Really interesting historical novel, showing a range of challenges that were faced by society during the period in question. I found the characters interesting and the story was well written. I recommend it.

The story is beautifully written and is atmospheric. I appreciated the author’s notes at the end. The celtic myths were fascinating to me.
Many thanks to Three Hooligans Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A very well written novel, part murder mystery and part exploring the prejudice that Irish immigrants faced in the 1890s in Massachusetts.

The character development is excellent and the author’s research and family history of this era comes through clearly.

Lots of clever twists towards the end kept the reader guessing, although I guessed right!

3 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Keenan Powell and Three Hooligans for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Three people a young woman murdered while on her way to work, a rich man amassing power and a policeman striving for justice.

When a woman is found murdered near the estate of Alistair Cummingham a mill owner, he pressures police officer Liam Barrett to make a quick arrest, but in his quest for justice he fights to ensure that an innocent man is not unjustly convicted.

This is a book that is well-written and was a true pleasure to read

Not at all what I was expecting. Fast paced, page turner, historical delight. Plan to spend all night reading, you won't want to put it down.

I didn't particularly enjoy the character development or plot development of this one. It was written fine, I just really struggled to get into it.

1895. The Berkshires, Western Massachusetts.

Liam Barrett, a police officer in Adams, has been summoned to the estate of Alistair Cunningham in Pittsfield. Cunningham wants a quick arrest in the death of a young woman who worked in his home for several months. As the cotton mill owner in Adams, Cunningham’s used to his directives being followed, whether explicit or subtle and, in this case, wants a quick arrest. Liam will be tested at every turn, as the timing of the arrest isn’t his priority, as he’s a man and officer of integrity.

The descriptive writing is lyrical, creating vivid images of each scene, from the beauty of the autumn landscape to the birth of a calf to the lively Barrett family dinner table of brothers and sisters to a widowed mother’s despair in learning she is now alone after the loss of her only child.

With each carriage ride or train ride between Pittsfield to Adams or Adams or Pittsfield, the journey to justice was impeded as there were multiple red herrings. With family secrets, politics, ambition, greed, prejudice, and corruption, the mystery had characters of interest and a multi-dimensional plot.

I’m curious to learn what the future holds for Liam Barrett. Intriguing and reads well as a stand-alone but I’m excited that it begins a series. The novel was an excellent introduction to the author’s creativity in blending history and mystery.

To learn the writer’s inspiration and depth of the novel, I encourage reading the “Author’s Note.”

Thank you to NetGalley and Three Hooligans Press for the opportunity to read an eARC of this novel.

#TheSorrowfulGirl #NetGalley

I enjoyed this story. The twists kept me guessing and I didn't figure it out until the climax. It is a well written and well researched story that had me engaged throughout. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy their stories with historical content. I received a free 9copy of this book via Netgalley and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

Owen Sweeny comes into the local police office to report the finding of a young girl’s body found in the nearby woods.

Liam Barrett is the local policeman appointed by the owner of the town’s factory to investigate the murder and hang the culprit. There is no evidence that Owen is the killer and he has a solid alibi.

This writer has devised a well-conceived crime with many false leads. The guilty party is not exposed until the end and I found myself totally in the dark, unable to guess the perp. I was impressed by the myriad of false leads leading to the climax. I heartily recommend this read to everyone who enjoys a good mystery. 5 stars – CE Williams

Liam is a good man. Having given up on his dreams to go to Harvard and become a lawyer, he has become a policeman and is trusted with the upkeep of justice in this small town in Massachusetts.

It is not an easy task trying to keep a balance between the rich and powerful who do not heed the laws and who all close ranks if one of them is threatened. The finding of a body of a young woman in the woods, sets off a search for the murderer, and the hapless tramp is the first suspect. Liam knows that the murder suspect is out there but pressure from outside and lack of any others forces him to an arrest.

The young woman dreamed big and sought a way out from the routine of what her life would be if she remained behind, and this was seen as a threat and she was eliminated.

The story is about injustice, the part that money and in its turn power and influence can play on lives if one does not conform to rules laid down by high powered society and how people keep their heads down due to fear. Liam sought justice but he too had to pick his battles.

This was a compelling read. Things haven’t changed very much still. In some parts of the world anywa

A mystery with a twist I didn't see coming. This was my fist book from this author and thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to find a new author to add to my list.

The Sorrowful Girl by Keenan Powell is set in 1890s Massachusetts when corruption is rife and Irish immigrants are targeted. Not only is the novel a compelling read but the descriptions are vivid and the writing is spellbinding. As a farm girl I really appreciate the rural descriptions of scenery, farms and chores. It's homey yet enthralling at the same time.

Policeman Liam Barrett is extraordinarily honest, loyal to his small community and peace loving. He is shocked when the body of a local is discovered on Alistair Cunningham's land. Alistair's main concern is pinning the crime on someone to get it over with rather than ensure the proper party is held responsible. While they are on different pages, we see slices of life of other residents and glimpses into Celtic myths which lends to the arresting and mysterious atmosphere.

If you yearn for a Historical Fiction with a difference, this is for you. It has more oomph than many and the gorgeous writing really elevates it. Do be sure to read the author's notes which describe the connection between the story and her own family history.

My sincere thank you to Three Hooligans Press and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this wonderful, wonderful book.

This is my second book by this author, and I was once again impressed. I hope this series continues as I would love to see this character continue to grow!

Liam Barrett was destined for Harvard Law when his father died unexpectedly. He decided to pursue a career as a policeman in Adams, Massachusetts in order to be close to his family instead.

When a young lady is found murdered, Liam is determined to get to the bottom of the case.

Alistair Cunningham is a local mill owner. He wants a quick arrest, as the body was found on his estate. Liam wants justice and won’t be pressured into arresting just anyone. He will be forced to fight the greedy and political agendas in his quest for the truth.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

A Liam Barrett Gilded Age mystery.. After the death of his father Liam finds himself as the head and breadwinner of his family. After working in the local mill he is recruited as a police officer in the small town of Adams, Massachusetts. When a close neighbor of his family is discovered strangled in the woods one autumn morning Liam is determined to find the killer of this promising young girl. Working as a maid at the estate of wealthy mill owner Alistair Cunningham was a step up for the lass but brought her into harm's way. Liam's investigation runs into obstacles from the corrupt policeman in a local town as well as his wealthy benefactor. This well written historical crime novel evokes an earlier time with its descriptive prose giving a clear sense of the political and cultural climate.of the era. It highlights the animosity for the Scottish and Irish Catholic settlers who became the backbone of the area. Liam is an ethical honest cop who bravely faces down the corruption and violence he encounters and is dedicated to protecting and serving his friends and neighbors. The characters and setting are well developed and realistic. In an afterward the author reveals that the novel has it roots in her genealogical research into her family tree she is linked to the Barrett family. I would definitely be interested in following Liam's police career in further adventures.

Another fine mystery by Powell, this time featuring Liam Barrett, a policeman who seeks justice despite pressure to quickly close a case involving the murder of a young Irish immigrant in Massachusetts. Riveting!

This was so well written and a true pleasure to read. Characters, especially the main character and the murder victim. I enjoyed the historical setting of Gilded Age western Massachusetts. Liam, the detective, is an interesting character. He’s smart and compassionate. He’s also extremely honorable. And he’s surrounded by a lot of corruption.

I hope that the author will continue with this series. There is a hint at the end that Liam is going to be working for the corrupt mill owner as a police inspector for the region. So I suspect that there will be clashes between them in future stories.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review

Loosely based on Kennan Powell's ancestors, The Sorrowful Girl is the story of Diedre, a young woman living in western Massachusetts in the late 1800s. When her body is found by a drifter, Liam and Stanley, police men from adjacent counties, are drawn into finding her killer. Liam believes in enforcing the law in quiet, peaceful ways. Stanley is a bully who wants to please the rich mill owner, Alistair Cunningham. But there's more going on behind the scenes that adds layer upon layer to this historical mystery.

With lots of twists and turns, and some surprises at the end. The Sorrowful Girl will keep the reader turning the pages to see what will happen next. This was a good read! I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

Another wonderful book by Keenan Powell! This one follows Liam Barrett, a police officer in Adams, Massachusetts in the late 1800s. When a young Irish Immigrant woman is found murdered near the large mill owners estate, the mystery begins. With pressure to make an arrest, Liam is fast on the case. The writing pulls the reader into the story through the flawless description of the terrain, the accents, and the unfolding of greed and corruption. I thoroughly enjoyed this. Thank you Netgalley, Keenan Powell, and Three Hooligan Press for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Plot twist....x2!!! Although the storyline was halted the characters meshed well. Fairly unrealistic. Characters were described....but the the story didnt develop with it....like Liam's lost career or lost Love. And i totally missed the warehouse burning until people showed up injured. Not sure how that happened....

1890s, murder, murder-investigation, immigrants, rural, historical-novel, historical-research, history-and-culture, mystery, corruption, family-dynamics, family-drama, family-history, local-politics, local-law-enforcement, angst, Irish*****

Irregularly paced but engaging and with interesting characters one can relate to. The main character is an Irish immigrant, member of a fractured family, and a policeman subject to all of the prejudices and political demands that can be expected. An introspective mystery with a goal of justice rather than expediency. A solid read.
I requested and received an EARC from Three Hooligans Press/Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)/Members' Titles via NetGalley.