A Stranger Here Below

Gideon Stoltz #1

by Charles Fergus

Set in 1835 in the Pennsylvania town of Adamant, Fergus’s first novel in a new mystery series introduces Sheriff Gideon Stoltz, who, as a young deputy, is thrust into his position by the death of the previous sheriff. Gideon faces his first real challenge as death rocks the small town again when the respected judge Hiram Biddle commits suicide. No one is more distraught than Gideon, whom the old judge had befriended as a mentor and hunting partner. Gideon is regarded with suspicion as an outsider: he’s new to town, and Pennsylvania Dutch in the back-country Scotch-Irish settlement. And he found the judge’s body. Making things even tougher is the way the judge’s death stirs up vivid memories of Gideon’s mother’s murder, the trauma that drove him west from his home in the settled Dutch country of eastern Pennsylvania. He had also discovered her body. At first Gideon simply wants to learn why Judge Biddle killed himself. Later, as he finds out more about the judge’s past, he realizes that the judge’s suicide was spurred by much more than the man’s despair. Gideon’s quest soon becomes more complex as it takes him down a dangerous path into the past. A Stranger Here Below is so atmospheric, so compelling and convincing, that readers will taste the grit of the dirt roads, cringe at the unsanitary conditions and medical superstitions that inflame a flu epidemic, and marvel at the immensely arduous task of carrying out an investigation using the primitive tools of the early 1800s. Fergus leaves us breathlessly waiting for the next Gideon Stoltz mystery.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Historical, Crime, Historical Mystery

311 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2019

About the author

I write a mystery series set in the 1830s in a rough-and-tumble county in backwoods Pennsylvania, where an "accidental" sheriff works to solve crimes while battling his own griefs and travails. My most recent Gideon Stoltz mystery, "Nighthawk's Wing" (Arcade Crimewise 2021), received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. It's the sequel to "A Stranger Here Below" (Arcade Crimewise, 2019), which just came out in paperback. I'm currently at work on a third in the series, with the working title "Lay This Body Down." The Gideon Stoltz mysteries take place during the Jacksonian era of American history, when our young nation was flexing its muscles and finding its identity.

Born and raised in central Pennsylvania, I now live on a farm in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. I love to spend time outdoors in all seasons, hiking, snowshoeing, and especially riding horses. I'm married to the writer Nancy Marie Brown. I have written many nature books, and my readers tell me my knowledge of natural history and wildlife helps inform my fiction.

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is slow, so I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone without patience. The most interesting parts deal with life in a small town in rural 1830s Pennsylvania. Fergus has done his research on aspects of daily life, early iron mills, shape note singing and many other things that seem very real. His nature descriptions are also very good.

Conflict between groups is big here, not racial or religious, but between Scots-Irish and Pennsylvania Dutch (German). The sheriff is very young, inherited his job from the last sheriff who had died suddenly and doesn’t get a lot of respect from his Scots-Irish neighbors. The feel is almost Appalachian —northernmost Appalachian.

Besides the slow pace, I have to fault the central character for being a little flat but it’s a decent start to a series.

[♥ Sandi ❣ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars Thank you to Edelweiss and Skyhorse for allowing me to read and review this ARC. Published March 19. 2019

Pennsylvania in the early 1800s, finds a Judge committing suicide. One of his only friends, Gideon Stoltz, the current sheriff, is determined to find out why. Hitting barriers every way he turns, Gideon is persistent. Being an outsider, fairly new to the community, being of Dutch descent, and his young age all work against him. As he uncovers the Judges past, it also brings back his own.

A really nice start to a new series. Although not groundbreaking, this novel is a comfy read, one that keeps you turning pages, wondering what will happen next. There are a couple of twists in the book, that I did not see coming, which adds another layer to the developing story. This is a series that I will continue to follow.

[Ashley Daviau · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was most definitely not the book for me! I really tried to get into it but about halfway through I was so so damn BORED that I had to put the book down or it might have actually bored me to death!

[Kasey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this a 4.25 or 4.5, if they let us do fractioned-stars. It took me a while to get into the rhythm of this book. I read and love historical fiction, and I LOVE mysteries, but I rarely read historical mysteries. Also, I rarely read books from this time period, from 1805-1835, so I didn't have history landmarks to ground the story. I really wanted to like this book, because it is set in the Pennsylvania wilderness, and the author paid a lot of attention to great historical details. After a little doubt in the beginning as to whether or not I could connect with the characters, I found myself getting more and more drawn in to the mystery. I found I DID want to know why the opening event had happened, and I followed Sheriff Gideon Stoltz as he kept pushing for clues, against the resistance of powerful people and average townspeople who don't wish to revisit the dirty laundry of the past, especially with an outsider. I began to enjoy the descriptions of the iron industry at this time, the developments in gun design (here comes the Colt pistol!), the shape-singing practiced by the local church (as shown in 'Cold Mountain'), and the risks of death around every corner in this wild, early land.

Now, I'm looking forward to spending more time with these characters in the second novel!

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give the story just 2 stars. It was slow and lacking, but I enjoyed knowing more about Pennsylvania in the 1830s.

2.5 stars

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I really enjoyed not only the characters, but the descriptions of the towns, the woods and land around the towns. I felt like I was there, patting my horses neck, watching his ears flick towards me, walking paths of PA. The story had me gripped throughout, either learning about True's grandmother and what she knew and how she behaved, or action scenes like riding past George Edward to find Nat in the cabin. Gideon's memories shaped the story, and drew the reader closer to him, hearing things that he never even told his wife. I'm looking forward to the next!

[Leo]

Got 40% into this novel. It sounded like something I would like but the story just didn't grab my attention. Was highly unimpressed and bored.

[Elizabeth A.G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in rustic 1835 Pennsylvania, this is an atmospheric, compelling story about a young Pennsylvania Dutch outsider, Deputy Gideon Stoltz, who has relocated to the town of Adamant of mostly Scotch-Irish and who becomes the unexpected sheriff after the previous sheriff dies. Sheriff Stoltz is hard-working, upright, and determined to discover the reason for the mysterious suicide of his mentor, friend and hunting companion, Judge Hiram Biddle, who is many years his senior. Gideon is the one who discovers the Judge's body. This discovery recalls to Gideon the images he has of his own mother who was brutally murdered and Gideon was the one to discover her body. He has on-going visions of the scene of his mother's death. Then a vicious murder of a young man propels Gideon even more to search for the truth of why his friend committed suicide and to seek the killer of the young man. The author also lets us see the tender side of Gideon in the love he has for his wife and son, David. He also introduces the prescient ability of Gideon's wife, True, whose Grandmother also had visions of the future. As he learns the story of the judge, Gideon's search for the truth could endanger his family.

Charles Fergus describes the difficult life of this rural 19th century iron ore community; the filth, jealousies, prejudices, cruelty, abuses, superstitions, and disease. Solace comes from religion, but Stoltz also questions how a loving God can permit suffering and evil. Fergus describes nature - the earth, the sky, the horses, and the countryside - and the reader can sense it all in his writing. Fergus' protagonist is appropriately unshakeable, unwavering, and determined and it is fitting he lives in Adamant. I'm looking forward to the next Stoltz book, Nighthawk's Wing.

[Susanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a serviceable bit of historical fiction, a mystery set in rural Pennsylvania in the early 1800’s, and I think there’ll be an ongoing audience for future tales featuring the young Pennsylvania Dutch sheriff Gideon Stoltz. The historical details seemed right, and the title and chapter headings linked intriguingly to early “shape singing” songs — it was irresistible to do a bit of research here and come upon YouTube recordings of “Idumea” (beautifully described in the first chapter, the lyrics a theme for the entire book), which was used in the soundtrack of the film “Cold Mountain.”

Some have compared this to the Joe Pickett mystery series by C J Box — I suppose it has the potential to get there in time, but I didn’t feel the same level of connection to these characters. Gideon and his wife True felt a bit flat to me despite the troubles flung their way in the story. Readers will clearly want to know more about the tragedy that framed Gideon’s backstory, so future titles must certainly be planned. The book was a useful distraction during corona virus isolation (and come to think of it the influenza that forms a major plot point struck a chord!) but it wasn’t compelling enough to take me out of myself as I had wished.

[Elinor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve had this book in my head since I finished it, and honestly ever since I read the gorgeous opening scene that pulled me in and kept me in. This story has so many interesting and unusual elements: the time frame for one, pre-Civil War 1835, as well as the very real struggle with xenophobia experienced by the protagonist, a young man who has fled demons in his own Pennsylvania Dutch community. There is mystery, violent murder, love most tender, tragedy, courage, persistence, friendship, and EVEN a horrific influenza epidemic (which is factual—I looked it up!). All this in a setting so artfully and accurately described that I could feel myself bouncing around in the wagon during a wild chase scene and gazing up at a rare (also factual) appearance of Halley’s Comet. The novel grapples with the notion and practice of religion a bit much for my taste, but it is all necessary and entwined into the story, time, and place. Highly recommend this first volume in the Gideon Stoltz series and greatly anticipating the second.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gideon Stoltz can't imagine committing suicide and he doesn't understand why Judge Hiram Biddle might have done so. In fact he's sure Biddle didn't. When he finds and reads Biddle's diaries, he discovers that Biddle always had concerns about something that happened 30 years earlier. Stoltz is an outsider- he's Pennsylvania Dutch- so his probing is REALLY unwelcome. Keep in mind as you read this that he's young, this is set in 1835, and it's meant to be read slowly. And it is a slow read in spots. Stick with it though for a good historical mystery with an interesting character. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC. I'd be interested in a second outing with Stotlz, especially as his ties to the community via his wife and family, grow. Recommend for fans of the genre.

[Rhonda Bierma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love historical novels, mysteries, strong characters and a sense of place that is palpable. A Stranger Here Below by Charles Ferguson has all of these. The young sheriff Gideon Schultz with his tragic past is a hero who will win your heart. The atmosphere of the novel is chilling,! Theg mystery is compelling and the characters are colorful and have depth. I highly recommend this novel. I can’t wait until the second Gideon Schultz novel is released.

[Susan Beecher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling and well-written mystery featuring a young Pennsylvania Dutch sheriff in early 1800s Pennsylvania. I look forward to reading more in the series.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting historical "mystery" set in rural Pennsylvania in 1835. I'd like to think that Sheriff Gideon Stoltz was a lot like my ancestors, who lived in his part of Pennsylvania about a generation or two earlier: stubborn, earnest, hard working, loving.

[Ruhani · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know what is really wrong with this book. The story drags a bit but the characters are good and believable but somehow I find the setting a bit dreary. There is just too much tragedy in the background for it to be an enjoyable book I guess.

[jobiwan6 · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 + 1/2 stars

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very excellent historical mystery with interesting plot and characters.😁

[Amy Warren]

Very good first book in a series. A young PA Dutchman sheriff in the early 1800s, Gideon Stoltz, is devastated when his friend and mentor, Judge Biddle takes his own life. In his quest to discover the "why" he uncovers murder, revenge and tries to apply justice in a town where not many take him seriously. Well-written, slow burn of a book.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book of this series is very good indeed and set in an unusual period and place, 1835 Pennsylvania back country, just after the Second Great Awakening's peak. In Stoltz's community, however, it is going as strong as ever, and each chapter has a chapter title note taken from a verse of a hymn of the period. Gideon Stolz and his wife True are very well developed characters and very sympathetic. However, I am glad I did not live then: life involved a lot of hard work then, of course; medical knowledge was little, and the cures/remedies often stressful if not downright harmful; prejudices ran high and there were a lot of them (true even today, though); lawlessness rife. And detection methods? Well, no longer trial by combat or by tying a presumed witch up and dumping her in the river. (but perhaps that is in book #2?). The mystery is why an elderly judge committed suicide and was the wrong man hung some 20 years previously. And Gideon is one about 25, untrained as a sheriff, and as a Pennsylvanian Dutch in a Scotch-Irish community, considered as a foreigner himself.

Worth taking a look at if you like historical mysteries.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the main character and I can see there is a lot that can be developed. I want to read more of the series.

[Pam Coon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a compelling mystery, set in 1835, in the Pennsylvania town of Adamant. Gideon Stoltz is a young deputy thrust into the role of sheriff by the death of the previous sheriff. He is a good man, albeit very young (at 21) to be sheriff, and holds vivid images of the brutal murder and rape of his mother when he was only 12. Those images live in his mind. He has been befriended by a respected judge, Hiram Biddle, who becomes a good friend and mentor to Gideon. When Gideon finds Hiram dead in his house, an act of suicide with no note or explanation, Gideon sets out determined to find the reason behind this terrible act. The writing of the story is vivid. You will feel every bit of grime of the dirt roads, the unfriendliness and bullying of many of the townsfolk toward Gideon because of his Deutsch Pennsylvania accent, the gloom of the homes, the superstitions that abound, and Fergus' tender and passionate love for his wife and baby. The story is complex. The mystery is gradually revealed, and you will admire Gideon's pluck as well as well as feel all of the despair and fear that is around him.

[Ronald Roseborough · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sheriff is suddenly thrust into an uncomfortable position of responsibility when his best friend, Judge Biddle apparently commits suicide. County Sheriff Payton died only a year before. Gideon Stoltz, a young Pennsylvania Dutchman, who was new to the town of Adamant, had been given a chance by Sheriff Payton. He saw something he liked in this young Pennsylvania Dutchman with the strange way of speaking. Gideon can’t shake the feeling that he has to find a reason that the Judge unexpectedly killed himself. Now Sheriff Stoltz must prove to the town and himself that he is up to the job. The story is set deep in the heart of Pennsylvania only a few decades before the start of the Civil War. The population of Scots-Irish are being mixed with Pennsylvania Dutch (German), who bring new ways of living and speaking. A mix that often boils over with fear and resentment. Sheriff Gideon Stoltz has job cut out for him. A Stranger Here Below, by Charles Fergus is a book that will quickly draw you in to the backwoods of Pennsylvania and not let you go until the surprising end. This is the first in a series of three Gideon Stoltz books. It was provided for review by Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.

[Booknblues · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always on the lookout for interesting settings in both time and place, so was thrilled to find Charles Fergus' Gideon Stoltz Mysteries. The setting is western Pennsylvania near the high Allegheny Plateau, west of the Susquehanna River during Andrew Jackson presidency in the 1830s. This is a time and place of which I'm only marginally aware, so A Stranger Here Below was a great find for me.

Gideon Stoltz who recently arrived in Adamant, Pennsylvania is a young "Pennsylvania Dutch" man who quickly marries a local young woman, named True and becomes Sheriff of the County.

For those who prefer a fast moving mystery, this is not one such. It is relatively slow moving, setting up an understanding of time and place as well as delving into psychological issues.

I quite enjoyed it and will be reading others in this series.

I would recommend it to those interested in history.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

History in the Making

This is my first book by this author, and I am delighted. It was a compelling read, full of historical detail, family dynamics, cultural idiosyncrasies and layers of mysterious deaths. One thought that never left was how America has been racist amongst white people forever. I had never thought the Pennsylvanian Dutch would have been looked down upon. But then there is the history of Irish, German, Italians, most came later. Meanwhile this story is full of Appalachia, wonderful complex family characters and a Sheriff that thinks. His stories touches all the emotions, both hard and heartfelt. I think I need to purchase copies of his books for the local library. I both interlibrary loaned this book and then found it on Kindle. Can’t wait for the next.
New Author! Vermont Author! Great Read.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very detailed story set in 1835 Pennsylvania. Gideon Stolz is the young sheriff with a wife and young son. The book starts with the suicide of his friend the judge. Who 30 years ago ruled his future father in law to hang for murder. Lots of detail about the town and the time. A murder the occurs and the pace picks up as Gideon tries to connect the past and the present. As a Pennsylvania Dutch there is some animosity to Gideon, though his wife is not. Story definitely shows hardships of life at that time. With the book ending with a cholera outbreak that nearly claims the life of Gideon and his wife and does claim their son. The details at the beginning was plodding and I had nearly quit before it picked up.

[Richard Derus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Real Rating: 3.5* of five

Sometimes someone dies who just needed killin'. As this very deliberately paced mystery unfolds, that's the victim. I wasn't sorry he was dead, and was a little peevish about Gideon caring so much as to keep pursuing the matter. Well, anyway, if you're in the mood for a really atmospheric historical read, here's a very good candidate.

The blurb from Geraldine Brooks should tell her fans what they need to know: It's very immersive and has three-dimensional characters. I don't rate it higher because it was slow to get moving and occasionally wandered off down interesting but unnecessary tangents. I will, however, read the next one when Skyhorse Publishing brings it out.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adamant seemed like the wild west before the wild west became popular. Sheriff Gideon Soltz is a determined, fair, thoughtful character who is resolute to solve the mystery of why his friend committed suicide. Then a young Dutchman is murdered in town. The reader wonders how these two issues are related and how they connect to the past. In this page turner the reader is taken back in history to rural Pennsylvania. As well as learning how the mystery is solved, the reader is introduced to the history of rural Pennsylvania, horse back riding, a love story, the production of charcoal and much more.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Pennsylvania Dutch protagonist drew me to this book. The historical details are interesting--not a well-known fact that immigrant Germans were discriminated against. If you're looking for a captivating mystery, this isn't for you--it's really a rather quiet book, for all the violence that occurs, mostly behind the scenes. Lack of forensics during the time period makes every drawn conclusion a speculation--this is probably what happened based on circumstantial evidence. The ending fell kind of flat for me. Despite all this, I would be willing to read the next book, to see the characters develop.

[Ryan Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a brilliant and compelling historical mystery novel. It's set in Pennsylvania in the year 1835 and follows Gideon Stoltz, the new town Sheriff in the area. Gideon is Pennsylvania Dutch, and often seen as an outsider, even in his job is the youngest Sheriff in the area, at the age of 22. Gideon finds his friend Hiram Biddle, the town judge, dead in his home. all signs point towards a suicide. Gideon a religious man find sorrow in this as his friend has doomed himself to eternal suffering. Indecised to get the bottom of what caused him to commit suicide. This connects to an event in the town's past. It's a great story and mystery.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

A murder in western Pennsylvania during the mid 1800s introduces Gideon Stoltz, young sheriff of “Pennsylvania Dutch” heritage. The prose is slow moving and descriptive. Gideon struggles with death, religion, bias. Somehow Fergus imposes 21st century thinking, not too overtly, but it does exist. The tone of the book is somber and, with each chapter introduced with a verse from a hymn from the 1800s, there is something religious in the book. Still, a unique story from a time and place not typically used to solve a murder mystery.