The Strange Death of Mistress Coffin [Paperback]

Robert J. Begiebing (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 5, 1996

The time is the late 1640s, the place, the New England coast. A young woman has been found dead, stripped naked and thrown in a river. Her husband has mysteriously halted his legal proceedings against the most likely suspect, who has disappeared into the wilderness. Based on an actual unsolved murder that took place in colonial New Hampshire, Robert J. Begiebing's THE STRANGE DEATH OF MISTRESS COFFIN is at once a spellbinding mystery and a fascinating evocation of life in early America. "Unusual and mesmerizing. A striking and original work by a gifted writer with an extraordinary feeling for the past."--E. Annie Proulx, The New York Times Book Review; "Begiebing illuminates 'the dark and wonderful intricacy' of the human heart."-- Yankee. A MYSTERY BOOK CLUB MAIN SELECTION and a LITERARY GUILD SELECTION.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Set in 17th-century New England, Begiebing's first novel revolves around the rape and murder of a reclusive scholar's wife.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Inspired by an actual unsolved murder in 17th-century New Hampshire, Begiebing's moody, atmospheric mystery unfolds tantalizingly slowly. A young woman is brutally raped and murdered. Her scholarly husband accuses Jared Higgins of the crime, then suddenly withdraws his accusation. Higgins disappears, abandoning his family. The husband disappears. The facts of the case are laboriously pieced together by Englishman Richard Brown, a newcomer with legal training asked by leading citizens to investigate the crime that so disturbs their peace. Brown, however, finds his investigation hampered by his growing love for Higgins's wife. The novel succeeds as an examination of the complex roots of a crime and its painful aftereffects. Literate and introspective, this will appeal to the thoughtful reader rather than the sensation seeker.
- Beth Ann Mills, New Ro chelle P.L., N.Y.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Algonquin Books (January 5, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565121457
• ISBN-13: 978-1565121454
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,189,168 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Come for the Mystery, Stay for the History, November 5, 2000

By 

Ricky Hunter (New York City, NY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Strange Death of Mistress Coffin (Paperback)

Robert J. Begiebing's The Strange Death of Mistress Coffin is ostensibly a murder mystery but that is not the true delight of the story. The basic story is that of the investigation of the murder of a young woman found naked in a river in 1648 New England by Richard Browne. Onto this basic mystery-thriller narrative is attached the tale of Puritan New Englanders living and surviving in an hostile territory with all their beliefs and superstitions tested, preserved and adapted. The characters are vivid and the writing is both moody and evocative. It was a joy to read and it does truly transport the reader to a different time. It is also a pleasure that the author never resorts to black and white portrayals. Everything and everyone is vividly complex. The mystery, whodunit, element per se is not the strongest element in the book but it is an effective hook to initially capture the reader and take her into this fascinating world.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Early America - Cursed and Blessed, February 14, 2000

By 

M. Packo (Stratford, CT United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Strange Death of Mistress Coffin (Paperback)

Unique and haunting. A difficult novel to categorize - even harder to describe accurately without spoiling its effect for the prospective reader. Impressively depicts a time and place and, most importantly, the people who settled New England. Very few stories can compare: The Scarlet Letter, The Crucible, come to mind. Strange and hypnotic, bordering on a metaphysical tale -- this mystery has more to do with tormented hearts and hungers of the soul than with the solving of a tragic murder. And Mr. Begiebing almost makes it work completely...but not quite.Somehow there was something lacking in the last section, some shift of emphasis away from the central story and its characters' dilemma that left me wanting. Perhaps a re-reading will change my opinion. Undoubtedly there is much splendid writing here, the kind you pause to savor a couple more times before proceeding with the story. And the story itself, for the majority of its length, fascinates: the true mystery here belonging to the motives of men and women of faith - or its lacking - in the unfathomable wilderness of 17th century New England. Unfathomable landscapes without and within. Mr. Begiebing draws you into America's antique soul to reveal its present day shadows. A splendid book that deserves many readers!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not much of a mystery, August 25, 2004

By 

Linda Pagliuco "katknit" (CT, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Strange Death of Mistress Coffin (Paperback)

The premise of this short novel, a mysterious and brutal death, is intriguing, as is its setting. The writing is intelligent and the main character, Richard Browne, is well explored. His uncertainty and mis-steps are particularly appealing. Most of the detail regarding life in 17th century New England is accurate. Once the plot line is laid out, however, the story never goes anywhere else, sinking into 100 pages of dialogue and inner monologue. The solution to the mystery is provided halfway through, and there is no sense of climax or resolution. A pity that a book with such a promising beginning ends on such a flat note.