A Stranger in the Kingdom: A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Awesome Story
Review: A Stranger in the Kingdom is an amazing story about friendship, mystery, and overcoming the overwhelming presence of racism. Set in Vermont in the early 1950's, A Stranger in the Kingdom poses all questions of race, betrayal, friendship, and murder. When the new minister in town is found to be a Negro, opinions and fists begin to fly. However, the helping hand of the county newspaperman proves to be the aid needed in surviving the slew of people in Kingdom County. The story, told through young James Kinneson, makes a twist when a young Canadian girl comes to the county seeking employment. As things begin to go wrong, the unthinkable occurs, murder. It is here that the powerful force of racism steps up upon its pedestal. The new Reverend is placed on trial for murder and prosecuted possibly for the man he is than the crime that he may or may not have committed. Howard Frank Mosher has written a gripping story presenting prejudice, friendship and devotion, loss of innocence, betrayal, and so much more. A Stranger in the Kingdom provides both good reading material and holds the poise of a great American novel. It is truly a great book and pushes all means of friendship and the bond between people.

Rating:
Summary: Mockingbird in New England
Review: A very To Kill a Mockingbird-esque story about a small town in 1950s Vermont that is suddenly shaken by murder. The suspect is the town's new black preacher, Rev. Andrews. While traditionally pre-Civil War New England was a haven for escaped slaves, abolitionists, and of course advocates of freedom and equal rights (going all the way back to colonial America, which was New England), modern small New England towns, even today, tend to have a very minimal black population. Kingdom is no exception. So while most New Englanders pride themselves on their racial-tolerance and acceptance, it is very rarely tested.
Though be fore-warned it can be a slow-read.

Rating:
Summary: Kept me guessing until the end
Review: Filled with amazing plot twists that are sure to keep you guessing until the end, I recommend this book to anyone. The theme of predjudice was universal; one every reader could understand or relate to. I enjoy reading murder mystery type stories, and this one was no different. I enjoyed the trial, and the surprise at the end of it. The plot twists made the story more intriguing and more suspenseful. If you enjoy page turners, this book is one you'd want to pick up.

Rating:
Summary: Stranger in the Kingdom
Review: Howard Frank Mosher did a great job of setting his book in New England. The characters were well rounded, the reader was given a lot of details on the area and the town was a small New England town. However with such great work on the back ground the book needed a little more umph. The book didnt actually start till about chapter 14. There was a lot of detail that the reader could have done without. Once it became a murder mystery in a small town it became quite good. It had a lot of twist and turns. People were betrayed and others learned the meaning of life. If you have a long weekend stuck in doors this is a great book. If you plan on a fast read think again.

Rating:
Summary: Murder in Vermont
Review: Howard Frank Mosher has used his own personal experiences of the unique culture of Vermont to give this intriguing story the hearty flavor of northern New England. Mosher develops the story of the black Reverend Andrew's experience in a small Vermont town that has lacked any ethnic diversity for decades. The last time a black family was living in Kingdom County was in the time of the origination of the area, Pliny Templton is well respected as the founder of Kingdom County and the local elementary school holds his name. He was also the last black man living in Kingdom County. Our narrator, James Kinneson, tells the story of a complicated murder mystery phenomenon that sweeps through Kingdom County. Mosher introduces Claire, a French-Canadian girl, to Kingdom and begins a whole new fury of confusion. James takes on the open minded task of befriending both Nat(the new Reverends son) and Claire, who is not looked upon highly by the citizens due to the fact the she came into town as a fair girl. As the plot thickens we encounter instances of murder, racism, betrayal, questioned trustworthiness and the whole town becomes skeptical of their neighbors when the find out there is a murder suspect among them. The question is, who is the stranger? The original Charles Kinneson's second wife, Mari the gypsy who stayed in Kingdom after her group of traveling gypsies passed through, or Reverend Andrews, the first black man in years, or Claire, the French girl who lived with the Reverend in the town parsonage and caused much of the commotion. The list could go on and on, you'll have to read and see for yourself.......If you would like to read a murder mystery crossed with the story of a quaint Vermont town A Stranger in the Kingdom is a wonderful choice.

Rating:
Summary: Not a Big Fan
Review: Howard Frank Mosher's novel "A Stranger in the Kingdom" is quite a slow read. Set amidst the colorful countryside of Vermont, Mosher spins a tale of a small town that is suddenly turned upside down when an amicable and intelligent black minister is accused of murder in the first degree. The year is 1952, so of course out of this incident comes issues of prejudice and racial indifference from members of the community. Although it may seem as if this book is jammed packed with plot twists and unrelenting suspense, Mosher doesn't even introduce readers to the story's central plot until about chapter 14 (about halfway through the book!)Even then, I had a hard time keeping my interest. I guess if you have some time to spare and you want to see if this book is your cup of tea, by all means go ahead. In my opinion though, I wouldn't waste your time.

Rating:
Summary: Get Comfy...this is not a quick read!
Review: Howard Frank Mosher's novel, A Stranger in the Kingdom is anything but a quick read. It is a complex tale of a small town murder that shocks the people and leads them to point their fingers at the town's new preacher, a black man by the name of Walter Andrews. As exciting and tempting as this novel may sound, be prepared to dedicate some time to it.
It starts off very slow and does not really hook the reader until chapter 14, at which point I was determined to uncover the story behind the great reviews I have read for this book. After dedicating a good weekend to this story, I can guarantee it will be worth your time too. After chapter 14, the plot unravels and the suspense builds up to the very last page. I could barely allow myself to put it down. It is packed with New England colors and memorable characters. I suggest that anyone with a few days to spare and a comfortable chair, sit down and take this book in. You will not be disappointed!

Rating:
Summary: court T.V.
Review: Howard Mosher's novel, A Stranger in the Kingdom I felt began sluggish. The opening chapters took the time to connect the reader to the Kinneson family. By allowing the reader to see into their days full of innocent bickering between each other, I felt more like this was my own family. If you're the type of reader that likes mystery t.v. this novel will suit your needs perfectly. Not giving any secrets, I thought the novel was a long read but somewhat tolerable.

Rating:
Summary: A tale of hate, predjudice and innocence in a small town
Review: I began reading A Stranger in the Kingdom with every intention of being overly critical in my review and basically trashing the book, since that is what most English teachers like to see and this review is for an English project. As I read the book and sympathized with the characters, I had a hard time finding appropriate points to criticize. After I finished the last page I found I couldn't breathe a bad word about the colloquial language with "25 cent-ers" woven in or the characterization which Mosher employs.
I would recommend A Stranger in the Kingdom to almost everyone, with the exception of younger readers who may not be completely comfortable with the violence and sexual scenes and situations present in the latter half of the book. The book also deals with the concepts of prejudice, hate, sex and murder in a small New England town.
The story is told by a pre-teen by the name of James Kinneson who lends the events a very innocent perspective and the reader sees him develop and begin to lose this innocence. The story revolves around the new minister in town, Rev. Walter Andrews, who is African-American and has a more radical attitude than many in Kingdom County. He makes many enemies, but also gains James' father as a best friend, which proves invaluable in the future. Nat Andrews, the minister's son, befriends James, thus putting James even more into the action. Soon sex and a brutal murder come into play and the town is shocked. Immediately the newcomer, and minority member is accused and the town is torn apart not by what is right and wrong, but what assumptions are made based on town opinions. A Stranger in the Kingdom is a powerful book that strikes at the heart of what it is to live in a small town, the relationships that are made, and the prejudices that can endure. This is an excellent book that anyone living in New England or anyone who wants an interesting "below the surface" perspective should consider reading.

Rating:
Summary: A review
Review: I enjoyed reading this book. The beginning started off a little slow, but it was still enjoyable. I just wish we knew what was really going on sooner.