The Wolves of Andover by Kathleen Kent: A review

Contentious Martha is sharp-tongued spinster who falls in love with mysterious hired-hand Thomas Carrier after he saves her from a wolf attack. Protection is not, however, prevalent in the 17th century rugged wilderness of colonial Massachusetts. Human wolves cloaked as habitancy living in plain sight in the surrounding area arrive in the New World to hunt the assassins of King Charles I while the Cromwell years in England. The author deftly crafted this intrigue into this historical fiction novel while Martha navigates the mystery of being a servant her cousin's home.

The Wolves of Andover by Kathleen Kent: A review

The Wolves of Andover by Kathleen Kent: A review

---

The Wolves of Andover by Kathleen Kent: A review

The Wolves of Andover by Kathleen Kent: A review

The author's intention to show the brutality and vaporing nature of the early colonies is admirable, but the novel is dark. Depictions of everyday life such as using an injured lamb for bait and detailed descriptions of dog fighting are chilling. I respect the integration of the political ramifications brought on by the assassination of King Charles I, any way felt tossed to and fro from scenes which did not exactly hang together set in England and on shipboard to colonial America. A firmer hand in editing would have benefited the writing. Secondary characters called by discrete names such as "Duchess" and "Keeper of the Privy Council" forced me to turn back to previous Mentions to resolve to whom the author referred. Editing the many sentences beginning with "it" would have been helpful. Most enjoyable and clearly set forth are the scenes at the Massachusetts farm with Martha and Thomas.

Author Kent is a tenth generation descendant of the Carrier family. She grew up listening to stories of the Salem witch trials and reading Poe, which may clarify the darkness of her writing. She calls her book a love story to her family and a tribute to those accused as being witches. Ms. Kent plays well with literary genre by mixing and morphing romance, political intrigue and historical fiction. The Wolves of Andover aroused my interest to read Ms. Kent's first novel, the Heretic's Daughter, told from the perspective of a ten-year-old daughter witnessing the witch trial of her mother.

The Wolves of Andover by Kathleen Kent: A review

Friends Link : Weber GasGrill Outdoor