The Blacksmith's Daughter

A Mystery of the American Revolution #2

by Suzanne Adair

The patriots wanted her husband dead. So did the redcoats. She took issue with both.

In the blistering Georgia summer of 1780, Betsy Sheridan uncovers evidence that her shoemaker husband, known for his loyalty to King George, is smuggling messages to a patriot-sympathizing, multinational spy ring based in the Carolinas. When he vanishes into the heart of military activity, in Camden, South Carolina, Betsy follows him, as much in search of him as she is in search of who she is and where she belongs. But battle looms between Continental and Crown forces. The spy ring is plotting multiple assassinations. And Betsy and her unborn child become entangled in murder and chaos.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, American Revolution, Fiction, Historical, Historical Mystery

284 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2007

About the author

Award-winning novelist Suzanne Adair is a Florida native who lives in North Carolina. Her mysteries transport readers to the Southern theater of the American Revolution, where she brings historic towns, battles, and people to life. She fuels her creativity with Revolutionary War reenacting and visits to historic sites. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking, dancing, and hiking. In 2018, she was appointed by North Carolina’s Daughters of the American Revolution to a state-wide committee formed by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to help share information about and coordinate events of America's upcoming Semiquincentennial. She was also awarded a Professional Development Grant from the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County.

Check her web site and blog for more information. Or hop over to her Facebook and Twitter pages to say “hi.”

Books by Suzanne Adair

Michael Stoddard American Revolution Mysteries
-- Deadly Occupation
-- Regulated for Murder (a Suspense Magazine "Best of 2011" book choice)
-- A Hostage To Heritage (winner of the Indie Book of the Day Award)
-- Killer Debt (nominated for Daphne du Maurier Award)

Mysteries of the American Revolution
-- Paper Woman (recipient of the Patrick D. Smith Literature Award)
-- The Blacksmith's Daughter
-- Camp Follower (nominated for Daphne du Maurier Award and Sir Walter Raleigh Award)

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in Suzanne Adair’s Revolutionary War series features Betsy Sheridan, daughter to Sophie Barton, the main character in her first book, PAPER WOMAN. Seventeen-year-old Betsy is pregnant and married to Clark Sheridan, a successful cobbler and avowed Loyalist. Although Betsy is a neutral, her parents have been branded spies by the British and are in hiding. When Betsy finds a coded message in one of Clark’s boots and witnesses a mysterious meeting between her husband and a Spaniard, she begins to suspect he, too, may be a spy for the rebels. But Betsy is loyal to Clark and holds her tongue. Shortly thereafter, their house is burned to the ground and her husband disappears. Betsy, aware that the British now suspect her of treason, intends to find Clark with the help of his apprentice Tom Alexander before joining her parents. Not far behind is Lieutenant Dunstan Fairfax, who wants nothing more than to find Sophie Barton, and he’ll do anything, including murder, to get to her.

THE BLACKSMITH’S DAUGHTER is a rollicking adventure from beginning to end. Adair holds the reader enthralled with constant action, spine-tingling suspense, and superb characterization, all wrapped within historical fact. She conveys the tense conflict between the Loyalists and Rebels, and the danger of being either one, in an exceptional and thought-provoking manner. This is one book the reader will not want to put down.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book during Suzanne Adair's Relevant History blog series, "Week Long 4th of July." I did not know exactly what to expect, but I enjoy history and love mystery. I did not realize it was part of a series because the novel stands strongly on its own. I loved it!

I knew little about the battles fought in the southern states during the Revolutionary War, and I found the history fascinating. The story was well-paced, something I find is often difficult to do in historical novels because of the amount of factual information to be conveyed. Suzanne Adair handled the pacing by deftly weaving in the history throughout the story.

The story kept me interested with plenty of excitement to engage the imagination. I enjoyed the budding romance, loved the intrigue, and liked the characters. I worried about Betsy and her unborn child throughout the novel, identifying with her dilemmas and concerns. I loved the thriller aspect to the novel, and the pacing at the end kept me turning pages late into the night.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves history and mystery. I will definitely read the author's other novels

[Wendy Dingwall · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been quite awhile since I read it, but I loved it! Having been raised in south Florida, I've always been fascinated by it's history. Suzanne portrays a well researched and authentic feel for what it was like. And her strong characters and adventuresome stories kept me turning the page.

[marvin shults · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another American battle story

I enjoyed this book very much. It was fast paced and gave many views of the early Americans fight for independence. a good book for anyone interested in early American life.

[Ellen]

need to buy