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Abigail Adams #1
The Ninth Daughter
1773: Massachusetts colony is torn between patriots who want independence from British rule and loyalists who support the King. At the center is the educated and beautiful Abigail Adams-wife of John Adams, a leader of the Sons of Liberty, the secret organization opposing the Crown. When her husband is accused of murder, she will clear his name.
359 pages, Paperback
First published August 29, 2009
41 people are currently reading
1696 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Hamilton
17 books44 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Pseudonym of Barbara Hambly.
Pseudonym of Barbara Hambly.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
April 28, 2015
"The Ninth Daughter" is the first book in a historical mystery series featuring Abigail Adams. She is the wife of John Adams, one of the leaders of the Sons of Liberty who want to break ties with the English Crown. She finds a murdered woman when she visits the home of her friend Rebecca who has also been working for the patriot cause. Rebecca has gone missing, and John Adams has been charged with the murder of the other woman. Abigail searches for her missing friend, and works to find the real killer.
The book transports us back to 1773 around the time of the Boston Tea Party. The characters of Abigail, John, and the other famous patriots seem very well drawn. It's obvious that a lot of historical research had gone into setting the scenes in the homes of both poor and affluent, patriots and loyalists. I enjoyed the historical aspect of the book more than the cozy mystery which did not get very suspenseful until the last hundred pages.
The book transports us back to 1773 around the time of the Boston Tea Party. The characters of Abigail, John, and the other famous patriots seem very well drawn. It's obvious that a lot of historical research had gone into setting the scenes in the homes of both poor and affluent, patriots and loyalists. I enjoyed the historical aspect of the book more than the cozy mystery which did not get very suspenseful until the last hundred pages.
March 19, 2010
I just finished reading the new "An Abigail Adams Mystery" - [The Ninth Daughter:] by [[Barbara Hamilton:]]. It is tough reading at first, but grows on you (me, anyway!).
The author goes into great detail about life in the 1770s in Boston, just prior to the Revolution breaking out. The ships of tea are in the harbor! By the end of the book (Mini Spoiler), the tea is dumped, by the way!
There is a grisly murder of a woman in the home of a good lady friend of Abigail. Were the Sons of Liberty involved? The British Provost Marshall thinks her husband, John Adams, did it... surely his "proof" is bogus! Abigail works with a British officer and his assistant to uncover the truth, as Sons of Liberty meetings are going on, and Abigail has her housewifely and community responsibilities to fulful. Neither the officer nor Abigail trust each other, early on, but grow to build the necessary trust to solve the crime and apprehend those responsible.
The story is filled with great detail of household daily activities, the filthy streets, the bad weather, life on the dock and wharfs, etc., etc. Abigail makes two excruciating trips into the back country, tracing clues and interacting (or trying to avoid interactions) with a small community dominated by a religious zealot.
If you find this kind of historical setting and mystery plot of interest, than you will like this novel. Frankly, it is unlike anything I've read before, and that is a compliment.
The author goes into great detail about life in the 1770s in Boston, just prior to the Revolution breaking out. The ships of tea are in the harbor! By the end of the book (Mini Spoiler), the tea is dumped, by the way!
There is a grisly murder of a woman in the home of a good lady friend of Abigail. Were the Sons of Liberty involved? The British Provost Marshall thinks her husband, John Adams, did it... surely his "proof" is bogus! Abigail works with a British officer and his assistant to uncover the truth, as Sons of Liberty meetings are going on, and Abigail has her housewifely and community responsibilities to fulful. Neither the officer nor Abigail trust each other, early on, but grow to build the necessary trust to solve the crime and apprehend those responsible.
The story is filled with great detail of household daily activities, the filthy streets, the bad weather, life on the dock and wharfs, etc., etc. Abigail makes two excruciating trips into the back country, tracing clues and interacting (or trying to avoid interactions) with a small community dominated by a religious zealot.
If you find this kind of historical setting and mystery plot of interest, than you will like this novel. Frankly, it is unlike anything I've read before, and that is a compliment.
February 26, 2020
I saw this book for sale at Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts and really wanted to buy it, but knew if I did, it would languish on my shelf as I read my library books instead. So I requested it from the library, which I’m very glad about as I am not sure this is a book I need to own.
This book was a fascinating romp through colonial Boston, just before the Boston Tea Party. Abigail Adams, wife to the indomitable John Adams, pays a visit to a friend of hers nearby only to find a dead body in her home. Who has been murdered and where is her friend? Not only that, but rebellion is seething throughout the colony, and the friend was in possession of the rebels’ codes which absolutely cannot fall into the hands of the British.
The novel got off to quite a slow start, which I didn’t need at all with the crazy busy week I’ve just had. But eventually the action really took off, and I found it difficult to put the book down. I feel that the first third of the book could absolutely have done with some brutal editing, especially because I was rather confused by the characters and what all was going on initially.
I do look forward to continuing the series. I enjoyed how Hamilton really brought colonial Boston and its environs to life. Sometimes we seem to forget how unromantic life was before electricity and modern conveniences, especially when it comes to the extremely time-consuming chores of women of that time, even if they had help.
This book was a fascinating romp through colonial Boston, just before the Boston Tea Party. Abigail Adams, wife to the indomitable John Adams, pays a visit to a friend of hers nearby only to find a dead body in her home. Who has been murdered and where is her friend? Not only that, but rebellion is seething throughout the colony, and the friend was in possession of the rebels’ codes which absolutely cannot fall into the hands of the British.
The novel got off to quite a slow start, which I didn’t need at all with the crazy busy week I’ve just had. But eventually the action really took off, and I found it difficult to put the book down. I feel that the first third of the book could absolutely have done with some brutal editing, especially because I was rather confused by the characters and what all was going on initially.
I do look forward to continuing the series. I enjoyed how Hamilton really brought colonial Boston and its environs to life. Sometimes we seem to forget how unromantic life was before electricity and modern conveniences, especially when it comes to the extremely time-consuming chores of women of that time, even if they had help.
December 9, 2011
This is the first Abigail Adams mystery by Barbara Hamilton, a pseudonym for my favorite fantasy and mystery writer, Barbara Hambly. It begins shortly after the Boston Massacre, when Abigail finds a woman's corpse in the house of a friend who left her wealthy husband. Caught between her friend's unraveling marriage to a loyalist and her friend's work for the Sons of Liberty, Abigail tries to uncover who may have killed her, knowing her own husband John is suspected of the murder.
Hamilton/Hambly brings the time period, and particularly the lives of women, to life here and in the subsequent books. Abigail is juggling her duties as the female head of household with several young children (she didn't know the word or the problems, but her oldest, Johnny, is recognizably gifted), the wife of a rising member of the Sons of Liberty and a sidereal member of that group herself, a member of a community of women which in its way has more efficient communication than officialdom, and an unofficial detective who can bridge relationships with the loyalists and the revolutionaries. She makes you live, breathe, and feel the textures of the time and place, as well as hear the many voices of the people who live then. And Abigail's peril is even greater for encroaching, very real, cold, ice, mud, and the sound of hostile voices in the distance.
Hamilton/Hambly brings the time period, and particularly the lives of women, to life here and in the subsequent books. Abigail is juggling her duties as the female head of household with several young children (she didn't know the word or the problems, but her oldest, Johnny, is recognizably gifted), the wife of a rising member of the Sons of Liberty and a sidereal member of that group herself, a member of a community of women which in its way has more efficient communication than officialdom, and an unofficial detective who can bridge relationships with the loyalists and the revolutionaries. She makes you live, breathe, and feel the textures of the time and place, as well as hear the many voices of the people who live then. And Abigail's peril is even greater for encroaching, very real, cold, ice, mud, and the sound of hostile voices in the distance.
November 10, 2009
I often judge a book by its cover, and usually it serves me well. Case in point: I was immediately drawn to Barbara Hamilton’s The Ninth Daughter because the quill pen and portrait of Abigail Adams on the cover quickly clued me in to the historical setting. Also, there was a prominent blurb praising the book written by none other than my favorite historical fiction author, Sharon Kay Penman (whose lushly detailed novels set in medieval Wales, Scotland and Britain set the bar for historical fiction).
Set against the backdrop of pre-Revolutionary War Boston, The Ninth Daughter is rich with historical specifics both about everyday life in colonial times and the political frictions between Tories and Patriots. It is 1773 and the dead body of a wealthy woman has been found. John Adams is accused of the murder, which seems to relate to the activities of his rebellious patriot group, Sons of Liberty. Adams’ intelligent and feisty wife Abigail is determined to solve the murder and clear his name.
Set against the backdrop of pre-Revolutionary War Boston, The Ninth Daughter is rich with historical specifics both about everyday life in colonial times and the political frictions between Tories and Patriots. It is 1773 and the dead body of a wealthy woman has been found. John Adams is accused of the murder, which seems to relate to the activities of his rebellious patriot group, Sons of Liberty. Adams’ intelligent and feisty wife Abigail is determined to solve the murder and clear his name.
June 17, 2012
Great story line and the historical characters were well developed. However, the author's writing style slowed the book's progression but I will still read the next book in the series.
February 7, 2023
This got off to a slow start & stayed slow until the very end. But as I'd figured out the murderer long before that, it wasn't very suspenseful. As a mystery, I thought it was not particularly interesting. As historical fiction, there were lots of interesting details, but many of them seemed to just get in the way of the story. The story was diverted by historical commentary, then we're back to the mystery. I had a hard time getting invested in any of the characters as I was pulled out of the story so often. In the end, it felt like it was a novel trying to be too many things & not really accomplishing any of them: mystery, historical fiction, true history, political commentary, treatise on women's rights & slavery. So many themes touched on but none really explored. Also, the murders are a bit gruesome for cozy mystery. I purchased this one & the second in the series at the thrift store several years ago, but will not be reading the second. On they go back to the thrift store!
February 20, 2014
There are a lot of mysteries out there with an historical figure as the detective: Benjamin Franklin, Eleanor Roosevelt, Oscar Wilde,... Some are better than others and I think this is one of the better ones. I think the other attempts are interesting in theory but it's in the writing of the book that things can be kind of slow or off somehow. This one I found intriging as the author made Abigail Adams to be as independent minded as I've read she was like, put it into a definite historical time frame and didn't let it drag on for more than about 2 weeks, and talked about life in Boston of 1773 in a more readable fashion than history books.
November 28, 2022
Written by Barbara Hambly under a pseudonym, this is the first in a historical mystery series. Hambly's writing is always excellent, whether she is writing mystery or fantasy (or a mixture of both), and the sense of historical place (Boston, in the time just leading up to the infamous Tea Party) is strong.
November 20, 2010
Reading Barbara Hamilton's Abigail Adams series is like stepping into a time machine. I can see the harbor, the redcoats, the houses, and feel the blast of a Boston winter. Reading, for me, is at its best when a book takes me out of my ordinary existence and puts me square into the life and time of someone or somewhere that fascinates me. I plan to read all of the Abigail Adams volumes.
June 19, 2018
A new mystery series set in revolutionary Boston and featuring Abigail Adams as the sleuth written by Barbara Hamilton. It is a fun story with lots of historical detail describing the politics, atmosphere, culture, and complexity of the place and time.
Abigail works tirelessly to unravel a brutal murder and at times must partner with the enemy in the form of the British military stationed in the city. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Abigail works tirelessly to unravel a brutal murder and at times must partner with the enemy in the form of the British military stationed in the city. I look forward to the next book in the series.
September 22, 2019
Abigail Adams discovers a dead body in the home of her friend Rebecca Malvern. She is sure that the mutilated body is not Rebecca, but Rebecca has disappeared. Abigail is determined to find her if she is still alive. This is a tense time in Boston since a ship in the harbor is filled with tea which the colonists will not allow to be unloaded. When two more ships arrive also carrying tea, the tension rises as more and more colonists from outlying towns come to Boston. The woman who was so brutally murdered was the wife of an important merchant and the mistress of the British colonel. The missing woman had worked with the Sons of Liberty and had a vital handbook listing them that has gone missing as well. John Adams is under suspicion of the murder although he was out of town at the time. Abigail is persistent in her inquiries learning a great deal from the servants and slaves of the various families. Meanwhile, she is also taking care of her four children and the house with the help of her maid. The time and place are recreated effectively. The impact of religion is evident as is the sense of a world in which one walked or rode a horse to get around and wrung out wet clothes to hang on a clothes line. The physical quality of life comes through along with the social and economic. In some ways Boston seems like London with its clear separation of the rich and the poor and the life of a port city. Abigail is persistent and smart. She even teams up with the British lieutenant in charge of the case much to Sam Adams disapproval. Historical mysteries that employ historical figures in the cases bring the past to life in a special way. It is nice to get to know Paul Revere as more than the man who rode through the country side warning of the British. Even John Adams whose response to Abigail’s injunction to “Remember the ladies,” has always bothered me, comes across well while consistent with his historical persona. This is the first in a series of three books. I look forward to the others.
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May 12, 2019Surprisingly, I really enjoyed the book!
November 23, 2009
Set in Boston during the American Revolution, The Ninth Daughter by Barbara Hamilton takes a unique approach to the murder mystery genre.
Ever since I found out that I was a Daughter of the American Revolution (DAR), I have been fascinated by this period of American history. This book brings to life the people we all know from textbooks -- John Adams, Paul Revere, Sam Adams and John Hancock. The Ninth Daughter takes history even further and brings us a fictional story full of action and mystery with Abigail Adams at its center.
Abigail arrives at the home of her friend, Rebecca, only to find another woman brutally murdered on the floor, and Rebecca missing. Also missing is an important ledger with the names and codes of the Sons of Liberty. Clues found at the crime scene are quickly whisked away by Sam Adams, and Abigail herself pockets a note in the woman's pocket, which may incriminate someone close to her. Lieutenant Coldstone, the redcoat assigned to the case, is eager to prove one of the Sons of Liberty guilty of the crime, and even more eager to accuse John Adams. Still Abigail must work together with Lieutenant Coldstone to solve the mystery of who murdered the woman and find her friend. Amidst the tension between the Sons of Liberty and the redcoats loyal to the mother land, Abigail Adams finds herself walking a thin line between finding out the truth and her commitment to the greater cause.
As a murder-mystery alone, I found Hamilton unable to live up to the Patricia Cornwells and Mary Higgins Clarks of the genre. Sometimes, I wanted to rush through the details of the mystery and hear more about the Revolution. However, a murder-mystery set in 1773, a mere weeks before the Boston Tea Party, and a setting drenched in politics and war, made The Ninth Daughter a joy to read. The historical fiction side of this book was written beautifully.
Abigail Adams has been described as a woman of vast intelligence, competent, willful and opinionated. She was a true partner to the second President of the United States throughout his political career, and truly was the first American feminist, voicing her opinions on women's property rights and education for women. Barbara Hamilton succeeds in following through on Abigail's strong character, as she is the one who pursues and persuades her way to finding the truth.
If you enjoy historical fiction, and you enjoy a good murder-mystery, you will enjoy The Ninth Daughter by Barbara Hamilton. I certainly had fun taking a trip back in time to visit the Old North Church, Kings Chapel and Faneuil Hall. Now, I need to take a trip to Boston.
The Ninth Daughter: An Abigail Adams Mystery is the first in a new series.
Ever since I found out that I was a Daughter of the American Revolution (DAR), I have been fascinated by this period of American history. This book brings to life the people we all know from textbooks -- John Adams, Paul Revere, Sam Adams and John Hancock. The Ninth Daughter takes history even further and brings us a fictional story full of action and mystery with Abigail Adams at its center.
Abigail arrives at the home of her friend, Rebecca, only to find another woman brutally murdered on the floor, and Rebecca missing. Also missing is an important ledger with the names and codes of the Sons of Liberty. Clues found at the crime scene are quickly whisked away by Sam Adams, and Abigail herself pockets a note in the woman's pocket, which may incriminate someone close to her. Lieutenant Coldstone, the redcoat assigned to the case, is eager to prove one of the Sons of Liberty guilty of the crime, and even more eager to accuse John Adams. Still Abigail must work together with Lieutenant Coldstone to solve the mystery of who murdered the woman and find her friend. Amidst the tension between the Sons of Liberty and the redcoats loyal to the mother land, Abigail Adams finds herself walking a thin line between finding out the truth and her commitment to the greater cause.
As a murder-mystery alone, I found Hamilton unable to live up to the Patricia Cornwells and Mary Higgins Clarks of the genre. Sometimes, I wanted to rush through the details of the mystery and hear more about the Revolution. However, a murder-mystery set in 1773, a mere weeks before the Boston Tea Party, and a setting drenched in politics and war, made The Ninth Daughter a joy to read. The historical fiction side of this book was written beautifully.
Abigail Adams has been described as a woman of vast intelligence, competent, willful and opinionated. She was a true partner to the second President of the United States throughout his political career, and truly was the first American feminist, voicing her opinions on women's property rights and education for women. Barbara Hamilton succeeds in following through on Abigail's strong character, as she is the one who pursues and persuades her way to finding the truth.
If you enjoy historical fiction, and you enjoy a good murder-mystery, you will enjoy The Ninth Daughter by Barbara Hamilton. I certainly had fun taking a trip back in time to visit the Old North Church, Kings Chapel and Faneuil Hall. Now, I need to take a trip to Boston.
The Ninth Daughter: An Abigail Adams Mystery is the first in a new series.
March 15, 2017
Hamilton has certainly done her homework: 18th century Boston came alive on the pages of this book in all manner of details usually glossed over in historical potboilers. Abigail walks most of the book, and nearly always with a male escort. She performs labor-intensive chores. It's hard to see at night despite having a lantern. The countryside is sparsely populated with few luxuries.
But don't think this author just regurgitated research on the page. The narrative really gets a lift through its great characterization. Abigail is a reluctant sleuth, and while unwavering in her support of the patriot cause, she's less happy with how many use it as an excuse to forget their fellow Daughter of Liberty. Her loyalty to her friend and dedication to the truth force her to grapple with the ever-changing loyalties of this world. Obvious antagonists (the overbearing estranged husband, the aristocratic British officer) turn out to be more complex individuals. Unexpected allies and even closer enemies abound.
Personally I was impressed by how Hamilton depicted religion. God, church, and theology all play a very real part in these people's lives, guiding and dividing people as much as the question of liberty. Abigail continually grapples with how to do right when the path is not clear, especially as many on both sides of the conflict seek to redefine it. There's little to no sacred/secular divide. It's an alien world for many people to imagine, perhaps more so than the muddy streets or horse-drawn wagons.
A few times the narrative repeated details that I thought were already established, and some people might be put off by the style of narrative (it's not nearly as driven as most mysteries). Readers should note that some coarser characters use strong language (of the restricted-on-television variety): rarely, but present enough to be jarring. While I did see the actual culprit a few steps ahead of the story, it didn't cheapen the ride, mainly due to how much more this novel stands as a grand story than a mere whodunit.
I found Hamilton's plucky tale a great take on a historical figure so often seen through the lens of her more famous male contemporaries. It was great to see John Adams play second fiddle to his dear friend for once.
But don't think this author just regurgitated research on the page. The narrative really gets a lift through its great characterization. Abigail is a reluctant sleuth, and while unwavering in her support of the patriot cause, she's less happy with how many use it as an excuse to forget their fellow Daughter of Liberty. Her loyalty to her friend and dedication to the truth force her to grapple with the ever-changing loyalties of this world. Obvious antagonists (the overbearing estranged husband, the aristocratic British officer) turn out to be more complex individuals. Unexpected allies and even closer enemies abound.
Personally I was impressed by how Hamilton depicted religion. God, church, and theology all play a very real part in these people's lives, guiding and dividing people as much as the question of liberty. Abigail continually grapples with how to do right when the path is not clear, especially as many on both sides of the conflict seek to redefine it. There's little to no sacred/secular divide. It's an alien world for many people to imagine, perhaps more so than the muddy streets or horse-drawn wagons.
A few times the narrative repeated details that I thought were already established, and some people might be put off by the style of narrative (it's not nearly as driven as most mysteries). Readers should note that some coarser characters use strong language (of the restricted-on-television variety): rarely, but present enough to be jarring. While I did see the actual culprit a few steps ahead of the story, it didn't cheapen the ride, mainly due to how much more this novel stands as a grand story than a mere whodunit.
I found Hamilton's plucky tale a great take on a historical figure so often seen through the lens of her more famous male contemporaries. It was great to see John Adams play second fiddle to his dear friend for once.
June 12, 2010
Summary: In 1773, Abigail Adams finds a dead woman in her friend's house and that friend missing. Then her husband is accused of having committed the crime. So Abigail sets out to discover the real murderer and find her friend again.
Thoughts: I picked this up because I love American history and Abigail Adams is one of my favorite historical figures. I didn't realize it was the first in a series until I got it home; I like to start with the first but for mysteries that isn't always necessary. But it didn't really feel like a first mystery to me because many of the characters (Abigail, John, and Sam Adams, Paul Revere) were already known to me and did not need to be introduced.
My biggest problem was the writing style as there were many times when I had to stop and reread sentences because either the sentence structure or the comma usage confused me. Because of that I'm not entirely sure I could explain all of the details of the murder. I also did not solve the mystery (*surprise*)
Pamela by Samuel Richardson is Abigail's favorite novel (historically accurate?) and its themes about women being used, maltreated, and generally considered unimportant were utilized to make parallels between the novel and the women Abigail sees.
I would have liked a historical note from the author explaining if the murders committed were inspired by a real life incident and also an examination of the Sons of Liberty's activities and the politics of the time. I also would have liked more interaction between Abigail and John because the scenes where they were together were so cute.
Overall: 3.5/5. I will keep in an eye out for other books in the series as I know the first book isn't always as good as the ones that follow.
Cover/Title: I honestly did not understand the title until I typed it today although it is explained.
Thoughts: I picked this up because I love American history and Abigail Adams is one of my favorite historical figures. I didn't realize it was the first in a series until I got it home; I like to start with the first but for mysteries that isn't always necessary. But it didn't really feel like a first mystery to me because many of the characters (Abigail, John, and Sam Adams, Paul Revere) were already known to me and did not need to be introduced.
My biggest problem was the writing style as there were many times when I had to stop and reread sentences because either the sentence structure or the comma usage confused me. Because of that I'm not entirely sure I could explain all of the details of the murder. I also did not solve the mystery (*surprise*)
Pamela by Samuel Richardson is Abigail's favorite novel (historically accurate?) and its themes about women being used, maltreated, and generally considered unimportant were utilized to make parallels between the novel and the women Abigail sees.
I would have liked a historical note from the author explaining if the murders committed were inspired by a real life incident and also an examination of the Sons of Liberty's activities and the politics of the time. I also would have liked more interaction between Abigail and John because the scenes where they were together were so cute.
Overall: 3.5/5. I will keep in an eye out for other books in the series as I know the first book isn't always as good as the ones that follow.
Cover/Title: I honestly did not understand the title until I typed it today although it is explained.
November 17, 2009
I believe that Barbara Hamilton is a pseudonym for Barbara Hambly, one of my favorite authors. I love her fantasy series and her Benjamin January mystery series. Her degree in History serves her well in writing in-depth backgrounds and settings for her books. Her latest projects have been historical fiction on presidents' wives, and maybe this book was an offshoot of her fascination with Abigail Adams.
I was not drawn into this book the way I normally am. The writing style was a bit more stilted and not as descriptive, with none of the dark humor that I've enjoyed from the author in the past. As I got deeper into the book, the writing relaxed a bit and seemed to flow better. But I didn't get transported to colonial America as I had hoped.
I don't read mystery books for the mystery as much as I do for character and setting, so can't speak to how good of a mystery it was.
I was not drawn into this book the way I normally am. The writing style was a bit more stilted and not as descriptive, with none of the dark humor that I've enjoyed from the author in the past. As I got deeper into the book, the writing relaxed a bit and seemed to flow better. But I didn't get transported to colonial America as I had hoped.
I don't read mystery books for the mystery as much as I do for character and setting, so can't speak to how good of a mystery it was.
November 27, 2010
Abigail Adams is the amateur detective in this first book in a new series that takes place in 1773 Boston. The author doesn't insult the reader and since Abigail is very well educated there are untranslated Latin phrases and references to the Bible and Greek mythology. And a finely crafted mystery, some interesting characters, and a real sense of the smells and the cold and the sound of bells.
August 17, 2011
An excellent mystery with extremely well rounded characters set against the days leading up to the Boston Tea Party in 1773. Kudos also to Ms. Hamilton for making the British soldiers sympathetic and human and giving us one of the most realistic portrayals of Sam Adams, I've read outside of non fiction.
September 9, 2010
The Ninth Daughter was very well researched and the mystery in the tale was engrossing at first, but the suspense until denouement lasted a little too long imho. I feel it was due mainly to a lot of repetitive detail."
March 12, 2018
I didn’t expect to enjoy this book as much as I would! It was a great mystery with a hefty set of characters (historical and otherwise) with an underlying theme of political tension playing throughout the plot.
I think that’s what made the book enjoyable, was despite the mystery being the main hook, the political tension and bickering between the patriots and the British was always in the forefront and mentioned when need be as it was central to the story. Every so often you had mention of Abigail’s refusal to drink tea for example, or minor scuffles happening between citizens and the Redcoats.
Despite the tensions however, Abigail puts her ideas and beliefs aside and works alongside the British to solve this mystery. I enjoyed reading her character. She’s strong willed and has a good retort every so often when she needs to speak out, which shocks other characters as it wasn’t considered “proper”. I enjoy Abigail’s unorthodox behavior and it may seem as if she gives an air of an annoying stubborn woman, but it’s because of her personality that things get done no matter whose side you’re on or who you support.
John and Abigail’s relationship was also nice to read. They’re both equals and you can see a subtle quiet strength between them and they compliment each other perfectly. There’s a mutual respect between the two and if they were alive now, they would probably be a political supercouple ;)
The mystery aspect of the book was good and the intrigue is definitely noted. The setting is superbly done and very descriptive. The list of suspects was substantial and revelation of the culprit isn’t much of a surprise but the execution of obtaining the criminal and his background story was excellent to read , and was very satisfying to see the bad guys get their dues. The supporting characters are also well done - although I have to admit, there are just a little too many for me. Even minor characters have their personality and details and although it’s good and makes the world building more detailed and rich, sometimes it’s a bit hard to follow as to who’s who. (Perhaps a section of cast of characters would help in this case - especially when some characters share the same last name)
I’ll be picking up the next book to read. It’s definitely worth looking into for those that love historical fiction mysteries. The tea has been dumped!!! So you have to figure out what sort of chaos is going to happen and what mystery Abigail will solve next.
I think that’s what made the book enjoyable, was despite the mystery being the main hook, the political tension and bickering between the patriots and the British was always in the forefront and mentioned when need be as it was central to the story. Every so often you had mention of Abigail’s refusal to drink tea for example, or minor scuffles happening between citizens and the Redcoats.
Despite the tensions however, Abigail puts her ideas and beliefs aside and works alongside the British to solve this mystery. I enjoyed reading her character. She’s strong willed and has a good retort every so often when she needs to speak out, which shocks other characters as it wasn’t considered “proper”. I enjoy Abigail’s unorthodox behavior and it may seem as if she gives an air of an annoying stubborn woman, but it’s because of her personality that things get done no matter whose side you’re on or who you support.
John and Abigail’s relationship was also nice to read. They’re both equals and you can see a subtle quiet strength between them and they compliment each other perfectly. There’s a mutual respect between the two and if they were alive now, they would probably be a political supercouple ;)
The mystery aspect of the book was good and the intrigue is definitely noted. The setting is superbly done and very descriptive. The list of suspects was substantial and revelation of the culprit isn’t much of a surprise but the execution of obtaining the criminal and his background story was excellent to read , and was very satisfying to see the bad guys get their dues. The supporting characters are also well done - although I have to admit, there are just a little too many for me. Even minor characters have their personality and details and although it’s good and makes the world building more detailed and rich, sometimes it’s a bit hard to follow as to who’s who. (Perhaps a section of cast of characters would help in this case - especially when some characters share the same last name)
I’ll be picking up the next book to read. It’s definitely worth looking into for those that love historical fiction mysteries. The tea has been dumped!!! So you have to figure out what sort of chaos is going to happen and what mystery Abigail will solve next.
September 11, 2018
I love the setting of this series, Colonial Boston a couple of years before the Revolutionary War. And plenty of historical figures play an active part: Abigail and John Adams, Sam Adams, Paul Revere, etc. However the mystery progressed at an exceedingly slow pace. And I did not connect as solidly as I would have liked with Abigail's character. I did like Sergeant Muldoon. I also like the way Barbara Hamilton offered nuanced portrayals. Not all Sons of Liberty were good nor were all of the British bad.
Plenty of interesting history along the way. I only wish a map of Colonial Boston had been included in the book so the reader might track Abigail Adams' path as she walks about all over town during her unofficial investigation (I tried printing one out online, but trying to read the old-fashioned script was nearly impossible). A nice twist having she and a British Lieutenant working together to solve the crime. The heavy reliance on Abigail's inner thoughts (which were repeated ad nauseam) tended to bog down what could and should have been a fast-paced and nail-biting mystery.
Plenty of interesting history along the way. I only wish a map of Colonial Boston had been included in the book so the reader might track Abigail Adams' path as she walks about all over town during her unofficial investigation (I tried printing one out online, but trying to read the old-fashioned script was nearly impossible). A nice twist having she and a British Lieutenant working together to solve the crime. The heavy reliance on Abigail's inner thoughts (which were repeated ad nauseam) tended to bog down what could and should have been a fast-paced and nail-biting mystery.
October 19, 2019
Absolutely outstanding! I read a great many historical murder mysteries, and generally only pick ones set in Britain or other countries in Europe (or Africa.) I don't usually read mysteries set in the US at all, as I consider American history to be relatively short and uneventful compared to ancient Roman history, etc. But this book, set in Colonial America, haunted me days after I finished it. I missed Abogail and her world, even though it was a far less-comfortable world than my own. This mystery was fascinating, clever, and very well-paced. The plot and characters were outstanding, and I was especially impressed with the climax, which was longer and more breathlessly intricate than most in these types of tales.
What would Keats and Aristotle say? Remarkable greatness in both content as well as execution, as well as great beauty in character depth and interaction. Astonishingly good!!
What would Keats and Aristotle say? Remarkable greatness in both content as well as execution, as well as great beauty in character depth and interaction. Astonishingly good!!
September 23, 2021
Unfortunately, the full suspense factor Hambly—sorry, Hamilton—intended was missing for me. I’d read this years before. As soon as the killer was brought into the narrative I remembered that’s who the killer was. Lots of details did still wait to be discovered in their proper places though.
I loved the way the period was evoked. Some historical writers seem to think if they don’t mention the streets full of horse droppings and cow droppings they’re not going to make an honest job of it. Hamilton concentrates instead on things like warmth being a luxury and household tasks we now take for granted.
Abigail is a wonderful creation, and her relationship with John rings true. And I really liked how she earned the grudging respect of Lt. Coldstone, and the chumminess between her and Sgt. Muldoon.
Excellent writing, excellent characters, and if hadn’t been for my foreknowledge, a plot that is a real stumper.
I loved the way the period was evoked. Some historical writers seem to think if they don’t mention the streets full of horse droppings and cow droppings they’re not going to make an honest job of it. Hamilton concentrates instead on things like warmth being a luxury and household tasks we now take for granted.
Abigail is a wonderful creation, and her relationship with John rings true. And I really liked how she earned the grudging respect of Lt. Coldstone, and the chumminess between her and Sgt. Muldoon.
Excellent writing, excellent characters, and if hadn’t been for my foreknowledge, a plot that is a real stumper.
February 27, 2023
I didn't have high expectations of this one; i tend to find this trope of having the "detective" be some actual historical person a bit annoying. It feels rather like the author is cheating in the creation of a character, appropriating a real person and twisting them to behave as they could not have done.
Having said that, and although a remnant of the above irritation persisted, on the whole I quite enjoyed this book. Abigail's human warmth and forgivable flaws are charming, and the constant intrusion of her housewifely duties into her sleuthing is very relatable. The nature of the work she does and how her world functions is deftly depicted and always in the service of the story and the rounding out of the characters. Never does it seem that random Facts are shoe-horned into the tale just to show off the author's research skills.
I also liked the historical perspective we get. To modern American eyes, the "Colonial times" can seem to be a unitary thing, but Abigail sees the founding of the colony as the distant past, and the Salem witch trials also long past, when Boston was quite a different place. They took place, after all, well before she was born.
I'll happily read another in this series.
Having said that, and although a remnant of the above irritation persisted, on the whole I quite enjoyed this book. Abigail's human warmth and forgivable flaws are charming, and the constant intrusion of her housewifely duties into her sleuthing is very relatable. The nature of the work she does and how her world functions is deftly depicted and always in the service of the story and the rounding out of the characters. Never does it seem that random Facts are shoe-horned into the tale just to show off the author's research skills.
I also liked the historical perspective we get. To modern American eyes, the "Colonial times" can seem to be a unitary thing, but Abigail sees the founding of the colony as the distant past, and the Salem witch trials also long past, when Boston was quite a different place. They took place, after all, well before she was born.
I'll happily read another in this series.
May 13, 2017
This was not an easy read.
Historical fiction is really interesting in that so much period detail can be confusing and slow the progress of the plot. I had a difficult time with some of the terms and a lot of the descriptions.
At its most basic this is a murder mystery with famous names and people involved. That much I really enjoyed. The plot is intricate and the suspects are many. The investigator relies upon the skills of Abigail Adams to detangle the clues at great risk to her personal safety.
I am not sure why this took me so long to read, but if you like a challenge then I encourage you to try it and see for yourself if you can follow the plot and not get hopelessly distracted by the time and place.
I borrowed a copy from the public library.
Historical fiction is really interesting in that so much period detail can be confusing and slow the progress of the plot. I had a difficult time with some of the terms and a lot of the descriptions.
At its most basic this is a murder mystery with famous names and people involved. That much I really enjoyed. The plot is intricate and the suspects are many. The investigator relies upon the skills of Abigail Adams to detangle the clues at great risk to her personal safety.
I am not sure why this took me so long to read, but if you like a challenge then I encourage you to try it and see for yourself if you can follow the plot and not get hopelessly distracted by the time and place.
I borrowed a copy from the public library.
October 6, 2021
Um, how did I not notice this wasn't on my read shelf? Whoopsie.
I read this book almost six years ago, but I still recommend it for people looking for something different to read.
While some of the details are a little blurry now, I remember really liking this one and the whole concept of turning a historical figure like Abigail Adams into a Revolutionary War Nancy Drew.
The story follows Abigail Adams taking matters into her own hands to clear her husband's name after he's accused of murder. And as a revolutionary leader when the government accusing him happens to still be British-run, the stakes are a little higher for him.
I read this book almost six years ago, but I still recommend it for people looking for something different to read.
While some of the details are a little blurry now, I remember really liking this one and the whole concept of turning a historical figure like Abigail Adams into a Revolutionary War Nancy Drew.
The story follows Abigail Adams taking matters into her own hands to clear her husband's name after he's accused of murder. And as a revolutionary leader when the government accusing him happens to still be British-run, the stakes are a little higher for him.
August 27, 2017
Giving the cover art, I thought it was a young adult novel. Given the violent murder that opens the book, no. Definitely meant for an adult audience.
The writing is solid, but not extraordinary. The little details about life in the Boston Colony are great and my sense is that Hamilton's research is on point. Sometimes the details about life in the colony is more interesting than the plot itself. It isn't until the last 1/6th of the book that the plot moves quickly. Prior to that, it's setting and set up over plot.
The writing is solid, but not extraordinary. The little details about life in the Boston Colony are great and my sense is that Hamilton's research is on point. Sometimes the details about life in the colony is more interesting than the plot itself. It isn't until the last 1/6th of the book that the plot moves quickly. Prior to that, it's setting and set up over plot.
October 11, 2020
A Mystery set in 1773 with Abigail Adams as the main character out to solve the disappearance of her friend & brutal murder of another woman. Set against the backdrop of conflict between the Tories and sons of liberty prior to the Revolutionary war. Historic people appearing as characters: Abigail Adams, John Adams, Paul Revere, Sam Adams. Shows family life in the 1700s: food, clothes, religious life, community life, daily tasks. Deals with the role of women, their few options as well as life of slaves compared with the rights & privileges of white men
August 25, 2024
I recognize nostalgia made me rate this book so high. It scratched the same itch of reading American Girl books and Little House on the Prairie as a tween, which I really enjoyed.
The book was well written enough: plot points to the mystery dangled at the end of each chapter, keeping the pages turning. The Revolutionary War era world was well painted and had me immersed, though the point of view was very much from a white perspective.
I enjoyed the story and the feels it gave, but those who didn’t grow up with Felicity or Laura Ingalls Wilder may not feel the same.
The book was well written enough: plot points to the mystery dangled at the end of each chapter, keeping the pages turning. The Revolutionary War era world was well painted and had me immersed, though the point of view was very much from a white perspective.
I enjoyed the story and the feels it gave, but those who didn’t grow up with Felicity or Laura Ingalls Wilder may not feel the same.
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