I don't read a lot of historical fiction set in the 1600s, so I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this one. Prudence was a strong female character without seeming too modern for her Puritan times. There was a lot of action and a little mystery. I would have liked to get to know some of the peripheral characters a bit more, but overall it was a satisfying read. ( )

What a wonderful journey? A widow and a British spy travel across the new land that is new to British rule. The Nipmuk tribe have already destroyed the life the Prudence Cotton has known. Her husband has been killed and her daughter has been captured but there is more at stake than she understands.

James Bailey has been sent by the crown to Boston to investigate the murder of Prudence’s husband. He is also sent on a clandestine mission to instigate a reason for King Philip to install royal governors. Along the way, his partner is murdered and now he needs help from someone who is as close to the situation as can possibly be.

Prudence easily fits the bill. The two travel across New England finding clues to continue the investigation that they both are completely invested in. As a Puritan, Prudence see the world in a different light than James does:

“Yet the call themselves Christians,” James said.
“There are no Christians in war.” Prudence blurted the words before she could reconsider. Horrified, she put her hand over her mouth. “Pray, pardon me. I shouldn’t have said that.”

I did enjoy the fast pace of the murder mystery. Follow Prudence on her emotional roller coaster of trying to find her daughter and coming to the realization that there was more at play in her husband’s murder kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the read.

The cultural differences that arise throughout the book put a new spin on the colonies for me that I had never thought of before. Quakers, Puritans, English, and the Nipmuk, all bring their own viewpoint to the table while trying to survive in a land that is unknown and familiar at the same time. I’ve only ever read about Indian raids in books that would best be described as Western as seen through the eyes of the American CowBoy. It is very interesting to see a different view through the eyes of the British while seeing the world through Prudence’s eyes who had never been to Britain and sees the British very differently. ( )

Not bad, pretty entertaining. Definitely a romance. Research seems good. ( )

I found this story to be a good read with a structured plot and realistic character development. The young widow, Prudence Cotton, witnessed the death of her husband and was then held as a captive during the Indian War. Months after the end of the war, Widow Cotton still believes that her daughter is still alive and with the Indian tribe that had held her captive. Then comes James Bailey, a man sent to the colonies as a representative of the King of England with an agenda other then just looking into the death of Benjamin Cotton. The two form a partnership to work together in order to accomplish their individual goals, all while trying to uncover the truth behind the war.

After getting off to a slow start, I found myself getting pulled into the story. I would definitely recommend giving this book a read ( )

Bestselling author Michael Wallace refuses to be locked into one genre. He’s well known for his sci-fi, his fantasies, his historical mysteries and his thriller novels. Crow Hollow is Book #1 of his new 17th century historical mystery series. Although I had read several of his sci-fi novels, I sadly had not discovered his mysteries until I picked up Crow Hollow. FYI: He calls this a fantasy novel; however, it read more like a historical mystery to me. Ever wonder what 17th century New England was really like for the Puritans and for the Native Americans once the Puritans landed? Wallace pulls no punches, presenting the harsh realities of life in a virtual wilderness during the time leading up to the Revolutionary War. At the same time, he weaves an intensely personal story featuring an unlikely collaboration. Historical fiction and adventure fans will definitely want to check this one out at http://popcornreads.com/?p=8419. ( )