruth and Nat are so like siblings, even sharing a bedroom. They are both 17 and want to escape the realm that they live in. They wander off the property and meet a man named Mr. Bell. Mr. Bell sees that Nat knows how to work a good con, by acting as if he can talk to the dead. The three then create a group that works people with the   Ruth and Nat are living in a home, having been abandoned by their respective parents. The home is taken care of by a minister and the home is called Love of Christ! Ruth and Nat are so like siblings, even sharing a bedroom. They are both 17 and want to escape the realm that they live in. They wander off the property and meet a man named Mr. Bell. Mr. Bell sees that Nat knows how to work a good con, by acting as if he can talk to the dead. The three then create a group that works people with the dead. In the meantime, we are journeying with Cora, who is being lead around New York, near the Erie Canal, by a woman named Ruth. This is taking place about 14 years later than the story of Nat & Ruth. The two different stories take place every other chapter. They meld somewhat and you can feel the stories coming together. This was really well written and really makes you think. I will definitely pick up more of Samantha Hunt's works from here. http://www.samanthahunt.net/