Feelings were tense in the winter bound Massachusetts
Colony in 1774 as the colonists and British troops waited
for the ships to arrive from England with the reaction of
the Crown to the colonists dumping tea in Boston harbor.
Abigail Adams, wife of attorney John Adams, is a very
intelligent woman with a keen intuitive ability. Puzzling
over the disappearance of a woman slave from a family she
knows, she just could not fathom that the woman would have
left on her own accord as the Negro slave had two small
children she loved. So when the sharp knock pounded on
their door, she was rightfully concerned as to whether it
was friend or foe as both her and John were committed to
the cause of the Sons of Liberty.
More shocking than the knock was that the news that their
friend, Harry Knox, the 24-year-old Bookseller and printer
of the seditious press, was arrested - not for treason, but
for murder!
Soon after, when the lovely young Lucy Fluckner, daughter
of a rich and well known Loyalist, begged Abigail to help
poor Harry, she readily agreed despite the dangers to her
own family, especially when the murdered man turned out to
be Sir Jonathan Cottrell, the man that Lucy's father had
said was going to marry Lucy and have the engagement
announced at the Governor's Ball.
Was this crime a paroxysm of politics or passion? As
circumstances continued to point to Harry, Abigail is
relentless in pursuing the truth, but can she find out more
before the killer turns on her? Meanwhile, she begins to
suspect some of her informants are not entirely truthful.
Barbara Hamilton has crafted a very historically accurate
tale, filled with suspense and intrigue that captures the
mood and concerns of this interesting time. The
characters, both main and secondary, are well drawn and
believable in their actions and roles. While the author's
sympathies are clearly on the side of the Sons of Liberty,
I was impressed with her careful balancing and portrayal of
the British, especially Lieutenant Coldstone and Sergeant
Muldoon. This is a treat for any historical mystery lover!
Enjoy the sleuthing!
"Abigail Adams could become my favorite historical sleuth."
(Sharon Kay Penman) Abigail Adams, wife of attorney John
Adams-who is deeply involved with the Sons of Liberty-is
shocked when one of the Sons is accused of murder.
Did the crime arise from the romantic competition for the
daughter of a prominent Royalist-or was it politically
motivated? Abigail and John believe the accused is innocent,
though the evidence against him is strong. While John works
to clear his client's name, Abigail begins her own
investigation, and soon learns several unpleasant facts
about the dead man, things that greatly increase the number
of possible suspects. But as she pursues the truth, the
killer pursues her- threatening not only Abigail but her
vulnerable family.
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