Description (from cover):'When a string of fallen women and adulterers are murdered, midwife Bridget Hodgson embarks on a dangerous hunt for a ruthless killer, in this riveting mystery by the author of The Midwife's Tale.
It is August 1645, one year since York fell into Puritan hands. As the city suffers through a brutal summer heat, Bridget Hodgson and Martha Hawkins are drawn into a murder investigation more frightening than their last. In order to appease God's wrath--and end the heat wave--the city's overlords have launched a brutal campaign to whip the city's sinners into godliness. But for someone in York, whipping is not enough. First a prostitute and her client are found stabbed to death, then a pair of adulterers are beaten and strangled. York's sinners have been targeted for execution.
Bridget and Martha--assisted once again by Will, Bridget's good-hearted nephew--race to find the killer even as he adds more bodies to his tally. The list of suspects is long and includes: Hezekiah Ward, a fire-and-brimstone preacher new to York; Ward's son, Praise-God, whose intensity mirrors his father's; and John Stubb, one of Ward's fanatic followers, whose taste for blood may not have been sated by his time in Parliament's armies. Or could the killer be closer to home? Will's brother Joseph is no stranger to death, and he shares the Wards' dreams of driving sin from the city.
To find the killer Bridget, Martha, and Will must uncover the city's most secret sins, and hope against hope that the killer does not turn his attention in their direction.'
My thoughts:
I love this series. Sam Thomas is a fantastic writer who can mix intrigue, historical elements and mystery all into one phenomenal story. I simply couldn't but this one down. It still amazes me how great this author, who is a male, can portray a woman's world so perfectly. It takes a special talent to be able to do that and Thomas has nailed it. I cannot simply recommend this book enough. If you love historical mysteries, then this is definitely the book and series for you. I adore Bridget's character and her passion for justice. She is a well-bred character, but she always looks out for the less fortunate and goes out of her way to make sure that everyone, no matter their background or current status, goes without someone to stand up for them in a time of need.
Bridget, a midwife by trade, is back at solving murders. When a fanatical preacher arrives in York with his followers, he quickly whips the city into a religious fervor. Things start to get out of hand and the city's prostitutes and sinners are targeted by a brutal killer. Bridget must use her influence, her brain and any resources she can to try to solve these crimes before someone else ends up dead. Trusted by the city leaders and the unsavory classes, Bridget has a way to discover just who is behind these terrific crimes.
Words cannot express how excited I was when I heard that this book had been released. I love The Midwife's Tale immensely and couldn't wait to read this one. I had a feeling that I would enjoy this one just as much as the other one, and I wasn't disappointed. I highly recommend this series if you like to read historical mysteries with strong characters and with many plot twists.
Overall Rating: 5
Title: The Harlot's Tale
Author: Sam Thomas
Series: Midwife Mystery #2
Publisher: Minotaur
Publication Date: January 7, 2014
Pages: 320
Genre: Historical Mystery
Get It: Amazon; Barnes & Noble
Disclaimer: This book was selected from the library by myself and I reviewed this book without compensation of any kind. All thoughts and opinions are solely mine.
