Janet Holt-Johnstone's Blog
November 27, 2016
May 3, 2016
Review
Kirkus reviews - A debut historical novel captures the international turmoil following the Napoleonic Wars.
… A journalist, Holt-Johnstone has produced a historically astute novel, capturing the collision of native North American
culture and European exploration in the 1800s. The plot unfolds briskly, and the author artfully constructs an atmosphere
of dangerous expectancy. … The author does an admirable job developing Susan’s character; she’s both callow and precociously wise. In some ways, she represents the spirit of the age, hopefully adventurous but a touch naïve. It seems bizarre that her father
brought her to Canada in the first place—he informs no one at the camp in advance of his trip that she’s accompanying
him, and he should know he’s possibly putting her in harm’s way. But despite its flaws, this book remains an
entertaining and well-researched work.
… A journalist, Holt-Johnstone has produced a historically astute novel, capturing the collision of native North American
culture and European exploration in the 1800s. The plot unfolds briskly, and the author artfully constructs an atmosphere
of dangerous expectancy. … The author does an admirable job developing Susan’s character; she’s both callow and precociously wise. In some ways, she represents the spirit of the age, hopefully adventurous but a touch naïve. It seems bizarre that her father
brought her to Canada in the first place—he informs no one at the camp in advance of his trip that she’s accompanying
him, and he should know he’s possibly putting her in harm’s way. But despite its flaws, this book remains an
entertaining and well-researched work.
Review
Midwest Book Reviews: Many historical novels are set in either Europe or America, so it's refreshing to discover that The Devil Knows takes place in neither place, but makes the most of 19th century Canada, London, and Jamaica as it explores a pastor's daughter's encounters in the Canadian wilderness.
With its huge cast of characters, ranging from pastor and daughter to First Nation peoples and others, The Devil Knows could easily have proved a complex, challenging read under a less steady hand; but Janet Holt-Johnstone's ability to capture the sights, sounds, and feelings of her characters makes the setting and story line a breeze to absorb.
Canada's pioneer days and their challenges are brought to life in a compelling series of events that transform Susan with a series of adventures driven by circumstance, evolution, and perhaps the Devil himself. As bears and romance both loom on her horizon, Susan finds her place in a changing world that embraces both her growing beauty and her missionary zeal for different cultures and peoples.
The juxtaposition and contrasts between these peoples and their lives drives The Devil Knows and makes for a winning frontier story that offers a number of satisfyingly unexpected twists and carries readers along in a tumultuous atmosphere of change, opportunity, and social inspections. It's a feisty, fun saga that historical novel readers will relish. - Diane Donovan, Editor and Senior Reviewer
With its huge cast of characters, ranging from pastor and daughter to First Nation peoples and others, The Devil Knows could easily have proved a complex, challenging read under a less steady hand; but Janet Holt-Johnstone's ability to capture the sights, sounds, and feelings of her characters makes the setting and story line a breeze to absorb.
Canada's pioneer days and their challenges are brought to life in a compelling series of events that transform Susan with a series of adventures driven by circumstance, evolution, and perhaps the Devil himself. As bears and romance both loom on her horizon, Susan finds her place in a changing world that embraces both her growing beauty and her missionary zeal for different cultures and peoples.
The juxtaposition and contrasts between these peoples and their lives drives The Devil Knows and makes for a winning frontier story that offers a number of satisfyingly unexpected twists and carries readers along in a tumultuous atmosphere of change, opportunity, and social inspections. It's a feisty, fun saga that historical novel readers will relish. - Diane Donovan, Editor and Senior Reviewer
