Monday, March 12, 2012

The Truth of All Things by Kieran Shields

Archie Lean has just recently been appointed to his Deputy Marshall position.  When he gets a call about a body found that belongs to a dead prostitute, he expects it to be another run-of-the-mill case.  Nothing surprises him more than finding her staked into the ground with a pitchfork through her neck...

Crown Publishing and Edelweiss allowed me to read an ecopy of this mystery (thank you).  It will be published at the end of the month, so watch for a copy at your local bookstore.

This story is set in 1892 and includes three interesting characters.  Lean is married and a father with another child on the way; Helen Prescott is a single mother who is an historian; and Perceval Gray is part Indian and has a brain like Sherlock Holmes.  Just watching these characters work together is entertaining.

The killer appears to be mimicking witch killings by copying what has happened in the past.  The victims need not be actual witches, they just have to have some odd connection to witchery or paranormal to become deemed worthy of being the next victim.

This is a very detailed tale with several twists and turns, including even a bit of blackmail.  The team of three knows more deaths are coming but can't tie them down to a particular person.  There are connections between several layers of the community and their path isn't clear.  But they keep digging, and keep finding more dirt.

I would have preferred a bit more succinct version of this story, but I'm glad I read it.  It's a good story, just lengthy.  You'll probably enjoy all the detail the author provides.  That's just not my thing personally.

You won't guess who the killer in this one.  It's too convoluted for you to do that and that's what kept my attention.

Happy reading.


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