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The Stephen Robbins Chronicles #2
My Mistress' Eyes are Raven Black
Ellis Island, 1920. New York Harbor's immigration and public health authorities are slowly recovering from the war years when a young, pregnant Irish woman disappears from the Isolation Hospital on Ellis Island.
Stephen Robbins, a specialist in finding missing persons, is assigned the case. Yet when he arrives at the isolation hospital, he discovers an inexplicable string of deaths and disappearances among immigrant patients...and a staff that seems to be hiding a chilling secret. Stephen finds an ally in Lucy Paul, an undercover nurse who is also investigating the mysterious incidents. Together, they begin to unearth a horrifying conspiracy masked beneath the hospital’s charitable exterior. As Stephen and Lucy get closer to the truth and each other, they are swept directly into the danger haunting Ellis Island and become the next targets themselves.
Amidst growing racial tensions in the wake of World War I, My Mistress’ Eyes are Raven Black explores the disturbing lengths to which people will go to protect racial purity and condemn those they fear.
Stephen Robbins, a specialist in finding missing persons, is assigned the case. Yet when he arrives at the isolation hospital, he discovers an inexplicable string of deaths and disappearances among immigrant patients...and a staff that seems to be hiding a chilling secret. Stephen finds an ally in Lucy Paul, an undercover nurse who is also investigating the mysterious incidents. Together, they begin to unearth a horrifying conspiracy masked beneath the hospital’s charitable exterior. As Stephen and Lucy get closer to the truth and each other, they are swept directly into the danger haunting Ellis Island and become the next targets themselves.
Amidst growing racial tensions in the wake of World War I, My Mistress’ Eyes are Raven Black explores the disturbing lengths to which people will go to protect racial purity and condemn those they fear.
304 pages, Paperback
First published July 27, 2021
10 people are currently reading
3410 people want to read
About the author
Terry Roberts
44 books148 followersTerry Roberts is the author of seven celebrated novels: A Short Time to Stay Here (winner of the Willie Morris Prize for Southern Fiction and the Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Fiction); That Bright Land (winner of the Thomas Wolfe Literary Award, the James Still Award for Writing About the Appalachian South and the Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Fiction); and, The Holy Ghost Speakeasy and Revival (a finalist for the 2019 Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Fiction), My Mistress’ Eyes are Raven Black (Finalist for the 2022 Best Paperback Original Novel by the International Thriller Writers Organization), The Sky Club (a finalist for the 2023 Thomas Wolfe Literary Award), The Devil Hath a Pleasing Shape, and In the Fullness of Time (Shortlisted for Book of the Year by the Southern Literary Review).
Roberts is a lifelong teacher and educational reformer as well as an award-winning novelist. He is a native of the mountains of Western North Carolina—born and bred. His ancestors include six generations of mountain farmers, as well as the bootleggers and preachers who appear in his novels. He was raised close by his grandmother, Belva Anderson Roberts, who was born in 1888 and passed to him the magic of the past along with the grit and humor of mountain story telling.
Roberts is the Director Emeritus of the National Paideia Center and lives in Asheville, North Carolina with his wife, Lynn.
Roberts is a lifelong teacher and educational reformer as well as an award-winning novelist. He is a native of the mountains of Western North Carolina—born and bred. His ancestors include six generations of mountain farmers, as well as the bootleggers and preachers who appear in his novels. He was raised close by his grandmother, Belva Anderson Roberts, who was born in 1888 and passed to him the magic of the past along with the grit and humor of mountain story telling.
Roberts is the Director Emeritus of the National Paideia Center and lives in Asheville, North Carolina with his wife, Lynn.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
August 17, 2021
Beginning on Ellis Island in the 1920s, My Mistress’ Eyes are Raven Black is a sweeping historical novel that surprised me in the best of ways.
A pregnant Irish woman is being held in the Isolation Hospital on the island, until she disappears.
Stephen Robbins is assigned to find her. When he arrives at the hospital, he’s disturbed to learn multiple deaths and disappearances have occurred at the the hospital. Something is wrong.
Stephen finds an ally in Lucy Paul, a nurse, who is also trying to find out what’s been happening at the hospital. This story has a nice mystery and tension that begins from the very start. It also addresses race and immigration.
Overall, My Mistress’ Eyes are Raven Black is an entertaining and engaging page-turning work of historical fiction with a side of mystery and enchanting love story.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
A pregnant Irish woman is being held in the Isolation Hospital on the island, until she disappears.
Stephen Robbins is assigned to find her. When he arrives at the hospital, he’s disturbed to learn multiple deaths and disappearances have occurred at the the hospital. Something is wrong.
Stephen finds an ally in Lucy Paul, a nurse, who is also trying to find out what’s been happening at the hospital. This story has a nice mystery and tension that begins from the very start. It also addresses race and immigration.
Overall, My Mistress’ Eyes are Raven Black is an entertaining and engaging page-turning work of historical fiction with a side of mystery and enchanting love story.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
July 19, 2021
I listened to the audiobook of My Mistress’ Eyes Are Raven Black by Terry Roberts and was drawn into this suspenseful mystery thriller immediately. This was the first book I have read by Terry Roberts but I am now tempted to go back and read his prior books. My Mistress’ Eyes Are Raven Black stood well as a stand alone book but after reading other reviews about this book I realized that Terry Roberts’ prior books established Stephen Robbins’ character. For that reason, I am inclined to go back and read his prior books. My Mistress’ Eyes Are Raven Black was very well written, had strong characters and a heart pounding plot that kept me guessing and at the edge of my seat for a good deal of the book. It was narrated by Wayne Mitchell. I didn’t care for his deep southern drawl at first but it grew on me. My Mistress’ Eyes Are Raven Black was a very timely novel that explored the concepts of bigotry, racism, anti Semitic feelings and White Supremacy.
Stephen Robbins, a specialist in finding missing people, was working at The Algonquin Hotel when he was approached by a nameless man. The nameless man was seeking his services to locate a missing young Irish woman. This young and pregnant Irish woman had arrived at Ellis Island, been processed and was assigned to the Isolation Hospital only to disappear without a trace. Stephen agreed to try and find out what had happened to Clara McManaway after her placement in the Isolation Hospital on Ellis Island.
It was the summer of 1920 and the war was over but there was still a great influx of immigrants that were arriving at Ellis Island. Among the new arrivals were immigrants from Europe and Africa including Jews, Roma Gypsies, Africans and the Irish. All wanted to pursue a new life of freedom and opportunity. When Stephen Robbins arrived at Ellis Island, he discovered that Clara McManaway was not the only immigrant that had mysteriously disappeared. Stephen Robbins uncovered several unexplained deaths of immigrants that had been processed at Ellis Island. Stephen also suspected that the staff of Ellis Island were being very secretive and not forthcoming with information about these mysterious deaths and disappearances. .An undercover nurse, Lucy Paul, had been placed in the Isolation Hospital, prior to Stephen’s arrival at Ellis Island. The two teamed up to work together to try and unearth the on going conspiracy they were beginning to suspect and the mysterious disappearances that had been occurring on Ellis Island. Lucy and Stephen eventually became romantically involved, discovered more than they bargained for, and ultimately became victims themselves.
This time in the history of Ellis Island and America’s policies on immigration was not a proud moment to recall. There will always be people who disliked those that are different than themselves. How sad! Unfortunately, racism, prejudice, anti semitism and white supremacy still exist. This is something, as a country and mankind in general, that we have to work on to change. Racism, anti Semitic attitudes and prejudices must be eradicated from our lives.
My Mistress’ Eyes Are Raven Black by Terry Roberts was a fast paced mystery thriller with a touch of romance. The characters from this book will stay with me for a long time. I hope that Terry Roberts decides to write another book that will include both Stephen and Lucy to see where life took them. I enjoyed this book very much and highly recommend it. I rated this book with 4.5 suspenseful stars rounded up to 5.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of My Mistress’ Eyes Are Raven Black by Terry Roberts through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. My Mistress’ Eyes Are Raven Black will be published on July 21, 2021.
Stephen Robbins, a specialist in finding missing people, was working at The Algonquin Hotel when he was approached by a nameless man. The nameless man was seeking his services to locate a missing young Irish woman. This young and pregnant Irish woman had arrived at Ellis Island, been processed and was assigned to the Isolation Hospital only to disappear without a trace. Stephen agreed to try and find out what had happened to Clara McManaway after her placement in the Isolation Hospital on Ellis Island.
It was the summer of 1920 and the war was over but there was still a great influx of immigrants that were arriving at Ellis Island. Among the new arrivals were immigrants from Europe and Africa including Jews, Roma Gypsies, Africans and the Irish. All wanted to pursue a new life of freedom and opportunity. When Stephen Robbins arrived at Ellis Island, he discovered that Clara McManaway was not the only immigrant that had mysteriously disappeared. Stephen Robbins uncovered several unexplained deaths of immigrants that had been processed at Ellis Island. Stephen also suspected that the staff of Ellis Island were being very secretive and not forthcoming with information about these mysterious deaths and disappearances. .An undercover nurse, Lucy Paul, had been placed in the Isolation Hospital, prior to Stephen’s arrival at Ellis Island. The two teamed up to work together to try and unearth the on going conspiracy they were beginning to suspect and the mysterious disappearances that had been occurring on Ellis Island. Lucy and Stephen eventually became romantically involved, discovered more than they bargained for, and ultimately became victims themselves.
This time in the history of Ellis Island and America’s policies on immigration was not a proud moment to recall. There will always be people who disliked those that are different than themselves. How sad! Unfortunately, racism, prejudice, anti semitism and white supremacy still exist. This is something, as a country and mankind in general, that we have to work on to change. Racism, anti Semitic attitudes and prejudices must be eradicated from our lives.
My Mistress’ Eyes Are Raven Black by Terry Roberts was a fast paced mystery thriller with a touch of romance. The characters from this book will stay with me for a long time. I hope that Terry Roberts decides to write another book that will include both Stephen and Lucy to see where life took them. I enjoyed this book very much and highly recommend it. I rated this book with 4.5 suspenseful stars rounded up to 5.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of My Mistress’ Eyes Are Raven Black by Terry Roberts through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. My Mistress’ Eyes Are Raven Black will be published on July 21, 2021.
March 18, 2021
I've actually read this book twice - once for the pure enjoyment of the mystery and then once again for the amazing timeliness of the subject. The novel is set at Ellis Island just after the end of World War I and features Stephen Robbins from an earlier book by the same author. Stephen is a "finder" who is recruited by the "nameless man" to discover what happened to a young Irish immigrant who disappeared after arriving at Ellis Island. America in 1920 features strongly in the story but one can easily substitute America in 2020 and the book is still amazingly timely. The characters are strong and fierce, good and bad, gentle and evil. The mountains of western North Carolina feature strongly in the story and the reader finds himself rooting for Stephen to make his weary way home after the satisfying conclusion of the book. Read it as a mystery or read it as a commentary on society; either way it's one fine book and a worthy addition to your own bookshelf.
April 17, 2021
Though the title of Terry Roberts' latest, MY MISTRESS HAS RAVEN EYES, may sound like a throwback to another era, the novel spins a historical tale with resonance in today's world.
Though sleuth Stephen Robbins has come to Ellis Island at the request of the US government because a young Irish immigrant has gone missing, it soon becomes apparent that she isn't the only one missing or dead under mysterious circumstances and something horrible is going on here. Robbins faces the unfortunate reality of bigotry and racism and its power to warp people's thinking. The facility is a hornet's nest of sociopaths with a charismatic leader, and Robbins and his new love find themselves in great danger as they work to uncover the plot afoot.
Roberts has created a well-paced story of mystery and suspense, with complex and fully developed characters, and he manages to include a sweet love story as a bonus.
Though sleuth Stephen Robbins has come to Ellis Island at the request of the US government because a young Irish immigrant has gone missing, it soon becomes apparent that she isn't the only one missing or dead under mysterious circumstances and something horrible is going on here. Robbins faces the unfortunate reality of bigotry and racism and its power to warp people's thinking. The facility is a hornet's nest of sociopaths with a charismatic leader, and Robbins and his new love find themselves in great danger as they work to uncover the plot afoot.
Roberts has created a well-paced story of mystery and suspense, with complex and fully developed characters, and he manages to include a sweet love story as a bonus.
February 2, 2021
I found My Mistress’ Eyes Are Raven Black to be a highly entertaining and topical novel. Part detective novel, part love story, and part an examination of the human tendency to dislike those that are different, the story is engaging from cover to cover. Stephen Robbins, the protagonist from A Short Time to Stay Here, returns but is far from his home in the mountains of North Carolina. Stephen finds himself on Ellis Island with a murderer loose and pairs, both professionally and personally, with nurse Lucy Paul to stop the killer or killers before they, too, become victims. This book is a page turner you won’t want to miss!
April 19, 2021
Terry Roberts has penned an action-packed, heart-felt story set in Ellis Island. It's difficult to write a review without giving anything away (don't you have reviews that spoil everything?).During a time when any novels are "predictable", Terry Roberts pieces this mystery together in a way that leaves readers begging for his next novel. I'm still thinking about My Mistress' Eyes are Raven Black even days after finishing. He will not disappoint.
April 12, 2021
1920 and the mysterious disappearance of an immigrant girl brings Stephen Robbins from his current post at the storied Algonquin to Ellis Island as an investigator. Robbins, the charismatic protagonist of Robert’s earlier A Short Time to Stay Here, is fighting his own demons as he pursues ever more troubling hints, allegations, and additional disappearances with the help of Lucy, a spirited and beguiling nurse.
As a product of Appalachia, Robbins is as alien to this world as the immigrants being processed and judged for their suitability as citizens. Robbins’s memories of his mountain home are lyrical in contrast to the harsh institutional sterility of Ellis Island, as is his burgeoning love affair with the unconventional Lucy.
The novel details the rampant anti-immigration, eugenics, and White supremacy movements of the Twenties, leaving the reader to see the unhappy parallels in today’s USA.
A mystery, a love story, and compelling social commentary, My Mistress’ Eyes Are Raven Black is an absorbing and timely read.
As a product of Appalachia, Robbins is as alien to this world as the immigrants being processed and judged for their suitability as citizens. Robbins’s memories of his mountain home are lyrical in contrast to the harsh institutional sterility of Ellis Island, as is his burgeoning love affair with the unconventional Lucy.
The novel details the rampant anti-immigration, eugenics, and White supremacy movements of the Twenties, leaving the reader to see the unhappy parallels in today’s USA.
A mystery, a love story, and compelling social commentary, My Mistress’ Eyes Are Raven Black is an absorbing and timely read.
January 1, 2022
I hadn't heard of this book at all before I spotted it on my library's shelves and decided to bring it home with me. And I'm so glad I did!
My Mistress' Eyes Are Raven Black is a historical mystery focusing on Ellis Island in the 1920s. Stephen Robbins is sent on assignment to locate a young pregnant woman who went missing from Ellis Island during her emigration. While there, he meets Lucy Paul, a nurse who was also sent to the island to investigate a high death rate at the island's hospital. Together they discover a history of disappearances and premature deaths, and work together to begin to unearth the conspiracy behind it.
There were so many things I appreciated about this book, from its atmospheric writing that dropped me straight into the time period and troubling setting, to its head-on examination of race, eugenics, and the seeds of hatred that lie at the heart of all humanity. There was great tension and suspense throughout. My least favorite part was the very last line, a "twist" that I saw coming that was wholly unnecessary, distracting, and a little trite. For a book that had some solid writing throughout, the ending felt like a whimper.
Overall, a solid read and I'll be checking out other books by this author.
My Mistress' Eyes Are Raven Black is a historical mystery focusing on Ellis Island in the 1920s. Stephen Robbins is sent on assignment to locate a young pregnant woman who went missing from Ellis Island during her emigration. While there, he meets Lucy Paul, a nurse who was also sent to the island to investigate a high death rate at the island's hospital. Together they discover a history of disappearances and premature deaths, and work together to begin to unearth the conspiracy behind it.
There were so many things I appreciated about this book, from its atmospheric writing that dropped me straight into the time period and troubling setting, to its head-on examination of race, eugenics, and the seeds of hatred that lie at the heart of all humanity. There was great tension and suspense throughout. My least favorite part was the very last line, a "twist" that I saw coming that was wholly unnecessary, distracting, and a little trite. For a book that had some solid writing throughout, the ending felt like a whimper.
Overall, a solid read and I'll be checking out other books by this author.
March 26, 2021
I really enjoyed this page-turner of a novel. Among other things, I especially appreciated the character of the nurse, Lucy Paul. She’s an incredibly strong woman who speaks and acts for herself. In many ways, Lucy is the embodiment of one of my favorite sayings: “she believed she could, so she did!”
Even though Stephen Robbins is the narrator of My Mistress’ Eyes Are Raven Black, the title is actually a reference to Lucy, who is a full partner in solving the horrible crimes that the two of them encounter on Ellis Island. I especially recommend this novel to readers who like strong women characters.
Even though Stephen Robbins is the narrator of My Mistress’ Eyes Are Raven Black, the title is actually a reference to Lucy, who is a full partner in solving the horrible crimes that the two of them encounter on Ellis Island. I especially recommend this novel to readers who like strong women characters.
November 8, 2021
This is an enchantingly claustrophobic historical mystery that fills its tightly restricted setting--the immigration-related buildings of Ellis Island--with palpable tension. Having read the earlier adventures of Stephen Robbins in A Short Time to Stay Here during the height of the pandemic, I was disappointed at the beginning of this new novel by the loss of Anna Ulmann. I missed her for the first few chapters of My Mistress' Eyes Are Raven Black, but it wasn't long before the arrival and development of Lucy Paul more than made up for Anna's betrayal and disappearance. Lucy is a better match for Stephen in every way, and he certainly needs her help in this richly plotted story. Robbins and Paul are supported by a cast of well-imagined characters who are all interesting and dangerous--for good or ill--in their individual ways.
The story Roberts tells feels authentic, which suggests more than adequate research into the processes and the portal through which came those "'tired, . . . poor, / . . . huddled masses yearning to breathe free. . . .'" Their welcome was far from certain--as is the case for their immigrating followers today, and it is perhaps due, barely, to the USA's own status as a nation of immigrant invaders and to its better angels--represented here by Robbins, Lucy, the Nameless Man, and others--that we didn't join WWII on the side of Hitler some twenty years after the close of this novel. (I'm not certain we would make the same choice today.)
Roberts continues to write strong yet lyrical prose. Stephen Robbins's voice is friendly and engaging. And as it was with Stephen and Anna in A Short Time to Stay Here, the sensuality of the relationship between Stephen and Lucy seems, perhaps, both surprising for a historical novel and delightfully steamy, providing readers with the same brief respite and solace Stephen and Lucy enjoy in the darkness that threatens to overwhelm Ellis Island then . . . and our own various borders now.
The story Roberts tells feels authentic, which suggests more than adequate research into the processes and the portal through which came those "'tired, . . . poor, / . . . huddled masses yearning to breathe free. . . .'" Their welcome was far from certain--as is the case for their immigrating followers today, and it is perhaps due, barely, to the USA's own status as a nation of immigrant invaders and to its better angels--represented here by Robbins, Lucy, the Nameless Man, and others--that we didn't join WWII on the side of Hitler some twenty years after the close of this novel. (I'm not certain we would make the same choice today.)
Roberts continues to write strong yet lyrical prose. Stephen Robbins's voice is friendly and engaging. And as it was with Stephen and Anna in A Short Time to Stay Here, the sensuality of the relationship between Stephen and Lucy seems, perhaps, both surprising for a historical novel and delightfully steamy, providing readers with the same brief respite and solace Stephen and Lucy enjoy in the darkness that threatens to overwhelm Ellis Island then . . . and our own various borders now.
September 26, 2021
Although I wanted to love this book as the setting in Isolation Hospital on Ellis Island in 1920 and the mystery of a missing pregnant immigrant were both appealing to me. There was much to love about this story - the historical component involving the immigration policies of the time, the workings of Ellis Island and the sweeping love story. There was also a layer that exposed the blatant racism that many immigrants faced. However, the execution of this story didn’t capture my attention or my emotions like I was anticipating. The narrative was on the dry side. The audio narration was average. The narrator’s female voice wasn’t that appealing but he did a solid job in delivering the procedural-like narrative. I found myself losing interest as the plot progressed. Not a good fit for me but I think other readers who enjoy police procedurals and are okay with a focus on racism will like this book much more than I did.
I received an advanced audio copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an advanced audio copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 31, 2021
Imagine a time when immigrants were categorized upon arrival, detained in a facility with practices less-than-humane, and their fate determined by low-level officials with their individual prejudices, preferences, and ideas about ethnic purity. This is the time setting of My Mistress' Eyes Are Raven Black, the new novel by Terry Roberts, almost exactly 100 years ago, even though it sounds like yesterday. The story unfolds in the facility on Ellis Island - in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor. The outsider encountering the situation is Stephen Robbins, (whom readers met before in A Short Time To Stay Here), an investigator specializing in missing persons, who works to disentangle the web of events and personal motivations in the apparent disappearance of one of the immigrants. The story is suspenseful, and the characters are rounded and complex. Terry Roberts' signature talent for describing setting is at its sharpest. And the plot construction is so tight, the pages will turn themselves. This is a must-read!
March 24, 2021
Mysterious disappearances, covert investigations, tales of love and loss... this novel has all the good things to keep a reader turning pages. Mixed in with all of that is a look into the history of America with jarring statements and comparisons, many of which can still be found reflected in contemporary society. Every person you meet in the novel has an attitude, a way, a depth. Through these characters, questions are asked, opinions are voiced, ideas are challenged. And through these characters wonderful things happen and horrible things happen and the reader is carried around trying to make sense of it all. It’s not only an intriguing adventure, but a fiercely relevant discussion on racial and ethnic tensions, people’s ability to turn fear into hate, and the less apparent societal structures that can allow for social disaster. Incredibly put together.
July 18, 2021
My Mistress’ Eyes Are Raven Black by Terry Roberts ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Stephen Robbins can find lost things.. and people. He is sent to Ellis Island in 1920, to investigate a woman who went missing while immigrating.
This was a straight up, atmospheric mystery. It went places I wasn’t expecting and entirely shocked me. I advise going into it without reading too much background, which is why I’ve kept the above synopsis short. It’s got a real Shutter Island feel to it. I haven’t read any other books with Ellis Island as the actual setting, but it makes for a good mystery, being an island with a lot of drama!
“Somebody made that girl vanish. Somebody who knew their way around this place front and back, first and last, day and night. And until I know who, everybody is a suspect.”
My Mistress’ Eyes Are Raven Black comes out 7/27.
Stephen Robbins can find lost things.. and people. He is sent to Ellis Island in 1920, to investigate a woman who went missing while immigrating.
This was a straight up, atmospheric mystery. It went places I wasn’t expecting and entirely shocked me. I advise going into it without reading too much background, which is why I’ve kept the above synopsis short. It’s got a real Shutter Island feel to it. I haven’t read any other books with Ellis Island as the actual setting, but it makes for a good mystery, being an island with a lot of drama!
“Somebody made that girl vanish. Somebody who knew their way around this place front and back, first and last, day and night. And until I know who, everybody is a suspect.”
My Mistress’ Eyes Are Raven Black comes out 7/27.
April 23, 2021
Behind the grandiose facade of Ellis Island’s Great Hall lay a grimmer reality of immigrants herded like livestock; separated by gender, waiting in interminable line, chalk marked after a cursory inspection for potential infirmities. This was followed by poor housing and meager meals. But, might William Alciphron’s Renaissance Revival extravaganza hide a more sinister fate for some.
In My Mistress’ Eyes Are Raven Black, Terry Roberts posits just such a possibility in his a suspenseful historical mystery set at Ellis Island in 1920. Following WWI, the island was welcoming a different type of immigrant than prior to the war when great waves of Northern Europeans entered the US. By 1920, Southern and Eastern Europeans, Romany, Africans and Middle Easterners were becoming the prevailing type. People from the “warmer” parts of the world; darker, speaking unfathomable languages, worshipping in mysterious ways, and breeding like rabbits, as one behemoth of a nurse says. This wave set off a corresponding wave of xenophobia in the country.
Stephen Robbins, a western North Carolina pilgrim to the hubbub of New York City is managing at the fabled Algonquin when the mysterious man with no name approaches him concerning a young immigrant who has gone missing at Ellis Island. In Roberts’s previous novel, A Short Time to Stay Here, he had made use of Robbins uncanny ability to read people and find what’s missing. Now, Ciara McManaway, the relation of a powerful politician is missing. Robbins is tasked with finding her.
At Ellis Island, Robbins is met with a host of paper pushers and bureaucrats along with the grandmotherly Nurse Taylor. Taylor exudes goodwill and Christian wholesomeness. Her cadre of nurses and other medical staff idolize her as a paragon. Also, Robbins meets Lucy Paul, a nurse who has also been sent to look into a series of disappearances. Despite assurances of full cooperation, as Roberts begins to question and dig, more disappearances occur.
Roberts’s novel is tautly rendered. He imparts a great deal of historical information, but this is managed seamlessly, never impeding the story’s grip. The lyrical cadences of Robbins’ narration are reminiscent of the mountain storytelling tradition. A complex, tormented narrator, Robbins is still an amiable guide for the reader.
With themes xenophobia and racism that still haunt the US, My Mistress’ Eyes is at once relevant and riveting.
In My Mistress’ Eyes Are Raven Black, Terry Roberts posits just such a possibility in his a suspenseful historical mystery set at Ellis Island in 1920. Following WWI, the island was welcoming a different type of immigrant than prior to the war when great waves of Northern Europeans entered the US. By 1920, Southern and Eastern Europeans, Romany, Africans and Middle Easterners were becoming the prevailing type. People from the “warmer” parts of the world; darker, speaking unfathomable languages, worshipping in mysterious ways, and breeding like rabbits, as one behemoth of a nurse says. This wave set off a corresponding wave of xenophobia in the country.
Stephen Robbins, a western North Carolina pilgrim to the hubbub of New York City is managing at the fabled Algonquin when the mysterious man with no name approaches him concerning a young immigrant who has gone missing at Ellis Island. In Roberts’s previous novel, A Short Time to Stay Here, he had made use of Robbins uncanny ability to read people and find what’s missing. Now, Ciara McManaway, the relation of a powerful politician is missing. Robbins is tasked with finding her.
At Ellis Island, Robbins is met with a host of paper pushers and bureaucrats along with the grandmotherly Nurse Taylor. Taylor exudes goodwill and Christian wholesomeness. Her cadre of nurses and other medical staff idolize her as a paragon. Also, Robbins meets Lucy Paul, a nurse who has also been sent to look into a series of disappearances. Despite assurances of full cooperation, as Roberts begins to question and dig, more disappearances occur.
Roberts’s novel is tautly rendered. He imparts a great deal of historical information, but this is managed seamlessly, never impeding the story’s grip. The lyrical cadences of Robbins’ narration are reminiscent of the mountain storytelling tradition. A complex, tormented narrator, Robbins is still an amiable guide for the reader.
With themes xenophobia and racism that still haunt the US, My Mistress’ Eyes is at once relevant and riveting.
April 29, 2021
Terry Roberts has come to be known as one of our most trustworthy guides to that tumultuous epoch in our national history surrounding the First World War. In past novels he has exposed the excesses of war-time racism and Prohibition-era pietism. This time around he confronts the early twentieth century’s mania for eugenics. The hero of his first novel, Stephen Robbins, is back with his raffish charm and a sawed-off shotgun as he takes on a corrupt administration at the isolation hospital on Ellis Island. The arch villain, Head Nurse Taylor, is a deadly combination of puritanism and charisma--two parts Nurse Ratched and one part Jim Jones. While Nurse Taylor bends to her will a gang of henchmen whom she enlists in her campaign to protect America’s gene pool, two souls damaged by past relationships take refuge in the psychotic ward and give love another chance. My Mistress’ Eyes Are Raven Black has the libido of a noir thriller and the heart of a Shakespearean sonnet. Don’t miss it!
March 12, 2022
A great work of historical fiction - in the description, the last line reads that this book “explores the disturbing lengths to which people will go to protect racial purity and condemn those they fear”. That describes the book so well. This book is meaningful as it reminds us how the past can be repeated if we rely on hate instead of kindness. It takes a hard historical part of history and writes it into an intriguing thriller crime mystery.
July 16, 2021
The narration was very good
This was a pretty good story. It dealt with some hot-button issues of past and present, but the novel didn't take itself to seriously which produced a fun read.
Its historical fiction dealing with early 20th-century immigration and race issues. An Investigator with a past goes to Ellis island and has to deal with the locals to solve a mystery about immigrant disappearances.
Yinz should read this one!
This was a pretty good story. It dealt with some hot-button issues of past and present, but the novel didn't take itself to seriously which produced a fun read.
Its historical fiction dealing with early 20th-century immigration and race issues. An Investigator with a past goes to Ellis island and has to deal with the locals to solve a mystery about immigrant disappearances.
Yinz should read this one!
December 6, 2021
This book has it all — history, crime, murder, intrigue, romance. Highly recommended.
July 26, 2021
First off, I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to the book. The novel kept my interest, but just not as much as I would have liked. I did enjoy listening to the narrator.
April 27, 2021
My Mistress’ Eyes are Raven Black is a riveting tale of deception, determination, and delight. Misguided attitudes toward “the other” led to unimaginable horrors in the effort to keep America pure. I quickly became an ardent advocate for Stephen and Lucy in their quest to right the wrongs done to unsuspecting immigrants entering the US through Ellis Island. The very individuals tasked with the care of these newcomers allowed their personal feelings of superiority to guide their sinister actions. Sadly, this story continues to be a timely one in the United States today as others are targeted due to unwelcomed differences. It’s a blatant example of human blindness caused by hate.
The book’s unexpected conclusion left me longing to know more about Stephen’s and Lucy’s next adventure! I would look forward to a sequel!
The book’s unexpected conclusion left me longing to know more about Stephen’s and Lucy’s next adventure! I would look forward to a sequel!
April 2, 2021
I enjoyed reading this book and it was hard to put down. The characters are well developed and the various twists and turns kept me in suspense. I am purposely leaving out details because I think everyone should read this book without any “clues” in the review. Highly recommend!
July 6, 2021
My Mistress’ Eyes are Raven Black
Terry Roberts
The setting of this tale is Ellis Island in the 1920s, just after WWI. A young pregnant Irish woman, Ciara McManaway, has vanished from the Isolation Hospital on Ellis Island. Stephen Robbins is appointed the task of finding her. Robbins specializes in locating people. The immigrants were different post WWI than they had been previously. Among those seeking to relocate in the US were Africans, Middle Easterners, Eastern Europeans and Romany. Robbins discovers something very disturbing; the young woman isn’t the only missing person. Immigrants are dead or disappeared. Robbins found a collaborator in Lucy Paul, a covert nurse, probing the unexplained occurrences. They find a gruesome plot concealed below the hospital’s benevolent façade and the staff is in on it. As Robbins and Lucy draw closer to the answers their lives are endangered.
This is the second time Robbins has appeared in one of author Terry Roberts books. Stephen Robbins is from the mountains of North Carolina. Throughout the story he remembers his roots. Robbins could empathize with the immigrants for he felt as if he were an alien in a strange land. On Ellis Island Stephen begins his investigation and soon realizes he is looking for a killer. He and Lucy Paul work well together; I enjoyed their interaction both romantically and professionally. Lucy Paul is a strong female lead; she exhibits strength, the ability to act on her own and she doesn’t hesitate to speak her mind. Their love story was sweet and endearing. This tale discusses anti-immigration sentiments and white-supremacy movement in the 1920s; it was as if Hitler were directing many of the staff.
I found myself contemplating several aspects of this novel. 1. The way Christianity is shown in a racist light. It disturbed me to see scripture twisted to benefit the purposes of an evil person. 2. The idea of immigrants being murdered because they did not fit the criteria of certain people was sad however I have seen other reviewers compare it to current issues unjustly. The people on Ellis Island come legally. Comparing those on Ellis Island and those on our borders is comparing oranges to apples.
This is an excellent read for it lingers with the reader long after the last word is read.
Terry Roberts
The setting of this tale is Ellis Island in the 1920s, just after WWI. A young pregnant Irish woman, Ciara McManaway, has vanished from the Isolation Hospital on Ellis Island. Stephen Robbins is appointed the task of finding her. Robbins specializes in locating people. The immigrants were different post WWI than they had been previously. Among those seeking to relocate in the US were Africans, Middle Easterners, Eastern Europeans and Romany. Robbins discovers something very disturbing; the young woman isn’t the only missing person. Immigrants are dead or disappeared. Robbins found a collaborator in Lucy Paul, a covert nurse, probing the unexplained occurrences. They find a gruesome plot concealed below the hospital’s benevolent façade and the staff is in on it. As Robbins and Lucy draw closer to the answers their lives are endangered.
This is the second time Robbins has appeared in one of author Terry Roberts books. Stephen Robbins is from the mountains of North Carolina. Throughout the story he remembers his roots. Robbins could empathize with the immigrants for he felt as if he were an alien in a strange land. On Ellis Island Stephen begins his investigation and soon realizes he is looking for a killer. He and Lucy Paul work well together; I enjoyed their interaction both romantically and professionally. Lucy Paul is a strong female lead; she exhibits strength, the ability to act on her own and she doesn’t hesitate to speak her mind. Their love story was sweet and endearing. This tale discusses anti-immigration sentiments and white-supremacy movement in the 1920s; it was as if Hitler were directing many of the staff.
I found myself contemplating several aspects of this novel. 1. The way Christianity is shown in a racist light. It disturbed me to see scripture twisted to benefit the purposes of an evil person. 2. The idea of immigrants being murdered because they did not fit the criteria of certain people was sad however I have seen other reviewers compare it to current issues unjustly. The people on Ellis Island come legally. Comparing those on Ellis Island and those on our borders is comparing oranges to apples.
This is an excellent read for it lingers with the reader long after the last word is read.
April 4, 2021
If you missed Roberts' first installment featuring Stephen Robbins entitled "A Short Time to Stay Here," you won't find yourself lost reading this one, though I recommend going back for it. Roberts picks up the thread with his protagonist in an entirely different setting and reminds us how he drew us in the first time. Set in 1920 on Ellis Island, the novel is entertaining, suspenseful and immersive. "My Mistress' Eyes are Raven Black" provides an imaginative window to the past with themes that resonate in the here and now.
July 11, 2021
This is a fabulous book read as an audio book by a fabulous reader. The book is told in the voice of Stephen Robbins, a world-weary but still young man in 1920. He is from the mountains of North Carolina, which figure prominently in his dreams, reminiscences and hopes. The narrator brings him to life with a Southern drawl that brings a sort of lazy thoughtfulness to the character. It is very slow-paced drawl, however, and once I had listened long enough to get a sense of the man, I speeded up the narration.
Just as his love life is imploding, Stephen is sent to Ellis Island to find a missing Irish immigrant. Very soon, he meets the mistress with the raven black eyes, Lucy Paul. Together, as a relationship develops between them with the slow steamy pace that his accent seems to presage, they uncover a conspiracy that almost seems as though it could be ripped from the pages of present-day news.
The writing is astounding. The mountains of North Carolina are beautifully described, making Stephen's desire to return to his home poignant. The relationship between Lucy and Stephen avoids harsh sexual language in favor of languorous, sensual descriptions. The history of Ellis Island is well integrated into the plot line, so that it never feels like a history lesson. The secondary characters are all well drawn, bringing the entire world of Ellis Island just after WWI to life. And, finally, the underlying theme fits in its time and place as well as addressing today's concerns.
This is one of the finest examples I have encountered of a narrator's realization of a writer's intention enhancing that writing. I'm sure the book would have been fabulous on it's own, but I am glad I was able to experience Wayne Mitchell's narration.
Just as his love life is imploding, Stephen is sent to Ellis Island to find a missing Irish immigrant. Very soon, he meets the mistress with the raven black eyes, Lucy Paul. Together, as a relationship develops between them with the slow steamy pace that his accent seems to presage, they uncover a conspiracy that almost seems as though it could be ripped from the pages of present-day news.
The writing is astounding. The mountains of North Carolina are beautifully described, making Stephen's desire to return to his home poignant. The relationship between Lucy and Stephen avoids harsh sexual language in favor of languorous, sensual descriptions. The history of Ellis Island is well integrated into the plot line, so that it never feels like a history lesson. The secondary characters are all well drawn, bringing the entire world of Ellis Island just after WWI to life. And, finally, the underlying theme fits in its time and place as well as addressing today's concerns.
This is one of the finest examples I have encountered of a narrator's realization of a writer's intention enhancing that writing. I'm sure the book would have been fabulous on it's own, but I am glad I was able to experience Wayne Mitchell's narration.
July 25, 2021
This historical novel is set entirely on New York Harbor’s Ellis Island. Stephen Robbins, who is adept at finding things and people, has been hired to find an Irish woman , Ciara McManaway, who arrived on Ellis Island as one among thousands of people who needed to get past the guardians who decide who stays and who must return to their native countries. When Ciara arrived at Ellis Island, she was assigned to an isolation ward because she was pregnant, and then vanished. Stephen methodically begins to peel back the layers of secrets about what happened to Ciara and dozens of others. After Stephen meets Lucy Paul, a nurse working undercover, the two investigators pool their resources to uncover the insidious and murderous events occurring on Ellis Island.
This is a well-written fast-paced book that captures the nuances of life on the island in a time when racism was rampant and out in the open. Roberts has created two strong characters in Stephen and Lucy, both are flawed, intelligent and are able to accept the other at face value in order to solve the mystery of Ellis Island. Even the secondary characters are well-drawn and truly evil.
If you like your mysteries to keep you up reading into the wee hours of the morning and with maze-like twists and turns, then this is definitely the book for you. If you like your historicals to be set in familiar places and to learn something you didn’t know about those places, then this book is for you. If you like your historical mysteries to have some humor and a bit of romance, then try this book. Terry Roberts’ book should be at the top of your to-be-read list because historical mysteries don’t get any better than this.
My thanks to Turner Publishing and Edelweiss for an eARC.
This is a well-written fast-paced book that captures the nuances of life on the island in a time when racism was rampant and out in the open. Roberts has created two strong characters in Stephen and Lucy, both are flawed, intelligent and are able to accept the other at face value in order to solve the mystery of Ellis Island. Even the secondary characters are well-drawn and truly evil.
If you like your mysteries to keep you up reading into the wee hours of the morning and with maze-like twists and turns, then this is definitely the book for you. If you like your historicals to be set in familiar places and to learn something you didn’t know about those places, then this book is for you. If you like your historical mysteries to have some humor and a bit of romance, then try this book. Terry Roberts’ book should be at the top of your to-be-read list because historical mysteries don’t get any better than this.
My thanks to Turner Publishing and Edelweiss for an eARC.
April 8, 2022
My Mistress’ Eyes Are Raven Black had such potential, but the ending was a disappointment and I am unsure if I would recommend.
The novel opens with a mystery - a young pregnant Irish lass arrives at Ellis Island and suddenly disappears. The case has relevance as she is related to an important congressman. The protagonist, who has experience locating missing people, is hired and he teams up with a female nurse, who was tasked by a medical agency to determine why the medical wards are reporting a higher mortality rate. Together, they, who become romantically linked, uncover a larger ring of deception, murder and religious fanaticism.
The beginning and middle parts of the novel were enjoyable. The story sheds light on the immigrant experience - the intake process at Ellis Island, the worry and concern the newcomers feel while waiting for their future to begin, and the strong prevailing nativism existing in the first quarter of the twentieth century.
However, the novel stumbles in the last 40 pages and that casts a pall on the entire story. The main characters are vigilant and took extra precautions to ensure their safety and it was so uncharacteristic of them to throw caution to the wind. The sudden forced drama was so predicable and anti-climatic that it made me like this book less.
Moreover, the impetus for this story was the missing pregnant girl and that thread was never full developed or explored. The protagonist does a perfunctory job in tracking down the lass’s relatives, but there is no explanation connecting her to the politician. I guess that plot line became irrelevant when a larger puzzle was presented to the characters?
Perhaps, I am advising devotees of historical fiction to pick up the book, but buyer beware and quit before the novel concludes!
The novel opens with a mystery - a young pregnant Irish lass arrives at Ellis Island and suddenly disappears. The case has relevance as she is related to an important congressman. The protagonist, who has experience locating missing people, is hired and he teams up with a female nurse, who was tasked by a medical agency to determine why the medical wards are reporting a higher mortality rate. Together, they, who become romantically linked, uncover a larger ring of deception, murder and religious fanaticism.
The beginning and middle parts of the novel were enjoyable. The story sheds light on the immigrant experience - the intake process at Ellis Island, the worry and concern the newcomers feel while waiting for their future to begin, and the strong prevailing nativism existing in the first quarter of the twentieth century.
However, the novel stumbles in the last 40 pages and that casts a pall on the entire story. The main characters are vigilant and took extra precautions to ensure their safety and it was so uncharacteristic of them to throw caution to the wind. The sudden forced drama was so predicable and anti-climatic that it made me like this book less.
Moreover, the impetus for this story was the missing pregnant girl and that thread was never full developed or explored. The protagonist does a perfunctory job in tracking down the lass’s relatives, but there is no explanation connecting her to the politician. I guess that plot line became irrelevant when a larger puzzle was presented to the characters?
Perhaps, I am advising devotees of historical fiction to pick up the book, but buyer beware and quit before the novel concludes!
June 28, 2021
My Mistress' Eyes are Raven Black is an astonishing read about mysterious deaths and disappearances in Ellis Island during the 1920s. Terry Roberts adds mystery, suspense, romance, and shines a light on the racial injustice that took place in the times after WWI.
Stephen is assigned to find a pregnant Irish woman who disappeared at an isolation hospital on Ellis Island. He is good at his job and always finds out these types of mysteries so he is confident that he will discover the truth. When he arrives, he learns that there are so many more secrets and dangers than expected. He meets an undercover nurse named Lucy and they decide to team up to stop the murders and disappearances.
This book really kept me on the edge of my seat. It's fast-paced and you never know what's coming next. I liked that amongst all the danger set forth the author provided a bit of romance. The romance between Stephen and Lucy made things more intentional. Whether it be their decisions or the risks they were willing to take everything became more deliberate.
I give My Mistress' Eyes are Raven Black 5 stars. The mystery and suspense of the story will have readers anxious to see what's to come. It is definitely a page-turner!
Stephen is assigned to find a pregnant Irish woman who disappeared at an isolation hospital on Ellis Island. He is good at his job and always finds out these types of mysteries so he is confident that he will discover the truth. When he arrives, he learns that there are so many more secrets and dangers than expected. He meets an undercover nurse named Lucy and they decide to team up to stop the murders and disappearances.
This book really kept me on the edge of my seat. It's fast-paced and you never know what's coming next. I liked that amongst all the danger set forth the author provided a bit of romance. The romance between Stephen and Lucy made things more intentional. Whether it be their decisions or the risks they were willing to take everything became more deliberate.
I give My Mistress' Eyes are Raven Black 5 stars. The mystery and suspense of the story will have readers anxious to see what's to come. It is definitely a page-turner!
November 12, 2021
We want to thank @turnerpub for sending us and advanced reader’s copy of My Mistress’ Eyes Are Raven Black by Terry Roberts! I loved this book so much! It’s set on Ellis Island just after WW1 has ended.
I just happened to be making a trip to NYC and was able to snap this picture at Ellis Island! I really enjoyed reading this book after visiting Ellis Island in person. I was really able to visualize the story in a fascinating way.
Mysterious deaths and missing persons have the attention of the Bureau of Investigation. Someone is deciding who lives and who dies at the isolation hospital and Stephen Robbins is the man sent to find out. He teams up with nurse Lucy Paul and they shockingly find out that the victims were murdered because they were deemed “racially impure”. Their mission is to find out who is responsible for these atrocities and bring them to justice. They soon find themselves in danger and in fear for their lives as they try to catch the culprits in the act of their crimes.
Make sure you visit our Amazon Storefront and get a copy of this thrilling historical fiction novel! You won’t be disappointed! 🌺🧜🏻♀️
I just happened to be making a trip to NYC and was able to snap this picture at Ellis Island! I really enjoyed reading this book after visiting Ellis Island in person. I was really able to visualize the story in a fascinating way.
Mysterious deaths and missing persons have the attention of the Bureau of Investigation. Someone is deciding who lives and who dies at the isolation hospital and Stephen Robbins is the man sent to find out. He teams up with nurse Lucy Paul and they shockingly find out that the victims were murdered because they were deemed “racially impure”. Their mission is to find out who is responsible for these atrocities and bring them to justice. They soon find themselves in danger and in fear for their lives as they try to catch the culprits in the act of their crimes.
Make sure you visit our Amazon Storefront and get a copy of this thrilling historical fiction novel! You won’t be disappointed! 🌺🧜🏻♀️
July 15, 2021
I do not generally read books in this genre. I could not stop reading this book.
Terry Roberts has done his due diligence when creating this detective mystery set after World War I and on Ellis Island. Robbins takes on a new case from the Nameless Man (he only knows that he works for the government). That case takes him on a search for a missing girl who reportedly came to the United States through Ellis Island. There, Robbins is introduced to the world of immigration.
This is a face-paced novel that takes the reader through the entry way to the United States in all its glory - in all it's horrors. While this book takes place in the early 20th century, many of the opinions can still ring true in some cases.
It is a mystery, not a light-hearted read. Strong characters make this book very likeable and has strong rereadability.
Terry Roberts has done his due diligence when creating this detective mystery set after World War I and on Ellis Island. Robbins takes on a new case from the Nameless Man (he only knows that he works for the government). That case takes him on a search for a missing girl who reportedly came to the United States through Ellis Island. There, Robbins is introduced to the world of immigration.
This is a face-paced novel that takes the reader through the entry way to the United States in all its glory - in all it's horrors. While this book takes place in the early 20th century, many of the opinions can still ring true in some cases.
It is a mystery, not a light-hearted read. Strong characters make this book very likeable and has strong rereadability.
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