This novel is a departure from Keenan Powell’s psychological legal thrillers. It’s a historical mystery set in the Berkshire area of Massachusetts in the 1890s. It’s clear from the start that this book is a labor of love for Powell. Indeed, it is a fictionalized version of her personal history with characters and setting drawn from her family tree.

Western Massachusetts in the 1890s was a territory divided by nationality and religion. Powell plays on these differences and prejudices to craft a compelling novel that tells the story of strength and integrity in the face of corruption. It begins with a woman found murdered in the woods. Liam Barrett, a young Irish policeman for Adams, MA is called to identify the Irish lass. The ruling gentry and the Pittsfield police want no part of finding the real killer. For them, this is a case where Irish need only apply. Liam takes it upon himself to find the murderer, no matter where the trail leads. Along the way he uncovers a thread of corruption and cunning running through Protestant Pittsfield from the police to the gentry. The explosive ending uncovers the killer, and a motive that spans generations.

This is a book you will want to read more than once. First for the story, then for the beauty of the language. Highly recommend. Five Stars

Full disclosure: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review.

Keenan Powell does a great job in creating this story, it worked with what I was looking for. It had a great mystery element to it and I was engaged in what was going on. The characters were what I was expecting and glad I got to read this. I hope it continues in this world as I really enjoyed reading this.

An amazing mystery story that will have you trying to guess what could happen next. A woman goes missing and as a policeman justice comes first. Will he be able to solve the truth in time.

As I will be in the Berkshires next week on vacation, I thought that this would be a good book to read. Centered on an Irish policeman in Adams, Ma., the story starts out with a murder of a servant girl in the next town of Pittsfield. Because he knows the identity of the deceased, our main character, Liam, is called in to investigate. Twists in the storyline leads to an ending that I did not see. The descriptions of the area and the character development are well done. However, I did find the book dragging in parts.

The nineteen century he had plans of becoming a lawyer, instead now a cop.
Still wanting to seek peace and justice among the Irish community, and corruption
Murder of a yoing girl he wants justice for her
Can he find when everythjnng seems to be corrupted.
Interesting to read of a different era and the way of life then
Given ARC by Net Galley and. Three Holligan Pressfor my voluntary review

I really enjoyed this book. The story was interesting as were the characters. There are a couple of spelling mistakes but I assume thats because the final edition has yet to be uploaded. For example it is Altar boy not Alter boy. The surnames of characters changed spelling too. But that aside, the story was engrossing and the mystery engaged me right up to the end. Would recommend it. No bad language or sex scenes although implied.