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katreader's review
4.0
JUDGE THEE NOT by Edith Maxwell
The Fifth Quaker Midwife Mystery
Over the years Rose Carroll has come across her fair share of prejudice. Not only is she a Quaker, she is a midwife who runs her own business in the 1880s. Rose is still surprised when Mayme Settle won't allow the postmistress to serve her. While Bertie's lifestyle is nontraditional, what does it have to do with buying some stamps? When one of Rose's clients tells her that Mrs. Settle is not only dead, but murdered, Rose can't help but wonder who killed her. Could it be her henpecked husband, who Rose saw give a look that could kill after she berated him in front of the Ladies Circle? Or perhaps her gardener who blames her for his daughter's death? There's also the banker who had a run in with the woman, and who may have killed before. It's certainly not her friend Bertie, who police consider a prime suspect. Rose is not about to let Bertie get railroaded merely because of her proclivities, so between caring for her pregnant clients and pondering her upcoming marriage, she decides to make some discrete inquiries. Will she be able to discern the truth, or will prejudice win the day?
Edith Maxwell once again pens a historical novel that is as relevant today as the year in which it takes place. Sadly, prejudice and bigotry still exist in our world. Fortunately, there are people like Rose Carroll today, who continue to speak up against it!
I really appreciate Rose's style of investigation. She still went about her daily business, caring for her pregnant clients, planning her upcoming wedding, and dealing with concerns in both of those matters, all the while keeping her eyes and ears open, as well as he mind, as she sleuthed. This case was incredibly complex, yet woven into Rose's life seamlessly.
JUDGE THEE NOT is an expertly crafted mystery with social significance. It is also a fun read with a surprising conclusion that kept me engaged from the start.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
The Fifth Quaker Midwife Mystery
Over the years Rose Carroll has come across her fair share of prejudice. Not only is she a Quaker, she is a midwife who runs her own business in the 1880s. Rose is still surprised when Mayme Settle won't allow the postmistress to serve her. While Bertie's lifestyle is nontraditional, what does it have to do with buying some stamps? When one of Rose's clients tells her that Mrs. Settle is not only dead, but murdered, Rose can't help but wonder who killed her. Could it be her henpecked husband, who Rose saw give a look that could kill after she berated him in front of the Ladies Circle? Or perhaps her gardener who blames her for his daughter's death? There's also the banker who had a run in with the woman, and who may have killed before. It's certainly not her friend Bertie, who police consider a prime suspect. Rose is not about to let Bertie get railroaded merely because of her proclivities, so between caring for her pregnant clients and pondering her upcoming marriage, she decides to make some discrete inquiries. Will she be able to discern the truth, or will prejudice win the day?
Edith Maxwell once again pens a historical novel that is as relevant today as the year in which it takes place. Sadly, prejudice and bigotry still exist in our world. Fortunately, there are people like Rose Carroll today, who continue to speak up against it!
I really appreciate Rose's style of investigation. She still went about her daily business, caring for her pregnant clients, planning her upcoming wedding, and dealing with concerns in both of those matters, all the while keeping her eyes and ears open, as well as he mind, as she sleuthed. This case was incredibly complex, yet woven into Rose's life seamlessly.
JUDGE THEE NOT is an expertly crafted mystery with social significance. It is also a fun read with a surprising conclusion that kept me engaged from the start.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
annieb123's review against another edition
4.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Judge Thee Not is the 5th Quaker Midwife mystery by Edith Maxwell. Released 10th Sept 2019, it's 327 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.
This is an interesting premise for a cozy series. Protagonist Rose Carroll is a 19th century midwife who's a Quaker. As a midwife, she comes into intimate contact with families in her duties as a healthcare professional. She also encounters secrets which sometimes people would prefer remain hidden.
I read this one as a standalone, and as an introduction to the characters and setting, it worked well. I had no problems following the plot or keeping track of the characters and their relationships. The plotting was unhurried and the book was long enough that the author could develop the tension arc at her leisure. I found my interest wandering somewhat with this book (though I wasn't tempted to skim through it).
The thing which detracted a fair bit of enjoyment for me was that the main character, as a Quaker, used the second person 'thee' for both nominative and oblique forms, without holding to the other declensions apart from the possessive form (thine). This is, as far as I have been able to find out without a huge effort, actually historically accurate to New England Quakers in the 19th century. They actually didn't say 'thou'. I winced every time the main character said (nominative form) 'Thee shall do'... 'Perhaps thee would prefer'... etc. That's not the author's fault, but it did yank me out of the story every time.
She took some license with the societal and medical mores and knowledge of the time, but it wasn't terribly egregious.
The language is clean and there is no direct sexual content (a few chaste kisses between an affianced couple, and a referral to a historical rape in the protagonist's distant past). The murder and assaults are relatively bloodless and occur off scene.
Three and a half stars. I would recommend these to fans of historical cozies.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Judge Thee Not is the 5th Quaker Midwife mystery by Edith Maxwell. Released 10th Sept 2019, it's 327 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.
This is an interesting premise for a cozy series. Protagonist Rose Carroll is a 19th century midwife who's a Quaker. As a midwife, she comes into intimate contact with families in her duties as a healthcare professional. She also encounters secrets which sometimes people would prefer remain hidden.
I read this one as a standalone, and as an introduction to the characters and setting, it worked well. I had no problems following the plot or keeping track of the characters and their relationships. The plotting was unhurried and the book was long enough that the author could develop the tension arc at her leisure. I found my interest wandering somewhat with this book (though I wasn't tempted to skim through it).
The thing which detracted a fair bit of enjoyment for me was that the main character, as a Quaker, used the second person 'thee' for both nominative and oblique forms, without holding to the other declensions apart from the possessive form (thine). This is, as far as I have been able to find out without a huge effort, actually historically accurate to New England Quakers in the 19th century. They actually didn't say 'thou'. I winced every time the main character said (nominative form) 'Thee shall do'... 'Perhaps thee would prefer'... etc. That's not the author's fault, but it did yank me out of the story every time.
She took some license with the societal and medical mores and knowledge of the time, but it wasn't terribly egregious.
The language is clean and there is no direct sexual content (a few chaste kisses between an affianced couple, and a referral to a historical rape in the protagonist's distant past). The murder and assaults are relatively bloodless and occur off scene.
Three and a half stars. I would recommend these to fans of historical cozies.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
dollycas's review
5.0
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I am so happy this series found a new home so quickly. I love these characters!
Again, Ms. Maxwell takes on a hot topic in 1889 and still a hot topic for some today. As a midwife, she willing discusses everything with her patients, from diet, birth control, and even rape. Rose Carroll is a Quaker and like most members has a very open mind. They treat everyone as equals regardless of class or standing. She is truly taken by surprise when society matron Mayme Settle makes her feelings known publically about postmistress and Rose’s friend Bertie’s nontraditional lifestyle, – a “Boston marriage” to attorney and partner Sophie. Soon after Mayme Settle makes her declarations she is murdered and a witness places Bertie near the scene of the crime. Rose is positive her friend had nothing to do with the death and she is going to do everything she can to prove it and pass along all the information she can to her friend police detective Kevin Donovan.
In addition to the characters we have met over the course of this series, the author also introduces us to two of Rose’s patients that really captured my heart. First, Jeanette Papka, a tall woman “with long dark hair and a delightful smile.” Sadly a childhood illness has left her blind. Amazingly it doesn’t hold her back. Jeanette speaks several languages fluently and works at the Second District Court in Amesbury as a translator. We also meet Sissy Barkley, the young wife of banker Irvin Barkley. He prefers his wife see a medical doctor but Sissy insists on seeing midwife Rose. She is nervous that her husband will send her back to her family is she doesn’t fulfill his wish to be a father. She evolves within these pages.
On Rose’s homefront, her relationship with David is moving along as is Frederick’s relationship with Winnie. The children are growing and one loves to cook and bake. I really enjoy the way Ms. Maxwell blends a terrific mystery with normal daily life including Rose’s prenatal and postnatal visits while giving readers a bird’s eye view of interesting things from that time, from medical discoveries to fashion and more. With each story, I also learn more of the Quaker faith.
There is so much packed into this story, and I enjoyed every step of the journey. The mystery was very well-plotted and the pace was comfortable. The title fits the story perfectly. I always try to slow y reading speed down because for me my visits to Amesbury always end way too soon.
I am waiting with bated breath for the next book in this series!
As always, I recommend reading this series in order for maximum enjoyment.
I am so happy this series found a new home so quickly. I love these characters!
Again, Ms. Maxwell takes on a hot topic in 1889 and still a hot topic for some today. As a midwife, she willing discusses everything with her patients, from diet, birth control, and even rape. Rose Carroll is a Quaker and like most members has a very open mind. They treat everyone as equals regardless of class or standing. She is truly taken by surprise when society matron Mayme Settle makes her feelings known publically about postmistress and Rose’s friend Bertie’s nontraditional lifestyle, – a “Boston marriage” to attorney and partner Sophie. Soon after Mayme Settle makes her declarations she is murdered and a witness places Bertie near the scene of the crime. Rose is positive her friend had nothing to do with the death and she is going to do everything she can to prove it and pass along all the information she can to her friend police detective Kevin Donovan.
In addition to the characters we have met over the course of this series, the author also introduces us to two of Rose’s patients that really captured my heart. First, Jeanette Papka, a tall woman “with long dark hair and a delightful smile.” Sadly a childhood illness has left her blind. Amazingly it doesn’t hold her back. Jeanette speaks several languages fluently and works at the Second District Court in Amesbury as a translator. We also meet Sissy Barkley, the young wife of banker Irvin Barkley. He prefers his wife see a medical doctor but Sissy insists on seeing midwife Rose. She is nervous that her husband will send her back to her family is she doesn’t fulfill his wish to be a father. She evolves within these pages.
On Rose’s homefront, her relationship with David is moving along as is Frederick’s relationship with Winnie. The children are growing and one loves to cook and bake. I really enjoy the way Ms. Maxwell blends a terrific mystery with normal daily life including Rose’s prenatal and postnatal visits while giving readers a bird’s eye view of interesting things from that time, from medical discoveries to fashion and more. With each story, I also learn more of the Quaker faith.
There is so much packed into this story, and I enjoyed every step of the journey. The mystery was very well-plotted and the pace was comfortable. The title fits the story perfectly. I always try to slow y reading speed down because for me my visits to Amesbury always end way too soon.
I am waiting with bated breath for the next book in this series!
As always, I recommend reading this series in order for maximum enjoyment.
jckenney's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
crankyoldqueer's review
informative
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
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