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Kinship #3
The Stills
With compassion and insight, Jess Montgomery weaves a gripping mystery and portrait of community in The Stills , the powerful third novel in the Kinship series.
Ohio, 1927: Moonshining is a way of life in rural Bronwyn County, and even the otherwise upstanding Sheriff Lily Ross has been known to turn a blind eye when it comes to stills in the area. But when thirteen-year-old Zebediah Harkins almost dies after drinking tainted moonshine, Lily knows that someone has gone too far, and―with the help of organizer and moonshiner Marvena Whitcomb―is determined to find out who.
But then, Lily’s nemesis, the businessman George Vogel, reappears in town with his new wife, Fiona. Along with them is also her former brother-in-law Luther Ross, now an agent for the newly formed Bureau of Prohibition. To Lily, it seems too much of a coincidence that they should arrive now.
As fall turns to winter, a blizzard closes in. Lily starts to peel back the layers of deception shrouding the town of Kinship, but soon she discovers that many around her seem to be betraying those they hold dear―and that Fiona too may have an agenda of her own.
Ohio, 1927: Moonshining is a way of life in rural Bronwyn County, and even the otherwise upstanding Sheriff Lily Ross has been known to turn a blind eye when it comes to stills in the area. But when thirteen-year-old Zebediah Harkins almost dies after drinking tainted moonshine, Lily knows that someone has gone too far, and―with the help of organizer and moonshiner Marvena Whitcomb―is determined to find out who.
But then, Lily’s nemesis, the businessman George Vogel, reappears in town with his new wife, Fiona. Along with them is also her former brother-in-law Luther Ross, now an agent for the newly formed Bureau of Prohibition. To Lily, it seems too much of a coincidence that they should arrive now.
As fall turns to winter, a blizzard closes in. Lily starts to peel back the layers of deception shrouding the town of Kinship, but soon she discovers that many around her seem to be betraying those they hold dear―and that Fiona too may have an agenda of her own.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published March 9, 2021
48 people are currently reading
2736 people want to read
About the author
Jess Montgomery
8 books497 followersJESS MONTGOMERY is the author of the Kinship Historical Mystery series, inspired by a true-life 1920s female sheriff in Appalachia.
-->Learn more, read excerpts and find book club discussion questions at www.jessmontgomeryauthor.com.
-->Follow Jess on BookBub to get free alerts when her books go on sale: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jess-...
-->Stay in touch, get updates, and receive bonus content through her free enewsletter, https://www.subscribepage.com/jessmon... or on Facebook @JessMontgomeryAuthor
Under Jess's given name, she is a columnist for Writer's Digest, "Level Up Your Writing (Life)." Jess also interviews authors and artists on her podcast: "Tea with Jess: Chatting with Authors and Artists." Find the podcast "Tea with Jess" on podcast directories or her website.
Her first novel in the Kinship Historical Mystery series, THE WIDOWS, won the Readers' Choice in Fiction for the 2019 Ohioana Awards. Jess is a three-time recipient of the Individual Excellence Award in Literary Arts from the Ohio Arts Council, and has been a John E. Nance Writer in Residence at Thurber House (Columbus, Ohio).
She lives in her native Ohio, and in addition to writing, loves spending time with family and friends, reading, crocheting, baking (especially pies), spoiling her cats and houseplants, hiking, swimming, and fishing.
-->Learn more, read excerpts and find book club discussion questions at www.jessmontgomeryauthor.com.
-->Follow Jess on BookBub to get free alerts when her books go on sale: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jess-...
-->Stay in touch, get updates, and receive bonus content through her free enewsletter, https://www.subscribepage.com/jessmon... or on Facebook @JessMontgomeryAuthor
Under Jess's given name, she is a columnist for Writer's Digest, "Level Up Your Writing (Life)." Jess also interviews authors and artists on her podcast: "Tea with Jess: Chatting with Authors and Artists." Find the podcast "Tea with Jess" on podcast directories or her website.
Her first novel in the Kinship Historical Mystery series, THE WIDOWS, won the Readers' Choice in Fiction for the 2019 Ohioana Awards. Jess is a three-time recipient of the Individual Excellence Award in Literary Arts from the Ohio Arts Council, and has been a John E. Nance Writer in Residence at Thurber House (Columbus, Ohio).
She lives in her native Ohio, and in addition to writing, loves spending time with family and friends, reading, crocheting, baking (especially pies), spoiling her cats and houseplants, hiking, swimming, and fishing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
February 1, 2021
The Stills by Jess Montgomery is the 3rd book in the Kinship Series, a historical fiction mystery collection focused on 1920s Ohio, Prohibition, a female sheriff, and the plight of a family torn apart by underhanded businessmen. I enjoy the series and have read the previous two novels, and I wish I knew whether the author would write more in Kinship. It almost felt like this was the conclusion in some ways, perhaps just of an arc revolving around certain characters who appear in all three. We shall see... but I can say, I hope there will be more. I adore the moonshiners and want to read more about their lives.
Lily Ross is the sheriff, in her second term after her husband, the former sheriff, was murdered. She found his killers in the first book, but now, they are back and working for George Vogel, Lily's sworn enemy yet sometimes benefactor. Lily never wanted to turn to him, but when she needed his help after a murder in the last book, she now finds herself in a bad predicament. A government agent looking to stop locals from making and selling moonshine is potentially murdered. But the true story is a lot bigger, and this time, one of her husband's murderers is front and center. He'd never been convicted, and now, Lily has to decide how to follow the law but still capture the villain.
At the same time, there are stories of different folks around town, all hoping to find a way to make a living and save their families. Some do illegal things. Some are hurt and sick. Others are trying to flee a bad marriage. I think the author captures the time period quite well, and it is frustrating because of how women were treated back then. It also makes me worry that civilization has come so far, we don't realize how tough people had it a century ago. It might make us all a little more grateful these days.
The mystery is light in terms of what's actually happening. The agent was shot and went missing. He could be dead. A few characters had a hand in it. We don't know which one actually pulled the trigger. Then someone was poisoned / stabbed (it's intentionally vague with a snake scene) and we're not sure how it plays with the first murder. But this is the focal point, which is only half the story. So much of this tale is simply about relationships and how people connect with one another. Women asking themselves whether they can betray a husband. Some thinking about how to save a child before they die. It's slow, methodical, and has a lot of ambiance.
I like the writing style. It's a good read, but given it's a very difficult time period full of more thought than action, it's not a thriller you can speed through. Best left to read a few chapters each night to absorb the setting, then remember this was how things happened a century ago. I look forward to another book in the series, and if not, more of something else by the author. She truly transports you to a period where you can only imagine the intensity of doing nothing because there is nothing else you can really do to protect yourself. Life wasn't easy... but if they had books like this, it might have been!
Lily Ross is the sheriff, in her second term after her husband, the former sheriff, was murdered. She found his killers in the first book, but now, they are back and working for George Vogel, Lily's sworn enemy yet sometimes benefactor. Lily never wanted to turn to him, but when she needed his help after a murder in the last book, she now finds herself in a bad predicament. A government agent looking to stop locals from making and selling moonshine is potentially murdered. But the true story is a lot bigger, and this time, one of her husband's murderers is front and center. He'd never been convicted, and now, Lily has to decide how to follow the law but still capture the villain.
At the same time, there are stories of different folks around town, all hoping to find a way to make a living and save their families. Some do illegal things. Some are hurt and sick. Others are trying to flee a bad marriage. I think the author captures the time period quite well, and it is frustrating because of how women were treated back then. It also makes me worry that civilization has come so far, we don't realize how tough people had it a century ago. It might make us all a little more grateful these days.
The mystery is light in terms of what's actually happening. The agent was shot and went missing. He could be dead. A few characters had a hand in it. We don't know which one actually pulled the trigger. Then someone was poisoned / stabbed (it's intentionally vague with a snake scene) and we're not sure how it plays with the first murder. But this is the focal point, which is only half the story. So much of this tale is simply about relationships and how people connect with one another. Women asking themselves whether they can betray a husband. Some thinking about how to save a child before they die. It's slow, methodical, and has a lot of ambiance.
I like the writing style. It's a good read, but given it's a very difficult time period full of more thought than action, it's not a thriller you can speed through. Best left to read a few chapters each night to absorb the setting, then remember this was how things happened a century ago. I look forward to another book in the series, and if not, more of something else by the author. She truly transports you to a period where you can only imagine the intensity of doing nothing because there is nothing else you can really do to protect yourself. Life wasn't easy... but if they had books like this, it might have been!
March 29, 2021
This is the third book in The Kinship Series. It can be read alone, but I recommend reading the first two to get the full effect, as happenings in them are intertwined with the sinister characters in this book.
This story begins on Thanksgiving 1927. Prohibition is in full force but moonshiners rule the Appalachia in Bronwyn County, Ohio with Sheriff Lily Roth turning a blind eye. That is until a 13-year-old boy witnesses a shooting and nearly dies from tainted moonshine while watching over Marvena Whitcomb’s still. An enemy (George Vogel and his goons are like the mafia) of Sheriff Lily returns to the county, buying up his wife Fiona’s family farm with plans of fraud and murder. There’s so many plots to this story that I promise you won’t get bored. A murder mystery to solve, a missing agent from the Bureau to find, and figuring out the purpose of George Vogel buying land there. It all comes together ending with one big BOOM at the end. I would love to see more romance develop between Lily and Benjamin in a future book, she deserves it. This is a fantastic series not to be missed!
This story begins on Thanksgiving 1927. Prohibition is in full force but moonshiners rule the Appalachia in Bronwyn County, Ohio with Sheriff Lily Roth turning a blind eye. That is until a 13-year-old boy witnesses a shooting and nearly dies from tainted moonshine while watching over Marvena Whitcomb’s still. An enemy (George Vogel and his goons are like the mafia) of Sheriff Lily returns to the county, buying up his wife Fiona’s family farm with plans of fraud and murder. There’s so many plots to this story that I promise you won’t get bored. A murder mystery to solve, a missing agent from the Bureau to find, and figuring out the purpose of George Vogel buying land there. It all comes together ending with one big BOOM at the end. I would love to see more romance develop between Lily and Benjamin in a future book, she deserves it. This is a fantastic series not to be missed!
March 8, 2021
I’m so excited to be featuring my review of The Stills by Jess Montgomery on International Women’s Day because this book truly celebrates the impact of strong women throughout history even in the face of adversity.
This is the third book in her Kinship series, and I’ve read all three (though I do think readers could jump in at any point). All three books center on Lily Ross, a widow and mother to two young children who was appointed to fill the role of sheriff in her town after her husband (the current sheriff) passed away. Eventually, Lily was officially elected as sheriff—the first woman to do so. Lily may be small, but her spark and personality are larger than life!
Set in 1927, The Stills brings Prohibition to the foreground of the novel (a topic which had been more of a contextual factor in the first two books). Lily has befriended many strong women in the wake of her husband’s death and her time serving as Sheriff. When her friend Marvena needs money to pay for medical care for her daughter, she takes to brewing moonshine as a way to make money. Meanwhile part of Lily’s job as Sheriff is to enforce the laws around Prohibition. Despite this, Lily doesn’t go out of her way to seek out the illegal stills. She knows her community and how some people are scraping by.
However, Lily can’t avoid getting involved when local Zebediah Ranklin falls ill from bad moonshine. As she’s looking into the source of Zebediah’s illness, another troubling issue arises. George Vogel (who has appeared as a villain and foil in previous books), is looking to buy land for some business that Lily suspects may not be entirely legal. George’s wife Fiona is looking for a way out of her marriage to George by implicating him in illegal activity. And as if Lily doesn’t have enough on her plate, a relative of her late husband’s who played a part in his murder had arrived in Bronwyn County.
One thing I always love about Montgomery’s books is the amount of historical research she does to make her fictional story relevant to real events from our nation’s past. Prohibition was a difficult time for many, as an entire industry had to go underground and many had to resort to illegal activities to make ends meet. The stories of the characters in The Stills have so much depth. I felt invested in the outcomes, and not just because I had read the prior books. Fans of historical fiction and mysteries should not skip this series!
This is the third book in her Kinship series, and I’ve read all three (though I do think readers could jump in at any point). All three books center on Lily Ross, a widow and mother to two young children who was appointed to fill the role of sheriff in her town after her husband (the current sheriff) passed away. Eventually, Lily was officially elected as sheriff—the first woman to do so. Lily may be small, but her spark and personality are larger than life!
Set in 1927, The Stills brings Prohibition to the foreground of the novel (a topic which had been more of a contextual factor in the first two books). Lily has befriended many strong women in the wake of her husband’s death and her time serving as Sheriff. When her friend Marvena needs money to pay for medical care for her daughter, she takes to brewing moonshine as a way to make money. Meanwhile part of Lily’s job as Sheriff is to enforce the laws around Prohibition. Despite this, Lily doesn’t go out of her way to seek out the illegal stills. She knows her community and how some people are scraping by.
However, Lily can’t avoid getting involved when local Zebediah Ranklin falls ill from bad moonshine. As she’s looking into the source of Zebediah’s illness, another troubling issue arises. George Vogel (who has appeared as a villain and foil in previous books), is looking to buy land for some business that Lily suspects may not be entirely legal. George’s wife Fiona is looking for a way out of her marriage to George by implicating him in illegal activity. And as if Lily doesn’t have enough on her plate, a relative of her late husband’s who played a part in his murder had arrived in Bronwyn County.
One thing I always love about Montgomery’s books is the amount of historical research she does to make her fictional story relevant to real events from our nation’s past. Prohibition was a difficult time for many, as an entire industry had to go underground and many had to resort to illegal activities to make ends meet. The stories of the characters in The Stills have so much depth. I felt invested in the outcomes, and not just because I had read the prior books. Fans of historical fiction and mysteries should not skip this series!
May 14, 2021
The Stills, a Kinship series book is one of the best books, probably the BEST book I have read all year. Following the series, it started with THE WIDOWS and then moved to THE HOLLOWS and now has THE STILLS.. these are the BEST readings I think you will get all year.
The story takes place in 1927 when prohibition is high and even so, those in Bronwyn County still seem to hang onto the making of moonshine to supplement their meager incomes. Sheriff Lily Ross has to step forward to follow the 'rule of law' and do the right thing. The story is twisted around the lives of Lily Ross, Marvena Whitcomb, and Fiona Vogel as these three brave women deal with the hardships of the times and being mere women.
Marvena's daughter Frankie needs medical care that is well out of her financial reach, so returns to her shining to make those ends meet. But when one of her employees, 13-year-old Zebediah Harkins almost dies after drinking her shine, there is the belief that it has been tainted by, well it has to be a plot of George Vogel's... I mean why would he be back in town?
As Lily tries to follow the threads of the crime back to the center, it seems that the old world is rushing back on her. Luther Ross, her former brother-in-law, George, and the rest of his henchmen return to Kinship and the surrounding hollows for an exciting installment in the series.
The writing is smooth like white lightning and goes down with just the slightest bit of burn... I devoured this book and can't wait for the next... Montgomery does a great job capturing the times, and setting an atmosphere you can almost touch. I could smell the pine boughs in the church and feel the bitter cold on my checks... I loved this book!
5 stars
Happy Reading!
The story takes place in 1927 when prohibition is high and even so, those in Bronwyn County still seem to hang onto the making of moonshine to supplement their meager incomes. Sheriff Lily Ross has to step forward to follow the 'rule of law' and do the right thing. The story is twisted around the lives of Lily Ross, Marvena Whitcomb, and Fiona Vogel as these three brave women deal with the hardships of the times and being mere women.
Marvena's daughter Frankie needs medical care that is well out of her financial reach, so returns to her shining to make those ends meet. But when one of her employees, 13-year-old Zebediah Harkins almost dies after drinking her shine, there is the belief that it has been tainted by, well it has to be a plot of George Vogel's... I mean why would he be back in town?
As Lily tries to follow the threads of the crime back to the center, it seems that the old world is rushing back on her. Luther Ross, her former brother-in-law, George, and the rest of his henchmen return to Kinship and the surrounding hollows for an exciting installment in the series.
The writing is smooth like white lightning and goes down with just the slightest bit of burn... I devoured this book and can't wait for the next... Montgomery does a great job capturing the times, and setting an atmosphere you can almost touch. I could smell the pine boughs in the church and feel the bitter cold on my checks... I loved this book!
5 stars
Happy Reading!
April 5, 2021
Favorite Quotes:
Week before last, cold shooed warmth into a wish and a memory, then rattled tree limbs to leaflessness with one gnarly hand, while gripping the earth with the other.
Lily shakes her head, recollecting how thin yet shuddery the boy’s breath had sounded, like a gossamer curtain between this life and the next, stirred by deep winds.
That was always the problem with snakes like Luther. They always seem like they can be telling the truth. Fiona shifts in her chair, suddenly uncomfortable. She seems like she’s telling the truth, too—and it’s a habit that quickly becomes easy to rely on. So thrillingly easy.
My Review:
This was an intense and angsty read, which is fitting, as it was a tense and angsty period of history during a dire time in a desolate town. The densely packed and well-crafted storylines were highly eventful, complicated, and compelling with insightful and descriptive prose that was often lyrical in nature. The majority of events occurred over a week’s period and featured moonshiners, a missing revenuer, corruption, murder, poisonings, car crashes, ice storms, explosions, snake handlers, a scheming wife, and tons of fiendish subterfuge that required careful reading to savor and properly assimilate.
Week before last, cold shooed warmth into a wish and a memory, then rattled tree limbs to leaflessness with one gnarly hand, while gripping the earth with the other.
Lily shakes her head, recollecting how thin yet shuddery the boy’s breath had sounded, like a gossamer curtain between this life and the next, stirred by deep winds.
That was always the problem with snakes like Luther. They always seem like they can be telling the truth. Fiona shifts in her chair, suddenly uncomfortable. She seems like she’s telling the truth, too—and it’s a habit that quickly becomes easy to rely on. So thrillingly easy.
My Review:
This was an intense and angsty read, which is fitting, as it was a tense and angsty period of history during a dire time in a desolate town. The densely packed and well-crafted storylines were highly eventful, complicated, and compelling with insightful and descriptive prose that was often lyrical in nature. The majority of events occurred over a week’s period and featured moonshiners, a missing revenuer, corruption, murder, poisonings, car crashes, ice storms, explosions, snake handlers, a scheming wife, and tons of fiendish subterfuge that required careful reading to savor and properly assimilate.
March 12, 2021
Astonishing. Jess Montgomery is beyond brilliant, and this book is immersive, thought-provoking, and riveting. Written with Montgomery's beautifully evocative style, with careful research and attention to detail, this is a powerful story of family loyalty, temptation, and greed. No one creates setting like Jess Montgomery, and we are transported on every page--not only to 1927, and not only to Appalachia, but to the essence of these characters' souls. Do not miss this.
March 15, 2021
Sheriff Lily Ross investigates the poisoning of a young boy who drank tainted moonshine and discovers the kid witnessed a shooting. More bodies turn up, causing Lily to suspect friend and foe alike. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, another resident of Kinship perfects the art of manipulation.
This installment brings those who betrayed Lily’s deceased husband Daniel to the forefront. Her feelings for Daniel’s old friend, Benjamin grow more serious, and she is forced to rely on him more than she wants.
This book begins on Thanksgiving and ends on Christmas Eve. Montgomery brings the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of these holiday celebrations in 1927 Ohio to life. She even nicely contrasts the Thanksgiving celebrations of three different families. Lily’s is warm, filled with family, friends, and delicious foods, while another group feasts on tension, dried turkey, and rubbery sides. A third family nibbles on butter sandwiches and sorrow.
I really liked how the book explored issues around diseases and time period medical treatments along with religion from more traditional Christian worship to those that practice snake handling. Prohibition is a big part of the story in this installment, from the perspective of those who imbibe to those who manufacture alcohol from bootlegging to legally made tonics.
As in the other Kinship mysteries, the towns women are at the forefront. In this installment, the prologue is provided from the perspective of the boy who witnesses the shooting, but the bulk of the book alternates between the points of views of Lily and Fiona Vogel, the wife of the owner of Vogel’s tonics. Fiona’s perspective provides much insight on her husband, the big bad George Vogel and shows how she’s changed since their marriage.
The themes of friendship and female empowerment are at the core of this great historical mystery series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an Advance Reader Copy.
This installment brings those who betrayed Lily’s deceased husband Daniel to the forefront. Her feelings for Daniel’s old friend, Benjamin grow more serious, and she is forced to rely on him more than she wants.
This book begins on Thanksgiving and ends on Christmas Eve. Montgomery brings the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of these holiday celebrations in 1927 Ohio to life. She even nicely contrasts the Thanksgiving celebrations of three different families. Lily’s is warm, filled with family, friends, and delicious foods, while another group feasts on tension, dried turkey, and rubbery sides. A third family nibbles on butter sandwiches and sorrow.
I really liked how the book explored issues around diseases and time period medical treatments along with religion from more traditional Christian worship to those that practice snake handling. Prohibition is a big part of the story in this installment, from the perspective of those who imbibe to those who manufacture alcohol from bootlegging to legally made tonics.
As in the other Kinship mysteries, the towns women are at the forefront. In this installment, the prologue is provided from the perspective of the boy who witnesses the shooting, but the bulk of the book alternates between the points of views of Lily and Fiona Vogel, the wife of the owner of Vogel’s tonics. Fiona’s perspective provides much insight on her husband, the big bad George Vogel and shows how she’s changed since their marriage.
The themes of friendship and female empowerment are at the core of this great historical mystery series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an Advance Reader Copy.
January 24, 2021
Goodness, what a riveting and beautifully-written book! The third in the Kinship series, The Stills took my breath away My attention was held on every single page and the end came too soon. It's a book to inhale and savour at the same time. Everything you could wish for in a book is here but not over the top, nor is it built of fluff. As in real life, not everything is rosy, either, but more of a realistic portrayal with a believable feel. The character, weather and historical descriptions are gorgeous. The introspection into human nature is exquisite.
Set in Ohio in 1927 during Prohibition, diminutive in stature but far from it in personality, Sheriff Lily Ross investigates a crime. But this crime leads to another and another which is exhausting. We meet other characters including Fiona and George Vogel who don't exactly see eye to eye. Then there is steady and kindly Benjamin and other friends. Families play a major role, too. Oh, the fabulous twists! Murder. Snake handling. Romance. Moonshining. Little white lies which become easier and easier to tell and gain momentum. I love that each chapter is told from characters' perspectives and very much enjoyed the ending.
Hope and truth are key themes. The title is laden with meaning. You will see what I mean. This book is thoroughly enjoyable, particularly suitable for Historical Fiction fans keen for mysteries. The author's notes at the back are fascinating...I was not aware of the historical facts mentioned which gave inspiration for this treasure of a book.
My sincere thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this clever and remarkable book in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.
Set in Ohio in 1927 during Prohibition, diminutive in stature but far from it in personality, Sheriff Lily Ross investigates a crime. But this crime leads to another and another which is exhausting. We meet other characters including Fiona and George Vogel who don't exactly see eye to eye. Then there is steady and kindly Benjamin and other friends. Families play a major role, too. Oh, the fabulous twists! Murder. Snake handling. Romance. Moonshining. Little white lies which become easier and easier to tell and gain momentum. I love that each chapter is told from characters' perspectives and very much enjoyed the ending.
Hope and truth are key themes. The title is laden with meaning. You will see what I mean. This book is thoroughly enjoyable, particularly suitable for Historical Fiction fans keen for mysteries. The author's notes at the back are fascinating...I was not aware of the historical facts mentioned which gave inspiration for this treasure of a book.
My sincere thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this clever and remarkable book in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.
March 25, 2021
I'm not a big series reader, but Jess Montgomery's evocative Kinship mysteries are a rare exception for me: An auto-buy, every time. Her stories shine a light on the strong, often forgotten women who helped to shape the character and fortitude of an equally overlooked part of the world. In the latest installment, The Stills, she dreams up for us a heart-in-throat race against the clock set in Prohibition-era Ohio—depicted with the skillful hand of a word stylist, the sharp eye of a historian, and the heart of a mother, daughter, and friend.
July 10, 2021
The thing I like most about the Kinship series is the great sense of time and place the author creates with the narrative. I always enjoy a good moonshine/gangster tale so I found this one very appealing.
July 11, 2021
Okay. So far the second in the series is my favorite. Need more Marvina and less Fiona next time. Hard to get through Fiona parts.
March 29, 2021
This is the third book in the “kinship” series, set on the outer edges of 1920’s Ohio (Chillicothe is the big city), and each book centers itself on a different woman, though the central character is always Sherriff Lily Ross. Lily became Sherriff after the murder of her sheriff husband and the first book was her story, as well as the story of labor organizer Marvena, now one of Lily’s best friends. The second novel was about her friend, schoolteacher Hildy, and this book follows the story of Fiona, who is married to the series bad guy, George Vogel.
George is a big time bootlegger out of Cincinnati, and he strong arms his wife into convincing her aunt to sell her her farm, so he can then use it as a front for his operation. Fiona is playing a longer game, though. She despises her husband and thinks getting the property in her name will give her some leverage. While this is very much a novel about prohibition and its effects on small town life – it’s also a novel about families.
In this sphere, Montgomery excels. She’s a dazzling portraitist, illuminating the lives of her characters and bringing their joys and sorrows to life. Lily’s struggles in this novel are to move on romantically, and to enforce the law even when it involves her friends. As she does not always agree with the prohibition laws, it makes for an interesting background. It’s a wonderful piece of complex plotting, but it’s also a wonderful piece of complex characterization.
Montgomery also looks at the ways health was addressed in the 20’s – one of the children in the novel suffers from asthma, and the doctor’s prescription is asthma cigarettes (an actual “cure”). Another is discovered to be suffering from the “sugar” – i.e. diabetes, which, if the parents were poor, was almost a death sentence. The hard lives of these families are almost unfathomable. The grace and strength the characters in the novel possess to deal with their challenges provides inspiration.
What I found most moving in this particular book was Lily’s struggle with what she truly believes. It’s illustrated in almost every conversation she has. The other central tentpole of this book was Fiona, and her realization that she could be in charge of her own destiny, as she plots an escape as well as a punishment for her husband. The tension arises when the plans she has in place are almost more than matched by her husband’s brutality and smarts.
These books are a rich, dense read, full of character, setting, historical detail and just plain life. Navigating life is the true journey of all the books so far, and for Lily and Marvena and in this novel, Fiona, that navigation provides the drama and the interest. The effects of prohibition on this small town are devastating in so many ways, and it’s Lily’s job to navigate through them. This is another stunning read from a supremely gifted writer.
George is a big time bootlegger out of Cincinnati, and he strong arms his wife into convincing her aunt to sell her her farm, so he can then use it as a front for his operation. Fiona is playing a longer game, though. She despises her husband and thinks getting the property in her name will give her some leverage. While this is very much a novel about prohibition and its effects on small town life – it’s also a novel about families.
In this sphere, Montgomery excels. She’s a dazzling portraitist, illuminating the lives of her characters and bringing their joys and sorrows to life. Lily’s struggles in this novel are to move on romantically, and to enforce the law even when it involves her friends. As she does not always agree with the prohibition laws, it makes for an interesting background. It’s a wonderful piece of complex plotting, but it’s also a wonderful piece of complex characterization.
Montgomery also looks at the ways health was addressed in the 20’s – one of the children in the novel suffers from asthma, and the doctor’s prescription is asthma cigarettes (an actual “cure”). Another is discovered to be suffering from the “sugar” – i.e. diabetes, which, if the parents were poor, was almost a death sentence. The hard lives of these families are almost unfathomable. The grace and strength the characters in the novel possess to deal with their challenges provides inspiration.
What I found most moving in this particular book was Lily’s struggle with what she truly believes. It’s illustrated in almost every conversation she has. The other central tentpole of this book was Fiona, and her realization that she could be in charge of her own destiny, as she plots an escape as well as a punishment for her husband. The tension arises when the plans she has in place are almost more than matched by her husband’s brutality and smarts.
These books are a rich, dense read, full of character, setting, historical detail and just plain life. Navigating life is the true journey of all the books so far, and for Lily and Marvena and in this novel, Fiona, that navigation provides the drama and the interest. The effects of prohibition on this small town are devastating in so many ways, and it’s Lily’s job to navigate through them. This is another stunning read from a supremely gifted writer.
April 22, 2021
I've read all the prior books in this series and the writing continues to be graceful, poignant and superb. The characters pretty much remain the same with Sheriff Lily Ross in command and in the midst of several story lines. The supporting cast remains strong, with a few new characters like Ruth and Zeb making a place in the storyline. These are books from the early twentieth century, this time with probation taking a big part in the plot. The characters are certainly real-life, though the history may seem long ago. But what is interesting is that the nuances of that time period, Model-Ts and buckboard wagons, don't seem dated, but make the story more authentic. Jess Montgomery has firmly establish her neck of the woods in this series, and it belongs to her now.
February 25, 2022
Graciously received a free copy through good reads.
This book is about 2 women during prohibition trying to forge their own path despite a patriarchal society. They go about it in entirely different ways, but both showing that most men are no good.
Overall the book is ok, some of the men try to redeem themselves, but we're not really left with much substance the end.
This book is about 2 women during prohibition trying to forge their own path despite a patriarchal society. They go about it in entirely different ways, but both showing that most men are no good.
Overall the book is ok, some of the men try to redeem themselves, but we're not really left with much substance the end.
May 2, 2023
Wow. The way this book ended was not at all how I anticipated. As much as I dislike Fiona, I appreciate that much of this book takes place from her point of view. I did find this third book to be more wordy than the other 2, but I still enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend this series to anyone that likes historical fiction, mysteries, and true crime.
August 10, 2022
Love this series!
October 2, 2023
3 1/2 - 4 stars . The only thing I will say about this book is I feel that you should star this series from the beginning.
March 31, 2021
Do you like historical fiction?📚
This is one of our favorite genres. I really enjoy a mystery wrapped up in historical fiction.
The Stills by Jess Montgomery is the third book in the Kinship series.
I didn’t read the first two books and it did take me a minute to follow what was happening.
Lily Ross is the sheriff in a small town of Ohio during the 1920s and prohibition is in full effect. She is quite busy when George Vogel shows up with his thugs and their illegal activities.
The characters and setting are rich with color, I was fully invested in Fiona Vogel’s struggles. She was in over her head when marrying George, but decides she’s not going to be a victim and I love the way this comes together!
The Stills was just published earlier this month and is available on our Amazon Storefront, link in IG bio!
Thank you @tlcbooktours, @jessmontgomeryauthor and @minotaur_books for gifting us this copy!🧜🏼♀️🌺
This is one of our favorite genres. I really enjoy a mystery wrapped up in historical fiction.
The Stills by Jess Montgomery is the third book in the Kinship series.
I didn’t read the first two books and it did take me a minute to follow what was happening.
Lily Ross is the sheriff in a small town of Ohio during the 1920s and prohibition is in full effect. She is quite busy when George Vogel shows up with his thugs and their illegal activities.
The characters and setting are rich with color, I was fully invested in Fiona Vogel’s struggles. She was in over her head when marrying George, but decides she’s not going to be a victim and I love the way this comes together!
The Stills was just published earlier this month and is available on our Amazon Storefront, link in IG bio!
Thank you @tlcbooktours, @jessmontgomeryauthor and @minotaur_books for gifting us this copy!🧜🏼♀️🌺
October 17, 2025
3rd in series is about Prohibition in 1920s and a female sheriff not respected by some. Ruthless men who will do whatever it takes to get their way. Book is really good.
March 6, 2021
The Stills is the third installment in Jess Montgomery's The Kinship series. It is truly wonderful and emotional to read this beautifully well written novel and learn more about these strong, courageous women who populated the region of Bronwyn County, Ohio. Full of historical detail and paying homage to the women who accepted roles previously not given to women in this society, Lily Ross is the sheriff of the county where many people's lives and livelihood depend on the moonshining buisness. She has even often looked the other way bu tmoonshining has become a dangerous buisness as prohibition and the Regulators close in on the hills of Appalachian. When a young boy is poisoned and dies from ingesting tainted moonshine as he guards a still in the woods, Lily decides someone has gone to far and enlists the help of her friend, Marvena Whitcomb who herself is a moonshiner to help her solve this mystery before others die.
This book holds a special place in my heart as my heritage is Appalachian. Appalachian families were built on the backs of the women of this region during these times. Women such as my grandmothers who lead extremely hard lives in poverty with unrelenting demands on their time and energy. But they did not complain or falter and were able to find joy in their everyday lives through faith, storytelling and folklore,kinship and family, neighbors and friends and celebrations of simple pleasures and triumps in their daily lives. Giving a lovely voice to just a few of these women from 'the hills", these characters will stay with you long after you finish the book.
This book holds a special place in my heart as my heritage is Appalachian. Appalachian families were built on the backs of the women of this region during these times. Women such as my grandmothers who lead extremely hard lives in poverty with unrelenting demands on their time and energy. But they did not complain or falter and were able to find joy in their everyday lives through faith, storytelling and folklore,kinship and family, neighbors and friends and celebrations of simple pleasures and triumps in their daily lives. Giving a lovely voice to just a few of these women from 'the hills", these characters will stay with you long after you finish the book.
Read
February 21, 2023I am enjoying this series, but this is my least favorite so far just because half of it is from the perspective of a not very sympathetic character. I can appreciate Fiona as a woman who took a different route of empowering herself than Sheriff Lily did during a time when most women lacked much control of their own lives, but that doesn't make her likeable so that I want to be in her head.
Also, it bothered me that Lily has unnamed deputies in this novel. Aren't these people from her small town? She's trusting them enough to deputize them, so who the heck are they?
Other than that, this is historical fiction at its best, with plenty of quirky history facts tucked in there to make the time come alive.
Also, it bothered me that Lily has unnamed deputies in this novel. Aren't these people from her small town? She's trusting them enough to deputize them, so who the heck are they?
Other than that, this is historical fiction at its best, with plenty of quirky history facts tucked in there to make the time come alive.
March 27, 2021
Originally published at Reading Reality
I picked up The Stills for two reasons. One, because I read the second book in the Kinship series, The Hollows, and was absolutely fascinated with this fictional portrait of a female sheriff in rural southeastern Ohio in the 1920s. A time and a place where the last thing that a reader – or a resident – would expect is that the hand of local law enforcement belongs to a woman. Or that the fictional Sheriff Ross is based on a real historical figure, Maude Collins of Vinton County, Ohio.
The second reason is that Prohibition is a singularly fascinating failure in American history. It is almost a textbook case for the road to hell being paved with good intentions. The concept was laudable, but the result was a disaster. One that we seem to have learned few lessons from.
Those two fascinations combine in The Stills. It’s the winter of 1926. Even before the Great Depression, that part of Ohio was economically depressed, as it has been historically. What is not well known outside of the area is that this particular part of Ohio is considerably more a part of Appalachia than it is the city and suburban Midwest that are typically thought of when Ohio is mentioned.
Which meant, at least in the 1920s and probably a whole lot longer, that in spite of Prohibition the making of moonshine was still a part of the local culture AND the local economy.
The story of The Stills is wrapped around two women. Sheriff Lily Ross, who stayed in Kinship, married, was widowed, took over from her late husband as sheriff and was elected in her own right at the end of The Hollows. Lily, a strong, resolute and pragmatic woman – also a good shot and a grown-up tomboy – is surrounded by a whole phalanx of women as strong as herself who all support her the best they can – which is generally quite well indeed.
On the other side of the story is Fiona Vogel. Fiona was also born in Kinship, but she left for the bright lights and big city charms of Cincinnati. On the surface at least, Fiona is a more traditional example of what women are supposed to be. Under that demure exterior lies a woman who knows that she has shackled herself to a criminal. A man that she is determined to get the best of and get away from before he “takes care” of her the way he has so many others who got in his way.
Fiona is the opposite to Lily in another way. Where Lily is surrounded by a group of friends who stand beside her, a group that is mostly but not entirely female, Fiona is nearly imprisoned by a group of enemies, mostly but not completely male. All of whom are out to subjugate her in as many ways as possible if not just kill her outright.
The Stills of the title are, quite literally, stills. Moonshine stills. It’s about the lengths – and depths – that one man will go to in order to control them and the illegal trade they represent. It’s about the collateral damage that became the wreck by the side of Prohibition’s good-intention paved road to hell.
And it’s the story of one female sheriff doing her very best to follow the law, appease her conscience – and protect those she holds dear.
Escape Rating B+: Where the previous book in the series, The Hollows, wrapped itself around three perspectives – Lily and her friends Marvena and Hildy – The Stills only follows two of its primary characters, Lily and her “opposite”, Fiona.
And as much as Hildy’s dithering and everyone else dithering about Hildy drove me crazy in The Hollows, I have to say that I liked Fiona’s perspectives even less. I would have been a much happier reader if the entire story was told from Lily’s point-of-view, leaving the inner workings of Fiona’s rather twisted mind to be revealed along with the rest of the plot.
Some of which turned out to be Fiona’s own convoluted plot to get rid of her bastard of a husband in order to get control of not just her life but both his legal AND illegal empires. Fiona is a victim who looks like she’s going to perpetuate the cycle. She may begin as a victim but by the end she’s on her way to becoming a perpetrator and I’d rather not have been near her head.
Lily, on the other hand, does an excellent job of, well, her job, but also of being a female character who is both true to her time AND has the kind of agency that makes her perspective dynamic to follow as well as making her easy for 21st century readers to empathize with.
And I definitely did.
I also liked that Lily might be developing a romantic relationship, but that she is taking it very, very slowly, is cognizant of everything that is at risk both personally and professionally, and is very careful about balancing the professional life that she loves – even though she’s not supposed to even have it – with the possibility of falling in love again. Those hesitant thoughts, the stop and start of possibility versus caution, feel very real.
This series, at least so far, combines historical fiction with mystery in a way that brings the historical period to life and provides a background that makes the mystery feel like it is grounded in its time, place, and characters. While I haven’t read the first book, The Widows, this does feel like a series where the individual books can be read as standalone, while creating a deeper story for those who have followed Lily’s adventures from the beginning.
This entry in the series makes it clear that Lily has plenty of sheriffing to do in the future. And I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next!
I picked up The Stills for two reasons. One, because I read the second book in the Kinship series, The Hollows, and was absolutely fascinated with this fictional portrait of a female sheriff in rural southeastern Ohio in the 1920s. A time and a place where the last thing that a reader – or a resident – would expect is that the hand of local law enforcement belongs to a woman. Or that the fictional Sheriff Ross is based on a real historical figure, Maude Collins of Vinton County, Ohio.
The second reason is that Prohibition is a singularly fascinating failure in American history. It is almost a textbook case for the road to hell being paved with good intentions. The concept was laudable, but the result was a disaster. One that we seem to have learned few lessons from.
Those two fascinations combine in The Stills. It’s the winter of 1926. Even before the Great Depression, that part of Ohio was economically depressed, as it has been historically. What is not well known outside of the area is that this particular part of Ohio is considerably more a part of Appalachia than it is the city and suburban Midwest that are typically thought of when Ohio is mentioned.
Which meant, at least in the 1920s and probably a whole lot longer, that in spite of Prohibition the making of moonshine was still a part of the local culture AND the local economy.
The story of The Stills is wrapped around two women. Sheriff Lily Ross, who stayed in Kinship, married, was widowed, took over from her late husband as sheriff and was elected in her own right at the end of The Hollows. Lily, a strong, resolute and pragmatic woman – also a good shot and a grown-up tomboy – is surrounded by a whole phalanx of women as strong as herself who all support her the best they can – which is generally quite well indeed.
On the other side of the story is Fiona Vogel. Fiona was also born in Kinship, but she left for the bright lights and big city charms of Cincinnati. On the surface at least, Fiona is a more traditional example of what women are supposed to be. Under that demure exterior lies a woman who knows that she has shackled herself to a criminal. A man that she is determined to get the best of and get away from before he “takes care” of her the way he has so many others who got in his way.
Fiona is the opposite to Lily in another way. Where Lily is surrounded by a group of friends who stand beside her, a group that is mostly but not entirely female, Fiona is nearly imprisoned by a group of enemies, mostly but not completely male. All of whom are out to subjugate her in as many ways as possible if not just kill her outright.
The Stills of the title are, quite literally, stills. Moonshine stills. It’s about the lengths – and depths – that one man will go to in order to control them and the illegal trade they represent. It’s about the collateral damage that became the wreck by the side of Prohibition’s good-intention paved road to hell.
And it’s the story of one female sheriff doing her very best to follow the law, appease her conscience – and protect those she holds dear.
Escape Rating B+: Where the previous book in the series, The Hollows, wrapped itself around three perspectives – Lily and her friends Marvena and Hildy – The Stills only follows two of its primary characters, Lily and her “opposite”, Fiona.
And as much as Hildy’s dithering and everyone else dithering about Hildy drove me crazy in The Hollows, I have to say that I liked Fiona’s perspectives even less. I would have been a much happier reader if the entire story was told from Lily’s point-of-view, leaving the inner workings of Fiona’s rather twisted mind to be revealed along with the rest of the plot.
Some of which turned out to be Fiona’s own convoluted plot to get rid of her bastard of a husband in order to get control of not just her life but both his legal AND illegal empires. Fiona is a victim who looks like she’s going to perpetuate the cycle. She may begin as a victim but by the end she’s on her way to becoming a perpetrator and I’d rather not have been near her head.
Lily, on the other hand, does an excellent job of, well, her job, but also of being a female character who is both true to her time AND has the kind of agency that makes her perspective dynamic to follow as well as making her easy for 21st century readers to empathize with.
And I definitely did.
I also liked that Lily might be developing a romantic relationship, but that she is taking it very, very slowly, is cognizant of everything that is at risk both personally and professionally, and is very careful about balancing the professional life that she loves – even though she’s not supposed to even have it – with the possibility of falling in love again. Those hesitant thoughts, the stop and start of possibility versus caution, feel very real.
This series, at least so far, combines historical fiction with mystery in a way that brings the historical period to life and provides a background that makes the mystery feel like it is grounded in its time, place, and characters. While I haven’t read the first book, The Widows, this does feel like a series where the individual books can be read as standalone, while creating a deeper story for those who have followed Lily’s adventures from the beginning.
This entry in the series makes it clear that Lily has plenty of sheriffing to do in the future. And I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next!
February 21, 2021
The Stills is the third book in the Kinship series by Jess Montgomery. The series is set in rural Bronwyn County in southern Ohio. Lily Ross, the sheriff, is in her second term. Her first term began when she took over for her husband who was killed during his time in office. It is now 1927 and Lily is obliged to uphold the laws regarding prohibition. She knows that there are many illegal stills in her jurisdiction and she sometimes doesn’t make an effort to search for them because it is so much a part of their way of life.
However, when young Zebediah Ranklin becomes ill after drinking moonshine that has been tainted, she knows that she must investigate the source. At the same time, she needs to deal with another issue. George Vogel, a businessman who is known to be a part of some questionable deals, has come to the county with his wife Fiona. George is intent on buying land so that he can start a business that she suspects might possibly be illegal.
George was associated with her husband Daniel and he helped Lily solve an earlier case so she finds herself in a difficult predicament. His wife Fiona is unhappy with her situation and is looking for a way to implicate her husband in criminal activity and thus to free herself from her unhappy marriage to him. Lily must also deal with her husband’s half brother and uncle who played a part in her husband’s murder because they now work for George Vogel and have come to Bronwyn County with him.
Montgomery shares stories that evoke the reality of life for people in southern Ohio in the 1920s. Their lives are not easy and Montgomery writes about them with compassion and depth. As Lily takes on her tasks as sheriff, she deals with moonshining, prohibition, murder, and bizarre healing methods.
The Stills is not only about law and order, it is also about family. Lily sees to her daily responsibilities as sheriff but she must also be a mother and daughter and a friend. She is even able to find a bit of time for a personal romantic interest.
It is not imperative to have read the first two books to appreciate this third book since Montgomery is successful at supplying background information. However, by having read the first and second books in the series before you read The Stills, you will be fully invested in, and appreciative of, the characters and the setting.
This book is truly historical and the author’s notes share facts that formed the basis for the book. Just like the first two books in the series, it is entertaining and it is a light read even though the topics and the circumstances are not. The setting, the time period, and the interactions between the characters draw the reader in, and fans of this series will most likely be hoping for more about Lily and Kinship in a future installment.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this ebook.
However, when young Zebediah Ranklin becomes ill after drinking moonshine that has been tainted, she knows that she must investigate the source. At the same time, she needs to deal with another issue. George Vogel, a businessman who is known to be a part of some questionable deals, has come to the county with his wife Fiona. George is intent on buying land so that he can start a business that she suspects might possibly be illegal.
George was associated with her husband Daniel and he helped Lily solve an earlier case so she finds herself in a difficult predicament. His wife Fiona is unhappy with her situation and is looking for a way to implicate her husband in criminal activity and thus to free herself from her unhappy marriage to him. Lily must also deal with her husband’s half brother and uncle who played a part in her husband’s murder because they now work for George Vogel and have come to Bronwyn County with him.
Montgomery shares stories that evoke the reality of life for people in southern Ohio in the 1920s. Their lives are not easy and Montgomery writes about them with compassion and depth. As Lily takes on her tasks as sheriff, she deals with moonshining, prohibition, murder, and bizarre healing methods.
The Stills is not only about law and order, it is also about family. Lily sees to her daily responsibilities as sheriff but she must also be a mother and daughter and a friend. She is even able to find a bit of time for a personal romantic interest.
It is not imperative to have read the first two books to appreciate this third book since Montgomery is successful at supplying background information. However, by having read the first and second books in the series before you read The Stills, you will be fully invested in, and appreciative of, the characters and the setting.
This book is truly historical and the author’s notes share facts that formed the basis for the book. Just like the first two books in the series, it is entertaining and it is a light read even though the topics and the circumstances are not. The setting, the time period, and the interactions between the characters draw the reader in, and fans of this series will most likely be hoping for more about Lily and Kinship in a future installment.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this ebook.
March 14, 2021
This is a very hard review to write. I wanted to love this book. I honestly did. I think if I would have read the first two in the series it would have been much better. Maybe I would have kept all the characters straight. I got lost a few times and that just doesn't happen to me when I read. Sorry about that. It is what it is though.
This book is good. I won't say it's not. It has a lot going on. A bad man. A bad woman. A bunch of people who work for this man, Vogel, and will do anything for him even though he's a first rate jerk. A very rich one though. Riches he gained at the expense and death of others. A woman, Fiona, who married him and I highly disliked even though I think maybe she was suppose to be somewhat likable in a few way. She did do a couple of good things but mostly she's selfish and self centered. I didn't connect to her at all.
Then we have the sheriff, Lily, who is trying hard to bring people to justice and get other things done too. Even possibly have a personal life after the loss of her husband. The loss of her husband was in an earlier book. I did like Lily. I thought she had spunk and was a good and decent person. A female sheriff back in the twenties. Who would have thought that?
There is just a whole lot going on from moonshining to murder in this book. It has the things that I usually like in a book. I give it that. It was not an edge of your seat thriller though and it was somewhat hard for me to keep up with all the characters. It's well written and I do believe if I would have known and read the first two I would have really loved this one much better. I think. There's the feelings. The sad, happy, even a bit of laughter. Not much of the laughter though. A few children who you root for. A whole lot of mention of the Model T car. I am afraid I think that was mentioned a tad to often.
Thank you to #NetGalley, #JessMontgomery, #StMartin'sPress and #Minotaur for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.
It's a solid 3/5 stars for me. I recommend you read it for yourself and decide. I also recommend you read the first two before this one.
This book is good. I won't say it's not. It has a lot going on. A bad man. A bad woman. A bunch of people who work for this man, Vogel, and will do anything for him even though he's a first rate jerk. A very rich one though. Riches he gained at the expense and death of others. A woman, Fiona, who married him and I highly disliked even though I think maybe she was suppose to be somewhat likable in a few way. She did do a couple of good things but mostly she's selfish and self centered. I didn't connect to her at all.
Then we have the sheriff, Lily, who is trying hard to bring people to justice and get other things done too. Even possibly have a personal life after the loss of her husband. The loss of her husband was in an earlier book. I did like Lily. I thought she had spunk and was a good and decent person. A female sheriff back in the twenties. Who would have thought that?
There is just a whole lot going on from moonshining to murder in this book. It has the things that I usually like in a book. I give it that. It was not an edge of your seat thriller though and it was somewhat hard for me to keep up with all the characters. It's well written and I do believe if I would have known and read the first two I would have really loved this one much better. I think. There's the feelings. The sad, happy, even a bit of laughter. Not much of the laughter though. A few children who you root for. A whole lot of mention of the Model T car. I am afraid I think that was mentioned a tad to often.
Thank you to #NetGalley, #JessMontgomery, #StMartin'sPress and #Minotaur for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.
It's a solid 3/5 stars for me. I recommend you read it for yourself and decide. I also recommend you read the first two before this one.
February 28, 2021
The Stills is Jess Montgomery’s third novel, following on the earlier titles, The Widows and The Hollows. I read and loved those two earlier books. The Stills continues the story of many of the characters. The books are probably best read in order as the backstory from the earlier novels is relevant. If read as a first experience with Ms. Montgomery, readers may well want to then go back to the earlier titles.
The author has so many strengths. One is her ability to carve out a time and place. Another is her careful building of the relationships between characters. The story’s setting is 1920s Bronwyn County, Ohio during the Prohibition years. This small community where Lily lives is so well portrayed. There are small farms, mines, charismatic churches, stills and speakeasys.
Lily became the Sheriff following on the events of the first novel. She is a widow who is devoted to her children, her mother and her half-sibling. The book opens with all of them, along with some additional guests, enjoying Thanksgiving dinner. Of course, the calm does not last.
One guest at dinner is Benjamin. Lily inches toward becoming closer to him over the course of the story. Another is Lily’s best friend Marvena. She puts Lily in what could be a compromising position in this title.
Other characters include a number of villains. Foremost among these are George Vogel and his henchmen. George is an unfeeling, hard man who has benefited from illegal acts. Will this be the book in which he finally gets stopped? George’s wife Fiona is a master manipulator who has a complex relationship with George. What will happen to her? To their relationship? Is Fiona as clever as she thinks she is?
And, of course, there are the stills, those sites for making moonshine. What events happen there? How will they radiate out to impact the community?
I was very delighted to receive an ARC of this title. I look forward (already) to finding out what comes next for the folks of Kinship.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
The author has so many strengths. One is her ability to carve out a time and place. Another is her careful building of the relationships between characters. The story’s setting is 1920s Bronwyn County, Ohio during the Prohibition years. This small community where Lily lives is so well portrayed. There are small farms, mines, charismatic churches, stills and speakeasys.
Lily became the Sheriff following on the events of the first novel. She is a widow who is devoted to her children, her mother and her half-sibling. The book opens with all of them, along with some additional guests, enjoying Thanksgiving dinner. Of course, the calm does not last.
One guest at dinner is Benjamin. Lily inches toward becoming closer to him over the course of the story. Another is Lily’s best friend Marvena. She puts Lily in what could be a compromising position in this title.
Other characters include a number of villains. Foremost among these are George Vogel and his henchmen. George is an unfeeling, hard man who has benefited from illegal acts. Will this be the book in which he finally gets stopped? George’s wife Fiona is a master manipulator who has a complex relationship with George. What will happen to her? To their relationship? Is Fiona as clever as she thinks she is?
And, of course, there are the stills, those sites for making moonshine. What events happen there? How will they radiate out to impact the community?
I was very delighted to receive an ARC of this title. I look forward (already) to finding out what comes next for the folks of Kinship.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
May 7, 2021
RATING: 4 STARS
2021; Minotaur Books/MacMillan Audio
I will start off by highly suggesting that you read this series in order of publication. Besides growth of characters, there is a bigger story arc that runs through these three books. Each book has its own mystery to solve, but makes this historical mystery so great is all the other things that this book has. When I started the first novel, The Widows I read it more like a historical fiction at first. The setting - time and place - 1920s, Ohio, both seem like characters in the story. The characters are from all walks of life trying to survive in a time where it is seems to set up for failure. From book one, we have seen how Lily and Marvena - women from different backgrounds come together and forge a bond that comes from survival and maternal instincts. In this novel, we do get less of Marvena, which is my own complaint with the book. The Stills is more of Lily and Fiona's stories. Marvena is still around, more with Moonshiners, that Lily is trying to keep order in a time of prohibition. When a young boy gets really ill from tainted moonshine, can the two women work together again. Fiona has married George Vogel, and does not seem to be living a better life as she had hope. Lily thought she had gotten rid of Vogel and her in-laws but they seem to be back in town, and that means trouble will be close behind. I loved how some of the storylines were settled in this novel, but it seemed to also allude to future novels. I am always a bit leery when a series puts out a third novel...is this the one that concludes the series, or will there be more from Lily and town of Kinship. This series is based on a true story, but I am not sure how much of it is factual. I have listened to all three books on audio, and they are fabulous.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook/audiobook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2021; Minotaur Books/MacMillan Audio
I will start off by highly suggesting that you read this series in order of publication. Besides growth of characters, there is a bigger story arc that runs through these three books. Each book has its own mystery to solve, but makes this historical mystery so great is all the other things that this book has. When I started the first novel, The Widows I read it more like a historical fiction at first. The setting - time and place - 1920s, Ohio, both seem like characters in the story. The characters are from all walks of life trying to survive in a time where it is seems to set up for failure. From book one, we have seen how Lily and Marvena - women from different backgrounds come together and forge a bond that comes from survival and maternal instincts. In this novel, we do get less of Marvena, which is my own complaint with the book. The Stills is more of Lily and Fiona's stories. Marvena is still around, more with Moonshiners, that Lily is trying to keep order in a time of prohibition. When a young boy gets really ill from tainted moonshine, can the two women work together again. Fiona has married George Vogel, and does not seem to be living a better life as she had hope. Lily thought she had gotten rid of Vogel and her in-laws but they seem to be back in town, and that means trouble will be close behind. I loved how some of the storylines were settled in this novel, but it seemed to also allude to future novels. I am always a bit leery when a series puts out a third novel...is this the one that concludes the series, or will there be more from Lily and town of Kinship. This series is based on a true story, but I am not sure how much of it is factual. I have listened to all three books on audio, and they are fabulous.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook/audiobook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
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March 31, 2021Thank you to TLC Book Tours and Minotaur Books for including me on the tour for 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘴 by Jess Montgomery and for a gifted copy of the book.
On Thanksgiving 1927, Sheriff Lily Ross, her family, and friends celebrate their good fortunes. Also in town for the holiday are businessman George Vogel and his wife, Fiona, who grew up with Lily. And though she never expected to see them again after they played a role in her husband Daniel’s death, her former brother-in-law, Luther, and uncle, Elias, arrived in George’s employ.
When young Zebidiah Harkins, a lookout boy, nearly dies after sampling tainted moonshine, and Lily receives a surreptitiously delivered message from Fiona, Lily tries to untangle the competing motives and determine how deep deep the criminal network goes. Pressure to determine who is flooding Bronwyn County, Ohio, with poisonous moonshine—made difficult by heavy snowfall—grows when mineworkers find a body, seeming linked to a fringe church.
Told from the alternating perspectives of Lily and Fiona, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘴, the third book in the Kinship series, by Jess Montgomery is an interesting, well-executed historical mystery. Complicated and strong but also compassionate and vulnerable, Lily’s character is both a savvy investigator but also a commentary on the challenges of women trying to have careers in the 1920s, especially in conventionally male-dominated fields. While Lily has the legitimate power that comes from her position, Fiona, under George’s thumb, must be creative to navigate a path to power and independence, and while her efforts may yield dividends, they also hold danger.
Beyond the plot and characters, the book includes fascinating historical details. One character was prescribed cigarettes to treat her asthma. (Google “asthma cigarettes.”) I also enjoyed learning more about past investigative techniques.
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘴 is perfect for historical mystery lovers.
On Thanksgiving 1927, Sheriff Lily Ross, her family, and friends celebrate their good fortunes. Also in town for the holiday are businessman George Vogel and his wife, Fiona, who grew up with Lily. And though she never expected to see them again after they played a role in her husband Daniel’s death, her former brother-in-law, Luther, and uncle, Elias, arrived in George’s employ.
When young Zebidiah Harkins, a lookout boy, nearly dies after sampling tainted moonshine, and Lily receives a surreptitiously delivered message from Fiona, Lily tries to untangle the competing motives and determine how deep deep the criminal network goes. Pressure to determine who is flooding Bronwyn County, Ohio, with poisonous moonshine—made difficult by heavy snowfall—grows when mineworkers find a body, seeming linked to a fringe church.
Told from the alternating perspectives of Lily and Fiona, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘴, the third book in the Kinship series, by Jess Montgomery is an interesting, well-executed historical mystery. Complicated and strong but also compassionate and vulnerable, Lily’s character is both a savvy investigator but also a commentary on the challenges of women trying to have careers in the 1920s, especially in conventionally male-dominated fields. While Lily has the legitimate power that comes from her position, Fiona, under George’s thumb, must be creative to navigate a path to power and independence, and while her efforts may yield dividends, they also hold danger.
Beyond the plot and characters, the book includes fascinating historical details. One character was prescribed cigarettes to treat her asthma. (Google “asthma cigarettes.”) I also enjoyed learning more about past investigative techniques.
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘴 is perfect for historical mystery lovers.
March 23, 2024
I rate this 4.5 stars and My favorite in the series so far.
Fiona is my favorite character in this novel. Lily is puzzling at times as I read the story of how she handles her emotions and her feelings. Ruth seems to be too much in the background and I wanted more of her in this book. I am glad George got what he deserved and Fiona survived his crappy ways. Luther continues to be a bad guy and he moves on into place he needs to be but it was sad how his father ends up.
The children in the book linger in my mind and what they endured. Fiona's son returning home and her child on the way are both in the forefront as I get ready to start the next book in the series. The church is not something I admired in this story and I did not care for the snake scenes. They seemed too crazy to believe, as I read about how they were used by this preacher and his followers.
I loved the way Fiona trumped George out of his business, his property, and his plans to carry out this illegal sell of products that he thought would go unnoticed by the citizens in the area of the farm he took from her uncle by planning his death and killing him. Via his hired hands, George the coward, gets things done as he wants and has no wits about him as he does these dirty deeds. It seems like he is just lucky most of the time until his luck runs out.
The aunt gets her dream by the sea and contacts Fiona about her uncle's grave but Fiona seems to forget about this request and moves on to redecorating the space she now has without George around to darken her future. Will she be lonely or will she move on and find another man to entertain her? Her friends are low in numbers and she has kept her enemy close.
Overall, I enjoyed this one very much and could not wait to see what happened to George and his hired hands. The strong females are wonderful, too. Aunt Nell is in her retired place in life. Let us see what happens with the children of this land in the next book!
Fiona is my favorite character in this novel. Lily is puzzling at times as I read the story of how she handles her emotions and her feelings. Ruth seems to be too much in the background and I wanted more of her in this book. I am glad George got what he deserved and Fiona survived his crappy ways. Luther continues to be a bad guy and he moves on into place he needs to be but it was sad how his father ends up.
The children in the book linger in my mind and what they endured. Fiona's son returning home and her child on the way are both in the forefront as I get ready to start the next book in the series. The church is not something I admired in this story and I did not care for the snake scenes. They seemed too crazy to believe, as I read about how they were used by this preacher and his followers.
I loved the way Fiona trumped George out of his business, his property, and his plans to carry out this illegal sell of products that he thought would go unnoticed by the citizens in the area of the farm he took from her uncle by planning his death and killing him. Via his hired hands, George the coward, gets things done as he wants and has no wits about him as he does these dirty deeds. It seems like he is just lucky most of the time until his luck runs out.
The aunt gets her dream by the sea and contacts Fiona about her uncle's grave but Fiona seems to forget about this request and moves on to redecorating the space she now has without George around to darken her future. Will she be lonely or will she move on and find another man to entertain her? Her friends are low in numbers and she has kept her enemy close.
Overall, I enjoyed this one very much and could not wait to see what happened to George and his hired hands. The strong females are wonderful, too. Aunt Nell is in her retired place in life. Let us see what happens with the children of this land in the next book!
June 9, 2022
Sheriff Lily Ross, single mother of 2 is settling into her job and becoming a very competent investigator. Although moonshining is illegal in the country, she sometimes turns a blind eye but when a young boy apparently drinks some tainted moonshine and becomes deathly ill, she realizes this is more dangerous. Then she hears her nemesis, George Vogel is back in town with his new wife Fiona, who grew up in the area. Along with George is Lily's ex-brother-in-law and who she partly blames for her husband's murder. George is a well known businessman although he has a ruthless streak. They have travelled from a big city and are visiting Fiona's recently widowed aunt for Thanksgiving which is suspicious in itself. She knows George is up to something but isn't sure what. He's brought numerous bodyguards with him.
She has a visit from an officer of the newly formed Bureau of Prohibition and he introduces Luther as a newly formed agent. She knows Luther well and his reputation precedes him, she suspects he's playing both sides of the fence. He hears another agent is due to make his appearance and the Attorney General Assistant is booked to present a speech. They are hoping Lily will cooperate and hopefully lead a raid that will uncover what George Vogel is really doing in his business practices. She is torn, not knowing if she can trust the Bureau agent if Luther is working with him.
Then Fiona sends her a note hidden in a pair of gloves and Lily is even more wary. She asks her friend and ex-moonshiner, Marvena to help her.
It's a good story and uncovers more of the history of moonshining in the US during the Prohibition years, how the lawmakers had to try to work with the local people in an isolated area during the 1920's who all had such different backgrounds and beliefs.
She has a visit from an officer of the newly formed Bureau of Prohibition and he introduces Luther as a newly formed agent. She knows Luther well and his reputation precedes him, she suspects he's playing both sides of the fence. He hears another agent is due to make his appearance and the Attorney General Assistant is booked to present a speech. They are hoping Lily will cooperate and hopefully lead a raid that will uncover what George Vogel is really doing in his business practices. She is torn, not knowing if she can trust the Bureau agent if Luther is working with him.
Then Fiona sends her a note hidden in a pair of gloves and Lily is even more wary. She asks her friend and ex-moonshiner, Marvena to help her.
It's a good story and uncovers more of the history of moonshining in the US during the Prohibition years, how the lawmakers had to try to work with the local people in an isolated area during the 1920's who all had such different backgrounds and beliefs.
April 5, 2021
The Prohibition Era is a fascinating time in US history, one that today makes us wonder what on earth “they” really thought about this bound-to-fail experiment in controlling people or, rather, in denying people something they want. As we know, it became a lesson in man’s ability to find a way around the rules but also caused a great deal of crime and economic pain.
Moonshining had been around, particularly in the Appalachians, for many years but came into its own during Prohibition, kind of a cottage industry, and Lily Ross was well aware that even some of her friends were involved. Being a woman of some wisdom, she looked the other way when she could, knowing that moonshining was a way to earn some much needed money in her poverty-driven county, but has to pay attention when a young boy falls ill from a bad batch. Besides looking into the source, she also becomes aware that a criminal from her past has come back to town. George Vogel almost certainly has some sort of illicit plan in mind but his wife, Fiona, is no shrinking violet either. These two each demand the sheriff’s attention and, before all is said and done, a man is murdered.
Ms. Montgomery always comes up with a complex plot that demands the reader’s attention but it’s the strength of her characters, especially the women, that keeps bringing me back. This time, we don’t get as much time with Lily’s circle of friends as I would have liked but Lily and Fiona, two very different people, are a pair worth watching. It’s easy to like and admire Lily; Fiona, not so much, but she’s every bit as intriguing as the sheriff and I was spellbound by them both. These women and their surroundings, their time in history, make this a compelling story.
Moonshining had been around, particularly in the Appalachians, for many years but came into its own during Prohibition, kind of a cottage industry, and Lily Ross was well aware that even some of her friends were involved. Being a woman of some wisdom, she looked the other way when she could, knowing that moonshining was a way to earn some much needed money in her poverty-driven county, but has to pay attention when a young boy falls ill from a bad batch. Besides looking into the source, she also becomes aware that a criminal from her past has come back to town. George Vogel almost certainly has some sort of illicit plan in mind but his wife, Fiona, is no shrinking violet either. These two each demand the sheriff’s attention and, before all is said and done, a man is murdered.
Ms. Montgomery always comes up with a complex plot that demands the reader’s attention but it’s the strength of her characters, especially the women, that keeps bringing me back. This time, we don’t get as much time with Lily’s circle of friends as I would have liked but Lily and Fiona, two very different people, are a pair worth watching. It’s easy to like and admire Lily; Fiona, not so much, but she’s every bit as intriguing as the sheriff and I was spellbound by them both. These women and their surroundings, their time in history, make this a compelling story.
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