Barbara Hamilton (1)

I do love this series. Not only is Abigail Adams ("Consider the ladies...") the main character, but it sheds a light on pre-Revolutionary Boston, and the various sets of interests and beliefs that led to the Revolutionary War.

Not that Abigail- and her husband John- are not the dedicated patriots that his cousin Sam Adams is.

In these books Abigail probably does act with more autonomy and support than would likely have been allowed, no matter how supportive her husband... but it works anyway.

I show more especially liked the conflicts that people in Colonial times were facing as to whether to join up with the "patriots' or the Tories. It was a lot more complicated than the history books say.

The characters were well-drawn and complex. The plot was nicely twisty. Abigail was a great protag! Still- for me, the best part of this book was enriching the context in which the Revolution happened.

While it might help to have read the previous 2 books, this one works fine on its own. show less

Do I believe Abigail Adams was a sleuth? No.

Is this still a fascinating mystery series? Oh, yes!

I love the historical context. It brings the Revolutionary War period to life like nothing else I've ever read- and I've read a number of novels set in that period.

Here, the plot is complex, with political overtones, though it did not seem to be politically motivated. I did find the end-game a bit implausible... but everything else was so grounded that I didn't mind.

America, in that era, was a show more VERY different place than we realize, and this series brings home a lot of that. The basic pragmatics of life are so foreign to our experiences!

I'm a great fan of historical cookbooks, because they give me a look into how people actually lived in earlier ages. This series is similar, plus the whole mystery element is enticing.

Highly recommended, and if you haven't read the first, you can start here. show less

I loved Barbara Hambly's historical novels, The Emancipator's Wife (about Mary Todd Lincoln) and Patriot Hearts, which was in many ways a seduction into the life of Abigail Adams. I'd read some of Adams's letters to her children, full of wit and wisdom, not to mention compassion and an intriguing perspective on the events surrounding the American Revolution and establishment of the United States. The Ninth Daughter, under the guise of a fictional murder mystery, offers as well a beautifully show more wrought, richly detailed vision of life in Colonial Boston. The plot itself involves not only the expected crime and politically motivated cover-up, spies and counter-spies, the legacy of Puritanism (the reference to the nine daughter of Eve, each more sinful than the first), the Sons of Liberty and the run-up to the Boston Tea Party, but the details of daily life and personal relationships that make the characters and their times truly come alive. show less

I didn’t expect to enjoy this book as much as I would! It was a great mystery with a hefty set of characters (historical and otherwise) with an underlying theme of political tension playing throughout the plot.

I think that’s what made the book enjoyable, was despite the mystery being the main hook, the political tension and bickering between the patriots and the British was always in the forefront and mentioned when need be as it was central to the story. Every so often you had mention show more of Abigail’s refusal to drink tea for example, or minor scuffles happening between citizens and the Redcoats.

Despite the tensions however, Abigail puts her ideas and beliefs aside and works alongside the British to solve this mystery. I enjoyed reading her character. She’s strong willed and has a good retort every so often when she needs to speak out, which shocks other characters as it wasn’t considered “proper”. I enjoy Abigail’s unorthodox behavior and it may seem as if she gives an air of an annoying stubborn woman, but it’s because of her personality that things get done no matter whose side you’re on or who you support.

John and Abigail’s relationship was also nice to read. They’re both equals and you can see a subtle quiet strength between them and they compliment each other perfectly. There’s a mutual respect between the two and if they were alive now, they would probably be a political supercouple ;)

The mystery aspect of the book was good and the intrigue is definitely noted. The setting is superbly done and very descriptive. The list of suspects was substantial and revelation of the culprit isn’t much of a surprise but the execution of obtaining the criminal and his background story was excellent to read , and was very satisfying to see the bad guys get their dues. The supporting characters are also well done - although I have to admit, there are just a little too many for me. Even minor characters have their personality and details and although it’s good and makes the world building more detailed and rich, sometimes it’s a bit hard to follow as to who’s who. (Perhaps a section of cast of characters would help in this case - especially when some characters share the same last name)

I’ll be picking up the next book to read. It’s definitely worth looking into for those that love historical fiction mysteries. The tea has been dumped!!! So you have to figure out what sort of chaos is going to happen and what mystery Abigail will solve next. show less