AGONY HILL is the first novel in a new historical mystery series by Sarah Stewart Taylor, featuring Frank Warren, a detective with the Vermont State Police. It’s 1965, and Bethany, Vermont, is picturesque and peaceful, but Frank Warren soon learns that roadway progress has some residents on edge, and tragedy strikes even the most idyllic places.

Frank Warren has just arrived in Bethany when he is called to a fire on Agony Hill, where the Weber farm is located. What he finds is a burning barn, bolted from the inside, and a dead man on a cot. The man is Hugh Weber, an anti-capitalist from New York who moved to Vermont to live off the land. He disliked the recent developments in the area, including the interstate that was being built. He wrote to the newspaper often and irritated his neighbors. Hugh’s wife, Sylvia, is quiet and reserved, but she is far more capable than people expect. The Weber children, all boys ranging from the ages of two to fourteen, are good respectful children who are protective of their mother. Was Hugh Weber’s death a suicide, or was it murder? Hugh Weber’s estranged brother is also in town and inquiring about his will. As Warren investigates, another fire is set, and he wonders if there is an arsonist living in the woods behind the farm. Can Warren find the truth? And what will he do with the information when he has it?

AGONY HILL is a compelling and enjoyable novel that transports readers to rural Vermont in 1965. The landscape and small-town atmosphere are expertly crafted through vivid and descriptive writing. The mystery starts quickly and throws Frank Warren into small-town politics and chain-of-command issues. He’s learning his way and starting to understand the community while encountering issues relating to the Vietnam War, the draft, family dynamics, and industrial progress in Vermont. Frank Warren is an interesting character with a haunting past and his new neighbor, Alice Bellows, is an additional fascinating character with her own secret government history. Strong character development, a pleasantly paced plot that allows readers to appreciate the journey, and good, solid writing make AGONY HILL a highly entertaining and enjoyable first novel in this new series.