Burgoyne's Gold

Rating:
Summary: WORTH ITS WEIGHT IN GOLD GUINEAS!
Review: The cover says "Mystery, History, Murder, Love and Treasure." There's all that and more in this book. The author skillfully weaves historical fact with fiction to create this intriguing, complex mystery novel. The clues and red herrings are very cleverly done and the ending is perfect. This combined with terrific characterization and well-sustained suspense make this book a page-turner. The book's first person protagonist, Sam Healy, is a well-drawn, likeable character with a sense of humor -- an unlikely hero drawn into the murder investigation by the desire to find out who murdered a close friend. Sam's love interest, Arletta, is a complicated yet appealing character with whom I could empathize. The mystery of what happened to Burgoyne's missing seventy thousand gold guineas makes a fascinating subplot.

The history upon which the book is based is fascinating as well, and gives the reader an intriguing perspective on the Battle of Saratoga, arguably the most important battle of the American Revolution. When the British General "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne surrendered to the colonial forces in October 1777, his troops were disarmed and marched to Boston. His passage through Massachusetts is noted in many towns' local histories. It's in one of these towns, in this case the fictional Glenville, MA, in which the story is set. The author does a wonderful job of giving the story color by describing local scenery and landmarks. All in all, this book is a terrific read!

Rating:
Summary: WORTH ITS WEIGHT IN GOLD GUINEAS!
Review: The cover says "Mystery, History, Murder, Love and Treasure." There's all that and more in this book. The author skillfully weaves historical fact with fiction to create this intriguing, complex mystery novel. The clues and red herrings are very cleverly done and the ending is perfect. This combined with terrific characterization and well-sustained suspense make this book a page-turner. The book's first person protagonist, Sam Healy, is a well-drawn, likeable character with a sense of humor -- an unlikely hero drawn into the murder investigation by the desire to find out who murdered a close friend. Sam's love interest, Arletta, is a complicated yet appealing character with whom I could empathize. The mystery of what happened to Burgoyne's missing seventy thousand gold guineas makes a fascinating subplot.

The history upon which the book is based is fascinating as well, and gives the reader an intriguing perspective on the Battle of Saratoga, arguably the most important battle of the American Revolution. When the British General "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne surrendered to the colonial forces in October 1777, his troops were disarmed and marched to Boston. His passage through Massachusetts is noted in many towns' local histories. It's in one of these towns, in this case the fictional Glenville, MA, in which the story is set. The author does a wonderful job of giving the story color by describing local scenery and landmarks. All in all, this book is a terrific read!