The Ninth Daughter

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 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 show more 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 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 show more 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

Tension is high between British soldiers and the citizens of Boston, many of whom are affiliated with the Sons of Liberty and the patriot cause. When Abigail Adams discovers a murdered woman inside a missing friend's house, she forms an uneasy alliance with a British lieutenant in order to find her friend. For some reason, the lieutenant suspects John Adams of the murder, and Abigail is as anxious to clear him of suspicion as she is to find her friend. She has to cooperate with the lieutenant without revealing the secrets of the Sons of Liberty, who are presently preoccupied with preventing a ship from unloading its cargo of tea...

The gruesome details of the murder and the edge of suspense mark the book as more historical thriller than show more historical cozy. I don't quite buy Abigail Adams' character in the book. Whatever her views on slavery and servitude, I somehow doubt that she would treat slaves and servants as social equals. She seems to be written to appeal to our 21st century sensibilities. The book didn't flow well, and I found myself re-reading many passages in order to make sense of them. Many sentences are poorly constructed, which is surprising from an experienced author. I struggled enough with the writing to make me think twice about continuing with this series. show less

I have mixed feelings when it comes to making historical figures stars of serial fiction. On the one hand, I love the visit with that time period in a more readable fashion. On the other, I have a problem when it comes to placing the historical figure in situations in which they probably never were. Such is the case with this first installment in a series of mysteries featuring Abigail Adams, wife of later-to-be president John Adams. In this installment, one woman is dead and another is missing. It appears that a member of the Sons of Liberty, perhaps even her husband, may be responsible or have been framed. She is determined to find the real person before the English officials arrest her husband. I loved the references to historical show more persons. I am familiar enough with Boston and its streets and neighborhoods to have visualized and placed the geographic references. What I couldn't quite believe were the activities in which Abigail Adams engaged in the novel for a woman in that time period. In spite of my problem with the believability of the novel, it was an enjoyable read. show less

The Ninth Daughter is the first book in Barbara Hamilton's Abigail Adams Mystery Series. I read the second book "A Marked Man" last year and am hoping to read the 3rd and latest book "Sup with the Devil" soon. The author's knowledge of the culture of 1770s Massachusetts is evident. She has written an excellent historical mystery with Abigail Adams as the amateur sleuth and with authentic characters. Some are Tories. Some are hell bent on revolution and others are Loyalists.

The story takes place during the week before the Boston Tea Party. It opens with Mrs. Adams visiting a friend, Rebecca Malvern, at her home. Upon arrival she finds a dead woman in the kitchen. It is not Rebecca Malvern. She has disappeared. The dead women is Perdita show more Pentyre, the mistress of a British Colonel and the wife of a Loyalist. Mrs. Adams finds a piece of paper at the scene with names of the Sons of Liberty handwritten on it and puts it in her pocket so the police won't find it. She is soon joined by Sam Adams, Paul Revere, and Dr. Warren. Together they mop up the pool of blood on the floor and remove other Sons of Liberty (SOL) items in the home. A day later she learns about 2 similar murders in the previous year and that her husband John is suspected to be the murderer of Mrs. Pentyre. Mrs. Adams uses her keen observation powers and her new friendship with a Redcoat officer to solve the crimes. With her husband being the main suspect Abigail is determined to find the whodunit in order to clear her husband's name.

The setting is also a character here. The backdrop of pre-Revolutionary era reflects what each character thinks and how they react toward a Redcoat investigating a crime on their shores. Also, housing in the 18th century Boston had areas for the public on the first floor and bedrooms on the second or top floor for family members only. This is why the victim is found dead on the first floor of the home. It also explains why the author had her heroine walk about the town accompanied by a Son of Liberty for protection.

The Ninth Daughter is a fabulous beginning to a new cozy mystery series. Highly recommended. show less

In the political turmoil of Boston in 1773, one woman is found murdered and another has vanished without trace. A wry, wise female protagonist, Abigail Adams, follows the threads - personal and political and religious - that will lead to the identity of the murderer. A slowish start, but a gripping ending.

I wasn't sure what I thought of the idea of the 1st lady as a detective, but I love the Adams family so I gave it a try.
The only irritating part was the attribution of modern ideas about crime to people living in the 1700's.
Understanding the psychology of the serial killer and the importance of chain of evidence, felt it a bit far fetched.

Killer was certainly no surprise, but that was because author played fair