Murder in a Mill Town by P.B. Ryan

First Line: "We quarreled last March," said Nell Sweeney in a manfully deep, working class English accent-- or her best attempt at one-- embellished with just the slightest quaver of lunacy.

A poor and desperate couple come to Viola Hewitt to ask for help. Their daughter Bridget, employed by the Hewitt Mills and Dye Works, hasn't been seen for days. Mrs. Fallon in particular simply cannot believe that her daughter would take off without a word and feels that Bridget's ex-con lover may have had something to do with her disappearance. 

As she has done in the past, wheelchair-bound Mrs. Hewitt calls on Nell Sweeney, a woman hired to be her companion and the governess to her granddaughter. Nell may look and behave like a lady now, but she's no stranger to the less law-abiding elements of Boston. With the help of the black sheep of the Hewitt clan, William, Nell begins to look for Bridget-- and finds herself in danger.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Still Life with Murder, but this second-- while good-- just isn't as dynamic as its predecessor. The mystery itself is tissue paper thin, and even with some misdirection added, the killer is rather obvious. As I kept reading, it became clear to me that Murder in a Mill Town isn't really about the mystery, it's about the growing relationship between Nell and Will and about Nell's past. A few of her secrets were revealed in Still Life with Murder, but there are plenty more to share in this one.

Will continues to be a fascinating character and is every bit as flawed as Nell-- but in a completely different way. Both are brave and smart and possess a dry wit. They certainly showcase Ryan's skill in rich, nuanced characterization. These two definitely will not have a smooth trip to any sort of relationship, and not just because they come from such different backgrounds. Two people in particular are going to cause them problems every step of the way, and it will be very interesting to see what develops in future books. I only hope that those future books have stronger mysteries to solve.
 

Murder in a Mill Town by P.B. Ryan

ASIN: B003UV98O0 

Hawkley Books © 2010

eBook, 276 pages

Historical Mystery, #2 Nell Sweeney mystery

Rating: B-

Source: Purchased from Amazon. 


 

Still Life With Murder by P.B. Ryan

First Line: "It's going to be a bad one."

Young Nell Sweeney's life experiences have been mostly bad, but she has enjoyed her time assisting a Cape Cod physician, and she feels some regret at leaving him for her new post as governess for wealthy Viola Hewitt in Boston. Her new employer is kind, and Nell loves the child she cares for, but her duties suddenly change when the black sheep of the family-- Will Hewitt, long thought to be dead-- reappears in Boston and is charged with murder. Viola Hewitt believes her son to be innocent, and she insists that Nell help her to prove it. Unfortunately Nell's task is made even more difficult by the fact that Will is an opium addict and doesn't want anyone to help him.

When I began to read Still Life with Murder, I expected to find a pleasant little story set during a period of history in which I've always been interested. Did I ever underestimate this book! Ryan's setting is wonderfully evocative and made me feel as though I were walking the streets of Boston during the Civil War. I deduced the identity of the killer early on, but that in no way spoiled this book for me-- there's simply so much to savor that this small detail quickly became irrelevant.

What makes this book so special are its two main characters: Nell Sweeney and opium-smoking ex-battle surgeon William Hewitt. Both have their demons, and it is clear by book's end that there are secrets yet to be revealed.

Nell's past has been one of poverty, hardship, and a fight merely to survive. She has done so through sheer force of will, her intelligence, and her understanding of the darker side of human nature. She may be a governess in the 1860's, but she's no shrinking violet, and it's fun to watch her try to keep up appearances while taking care of business. As she tries to clear Will's name, it would appear that more men than women have delicate sensibilities that she must try her best not to offend. I haven't had a character get me this fired up in a long time.

Sympathy for William Hewitt is slower to form, as it probably would be for a man willfully addicted to opium, but Ryan works her magic on him, too. Family dynamics play an important role in his behavior, as do his experiences during the war. He's determined to go to hell in a handbasket reeking of the poppy, and the author makes us want to know why.

Nell and William are two fascinating, multi-faceted characters, and I cannot wait to read the next book in this series. Sometimes-- as in the case of Still Life with Murder-- it's wonderful to have your expectations blown to smithereens!

Still Life With Murder by P.B. Ryan

ASIN: B003UV98MM

Hawkley Books © 2010

eBook, 296 pages

Historical Mystery, #1 Nell Sweeney mystery

Rating: A

Source: Purchased as an eBook from Amazon.