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katreader's review against another edition
4.0
TAKEN TOO SOON by Edith Maxwell
The Sixth Quaker Midwife Mystery
Despite many delays and conflicts midwife Rose Carroll and Doctor David Dodge have finally wed. A quiet Quaker service at her parents' meetinghouse is followed by a large reception David’s mother Clarinda’s insistence. The festivities are interrupted, however, by the surprise arrival of David’s estranged brother and a telegram. Rose’s two elderly aunts request that she come to them immediately. Tilly’s young ward has been murdered and they want Rose’s help.
I was worried the day would never arrive and I am so happy that Rose's wedding went off without a hitch. Now the reception was another story, but that's OK since Rose didn't want the lavish affair Clarinda demanded anyway. While her honeymoon wasn't exactly what she and David envisioned, they were together. I love their relationship and how they compliment each other, but each is able to go off and do their own thing. Rose continues to be a capable, independent woman who knows her own mind, even after marriage.
I really enjoyed the mystery, and was led astray by various red herrings. I especially appreciate the modern themes that run through this historical mystery proving that though times may change, people and their motives rarely do.
TAKEN TOO SOON is a thoughtful mystery that highlights the many ways in which people love, both positively and negatively. The Quaker Midwife series never fails to entertain, enlighten, and engage me and its sixth entry is no exception. I look forward to seeing how Rose and David adjust to married life and how they'll happen upon another murder to investigate in their next adventure.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
The Sixth Quaker Midwife Mystery
Despite many delays and conflicts midwife Rose Carroll and Doctor David Dodge have finally wed. A quiet Quaker service at her parents' meetinghouse is followed by a large reception David’s mother Clarinda’s insistence. The festivities are interrupted, however, by the surprise arrival of David’s estranged brother and a telegram. Rose’s two elderly aunts request that she come to them immediately. Tilly’s young ward has been murdered and they want Rose’s help.
I was worried the day would never arrive and I am so happy that Rose's wedding went off without a hitch. Now the reception was another story, but that's OK since Rose didn't want the lavish affair Clarinda demanded anyway. While her honeymoon wasn't exactly what she and David envisioned, they were together. I love their relationship and how they compliment each other, but each is able to go off and do their own thing. Rose continues to be a capable, independent woman who knows her own mind, even after marriage.
I really enjoyed the mystery, and was led astray by various red herrings. I especially appreciate the modern themes that run through this historical mystery proving that though times may change, people and their motives rarely do.
TAKEN TOO SOON is a thoughtful mystery that highlights the many ways in which people love, both positively and negatively. The Quaker Midwife series never fails to entertain, enlighten, and engage me and its sixth entry is no exception. I look forward to seeing how Rose and David adjust to married life and how they'll happen upon another murder to investigate in their next adventure.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
reader_cheryl's review against another edition
4.0
It’s Quaker midwife Rose Carroll and David Dodge’s wedding day. The book opens with the couple greeting guests after the ceremony. David’s father, Herbert, is happy at the match, but David’s mother, Clarinda, not so much. Rose confides to the reader “Clarinda had thrown every obstacle she could onto the path of David’s marrying me.” Clarinda’s expectation is Rose will give up her “silly hobby” and conduct herself as a proper married woman, but it is an expectation David quickly shoots down. In his reply he makes it clear Rose will continue to work as a midwife as she is “fully capable of being both a wife” and a professional midwife. Rose and David’s relationship is countercultural in 1889 and testing of their union comes quickly.
At the reception, David’s long-estranged brother Herbert Currier Dodge, known as Currie, makes an appearance. Up until now, Rose had no idea David had a brother, and is a bit unsettled David has kept this information from her until now. The real conflict lies between Currie and Clarinda and into this tense encounter a telegram arrives for Rose’s father Allan Burroughs Carroll from his sister Miss Drusilla Carroll, Rose’s Aunt Dru. The telegram is urgent and requests Rose’s presence immediately. Frannie Isley, a ward of Rose’s Aunt Tilly, has been murdered. Tilly and Dru are elderly spinsters and live together in West Falmouth located on Cape Cod. Dru requests Rose’s presence right away because, in addition to being a talented midwife, Rose is also an amateur sleuth.
Instead of starting a honeymoon, Rose and David head to West Falmouth to be with Rose’s aunts and to solve a murder. Frannie’s murder exposes long-held secrets that demand resolutions with the power to heal or destroy.
Recommendation for this book
Read it. The historical detail immerses the reader into the Quaker way of life in the late 1880s. The mystery will keep you guessing.
At the reception, David’s long-estranged brother Herbert Currier Dodge, known as Currie, makes an appearance. Up until now, Rose had no idea David had a brother, and is a bit unsettled David has kept this information from her until now. The real conflict lies between Currie and Clarinda and into this tense encounter a telegram arrives for Rose’s father Allan Burroughs Carroll from his sister Miss Drusilla Carroll, Rose’s Aunt Dru. The telegram is urgent and requests Rose’s presence immediately. Frannie Isley, a ward of Rose’s Aunt Tilly, has been murdered. Tilly and Dru are elderly spinsters and live together in West Falmouth located on Cape Cod. Dru requests Rose’s presence right away because, in addition to being a talented midwife, Rose is also an amateur sleuth.
Instead of starting a honeymoon, Rose and David head to West Falmouth to be with Rose’s aunts and to solve a murder. Frannie’s murder exposes long-held secrets that demand resolutions with the power to heal or destroy.
Recommendation for this book
Read it. The historical detail immerses the reader into the Quaker way of life in the late 1880s. The mystery will keep you guessing.
bethens_messy_bookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
Firstly, thanks to #NetGalley Beyond the Page and Edith Maxwell for this Arc to review.
Quaker midwife turned crime silver Rose Carroll is called to her next mystery during the reception of her wedding to David Dodge.
Frannie, the 16year old ward to her elderly aunt has been murdered and there’s nobody’s help they desire more than that of their investigative niece.
Despite the festivities still being in full swing, the new Mr and Mrs Dodge travel immediately to her family.
On arrival at the aunts’ not all is quite as arose would expect, but she does her best to learn as much as possible of the last day’s events.
I was intrigued by the premise of this book, however, 25% of the way though I’m bored.
It’s slow to get going - she’s arrived to solve a murder but has been taking a tour of the town, and seems to have no real urgency to get to the bottom of any mystery.
I have enjoyed the setting of the story, late 19th century, particularly meeting the Quaker characters. But, this just didn’t excite me as a murder mystery should.
Quaker midwife turned crime silver Rose Carroll is called to her next mystery during the reception of her wedding to David Dodge.
Frannie, the 16year old ward to her elderly aunt has been murdered and there’s nobody’s help they desire more than that of their investigative niece.
Despite the festivities still being in full swing, the new Mr and Mrs Dodge travel immediately to her family.
On arrival at the aunts’ not all is quite as arose would expect, but she does her best to learn as much as possible of the last day’s events.
I was intrigued by the premise of this book, however, 25% of the way though I’m bored.
It’s slow to get going - she’s arrived to solve a murder but has been taking a tour of the town, and seems to have no real urgency to get to the bottom of any mystery.
I have enjoyed the setting of the story, late 19th century, particularly meeting the Quaker characters. But, this just didn’t excite me as a murder mystery should.
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