A great book by a fantastic author. The writing is excellent and the mystery keeps you turning the pages. Characters are well developed. Highly recommend. Edith Maxwell is an amazing author and I love this series so much.

I liked this book very much.
Edith is an excellent writer that brings her characters to life in this fast action story!!
Rose can't help but be nosy. It's in her nature! I love that she wants to help solve a murder mystery and she's very good at it. Did I mention Rose is a Quaker?
I also enjoyed seeing that the sufferage movement started long before 1919. I admired thise women and I also thank them very much for the right to vote.
I always enjoy looking forward to a new book by this author. She's very good at what she does!
I rather thought she pulled the plot in this book off very well. The supporting characters yes!!
Fast action pulls you into the story from the beginning. I love it when a book does that.
I also learned some medical terms too so this book is a learning experience as well.
I highly recommend this book. It's definitely a learning experience for sure!!
My thanks to Netgalley. NO compensations were received. All opinions are my own.

A good historical mystery is found in the third book of the Quaker Midwife mysteries. It is set in the Presidential election of 1888 and details are given how the men voted. The Suffragette Association has a major demonstration plan that will continue during the election. The leader of the local group is murdered. Rose Carol becomes involved in the investigation and unearth several motives. Her niece, Faith is working to become a journalist. Rose is warn by the woman counsel that if she marries out of faith she will remove from Association.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES.

I would like to thank Midnight Ink for providing me with a free electronic ARC of this book, via Netgalley. Any reviews I give are done obligation free, and are unpaid… well, unless you count getting this book for free… but we won’t go there. ;-)

‘Turning the Tide’ is book three in the ‘Quaker Midwife Mystery’ series, and I have been a fan of said series since getting a chance to read ‘Delivering the Truth’ a few years ago.

Set in Massachusetts in the late 1800’s, ‘Turning the Tide’ tells the ongoing story of Quaker midwife Rose and what happens when murder is mixed in with her daily midwife routines. I mean, it’s not as if she goes looking for murder and crimes, they just seem to be stumbled across, as is the case in this book.

My regular readers will know I try not to just go on about the plot and sound like a paid for blurb, so I won’t do it here. I will say, however, that I thoroughly enjoyed the suffragette movement displayed within ‘Turning the Tide’. I am a bit of a fan of our foremother’s and what they did for women today and so I loved seeing it from the American point of view, having grown up learning of the Australian and British heroines of the time – and what they had to go through.

And I liked how it wasn’t just a crime mystery that relied on the suffragette plot to get by. No… it was just the colourful background used to explain who was murdered, why, and to add a bit of padding to hide the whodunit and add a little difference to the series. And, to me, it worked well.

The continued mild education of the reader into the ways of both Quakers and 19th century midwifing practices is also enjoyable. Yes, if you read this you may just happen to learn some things on these topics, as it is obvious that Ms Maxwell puts a lot of factual research into her creative prose. And, I love it! I find it always adds a nice touch to a story, adding some true facts into your fiction. I know it is not possible in all genres (says the woman who writes about demons ;-) ) but in historical fictions, such as the ‘Quaker Midwife Mystery’, it makes for a much better book. Highly enjoyable.

Oh, and no quibbles over the formatting and layout. Done perfectly for the Kindle version I read. So, well done Midnight Ink!

Would I recommend this book to others?

I would. But you know what I am going to say here, don’t you? That’s right! Although ‘Turning the Tide’ could maybe be enjoyed as a stand-alone book, I would strongly recommend that anyone interested in it go and read the first two books in the series first. You are doing yourself and Ms Maxwell an injustice if you don’t.

Would I buy this book for myself?

Yes I would. In fact, I am so behind on leaving my review for this book I’ve already gotten hold of the next book in the series and can’t wait to read it! A highly enjoyable book, a great series, and there is already another book in it waiting for me to read. Yay!

In summary: Great next instalment in an enjoyable series, detailed historic fiction that lovers of this genre will enjoy.

Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught.

This is a well written historical mystery. I often think of my own suffragette great (great?) grandmother when I read books such as this. Adding bits of real historical figures like Elizabeth Cady Stanton makes the history really pop. Rose is already a bit of a oddity for her time, being a Quaker midwife who it turns out has a good mind for detection work.

I have to say that I’m very impressed with this latest novel. I have been a fan of this series since Delivering the Truth, and Turning the Tide has proved to be the best novel yet! Rose has matured as a character! I also how the story felt with suffragist movement. Overall, this is series is steadily improving, and I hope the author keeps up the good work!

This series is fascinating! I know next to nothing about Quakers and being a midwife, but this series has educated me in ways I didn't know about. This book in the series was my favorite to date. Any time someone can incorporate the women's suffrage movement into a book, I'm in to it.

Rose Carrol attends suffrage meetings and meets influential members of the cause. One such woman is murdered in the town of Amesbury, which gets Rose involved. It's her town and her cause that is affected. The book does a great job of weaving history into a compelling mystery, and I loved it.

I absolutely love these historical mysteries! This is the third book by Edith Maxwell about Rose Carroll, a midwife in the 1800’s set in Amesbury, Massachusetts. Rose who is a Quaker lives in her deceased sister’s home with her brother-in-law, nieces and nephews. She is courting a doctor from another town who is not a Quaker, which may not go well with the church she attends if she marries him. The third book is written during the 1888 Women’s Suffrage which the women plan a demonstration with movement leader Elizabeth Cady Stanton when she arrives in town. One of the women is murdered and Rose tries to find the murderer. I really enjoy reading this series and highly recommend this book and the rest of the series to anyone who enjoys reading a great mystery. Edith Maxwell has written a series that keeps you reading non-stop and sitting on the edge of your sit. Great job, Edith. I am really looking forward to reading more of Rose, the Quaker midwife.

This is the second series I've read by this author. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as I'm a fan of period pieces. I would recommend this book.

TURNING THE TIDE by Edith Maxwell
The Third Quaker Midwife Mystery

The year is 1888 and Amesbury, Massachusetts is gearing up for the presidential election. Fighting for the right to vote, noted Suffragette Elizabeth Cady Stanton has come to Amesbury to lend her support to the Woman Suffrage Association. Midwife Rose Carroll, a Quaker and supporter of equality between the sexes, has joined the group and received her sash in preparation for the big demonstration on election day. Returning home in the early hours of the morning Rose discovers the body of Rowena Felch, leader of the group. Who could have killed her? A robber? The husband she was about to leave? The co-leader of the organization? Or a man who hated the cause?

Rose Carroll is a delightful protagonist. Smart and proud of who she is, even though she doesn't quite fit in with societal norms of the time. Although Rose is a confident woman, this third Quaker Midwife Mystery finds her doubting herself and her relationship with David. With so many forces against them, will they be able to make it work? Rose also has to worry about her brother-in-law's behavior as she performs her midwifery duties and trains an apprentice. To make matters worse, after making some inquiries about the murder, Rose finds herself the target of the killer!

I love the historical details found in this book, from clothing and bicycles to the food. The addition of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and John Greenleaf Whittier provides such verisimilitude and setting the story during such an important time makes history come alive. I've been lucky enough to visit Seneca Falls, the site of the first Convention on Women's Rights, and even stand in Elizabeth Cady Stanton's house! Especially now, it's important to revisit the past, not only to see how far we've come, but how far we have to go, and to sigh that some things haven't changed at all.

TURNING THE TIDE is an engrossing mystery set during a fascinating time in history with vibrant characters who are pertinent today. While entertaining, it also provides a great history lesson and gives readers lots to contemplate; about society, equality, and justice.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

It’s 1888 and women want the right to vote! Rose is getting involved with the Woman Suffrage Association and they will be demonstrating on Election Day. She has attended a few meetings and met movement leader Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

Coming home from a delivery Rose sees something by a bush. Sadly, it is the body of the head of the local Woman Suffrage group. Another murder in town. The police are following their leads but seem intent on someone Rose thinks is innocent. So with a little investigating on her own, she unearths quite a few suspects. When she receives an anonymous note telling her to stop investigating she knows she must be getting close.

I know when I pick up a book in this series that I will be transported back in time, be thoroughly entertained, and may even learn something. I love reading about the Quaker lifestyle.

In this story, we learn how marrying the love of her life could have her banned from her group for marrying outside her faith. Plus David’s mother doesn’t want him marrying outside his social status. David, a physician, and Rose, a midwife, make a fine couple. They are both forward thinkers too. He has no problem with her working or demonstrating for the right to vote. However, he does worry about her putting herself in danger with her investigations and rightly so.

I really enjoy the family time in the background of this story, baking bread, sitting down for family meals, and story time. Rose’s mother comes to visit and like Rose, she brings a calming presence to the family. She is part of the suffrage movement too and encourages her oldest granddaughter to join the cause. Smoothing over the participation with her father. When I think of Rose, calm is the first word that comes to mind. Whether helping with a birthing crisis or facing off with dangerous people she keeps her wits about her and thinks things over, trying to have a plan before acting.

The mystery part of this story was complex. The suspects ran the gambit from the victim’s spouse, her friends, people against the woman’s right to vote and just some general unsavory individuals around town. What came to pass was very exciting with a surprising ending.

Edith Maxwell is such a wonderful storyteller. Though the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote didn’t happen until 1920, it is stories like this one that brings to light the long and hard suffrage movement. With that as the theme of Rose’s story fiction and real events collide to reinforce the knowledge of the fight that started the equal rights for women movement. Rights we are still fighting for in 2018.

The characters and the dialogues are genuine. The settings are described so well. The main plot and subplots blend together nicely and the book flows effortlessly.

Until next year, I can’t wait!

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

What an incredible historical mystery! This is the exciting third offering in Edith Maxwell’s Quaker Midwife Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone, so well has the author developed the characters and shared background on Rose Carroll’s family. The author masterfully weaves a complex mystery into the well-researched, historic presidential election of 1888 and the suffragist movement. Included are real people who we’ve heard of in American literature and women’s history. If one has read the earlier novels, there is continuity regarding the town’s development.

Rose Carroll is a 25-year-old dedicated midwife and Quaker. She knows many of the families in Amesbury, Massachusetts, both working class and prominent citizens, including John Greenleaf Whittier. She lives with her late sister’s family, made up of her brother-in-law Frederick and five nieces and nephews. With the 1888 presidential election imminent, the local Amesbury Women’s Suffrage Association meets to coordinate efforts for a peaceful protest at the local polling place to keep the issue of giving women the right to vote in front of the voters. It is the first meeting that Rose has attended, this time with her close friend Bertie. Rowena, a very successful attorney, has spoken this evening, and Rose was looking forward to hearing her again. She had no way of knowing it would be the first, and last, time.

Rose was called out to attend a birthing, keeping her busy until the wee hours of the morning. As she pedals her bicycle towards home, she approaches a home from where she saw a familiar-looking red shoe sticking out from under a bush. Rowena, still wearing the red shoes Rose had noticed earlier. Dead, murdered she learned when the police arrived.

This mystery takes us from the suffragists’ peaceful demonstration, all wearing yellow banners for the cause, to the attempted shooting of a well-known woman at the place of polling, to a prestigious law firm. Rose kept her ears and eyes open around people who might not ordinarily feel comfortable talking with police. She and police detective Kevin Donovan were able to compose a list of those who might have murdered Rowena. There were several, including Rowena’s husband, from whom she planned to obtain a divorce, local men who despised women seeking the vote, a man who lost a promotion he felt he deserved to Rowena, and another suffragist whose advances Rowena had spurned,

In the meantime, Rose is confronted with struggles in her home and a delightful visit from her mother. She also faces challenges from the mother of the David Dodge, the man she is betrothed to, and from her local Meeting House of Friends, who would not allow her to attend any longer her if she to marries outside her faith. Then the threats to her life started.

In every aspect, this is a clever and stimulating novel. I love how the author brings this era to life through Rose, her family, and friends. Even those who have a different point of view are well portrayed. The character development brings Rose, her mother Dorothy, and oldest niece Faith to life. While we didn’t see as much of David, Rose’s betrothed, this time, as a doctor planning to marry a midwife, he is a forward-thinking man. I enjoy seeing Rose’s apprentice and the lengths the young woman is willing to go to in order to follow her calling.

There are many surprises and twists throughout this novel. There is one person who the police suspect for the murder, and they are being pressed by the influential widower to solve the murder. Rose, however, believes the man when he claims innocence and has not yet been convinced of any of the other suspects. Without DNA, databases, or the resources we do today, arriving at a solution seems almost impossible! This armchair sleuth couldn’t come up with the full solution; I couldn’t rethink it anywhere as well as the author executed it. I highly recommend this novel, from the mystery to the Suffragists’ movement, seeing Rose as part of those who are ‘turning the tide’ toward the 20th century!

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

While the country is gearing up for the Presidential election of 1888, Rose Carroll and others in her town in Massachusetts are gearing up for a peaceful protest in support of women’s suffrage. Days before the election, Rose finds the body of Rowena Felch, the local leader of the movement, dead outside her home. Could it be that someone hates the idea of women voting that much? Or is there another motive?

While women’s suffrage is a strong theme in the book, Rose quickly finds other motives for murder. I did feel the plot slowed down a time or two, but that never lasted for very long. In fact, the author was able to work in development in the mystery in the middle of some of the scenes about the suffrage movement. I especially appreciated the fact that some of the males in this book supported the movement, too. The characters are great as always, and a couple of sub-plots advance series storylines well. All told, this is another great book.

It is 1888 and the Amesbury Woman Suffrage Association plans a demonstration during the upcoming presidential election. Quaker midwife Rose Carroll is one of the protestors. But the next morning, Rose finds the dead body of Rowena Felch, lawyer and one of the group's local organizers. Who wanted Rowena dead? Rowena had planned to leave her controlling husband, and a promotion for her had cost a male colleague his job at the law firm. Rowena had also recently rejected the affections of a fellow suffragist. Or could an anti-Suffragist be responsible? Rose decides to ask questions to aid detective Kevin Donovan. Rose gets a threatening note and is attacked but is not thwarted from the investigation. Meanwhile, Rose's personal life is in turmoil as her engagement to non-Quaker Dr. David Dodge means she will be banished from her Quaker church. Her mother-in-law-to-be Clarinda is also not pleased with the engagement. A visit from Rose's mother Dorothy may help provide support.

This is another enjoyable book in the Quaker Midwife mystery series.

I received an eARC via Netgalley and Midnight Ink with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

What a joy to revisit 1888 and the world of Rose Carroll, a Quaker midwife and a natural at investigating murders. In this entry, Rose is about to turn 27, she is deeply in love with a wonderful young doctor named David but he is not a Quaker and there are roadblocks to their marriage. Times are changing for women and one of those changes will come when women get the right to vote. With such famous people on their side like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and John Greenleaf Whittier, things will change but not without turmoil. One of the women at the Suffragist demonstration, a lawyer named Rowena, is found bludgeoned to death in the front garden of her house. Rose is the one who finds her body. Together with her policeman friend, Kevin, she follows a trail of information around town that ends with the guilty under arrest and a couple more babies added to the community.
Rose is so very real, as a member of her family, a member of her church and of her community. That is what makes her perfect as a civilian investigator. She observes, she listens and she is very intelligent and the police are glad to have her talents. She can go places they cannot. But not without putting herself in more than a little bit of danger, however. Rose moves seamlessly from one area of her life to another, balancing it all with strength, love and grace. The stories are perfect for the period and the pace is too. The series can be read out of order with no problem but each book pulls the reader to the next entry. I'm eager to know how life and romance progress for Rose and David. To find out how much more we will see of her apprentice, Annie, too.

This book reminded me of Jessica Fletcher in Murder, She Wrote if she had been a midwife, in 1888, and a Quaker! Our main character, Rose Carroll is back in her third book in the Quaker Midwife Mystery. I have not read the first two books yet, but as soon as I saw the description of this book I knew I wanted to read it. NetGalley kindly allowed me to read the ARC of the book in exchange for a review and I am so glad they did! Rose is a Quaker who is loyal to her beliefs, engaged to a non-Quaker man (a bit scandalous at the time!), and keeps coming across mysteries. Luckily the local police are accepting of Rose's abilities to find out what they cannot and she works with them.

Throughout solving the mystery in this particular book, Rose is also a fledgling suffragist who takes the reader along as she helps support the cause of women's right to vote. We are also able to learn a lot about midwifery at the time and see what her life is like balancing all of her duties to family, fiancé, her work as a midwife, and amateur detective. When I started the book I was not sure I was going to be interested in finishing, but as soon as the mystery kicked in I had to keep reading. Rose is a likable character who gives us her thoughts on each person in her world, as well as portrays herself realistically. She doubts herself, and is willing to wonder about her decisions.

I would recommend this book for mystery fans as well as fans of learning more about the every day women who were involved in the suffrage movement. It was wonderful to see the story of suffrage through the eyes of an every day woman and not just hearing about the women famous for their participation. Rose shows us her life and along the way works to solve a shocking murder. I did not see the ending coming, and that is always good in a mystery! I am hoping to go back and read the first two books in the series and learn more about Rose.

1888 and the local leader of the Woman Suffrage Association is found dead by midwife Rose Carroll. As she help Kevin Donovan of the Amesbury Police Department she discovers that there are several people who have motives for the killing.
An enjoyable well-written mystery, the third in the series.

What a pleasure it is to return to Rose Carroll’s world in this, her third mystery. These books are fast rising to be among my most favourite reads!

Rose Carroll, Quaker, midwife and apparently with a penchant for happening across dead bodies continues with all three in Turning the Tide. With several suspects, she takes it upon herself to assist the police with their enquiries, hoping that folk are more likely to talk to her than them. Once again, she finds herself in peril and this is an exciting read following Rose through the ups and downs of the investigation alongside her day to day duties.

I adore everything about this series; the time, the language, learning more each time about Quakers, midwifery in the 1880’s and general family life in that period. For me, an important part of these books is reading through the author’s note at the beginning and appreciating the lengths Edith Maxwell goes to in her research to make her stories as authentic as possible. There are also lots of pieces of information to be gleaned there which add to the tale.

I think this is the best of this series so far, and I have been glued to the pages suspecting first one person and then another. Did I guess right? Not a chance! This is a cleverly written mystery with lots going on, and one which I highly recommend. Beautifully plotted as always, and exceptionally well written, I have closed my kindle at the end with a sigh of complete satisfaction. As a reader, I can’t ask for more than that!

My grateful thanks to publishers Midnight Ink for approving my copy via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.

Turning the Tide is a riveting historical mystery. This book is set during a pivotal point in history for women. The historical story and mystery are woven together seamlessly. I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves a well written book with endearing characters and a great mystery.