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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Intelligent, lively, and richly-detailed Colonial mystery., June 16, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: A Wicked Way to Burn (Mass Market Paperback)
Margaret Miles has carved a cozy niche for herself in Colonial America. Set in the fictional village of Bracebridge, Massachusetts, this first in what one hopes will be a long series of historical mysteries is steeped in rich period detail and lively characterizations. Through adept dialogue and insightful interior monologues, Ms. Miles makes the past resonate for modern readers; remarkably, she manages to do so while never stepping outside the constraints of what was known and believed in 1763. This thoughtful research, coupled with fine writing and a page-turning plot, is sure to kindle mystery readers' interest in "A Wicked Way to Burn." In contrast to the Victorian mysteries by Anne Perry, Ms. Miles' prose is concise, offers flashes of wry humor, and thankfully avoids the former's tendency toward climbing on a soapbox. While Ms. Miles occasionally tweaks the village parson for his self-righteous hypocrisy, the only ax this author has to grind is for chopping wood to heat up Charlotte Willett's tea kettle. With an entertaining plot, intelligent and engaging characters like Mrs. Willett and her scientifically-inclined neighbor Richard Longfellow, and a fresh perspective on life in the Colonies, there's every reason to look forward to the pleasure of a return visit to Bracebridge. Karen Lyon
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining and Scholarly, December 18, 2000
This review is from: A Wicked Way to Burn (Mass Market Paperback)
It is a fine line which Margaret Miles successfully treads, crossing a lively and well-paced mystery with a text that is historically accurate. The command of her scholarship is evident in the everyday details she provides about life in 18th century Massachusetts, yet her character development is modern, which is a major reason that the story is so riveting. This is a complicated murder mystery with none of the modern conveniences available in either weapons or forensics. Yet, again, due to the author's bone-deep scholarship, the whole premise is compelling and believable. A wonderful read, can't wait to get the next one in the series!
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
MORE HISTORY THAN MYSTERY..., November 15, 2005
This review is from: A Wicked Way to Burn (Mass Market Paperback)
As I am fond of the historical fiction genre and also enjoy mysteries, I was intrigued by the premise of this book. The events take place in 1763 in the small village of Bracebridge, located in the colony of Massachussetts. Charlotte Willett is a young widow who resides within the confines of the village. Her keen intelligence and her penchant for getting to the bottom of things make her a natural sleuth. When a traveling merchant appears to have been a victim of spontaneous combustion, disappearing without a trace, her curiosity is peaked, and she is determined to get to the bottom of the matter.
Of course, as this is colonial America, the actions and rights of women are circumscribed by the mores and custom of the times. So, Charlotte has to rely on some of her male friends for assistance in overcoming some of the restrictions governing her actions. In this, she has a willing accomplice in her neighbor and friend, Richard Longfellow, a gentleman landowner and an amateur scientist.
The characters in the book are well-fleshed, and Charlotte Willett is an especially engaging one. Although the book was a Mystery Guild Signature Selection, however, I did not find the mystery itself to be all that interesting. The strength of the book lies more in the historical fiction aspect, as the author captures the flavor of early colonial America, making it a somewhat interesting read for those who are fans of the genre.
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