The Tory Widow

I really wanted to like this book, and it certainly had its moments, but overall I just couldn't get into the story. The best parts were the insights into life in Colonial New York, but the aggravating characters, insipid dialogue, and implausible coincidences made finishing this book a chore. The author's occasional efforts at period speech were stiff and added nothing to this already struggling narrative. The book was way too long, and then ended by setting up the obvious sequel, a tactic I generally find irritating as it undermines any sense of completion in the work. In this case, I was so glad to get to the last page, I didn't even care that much about the foreshadowing, especially as I have no plans to read more about these show more characters.

All in all, the interactions between Jack and Anne read more like a teenaged romance than a serious work of historical fiction, and I couldn't see any real basis for their "relationship". I can see how this book would translate into a movie script because I suspect the big action scenes would play better on the screen than on the page. All in all, a disappointing read about an interesting period in U.S. history. show less

The Tory Widow is the story of a determined young widow trying to survive in war-torn New York as it changes hands between the British and the Patriots. With each change she is forced to change her 'cover', reassess her political beliefs and her relationship with both Jack and her brother David. Blevins does a great job of capturing the political fervor running high, the criminals taking advantage of chaos, and the way many people simply can't afford strong political convictions - especially in wartime. The constant need to adapt, as well as the constant fear of being caught 'on the wrong side' are real strong suits of the novel.

There is also a strong current of romance throughout the book, though I didn't find this as successful as the show more historical aspects. While I really enjoyed the secondary romance, I could never find myself really warming to Jack. He did several things (very in keeping with his political convictions) that I found downright despicable, and he never seemed to apologize or re-evaluate his adherence to the cause in light of his affection for Anne. I have real problems sympathizing with people who put their 'cause' before their families and loved ones. So while I understood Anne's attraction to Jack (he has charmingly cheeky moments), I kept on thinking that she could do better.

So what's the take-away? As a historical novel, this is great. I found it very evocative of the time, and I loved hearing about the printing press, the cafe, and Jack's adventures in sabotage. Plus there's a bit at the end that reminded me of The Scarlet Pimpernel (and that just HAS to be good, right?). But the romantic pairing just wasn't for me.

FTC Dislosure: I received a free review copy through the LT Early Reviewers program. show less

The Tory Widow by Christine Blevins was a fun mix of historical fiction and romance. The main character, Anne Merrick, is easy to root for and I enjoyed the different perspective on the Revolutionary War. It was interesting to see it looked at by someone who, at least at the start, didn't care who won and was able to go whichever way the wind blew. I also found it quite impressive that the author added a bit at the end about what historical details were stretched or changed. A very good read.

I have to say right out front that I didn’t read past page 114 of The Tory Widow by Christine Blevins. The story seemed disjointed and only touched on the surface of the lives being written about. I found the word choices puzzling and the phrasing awkward . Here’s an example: “Anne propped her hands akimbo and took stock of all the printing accoutrement piled upon and around the press.” Akimbo is properly used but obscure and accoutrement is a poor choice in my opinion. Here’s another: “Wood squawked against wood, and stacks of treenware plates tottered on the shelves, clacking in alarm as Anne and Sally wrested the unwieldy cabinet away from the wall.”

Anne Merrick, the Tory Widow, is erratically written. She’s kissed show more by a stranger on her wedding day – Jack Hampton - who turns up years later as part of a gang that destroys her press and ruins her books. Yet she ends up printing the ultimate traitorous document, The Declaration of Independence, for him. She’s supposedly a virtuous woman who only hesitates for a second before hoisting her skirts and mooning the British ships in New York Harbor with a bunch of prostitutes. She seems a shallow overlay on a dramatic point in the history of the United States, not an integral part of it. I couldn’t understand this woman at all.

There’s no depth or flow to the story. The actions, behavior, and language of the characters just didn’t seem to fit the times being written about. I finally gave it up because I didn’t care about Anne or Jack.

I really wanted to like this book. I thought the author's first book, Midwife of the Blue Ridge was beautifully written. This book surprised me with it's different style, shallowness, and poor characterizations. show less

This book was a real change of pace for me in that I tend to read Victorian historical fiction and this novel is set in Revolutionary NY circa 1776. It is definitely a combination of historical fiction and romance, but it's a much better read (more substance and better writing) than one might expect by the 'bodice ripper' cover. I enjoyed the heroine, Annie Merrick, and the details of 18th century NYC-- her printing/stationary shop, the cafe, her savvy ways of keeping a business afloat during unpredictable political times, and her obvious sense of humor. Annie's character is a young widow (and the mother of a deceased 6 year old son) free from a loveless arranged marriage and now in search of herself amidst the turmoil of a changing show more city and a newly independent America. She's paired with the roguish Jack Hampton. I didn't love his character or his pairing with Annie, but it was an enjoyable story and I would definitely read another of Blevins' books. show less

3.5 stars

The Tory Widow, the first novel in author Christine Blevins American Revolution series, is set in New York City in the early days of the Revolutionary War. At the start of the conflict, Anne Merrick is a young widow struggling to keep her late husband's printing business alive by publishing British propaganda, even though she doesn't necessarily believe in the propaganda herself. When her print shop is attacked by the Sons of Liberty, lead by the dashing Jack Hampton, Anne begins to question her actions. In so doing, she becomes increasingly drawn to both Jack and her country's struggle for independence from British rule. When the Patriot army is defeated in New York, and the city falls under British occupation, Anne decides to show more remain in her home and convert her print shop into a coffee house that caters to British officers. While outwardly playing the part of dedicated loyalist, Anne does whatever it takes to glean important information from the British and pass it on the Patriots. In so doing, Anne puts her very life on the line in the cause of liberty.


Overall, The Tory Widow is an enjoyable read. Blevins paints a vivid portrait of life in New York City at the start of the Revolutionary War, both before and during the British occupation. One of the greatest strengths of this novel is Blevins' ability to convey the British as the enemy without painting them as a one-dimensional evil force. Even though they sit on opposite sides of the conflict, Anne comes to respect some of the British officers with whom she crosses paths and recognizes that if not for the war she would have little quarrel with them. One of the principal weaknesses of this novel, however, rests with the development of Anne as a character. At the opening of the novel, Anne is portrayed as dismissive and disapproving of the Sons of Liberty and their cause. Many years later, at the start of the war, while no longer disapproving, Anne still seems reluctant to support the Patriots. The arrival of Jack Hampton into her life changes this, and Anne seemingly goes from a reluctant bystander to an ardent patriot almost overnight. It would have been beneficial to the story for Blevins to have included a little more insight into the rationale behind Anne's abrupt embracing of the patriot cause, as it seems to come out of nowhere. Furthermore, some of Anne's actions don't seem consistent with her established character, nor with how a respectable woman of the age would have behaved -- war or not (e.g. mooning the British with a bunch of prostitutes from the roof of a brothel). Nevertheless, these weaknesses didn't detract significantly from my enjoyment of the story. While Anne herself could have been a bit better developed, the novel's secondary and tertiary characters, whether they be patriot or British, hero or villain, shine and I look forward to finding out what's next for them in the novel's follow-up, The Turning of Anne Merrick.

Recommended for fans of the historical fiction genre interested in the Revolutionary War period. show less

Anne is married against her will to a much older man in order to create a business relationship between her husband and her father. Both men are printers and her husband's shop, with its Tory leanings, is in New York City. Her marriage brings her no joy outside of her son. Once he was born, she was seen as no more and no better than another servant. When smallpox takes both her husband and her son, Anne is forced to h take control of the print shop, its politics, and her own life in a volatile climate that ultimately leads to the Revolutionary War. She has no choice but succeed in order to ensure that she is never another man's pawn again.

Living on your own for the first time with the added stress of running a business on your shoulders show more just after losing your son would be a daunting task for anyone. When you add that this business had ties to those with Tori political leanings through your ex-husband when the entire city is about to explode because of the conflict between the colonies and the crown makes matters that much more perilous. What keeps Anne moving forward is the fact that her father talked about marrying her off to another printer almost immediately after she was widowed. As much as she grieves for her son, the loss of her family was mixed blessing for her because she has a level of freedom almost unheard of for the women of her day. With that freedom comes every bit of responsibility, too. She is now fully responsible for the product produced by the printing press. If those patriots seeking out justice against the Tories in their midst caught her supporting the Tori cause, her life, let alone her livelihood would be at risk. Anne's adaptations to her new life and the turbulent political climate made this novel enjoyable for me. I appreciated Anne's fortitude and strength.

Anne's growing relationship with Jack did not work as well for me. While I can see how one entering a loveless marriage can hang on to romantic notions, I never really could wrap myself around her overlooking and forgiving some of the abhorrent things that Jack did in the name of his country and liberty. Anne pointed out herself that he wasn't the man she thought he was during their brief first encounter. He did one particular thing to Anne out of spite during a raid of her print shop and never apologized for it. Jack's character, however, was true and believable. I have a hard time believing that Anne would not in some ways find him to be somewhat like her father in that he does what's best for him - in Jack's case his cause - without much consideration for others.

In The Tory Widow, which is the first in what will be a trilogy about the Revolutionary War, Christine Blevins weaves a story of the early days of the Revolutionary War that is well researched and interesting. The details in this novel are wonderful and I enjoyed reading about the workings of printing presses at the time my country was born. Although I enjoyed this novel, I liked The Midwife of the Blue Ridge better, I think this novel would really satisy those who are interested in the Revolutionary War, New York City, or early American politics. Blevins has a way of bringing early American history to life. I She puts more than just her time and energy into her novels. When you read about how copies of the Declaration of Independence were printed and distributed, you know that she puts her heart into each one. show less