***I received an advanced reader's copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

I devoured this literary historical fiction look at the Plymouth colony ten years after the Mayflower limped onto shore. Told from various viewpoints, this shows the layers of contempt and prejudice among the Plymouth founders. There is lots to explore on this.

This was a very hard novel to read. There was a lot of graphic violence in this book. I also thought the murder would be intriguing but it turned out predictable. Thus, the disturbing scenes made a short novel turn long.

this was a great historical read, the characters were great and I really enjoyed the murder and trial. I really was on the edge of my seat from the beginning to end.

Yet another book that I get approved for, push it down to my TBR, buy the physical book, read it, and absolutely _love_ it. Truly, what a vibe. I'm now fully obsessed with the Plymouth colony and want to read more. I've been recommending it to patrons (it's still on our new book shelf) and each one has come back to tell me how much they've enjoyed it too. 1000 stars.

Yeah, there's really not much to be admired by those Plymouth folks. They brought themselves with them when they left England. Thought provoking story told from the female pov. I had no idea about Gov. Bradford's wife's drowning! I always thought the whole lot were a despicable bunch. Interesting summer read. It's fiction based on fact and well done Ms. Nesbit!

Nesbit's Beheld offers a glimpse into the lives of the Plymouth settlement ten years after their arrival told through the eyes of some of the women who lived there. I don't really recall reading much historical fiction about the early Plymouth settlement, but I loved the imagery and the tension Nesbit explores in this novel. It's a short novel, but it's filled with the right amount of empathy for each of the women's situations. The Plymouth settlement is fraught with disagreements, underlying and unresolved emotions, and flat out hatred that's often glossed over in popular history's retelling of a perfect new world for religious freedoms. At least for me, anyway. It wasn't until I was an adult and in college that I began to really learn about the realities of Plymouth settlement.

Nesbit's strength in this is making you care for and understand each of the women's perspectives, even when they clash with someone else's views. I understand why each of the women made the choices that they did and didn't, and each of the characters felt so real to me. For me, sometimes characters in historical fiction almost feel like standees or caricatures, but characterization and character development is where Nesbit excels.

Beheld is a short historical crime novel that packs a punch and will leave you thinking about it and the early American settlements long after you've finished reading.

As the book blurb correctly states, “Beheld is about a murder and a trial; but it's also about the motivations--personal and political--that cause people to act in unsavory ways.”

This work of historical fiction caught my attention because I really knew so little about the Puritan settlement of the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts. The Puritans arrived in Plymouth in 1620. The book opens on the colony ten years after the first settlers’ arrival. We learn the backstories of some of founding settlers, and see how the colony functions after ten years. The book cycles through multiple narrator's points of view. Among others, we hear from Alice, the wife of the governor, William Bradford, and Eleanor Billington who came to the colony with her husband as an indentured servant. We soon learn that the colony that was set up with hopes of a better community than what they left in Europe has descended to same levels of intolerance. It is just that the intolerance is directed towards a different segment of their population.

This was an interesting portrait of the early days of a white settlement in the ‘New World’. It showed how brutal the time was in terms of the rights of all sorts of people, including women, servants, people not following the accepted religion, and Native Americans. Having two women narrators enhanced the story for me. The book contained some graphic violence that was hard to read about, however it was historically accurate for the era. Reading this book expanded my knowledge of the early settlement experience. It made me very grateful that I was born into this time not that one. The book held my attention, and at the end, I was happy to have read it. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy Historical Fiction, or would like to learn more about the early European settlement years in what would become the United States of America.

‘Thank-You’ to NetGalley; the publisher, Bloomsbury USA; and the author, TaraShea Nesbit, for providing a free e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

I had mixed feelings about this book. The setting was interesting to me and really came to life. I appreciated the female perspective and that each of the women who narrated had her own distinct voice.

Initially I found the crime aspect of the novel very interesting. It was not presented as a mystery. It was obvious early on who would die, who would commit the murder, and even what the motive would be. I found it suspenseful watching things build toward the climax. What I didn't like was the feeling that I was supposed to sympathize with the murderer, to feel he was driven to the edge and had not other choice. In reality there was at least one obvious option he had left that didn't include murder. Then I felt I was supposed to feel that if the death penalty was even considered in this case, it could only mean the trial was unfair. It was ludicrous to expect a murderer to be treated the same as a Pastor guilty only of preaching to both Puritans and Anglicans (at least that's the only crime this book ascribes to Lyford), and it was disgusting to imply that because the victim had not yet put down roots in the colony, his life was of lesser value.

I liked hard working, compassionate Alice who seemed to be taken for granted by her husband. I also liked Dorothy and was moved by the portrayal of her depression, so misunderstood and stigmatized. It was sad but probably very realistic.

On the other hand, I never connected with the Billingtons. They were constantly whining, and no less hypocritical than those they labeled as hypocrites. At one point Eleanor complains the Puritans won't believe her husband, but at the same time, she's wanting her husband to lie. They complain that life in the colony is not what they'd signed up for in England, but since they did sign the Mayflower compact after coming to America, it seemed ridiculous to still be harping on the original plan. It was tedious the way they kept repeating their gripes, for example suggesting the leaking Speedwell was a sign to the Pilgrims, and the way dead colonists were propped with guns. They moaned about how underappreciated their family was, but of course they neglected to mention how one of their boys nearly caused a disaster on the Mayflower by firing a musket near an open barrel of gunpowder.

This book contained a scene depicting an assault on a minor. It felt completely gratuitous as it did not concern any of the main characters. Indeed, the two individuals in this scene didn't appear anywhere else in the book. I suppose the author could have been trying to illustrate the legal double standard for women and men, but that point was well made at the end with Eleanor.

Finally, when Alice was presenting an overview of the crimes and punishments in the colony after that first murder, it seems odd that she didn't mention the three colonists who were hanged for robbing and killing a native. That would have given a fuller picture of the justice system and perhaps a fairer picture of the Puritans.

Overall it was an interesting and quick read.

The stunning cover of Beheld first piqued my attention. The storyline—a murder in the colonial Plymouth settlement—caused me to open Beheld and dive in. The well-written prose, primarily from the women colonists’ perspectives, kept me interested. But, it wasn’t until more than half way through Beheld, that I began to enjoy what I was reading. Under ordinary circumstances, bland portrayals of colonial life and base descriptions of sex acts would have caused me to stop and close the book. Because though, I was given an electronic copy of Beheld in exchange for my honest review, I finished the entire book.

I struggle with what rating to give Beheld. Nesbit garnered my respect with her clear and often eloquent verse. She expertly combined the manner of speech and colloquiums of the time into the dialogue. Her use of words like “betwixt” and “doth” was done without compromising meaning. I also greatly appreciate the as-told account from the women’s point of view. In the end, you really can’t judge a book by its cover. I give Beheld three stars, with all three stars going to Nesbit’s talented writing. Thank you Netgalley.

Absolutely fascinating. Very original story, masterfully written. Historical fiction at its best. Thank you publisher and netgalley for this arc in exchange of an honest review.

10 years after the pilgrims arrived - Plymouth is a colony torn between the Puritans and non-Puritans. TaraShe Nesbit takes readers to this world - and to the first murder in the New World.

Historical fiction can be hit or miss, but Beheld stayed with me. I read on the train, walking home, as soon as I got home, in bed, at work. I couldn't put it down. Nesbit creates the world that envelopes you as soon as you enter.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This was not quite what I was expecting. I knew when I began reading that the story was set in Plymouth, just a few years after the Puritans arrived on the Mayflower. The hardships of the times and the journey on the Mayflower were an important part of the story. I was captivated by the details of the times and how their beliefs influenced their decisions.

Told from two very different points of view, readers will see how the colony became full of conflict, how they often misunderstood each other and how often times they did not live up to their religious beliefs.

When a man is murdered, a trial is held. Of course, the results are no surprise, but neither was the murder. This is definitely a story that portrays how wealth and status can influence a community and how those who voice their grievances are often portrayed as the troublemakers. I was expecting a bit more mystery surrounding the murder, but instead I found it very predictable.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.

This story sheds light on struggles of the first pilgrims, who weren’t just Puritans. And not the struggles pertaining to their survival, but the struggles within their community – non-Puritans living with Puritans.

Plymouth is the first colony in New England, where a group of Puritans and non-Puritans arrive from England making it their new home in 1620.

Now, 10 years later, it seems that a friction between religious Puritans and not so religious Anglicans – as they are seen in the eyes of Puritans – wasn’t left in England, but rather transported to New England.

As divided as they already are, a murder in the colony separates them even more.

John Billington despises godly Puritans, calling them hypocrites as they call the Indians idle. But it was the Indians who helped Puritans to survive the first years on unknown sandy soil. He is a commoner who has been treated with deference from the moment he stepped from the Mayflower ship. Puritans who see God everywhere, treat another man as he is worth something less. How he hates those hypocrites. He complains to investors about ill-treatment, which puts even a bigger friction between him and the governor, William Bradford.

Alice Bradford, governor’s wife, says “To be a successful colony, to pay off our debts, to be free of England, we needed a good reputation.” And John Billington certainly isn’t bringing them the much needed good reputation.

Eleanor Billington says “So when those hypocrites looked their cherubic faces my way and claimed themselves to be the saints and I, a stranger to God? Ho, ho, I said to them. They were as flimsy in mind and spirit as saplings.”

Newcomen is Billingtons’ new neighbor, whose acreage seems to be overlapping with Billingtons’. A conflict begins.

What an incredible cast of characters. Enjoyed their versions of the story from the moment they opened their mouths. But Eleanor just tops them all with her garlicked breath, “I preferred my breath to be nice and garlicked, keeping away the illnesses those dour ones kept giving us.” And if you asked her who the governor of New Plymouth was? She’d tell you Captain Shrimp. “I put on my proper voice for the occasion of insulting him.” Loved her sharp tongue.

The story presents interesting details of how colony functioned, for example, how land was distributed and in some situations how reconsiderations needed to be made – meant only for certain people. How trading with Indians needed approval from the Puritan leaders. And “Who traded with the Indians? Those who did the approving.”

The story also grippingly reveals the missions of Mayflower and Speedwell. The latter failing to even leave the port.

Originally written story, with vividly portrayed characters, takes a reader on an eye opening journey. Journey of the Mayflower travelers, who weren’t strictly Puritans – looking for religious freedom. But people from different backgrounds coming to the new colony for different reasons – “indentured servants who signed up out of various necessities, craftsmen hired to assist in the physical creation of the colony, adventurers looking for economic gain…”

Historical fiction at its best .Plymouth A murder a town coping .Strong women a story that drew me in characters that come alive strong women. A time in history a book I will remember.#netgalley #bloomsbury

A very original story line of the circumstances that ruled the first Puritans. Religious freedom was the driving force to their exodus to the New World, but each member had their own idea of religion and how free it should be. Very little is taught of everyday life in the first colonists times. TaraShea Nesbit has filled this void with drama with a capital D. Actions and consequences are seen from differing points of view, leading us to question how what history has left out of the books. Who would have thought the Puritans lived a version of the Real Housewives club?

I received this from Netgalley.com for a review.

"Beheld is about a murder and a trial, and the motivations-personal and political-that cause people to act in unsavory ways. It is also an intimate portrait of love, motherhood, and friendship that asks: Whose stories get told over time, who gets believed-and subsequently, who gets punished? "

Focusing on the struggles of Plymouth, and more specifically its women, it is not the land its residents had imagined.

3.25☆

Interesting story line on the beginning of religious freedom in America as told through a woman's voice.
Religious freedom is what this group was seeking in the new world but they brought with them old world ideas. Ideas that impaired an individuals freedom, both female and male.
The parts where the women talked about sex with their husbands was odd, not sure if it is relatable to the story line as a whole. Disappointing ending as well.

The author puts a whole new spin on the story of the Puritan settlers in Plymouth, MA. Backstabbing, abuse and murder are unsavory aspects of the colony and neighbors are anything but how they appear on the surface.

The best thing about this was the very original plot line. I’ve never read any type of suspense that is set during the time of the pilgrims and I found it quite interesting and refreshing. The author’s take on this point in history is fascinating. The writing is excellent and the pace fast moving. An overall fresh, appealing read.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Bloomsbury Publishing and TaraShea Nesbit for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

My Thoughts:
Beheld is not a good book to read if you are depressed. I didn't like any of the characters. They are sad, bedraggled, gray type people.
Each side of the religious people groups believe the other group is wrong. Each side is prideful, arrogant, haughty; and they want to believe they are the "it" group. This kind of thinking is divisive, and at some point there will be big trouble.
Women are sometimes able to speak with one another and come to a calm outcome or at least a calm pause in trouble. Beheld did not show this aspect.
What I like about Beheld:
•I learned about the culture of women in this era. I'm including courtship, marriage, pregnancy, and labor.
•Sea travel. It's rough, and not a great adventure. It's dangerous.
•It showed the harsh life of a Puritan in Plymouth. I felt this aspect was an education.

I really enjoyed this novel. Nesbit draws you in right from the beginning with multiple points of view that reveal that all is not well in the colony at Plymouth, Massachusetts. Beginning with narration by the governor's wife, Alice Bradford, and including that of John Billington (first man executed in the colony) and his wife, as well as a "newcomen" who has just arrived, Nesbit draws a rich picture of political, economic, and social infighting in the colony. The novel draws on extensive historical research, along with Nesbit's imaginative filling in of the gaps (such as fleshing out the death of Bradford's first wife, who's only mentioned in passing in the historical record), to create a compelling narrative. The pilgrims don't come away looking like saints, but rather like believable, flawed human beings.