Thoreau at Devil's Perch

Henry David Thoreau Mystery #1

by B.B. Oak

Henry David Thoreau leaves the seclusion of Walden Pond to help investigate a series of murders in the first in B. B. Oak’s fascinating new historical mystery series, set against the bucolic backdrop of 19th century New England.

The lush, overgrown banks of Massachusetts’s Assabet river are the ideal place for Dr. Adam Walker to find coveted medicinal plants for his remedies. But on one balmy August morning he finds something very different. A stranger, identifying himself as Henry David Thoreau of nearby Walden Pond, approaches and entreats Adam to accompany him upriver. He has discovered the body of a young black man at the base of the cliff known as Devil’s Perch. As they examine the broken corpse and the surrounding scene, both men become convinced that the unfortunate victim was dead long before he fell. Yet the coroner’s jury insists otherwise, dismissing the matter as an accident.

Angered by the injustice, Adam and his lovely cousin Julia Bell agree to assist Thoreau in investigating. Adam notes in his new friend all the makings of a great detective—an encyclopedic knowledge of the natural world, uncanny observational skills, a sharp instinct for detecting human foibles. As the case progresses, the mysteries only deepen and there is no mistaking the brutal slaying of a womanizing army captain as anything other than the coldest murder. Journeying from their tranquil village to Boston’s most disreputable district, they gradually uncover the monstrous truth—even while a vicious killer prepares to end their inquiry for good…

Advance Praise For Thoreau At Devil’s Perch!

“A favorite literary figure shows an unexpected flair for detection in this historical mystery. Original and charming.” —Laura Joh Rowland, author of The Incense Game

“Well researched, captivating and compelling until the very end, Thoreau at Devil’s Perch is both mystery and love story during a time that appeared deceptively simple. Through their diaries, the main characters, Adam and Julia become to feel like old friends you want to revisit again and again. I’ve never been a fan of using historical figures in fiction—B.B. Oak has changed my mind. Well done!” —Anna Loan-Wilsey, author of Anything But Civil

“B. B. Oak brings Thoreau’s nineteenth-century world to vivid life in this intriguing puzzler that will keep you guessing to the terrifying end.” —Victoria Thompson, author of Murder in Chelsea

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

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

B. B. OAK is the pen name of husband and wife Ben and Beth Oak, who write the historical mystery series featuring Henry David Thoreau, a self-reliant loner with his own code of honor and his own sense of justice.
The first book in the series was THOREAU AT DEVIL'S PERCH, followed by THOREAU ON WOLF HILL, and the latest is THOREAU IN PHANTOM BOG.
"Death from a Bad Heart," a short story featuring the characters in the series, was named a Distinguished Mystery Story in The Best American Mystery Stories 2013.
Beth and Ben met at Boston University, where she majored in Journalism and he in English. After many years abroad, the Oaks now live in Connecticut. Their website is bboak.com.

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining historical mystery featuring one of my favorite naturalists, Henry David Thoreau, during his time at Walden Pond.

This mystery is written in two hands and by two hands; the author B.B. Oak is really writing team Beth and Ben Oak. The story flows between the journals of first cousins Julia and Adam . The adventure begins when Henry Thoreau finds the body of a deceased man at the base of Devil's perch and asks Adam, a doctor, for help. Both Thoreau and Adam believe the deceased to be a victim of murder, but since the deceased is also a black man, the jury of townsfolk decide not to look at the evidence Thoreau, Julia and Adam gather and rule his death an accident. All three decide to look further into the incident and uncover a series of unusual plots within their small town of Plumford.

I relished in the mystery of the town of Plumford and delighted in the character Henry David Thoreau was given. There were some side stories of hypnotism and reincarnated lives that I hope continue into the next books; however, the romantic notions between Adam and Julia were a little too much for me. Overall, an enjoyable historical mystery; I will look forward to more in the series!


This book was received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Shomeret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I thought that Thoreau was pretty interesting, it disappointed me that he wasn't a protagonist. It feels like false advertising when it's called a Henry David Thoreau mystery.

[Pamela · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book fictionalizes a real person. Although his name is in the title and the series title, he is not the main character. No. Instead Henry David Thoreau is sidelined into a caricature.

The book format is of journal entries, alternating between Dr. Adam Walker and Julia Bell. They are first cousins who came to Plumford, MA to aid the elder Dr. Walker who broke his leg. I didn’t find the voice to vary much between the two narratives. Perhaps in an attempt to differentiate the two voices, Adam’s portion became full of awkward or incomplete sentences. Also, they aren’t what a typical journal entry would look like, so it was an odd choice for the book format.

The other problem I had with the book was the main concern throughout was this love interest between the two cousins. They longed for each other, but were told by several people that if they married their offspring would be monsters, malformed and hideous. (Quite the extreme, but still found the entire concept odd and a bit disturbing as well.) As if further proof they are made for each other there is even a part where Adam hypnotizes Julia who regresses to a previous life during Roman times, where the two of them have a beautiful baby. This was another distraction, the hypnotizing and past life explorations, Julia wasn’t the only one. It didn’t need to be in the book at all.

What about the murdered man they find? This mystery takes a sideline to another murder Adam and Thoreau start investigating. They keep trying to keep Julia out, but she is a strong woman, particularly for the mid-1800s.

The book had a lot of points of annoyances for me, and quite a few horrific instances (some involving animals). There seems to be a lot thrown into this book that didn’t need to be there, but I will say it did add dimension.

Apparently, there are two more books for this is a first in a series, and they all follow the same format, even with Julia and Adam continuing to pin for each other. No, I cannot follow along with that.

[Libtechgurugoddess · Rating 4 out of 5]

For my book club's History Mystery theme, I read "Thoreau at Devil's Perch" by B.B. Oak. This is the debut title in the Henry David Thoreau historical mystery series. The character of Thoreau is based on the American essayist, poet, philosopher, and author of "On Walden's Pond". It's interesting to note that the author, B.B. Oak, is actually the pen name of a husband and wife writing team, Ben and Beth Oak. Besides Thoreau, the 2 main characters in the novel are Dr. Adam Walker and his cousin Miss Julia Bell. In fact, the chapters of the book are written as journal entries by these 2 fictional people, alternating between Adam and Julia, so you learn their inner-most thoughts and get different points of view, as well (a very clever, tension-building device). The story is set in rural Massachusetts in August of 1846. Thoreau is on a nature walk and comes upon the dead body of a young African American man at the base of the Devil's Perch cliff. In going for help, he comes across Dr. Walker who happens to be nearby, searching for medicinal plants, and asks for his assistance. They examine the body and the scene, and determine that the young man was murdered, then thrown from the cliff in order to make it look like an accident. The coroner's jury, however, consisting of 6 local white men hastily brought together, dismiss the death as a mere accident. Angry at this injustice, Adam and Henry, along with Julia, decide to investigate on their own. Later, the additional gruesome murder of a local womanizing former army captain deepens the mystery, since the 2 deaths seem to be connected somehow. I have to say that I "thoreau-ly" enjoyed the book; the characters are believable and the action is very compelling. There's a love story as a background that makes you want the best for the individuals, and the antagonists are thoroughly evil and you want them punished for their misdeeds.

[Jane Barclay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a mystery that has many levels. First, it's a who-done-it. A young Cherokee with a tragic history is arrested for the vicious murder of a retired army office and Henry David Thoreau (age 29 and living at Walden Pond) along with two friends, a doctor and his artist cousin, are convinced the Indian is innocent. To prove it, they risk life and limb and take us on a bumpy ride through the bucolic Massachusetts countryside and twisting cobblestone streets of Boston's red light district.

To be honest, I have never read Walden straight through, finding it rather heavy-going in places, but in this book Thoreau comes vividly alive and his philosophy is presented in a natural, appealing manner. He was quite a character in real life and also in this book. But it was the two cousins who captured my heart as I read their intimate journal entries. Adam and Julia are in their early twenties, with high moral Victorian standards, but that doesn't stop them from being deeply attracted to each other even though they know a sexual relationship would be disastrous. So on another level, this is a rather touching love story.

On a third level, the story has mystical elements that leave open the possibility of soul mates and reincarnation. Also, it's one of the best researched historical novels I've read lately. The "voices" sound true to the age without being stuffy or stilted and I learned a lot about everyday life in antebellum New England. But mostly I was highly entertained. The town ball game on the Green had me laughing out loud and Adam's grandmother, Granny Tuttle, is a gem. Looking forward to taking up with these characters in the next book of the series and seeing how things work out for them.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Adam Walker is out walking in the woods when he finds a body. Running into Henry David Thoreau he asks for his help. Between them they feel that the young black man was murdered but the inquest finds that he accidentally fell to his death. As Walker and Thoreau investigate further another body is found only this time it is definitely murder and the wrong man is accused. Now Walker and Thoreau have two murders to solve.

Great characters and interesting storyline. Will definitely continue to read this series.

[Maxine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's 1846 and, while strolling along the the cliffs near the fictional town of Plumford, Dr Adam Walker and Henry David Thoreau stumble upon the body of a young African American man. The death is eventually declared an accident but Walker and Thoreau are not convinced. They decide to investigate on their own. When another murder leads to the arrest of Trump, a young Native American, both Walker and Thoreau are convinced of his innocence and fear that, if the real perpetrator is not soon found, he will be lynched.

The book is in journal form and is divided between the writings of Walker and those of his cousin, a strong-willed and independent artist, Julia Bell. Adam and Julia have loved each other since infancy but marriage is out of the question because they are first cousins. And it is this romance that tended to mar my enjoyment of the book. It tended to intrude on the rest of the story and the whole first cousin thing seemed overdone. Granted, historically, stirrings against the intermarriage of first cousins because of the viability of offspring were beginning to arise but, although it was less common in the US than in Europe, it was still a fairly common practice. And the solution to their problem was definitely deus ex machina.

Still, in fairness, I'm not a fan of romance so my thoughts on that part of the book should be taken with a grain of salt. I did enjoy the mystery. It was mainly Walker's story, not surprising since he is the narrator, but Thoreau is a very charming and intelligent addition to the legion of historical figures enlisted in fictional stories.

[Tom Melcior · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is a tale of jealousy, betrayal, bloody murder, and awful revenge. I counted five murders, all given the closure of justice in the end.

In its pages there is one of the most desperate, chilling, near death experiences I have ever read as a young man literally claws his way back to life. Also - a man-to-man fight to the death that is worthy of Jack Reacher.

Yet this mystery is not a dark or brooding or gruesome story. It is full of life. It's about Henry Thoreau as a vital, happy, young man who uses his incredible powers of observation to prove himself positively Sherlockian as a sleuth. It is about two star-crossed young cousins, the narrators of the story, who simply cannot help but fall in love, again. With Henry, this dynamic trio uncovers the awful truth boiling beneath the surface of a lovely New England village and are pulled into a desperate confrontation in the Boston underworld. And Henry discovers the possibility of immortality.

There are strong supporting characters with their own stories - a rogue Army Captain, a young Cherokee bent on revenge, a fearsome butcher, a deceitful banker and his tarty wife, a charming devil of a Frenchman, and more - they get under the skin, bad as some are, and you itch to find out what will happen to each in the end.

[R J Mckay · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many things I loved about this book.
First, the concept of a historical figure woven into a murder mystery was fantastic! The hidden-writer in me keeps thinking of so many 19th century figures that would be fascinating to study this way.
Second, the dual journal entries draw you deep into the individual personalities. It felt like I was eves-dropping in their diaries; reading their deepest secrets.
Third, their everyday lives were so colorfully described in the common language of Thoreau’s time that I felt like I was sitting at his table. The vivid descriptions, from churning butter to making fishing flies, recreated their daily lives in ways that made my imagination wander.
Then the plot kicked in. Who murdered the man at Devils Perch? Why? There were so many possibilities that it made me think of an Ellery Queen story! More murders… More mysteries… intrigue at every corner! I was hooked in a heartbeat.
Subsequently, the forbidden romance quietly showed itself. It starts with the woefully cursed affections between Adam and Julia. Then streaking past hidden affairs and a murdered wife, it ends with a wrong-side-of-the-sheets triumph.
This is a truly remarkable story. I can’t wait to read the next one.

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Frustrating because Thoreau was more of a cameo than a main character. The book is written with two first-person POVs: Dr Adam Walker and his cousin Julia. There was also a paranormal aspect when Adam hypnotizes people who recall their past lives. I felt that was not germane to the mystery and was planning to say in the review that this needed some sort of connection (along the lines of Chekov's "if you show a gun in Act I, it needs to be used later in the play". The author did include a scene in the last few pages that made use of this, but it seemed to be an add-on rather than integral to the plot.

[Dora Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The writing is decent and the story quite engrossing. The authors do a good job of capturing the period. Anyone hoping for a lot of Thoreau might be disappointed. He is on the periphery at best. A budding romance seems to take center stage along with what turns out to be two mysteries. Less romance would have suited me but I tolerated it for the other pluses.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good idea to have Henry David Thoreau as the amateur detective, but choosing to tell the story through the journal entries of Dr. Adam Walker and his cousin Julia Bell made the narrative ponderous with period-style prose.

[Jessica Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first two or three chapters start the book off strong. The love story and the pining away slows the story to a crawl for a few chapters before it picks up again. I was drawn to the cover. I love the artwork! Overall, it is an enjoyable read.

[Vana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Redolent of the times, speaking of women's rights, Indians, prostitution, and hypocrisy in the Congrgational pulpit.

[Mike · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reads like the product of a creative writing course. It has potential, but unrealized.

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice to read some thing about a different time.

[Craig Masten · Rating 4 out of 5]

First thing I noticed about this history murder mystery novel was apt touches of antique phrases which felt appropriate to the time. Whether invented or not, these wiffs of past style of speech were not overdone or so arcane as to make the reading difficult or tedious. They just leant authenticity. Also the voices of the characters seemed to suit them: the doctor's clipped speech when going about his diagnosis, for instance.
Nice descriptive asides and descriptive detail also set the plot in a place or mood.
The differences in the culture of the time of Thoreau were well indicated too, regarding attitudes roward religion, women and race relations, to mention a prominent few.
The book is composed in alternating diary chapters supposedly by the book's two protagonists, one male and one female, who give their respective viewpoints about events in the book. I wonder if the novel's two authors, themselves a man and a woman, composed the diary entries of their same sex characters. An interesting and fitting way for the two to share the writing responsibilities.
The book has a real feel for taking the reader back to those with lively detail about the look, habits and attitudes of the people and places.
Many interesting subplots develop, you care about the characters, and learn a good deal of period history. I couldn'tThoreau at devils perch.

First thing I noticed about this history murder mystery novel was apt touches of antique phrases which felt appropriate to the time. Whether invented or not, these wiffs of past style of speech were not overdone or so arcane as to make the reading difficult or tedious. They just leant authenticity. Also the voices of the characters seemed to suit them: the doctor's clipped speech when going about his diagnosis, for instance.
Nice descriptive asides and descriptive detail set the plot in a place or mood.
The differences in the culture of the time of Thoreau were well indicated too regarding attitudes roward religion, women and race relations, to mention a prominent few.
The book is composed in alternating diary chapters supposedly by the book's two protagonists, one male and one female, who give their respective viewpoints about events in the book. I wonder if the novel's two authors, themselves a man and a woman, composed the diary entries of their same sex characters. An interesting and fitting way for the two to share the writing responsibilities.
The book has a real feel for taking the reader back to the past times I when Henry Thoreau lived, with much lively detail about the look, habits and attitudes of the people and places. A number if subplots develop, I cared about the characters, and also learned a great deal of period history These authors have a good way of building tension with lots of action and adventure. Important too, I couldn't guess the outcomes of any of the plot lines either--always a good thing in a murder mystery.
I've spent many paragraphs on this review, but it's a good well told story, Not a bit of post-modernist obscurity. A real good read for those of us who crave that kind of traditional straightforward style. Among the best of its genre in my opinion. Highly recommended.

[Roberta Harold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henry David Thoreau as a crime-fighting sleuth? I was skeptical when I began reading B.B. Oak's debut historical mystery, Thoreau at Devil's Perch, but I was rapidly convinced: Thoreau's careful, calm, minute observations of the world and the people around him make him a natural detective.

Writing as B.B. Oak, Ben and Beth Oak, a husband-and-wife writing team, offer us intrigue and suspense on many counts: the "whodunit" of the murder (a young black man who's a stranger to Plumford, the fictional town which strongly resembles Concord, Massachusetts) with clues planted ingeniously but fairly, and the course of the forbidden romance between artist Julia Bell and her cousin, the idealistic physician Adam Walker.

We get to know these main characters through their self-revealing journals, in which each holds a key to the solution of the crime but doesn't know enough about what the other's thinking. Each is appealing and flawed: Julia courageous, impulsive and sometimes foolhardy, rationalist, scientific Adam passionate (especially about Julia) but, as a man of the Victorian age, not able to give women credit for intelligence and initiative until he's forcibly educated otherwise.

One of the joys of reading historical fiction is for the insights it provides into the sensibilities and preoccupations of times and places no longer in living memory. Oak handles 1840s historical detail with deftness and integrity: the era's pervasive religiosity and racism, the limitations of science and medicine, the frustrations (and resulting plot complications) of transportation and communication.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quotable:

I tugged my hand free from under his and said, "Perhaps your services as a minister could be of use below."
He looked at me in disbelief. "Are you suggesting I pray over the body of a Negro?"
Is it not your duty as a clergyman to pray for all souls?"
"Prayer will not help those who have not been chosen," he said gravely.
"I am sure God bestows his love on us equally, Mr. Upson."
"Indeed God does not.

Should I have been as bold as to join the men below, I would have been asked, politely but firmly, to leave for the same reason I am not allowed to serve on juries. The Female Sex is far too delicate for such profane proceedings, and men are duty born to protect women from the sordid side of life. I would have accomplished nothing by challenging such humbug.

"A simple walk in nature can bring," he said. "But games of sport can bring out the worst in man's own nature."

"I know for certain that self-interest most often supersedes justice."

"According to Aristophanes, we humans originally had four arms and legs and were so fleet and strong that Zeus became jealous and split us in half. Hence we cannot feel complete unless we find out other half again."

"How many other men think like you?"
"I would no more wish them to think like me than I would wish to think like them. We need only to think for ourselves to do the right thing. It is individual conscience that matters," Henry told her. He is by nature incapable of talking down (or up for that matter) to anyone.

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very unique and endearing, this is a crime mystery novel set in the 1850s starring Henry David Thoreau, American essayist, poet and practical philosopher. The main characters are a pair of cousins, Julia and Adam, who are in love with each other but are deathly afraid of the consequences a match such as theirs might have on possible offspring. Chapters are written from both Julia's and Adam's perspectives, alternating throughout, as their personal journal entries. The setting is a sleepy New England town called Plumford, not far from Boston. Adam happens upon the body of a mysterious young black man, who appears to have been murdered and then thrown from a cliff called Devil's Perch. Henry Thoreau also happens along, and the two begin to work together to disprove the town officials' opinion that this was an accidental death and to unravel the mystery of who dunnit. Of course, this murder is only the beginning of the crimes to be sleuthed as this novel unfurls. There are many twists and turns and surprises all along the way in this clever tale of small town folks whose lives are interwoven and whose secrets abound. I would suggest this book for anyone who enjoys a good mystery and especially for fans of Henry David Thoreau and his naturalist views.

I received a copy of this book free through Library Thing Member Giveaways in exchange for an honest review.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

THOREAU AT DEVIL'S PERCH has everything I like in a historical mystery - a dense, twisty plot, noble and nasty characters, a time-travel high adventure. There's also an undercurrent of spirituality running through the story, a sense of mystery beyond the murder mystery.

Don't know all that much about Henry David Thoreau but in this book he's a crime-solver who cannot tolerate hypocrisy or injustice and is always looking out for the underdog. He is determined to find the murderer of a black youth and save an Indian from being hanged for another murder.

My favorite character is Julia, however. She's pure-hearted, high-spirited and fearless in the tradition of 19th century heroines. Also, she's hopelessly in love with her cousin, a doctor. She can't marry him because of a rather dark and Gothic element in their family history.

The story takes place around the same time as Matthew Pearl's The Dante Club and also has some pretty macabre details. Yet Devil's Perch seemed warmer and more uplifting to me. I enjoyed it tremendously.

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

While Henry David Thoreau is the title character, the actual main characters of the novel are Dr. Adam Walker and artist Julia Bell, whose alternating journal entries form the narrative structure of the novel. When I first began this book, I honestly expected to dislike it. The opening chapters seemed weak and ill promising. Thoreau, the natural observer, seemed much less perceptive than he ought to be. However, as the novel progressed, it developed nicely; almost as if the authors became more in tune with their story as their writing went on. While the treatment of Thoreau might be considered too "light" by some Thoreauvians, the authors brought the historical character to life nicely, and the character's dialogue incorporates Thoreau's own words into new fictional contexts. All in all, this was a fun and delightful historical mystery. I'm looking forward to reading its successors in the series.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is a mystery that in some ways reminds me of the series by Susan Wittig Albert about Beatrix Potter e.g., The Tale of Briar Bank. Both series are about genuine historical characters & add a fictional twist. This is a well established convention, & I like it when it's well done. What troubles me about this book is the introduction of supernatural elements. In this case, the mystery is solved by two cousins who have flashbacks to past lives; Thoreau is only a helper. The past lives are not necessary to the plot's advancement & distract those who are not believers in reincarnation.

Otherwise it's well written, well characterized, and well plotted.

[Matt B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A historical mystery that never slows its pace right to the startling end - two startling ends - while entertaining the reader with a stagefull of characters that includes Henry David Thoreau - only 29 in 1846 - and more than one memorable villain.

The journals of two cousins tell the tale in alternating entries and in their pages their own stories became as fascinating to this reader as the solving of the murders.

There is more here than crime scenes - the ideas, fears, the routines of daily life, the language, the peaceful countryside, the seamy side of Boston - all make for a read that is beyond just a fine mystery.

[Melissa Calvert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received "Thoreau At Devil's Perch" as a Member Giveaway book from LibraryThing, which delighted me. B.B. Oak (Beth and Ben Oak) make an awesome writing team! I enjoyed every minute of this story. It's a historical fiction story full of mystery with fun, interesting characters. I found myself attached to the open-minded characters in the book-- Henry David Thoreau, Julia, Adam... The writing based in these classic times was very fitting, in my opinion. I also enjoyed being given insight here and there into the type of person Thoreau was. Wonderfully written and highly entertaining. I recommend this book.

[Gabi Coatsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel by B.B. Oak, a husband and wife team. Having Henry David Thoreau as one of the three detectives on the case is a terrific idea, and the authors manage skilfully to weave in plenty of historical detail to make the cases they try to solve convincing. Plenty of false trails and a cliffhanger ending make this a fun read. Recommended for historical fiction fans, mystery/crime fans and lovers of Thoreau and his time. Their website has extra historical background. I'm looking for ward top the next book in the series.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third Henry David Thoreau Mystery caught my eye on my library's new fiction shelf, so I went to find the first. It was somewhat entertaining, but not a page turner for me. It was interesting to read about the fictionalized Thoreau. The mystery of the murders was tantalizing, and took many turns. The tale is told through the pages of a journal and notebook of two characters, who face a major dilemma. It was somewhat more gory than I generally like to read. A relaxing read, fun, but not memorable. I haven't decided if I will go on to read #2 and #3.

[Anna Loan-Wilsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well researched, captivating and compelling until the very end, Thoreau at Devil's Perch is both mystery and love story during a time that appeared deceptively simple. Through their diaries, the main characters, Adam and Julia become to feel like old friends you want to revisit again and again. I've never been a fan of using historical figures in fiction - B.B. Oak has changed my mind. Well done!

[Dhonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure that this would catch my fancy when I first began reading, but it turned out to be a very good read! The characters were delightful and I am hoping that there will be more to come. This is a period piece, 1840's Massachusetts, using the language of the time. The mysteries were nicely crafted. My only complaint was that the editing was poor. I guess the computer age is the typo age...

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an ambitious effort to fictionalize Thoreau and his times using 21st century sensibilities. The author(s) took lots of Henry's words from his writings and inserted them into his conversations as he and a few friends tried to solve a local murder. But I was not impressed. The last chapters of what was a pretty good story were conveniently contrived and unrealistic in order to produce the famous "happy ending."