Must the Maiden Die

Glynis Tryon #6

by Miriam Grace Monfredo

As the Civil War begins in 1861, Glynis Tryon, Seneca Falls, New York, librarian and amateur sleuth, meets a woman seeking her lost daughter. Meanwhile, Glynis' cousin Emma fears losing her independence in marriage, and a rich Seneca Falls merchant is brutally murdered. When the lost girl becomes the prime suspect in the merchant's murder, Glynis joins forces with her niece, treasury agent Bronwen Llyr, and Constable Cullen Stuart to find the real killer.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Fiction, Adult Fiction, Cozy Mystery

366 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Miriam Grace Monfredo, a former librarian and a historian, lives in Rochester, New York. This is the seventh Seneca Falls Mystery. A previous Seneca Falls Mystery, The Stalking-Horse, was chosen by the Voice of Youth Advocacy as one of 1998's best adult mysteries for young adults and received a "best" review in Library Journal's young adult section.

Reviews

[Cornelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If she waited longer, she could lose her nerve, and there might never be an end to what Roland Brant’s murder, like a pebble tossed into a quiet pond, had set in motion.”

Set in 1861 in Seneca Falls New York. This is the sixth book in the Seneca Falls historical/mystery series, featuring the sleuth Glynis Tyron, the town librarian with “women’s rights on her agenda…and mystery on her mind”.

A wealthy, well thought of merchant, Ronald Brant, is murdered and an indentured servant girl is missing. Glynis Tyron, at the request of the sheriff, begins to investigate the murder. Though the girl, Tamar, is the most likely suspect. Glynis uncovers some of the horror the indentured servant suffered at the hands of Ronald Brant. Glynis also does not suspect the girl is the guilty for several reasons. As she tries to solve the mystery, to prevent innocent girl, who has already suffered so much, from being hanged, many other suspects come to light as also does the full extent of the evil doings of the dean man, Ronald Brant.

The award winning author, Miriam Grace Monfredo set her Seneca Falls Historical Mystery Series in western New York State, where she resides. A historian and a former librarian, Ms. Monfredo has written eight novels that focus on American history. She has received the 2001 Herodotus for Monfedo’s Brothers of Cain as the year’s best historical mystery, the 2000 career achievement award for historical mystery writing by Romantic Times, the 1996 writing in Rochester award by Writers & Books, and many more awards for her incredible books.

Must the Maiden Die, is full with historical detail and incredibly well researched. The writing is smooth and descriptive and the charters are fleshed out. I wasn’t able to put this page turner down. It is one of those books you will think of long after you’ve finished reading it. Must The Maiden is one of the best books I’ve ever read. Anyone who likes history will love it, anyone who likes mysteries will love it, and Steampunk readers will highly enjoy the book as well.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was very good and I am sorry that the series is over; I want it to go on for a few more! VERY well written. The feminist movement in Seneca Falls was a learning experience; history of the town and surrounding area, and beyond, was great. The murder mystery and related issues and people surrounding it was a good one! The heroine, Glynis the librarian, her Treasury Department agent niece's case with gunrunning to the south during the Civil War, and family wedding with all of its problems and personalities, holds a reader's interest until the very end. Highly recommend; but suggest starting with the first novel, Seneca Falls Inheritance.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming mystery set in Seneca Falls, NY, home of Susan B Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. The mystery is well written with interesting characters; an incredible amount of research was done; and the story is populated with notables from history, such as Susie B and Elizabeth C Stanton, as well as John Humphrey Noyes, who led the socialist Utopian free-loving Oneida Community. Ballooning as espionage was conducted by famed balloonist Thaddeus Sobieski Constantine Lowe. Fun mystery, learned a lot about upstate New York in 1861.

[Lucy Takeda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd actually rate this 3.5. Lots of history and complicated machinations between families, servants, Civil War weapons, and evil rich men. I got a bit tired of feeling that the author threw in everything, including the kitchen sink.
One of the wealthiest men in town is murdered in his home. He is highly admired by the townsfolk for his support of libraries, hospitals, etc. However, this generosity disappears in his business dealings. Toss in Glynis' niece getting married, free love communes, another niece being a spy for the government, gun runners, and don't forget the hot air balloon. Yes, I am going to look for other books in the series.

[Dennis Fischman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rounded my rating up a little bit because a) I was happy to see Glynis at the center of the plot again, b) the historical elements of the book are top-notch, and c) it's feminist without being anachronistic. The mystery was at times too obvious and at other times incredibly convoluted, and there were twists at the end that I did not feel were sufficiently prepared for in the body of the book.

I am sad this series ended.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this historical mystery which takes place in Seneca Falls, NY in 1861, just as the United States was entering the Civil War. Aside from a good mystery it evokes the period very well, especially the beginnings of the women's rights movement and the injustices that woman endured until that movement experienced some meaningful success.

[Annalinda Ragazzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Monfredo does not disappoint with this one. Sorry that this is the last in the series. Glynis is front and center in this mystery with all the fellows , Cullen and Jacques, making smaller contributions. Pleased to see the introduction of The Oneida Community... another fascinating tidbit of western NY history.

[Sue Ricketts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good series with strong characters and fascinating historical references. However, book# 5 is terrible. I recommend this series but skip The Stalking Horse. The reader will not miss any of the backstory if they leave that book unread.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like a 2.75 but I appreciated the historical part of the book more than the mystery, but not bad for a cozy historical mystery.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

summary:
Seneca Falls, N.Y., 1861. Glynis Tryon is busy not only running the town's library, helping her niece, Emma, prepare for her wedding, and trying to keep another niece, Bronwyn's enthusiasm for danger and adventure in check so that she doesn't ruin Emma's wedding. She also finds herself involved in a murder investigation.

The Civil War is heating up, but Seneca Falls seems more affected by the murder of one of the town's prominent citizens, Roland Brant, and the disappearance of the young girl who was his indentured servant. The girl, Tamar, is suspected of killing Roland Brant, and Glynis, positive that the girl is innocent, is determined to help clear her of the murder.

comments:

What an anjoyable historical msytery! I'd have liked to start with the first in the series, but it is out of print and unavailable at any local library. I don't feel like I had any difficulty getting up to speed, though.

The plot was strong and well-paced, the historical aspect was interesting, and I especially liked the feminist theme.

I'll definitely be looking for more of this series to read!

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was much better than book #5. It remained true to the initial Glynis Tryon books, although in comparison to her brazen young niece, Bronwen, Glynis seems to be getting a tad bit more conservative. Most disappointingly of all, it's the end of the series (as far as I know) and Glynis' relationships with Cullen and Sundown remain unbelievably chaste and passion-less. Anybody want to join me in writing to Ms. Monfredo and asking her to revive the series, bringing back Glynis after menopause and letting her run wild?

[Maurean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. While this is, I believe, the 5th in a series, it was my first read of Monfredo.

Set in Seneca Falls, NY in the spring of 1861 at the onset of the Civil War, this book centers around the murder of a prominent local businessman, the victim of an appherent stabbing, and the indentured servant girl who is the prime suspect. The characters are intriguing, the mystery is well plotted, and I will look to read others by this interesting author.

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Monfredo got back on track with this one. Set in Seneca Falls, although niece Bronwyn drops in for a visit. I enjoyed this one as much as I did the first couple in the series and now I am sorry to see that the series has ended.

I have just discovered the series Murphy's Lawby Rhys Bowen that seems to have the same feel to it.

[Madelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another exciting novel that is part mystery and part history. Only whispers of the Civil War are heard in the spring of 1861 in Seneca Falls. A body of a prominent local manufacturer is found, the victim of an apparent stabbing. The main suspect is his indentured servant--an abused and frightened girl sold into servitude by her greedy father. The descriptions of laws affecting women at this time in history makes me realize what women had to endure.

[Diane Wachter · Rating 4 out of 5]

HB-B @ 1999, 10/07. Seneca Falls Historical Mysteries, Book 6. Set in Seneca Falls, before the war starts, a prominent citizen is murdered and his servant girl is missing. Is he as honorable as everyone thinks? Who really killed him? All the characters from the previous SFHM books are included. Very good. I really like this author, totally enjoyed most of her books.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yay, this one is back in Seneca Falls! I confess to preferring the books with Glynis Tryon, the original main character of the series, to the ones mostly starring Bronwyn, her niece the Yankee spy, no matter how much more action-packed the spying ones might be.

[Kaysta]

Maybe the best of the series. Sorry to have finished the last, as I will miss the heroine and the stories.

[Helen Fleischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

underground railroad

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I start reading her work and don't want to do anything else. i love the way she tells a story. This one before the struggle of being a woman as the Civil war looms

[Mary Newcomb]

Glynnis Tryon is a great character set in in an inetresting time and place. I was especially intrigued by the legal aspects of this tale.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Indentured servant.
Oneida religion.
Smuggling guns for Confederacy.
Glynis locates guns, as does Bronwen, her niece.
Hot air balloons.

[Karen Christino · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feminists in Civil War-era Seneca Falls, NY try to solve the murder of a prominent businessman. Terrific historical context and detials.