Eleanor Kuhns

This is the 11th book in the series. This time, Will and Lydia are in Boston because Lydia’s father is accused of murder. Lydia is estranged from her family, except her half-sister Cordelia. When they arrive in Boston, with their daughter Jerusha along so she can look at a school in Boston, they are met with guarded hostility. Lydia’s father is quite wealthy and has been able to evade charges; however, the scandal has wiped away their social life and Cordelia is afraid she will not be able to get married. Both Lydia’s father and her stepmother ask that they not investigate the murder, but they do so anyway.
Will is completely out of his element in Boston as he is used to a more rural life. There is a lot of familial tension which leads to many potential suspects. The author has a neat writing style, and you are able to be transported back to the 1800s whether it’s in Maine (where the other books in the series take place) or in Boston (for this one). It is a very well-written and entertaining historical fiction mystery. As I have said with the other books in the series, each book can be read as a stand-alone – you get just enough background information – but it is better to read the series in its entirety.… (altro)

This is the 8th book in the Will Rees series by Eleanor Kuhns. Will is a traveling weaver in 18th century Maine trying to make money for his family. He does not enjoy farm life and would much rather be weaving or selling his wares than doing chores. He can’t wait to leave on his spring travels, but before he can do so he goes to check out the circus that just rolled into town.

On his way back home, he sees a group of Shaker men looking for a young girl, Leah, who had also walked to town to see the circus. He helps them locate the body of the girl, who was clearly murdered. Will finds himself once again attempting to solve a murder. His investigation takes him to the circus where the female ropewalker intrigues him and distracts him from his investigation…and his chores and family. Rees does rely on the insights of his wife, Lydia, and she accompanies him a few times to question folks.

The author does a great job describing the circus and all of the elements that comprise a circus in 1800, before trains and big tents.

Finally, it is not necessary to read the books in order as the author does a good job filling the reader in on the pertinent details of Will and Lydia’s lives up to this point but doing so could provide a better understanding of the story.… (altro)

When Hortense, a midwife, fails to return home following a birth, several townsfolk go out looking for her. Will Rees finds her stumbling through the snow barefoot and petrified. He brings her back to his house to recover. After one of his daughters becomes a victim of an attempted abduction, the decision is made to move Hortense to the local Shaker community. However, when a Shaker woman is murdered, Hortense is returned home.

As Rees starts to investigate, he strongly believes that Hortense is not telling him the entire truth. Witness descriptions have led Will and Constable Rouge to Josiah Wootten and his sons. Josiah is known to be abusive and when Will and the Constable arrive to question Josiah, his wife Sally threatens them off the property. As they continue to investigate, several other incidents happen including another murder, an abduction and a home burning to the ground before the killer is finally identified.

This is an interesting series that take place in the 1800s in Shaker communities. You learn a lot about the way of life back then both in the Shaker community and in the World (as they refer to the outside world). It isn't necessary to read the series in order as some of the backstories are touched upon but you don't get the full story.… (altro)