The sequel to
A Simple Murder finds the main character, Will
Rees, back on his farm in Maine. From the previous novel, Will is still working
on reconciling with his son, David, and sorting out his feelings for Lydia, a
woman from a Shaker community. Will also has to deal with his need to
travel and was born under “a traveling quilt.” His farm and hometown hold good
and bad memories for him. When he is back, his boyhood friend is murdered. The
son of the murdered man is under suspicion and the widow asks Will to
investigate the matter. The author evokes the setting of post-Revolutionary War
America and the hardships and joys of that time. Will Rees is a strong, morally
upright man trying to navigate his time and character that I hope will
continue. Though it is a sequel, this novel can also be enjoyed without reading
the prior book.
