It’s the fourth of July, and Rose Carroll is taking the day off from her midwife duties to enjoy the holiday when an older teen, Hannah, approaches her and confesses that she is pregnant. Rose doesn’t know what to do to help Hannah, but she promises to try. Unfortunately, while enjoying the fireworks that night, Rose responds to a commotion in the crowd to find that Hannah has been shot. When a fellow Quaker accused of the crime, Rose sets out to figure out what really happened. Can she do it?

I enjoyed the first trip to 1888 with Rose, and this book was a wonderful return visit. The story starts strongly but gets a bit distracted by sub-plots as the book went along. Of course, those sub-plots were also strong, so I wanted to keep reading. The new characters made strong suspects, and it was nice to get to know the returning characters better. The time is really another character, and I felt transported back to the time period.

Called to Justice by Edith Maxwell is the second book in A Quaker Midwife Mystery series. Rose Carroll is a Quaker midwife in Amesbury, Massachusetts. Rose is watching the Fourth of July parade when she is approached by Hannah Breed, a seventeen-year-old mill worker. Hannah confides in Rose that she is pregnant, but she is unwilling to reveal the identity of the father. Rose agrees to help the young woman. Later that evening, Rose is enjoying the fireworks display with her beau, Dr. David Dodge. There are men shooting off guns nearby and soon screams ring out. David and Rose run over to find Hannah on the ground (someone took advantage of the chaos). When the police arrive, the manager of the Hamilton Mill, Lester Colby, makes sure to point fingers at Akwasi Ayensu, an African-American Quaker and local businessman. Rose is astounded that anyone would accuse Akwasi and is further incensed when he is arrested for the crime. Rose knows that Akwasi would not harm a soul and sets out to find the true culprit of the crime. In the meantime, Rose approaches John Whittier to hire counsel for Akwasi. Rose has to work in a little sleuthing in between her midwifery duties. Rose’s relationship with David is going along splendidly until his mother decides to interfere (she does not approve of Rose). This causes a rift between the pair that hopefully can be repaired. With Akwasi soon going to trial, Rose needs to step up her game if she is to find the real killer. The villain will not go easily, and Rose soon finds her life in peril.

Called to Justice is an interesting historical mystery novel. I liked the time period, the lovely setting, and the Rose’s occupation. I do wish, though, that the story had been written in the third person to make it easier to read. With the story being written in the first person, I found it harder to read the Quaker dialogue. I thought that the dialogue was stilted and old fashioned which suits the novel, but it hard to get through (in the beginning). The book is well-written, and I liked the mention of historical figures like Louisa May Alcott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony. There are also some appealing details that help set the time. Mail is delivered twice a day which aided communication between people living in different towns as well as businesses. Also, the telephone was just starting to be installed in homes. I give Called to Justice 4 out of 5 stars. While Called to Justice is the second book in A Quaker Midwife Mystery series, it can be read alone. The author provides all the necessary background details on Rose, her family, friends, and life. The mystery was intriguing but not overly complex. Most readers will be able to discern the identity of the killer before the reveal. The relationship between Rose and David did not dominate the book. It was nice, light and romantic which I appreciated. I will be looking for more of Edith Maxwell’s novels to read.

CALLED TO JUSTICE by Edith Maxwell
The Second Quaker Midwife Mystery

Rose Carroll is pleased to celebrate the one hundred-and-twelfth birthday of the United States of America, especially as she will be enjoying the town festivities with her beau, Doctor David Dodge.

During the fireworks Rose and David hear someone shouting for a doctor and rush to find a young woman has been shot. Was it an accident, a reckless shooting in celebration of the nation's birthday, or did someone murder the girl? Performing her duties as a midwife and continuing her romance with the good doctor, Rose also seeks justice both for the pregnant girl who was killed and for her fellow Quaker and former slave who is accused of the crime.

It's always a pleasure to travel back in time with Edith Maxwell. Her authenticity and attention to detail make reading her Quaker Midwife Mystery series as good as having a time machine. Although CALLED TO JUSTICE is a historical mystery, it tackles issues we continue to face today such as racism, sexual assault, and our basic insecurities when it comes to love. While progress has been made to some degree, the struggle is much the same today as it was for Rose and her companions.

CALLED TO JUSTICE is an intricate, heartfelt mystery. The author guides us down multiple avenues, developing characters and motives, in order to work out the truth and find justice. By doing so Maxwell enhances the setting, detailing life as it was and making it more real. Edith Maxwell brings the late 1800s to life with wonderful characters, a finely wrought mystery, and a modern sensibility.

I question myself on how I haven't read this series yet! I was quick to being a fan of Rose. She has such a sweet kindness that I felt at ease through the whole mystery, just knowing Rose was on the case. I loved the historical and Quaker knowledge provided the author certainly did her research.

This is a very well-written, well-plotted mystery set in the small town of Amesbury, MA in 1888. The MC is Rose, who is a very strong female character, a very independent women.

I enjoyed this story, although I had not read the first book in the series. Further, I should confess that I read this book mainly because of the Quaker background and it being set in the late 19th century than for the murder mystery.

Thank you to the publishers for providing a copy of the novel through NetGalley.

1888 Independence Day, and Quaker midwife Rose Carroll is at the evening's fireworks display when a young female is shot. When a fellow Quaker and former slave is accused Rose investigates.
An enjoyable mystery, with a little romance, and a well-written story.

Rose is enjoying the evening fireworks with her boyfriend when the evening is ruined by the death of young lady. Her boyfriend is a doctor so he goes to her aid and finds she has been shot. There is no sign of a gun so she didn't shoot herself. Who did? Rose knew she was pregnant and the father would have nothing to do with the child nor would he marry her. But she didn't know who he was.

Midnight Ink and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published April 8th.

When the mill manager says he witnessed a local free slave shoot her, the police take his word for it. Her friend ends up in jail and she's determined to find the real killer. She knows he wouldn't do that. It's harder than you'd think. In the dark with fireworks going off, no one saw anything. She believes the mill manager is lying but he's a pillar of the community and that's hard to fight.

In the meantime, she's delivering babies and counseling young girls and thinking of marrying her boyfriend. But her proposed mother-in-law tries to break them up, one child is born blind due to gonorrhea, the mill manager tries to run her over, and the killer is still out there.

It comes down to a stand off and I worried about Rose and her friends. I was surprised by the identity of the killer. Did you figure it out before the end?

I wonder what mystery Rose will encounter next?

Called to Justice by Edith Maxwell is a well paced mystery that's light on the midwifery aspect of storytelling. I love how there is an emphasis on good writing as the author deftly moves the story along with good plotting and lovely language. I also love how the author educates the reader about the Quaker faith.

Recommend.

Review written after downloading a galley from Net Galley.

Midwife Rose Carroll is enjoying the 1888 Independence Day evenng fireworks with her beau David Dodge when teenaged Quaker mill girl Hannah Breed is found shot dead. Former slave and a fellow Quaker Akwasi Ayensu is accused of the murder. Rose is convinced of his innocence and does her own sleuthing. An ill-mannered mill manager, an Irish immigrant mill girl, and Hannah's young boyfriend come under suspicion even as Rose’s future with her handsome doctor suitor becomes unsure. Rose’s Quaker faith and thirst for justice make her a persistent sleuth and champion for those falsely accused. The author provides rich historical details of living in 1888 Amesbury Massachusetts.