Solemn Vows

Marc Edwards Mystery #2

by Don Gutteridge

It’s a steamy June in Toronto, 1836. Lieutenant Marc Edwards has again found himself sitting atop a lit powderkeg in more ways than one. A prominent politician has been assassinated, and in their haste to catch the killer, Marc and his troops are responsible for the death of an innocent local man. Making matters even worse, Marc may have accidentally gotten himself engaged to the wrong woman, while the right woman still won’t answer his letters.

In order to track down the real assassin, Edwards joins forces with Constable Cobb of the newly created Toronto police force. Cobb’s methods are somewhat different from Marc’s; and investigations always end up in the local tavern, where it seems everyone knows far too much about Marc’s romantic entanglements.

Between keeping track of Cobb, solving the murder, and extricating himself from his accidental engagement, Marc Edwards will be pushed to his limit once more.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Canada

308 pages, Paperback

First published January 4, 2003

About the author

Don Gutteridge was born in Sarnia and raised in the nearby village of Point Edward. He taught High School English for seven years, later becoming a Professor in the Faculty of Education at the Western University, where he is now Professor Emeritus. He is the author of twenty-two novels. including the twelve-volume Marc Edwards mystery series. Don is also an accomplished poet and has published twenty-three books of poetry, one of which, Coppermine, was a finalist for the 1973 Governor-General's Award. In 1970 he won the UWO President's medal for the best periodical poem of that year. To listen to interviews with the author, go to: http://thereandthen.podbean.com. Don currently lives in London, Ontario.

Reviews

[Cybercrone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Upper and Lower Canada are trying to unite and the protagonist is finding out that loyalty to "King and country" is only a good thing for him as long as he doesn't look too closely at where that loyalty is really leading him.

[Tanis Buckton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this second book featuring Lt Marc Edwards. Love the Canadian aspect to this book and the intrigue off to find book three in the series.

[Louise · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting but I wouldn't read it again.

"It is a sweltering June day in 1836, and the people of Upper Canada are preparing for an election. When a prominent politician is shot dead on the hustings, Lieutenant Marc Edwards, eager for action, chases after an armed man he spots fleeing the scene - an armed man, but an innocent man, as Marc find out too late.

Mortified by his mistake, Marc, who is now lieutenant in charge of security at Government House in Toronto, reluctantly accepts the help of the wily Horatio Cobb, one of five constables in Toronto's fledgling police force. Their joint investigation into the assassination takes Marc from William Lyon Mackenzie's newspaper office into the mansions of the Family Compact, as the clues he uncovers point closer and closer to home."

[Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marc Edwards is a man of remarkable intelligence. After a gun marked politician is shot dead and the crime committed Marc is right on the hot trail of the shooting offender.
This story is dramatic and lightly farcical with the taking up of the leading lives of several prominent characters in the Toronto area. Marc now a lieutenant of security at Government House is insecure that the clues of his crime add up to an assassination being the killers’ last and only inevitable strike. Will the gunman strike a second time?
A Canadian writer Don Gutteridge, Solemn Vows is the continuation of Turncoat, A Marc Edwards Mystery, and the first book.

[Glenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series, written by my former Faculty of Education English professor. Set in Upper Canada in the early 18th century, Don Gutteridge brings his characters and the time to life. Great historical fiction. I'm happy to hear that the fourth book in the series,Dubious Allegiance, is scheduled to come out this summer.

[Gordon · Rating 3 out of 5]

good light entertainment

[Real · Rating 2 out of 5]

Far less historical details about the time period in this book compared to the first one.

[Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the fact that these books are set in Toronto & Upper in the 1800's, but found the ending a little disappointing. It did not seem to fit the theme of the rest of the book.