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Midwife Mysteries #2
The Harlot's Tale
It is August, 1645, one year since York fell into Puritan hands. As the city suffers through a brutal summer heat, Bridget Hodgson and Martha Hawkins are drawn into a murder investigation more frightening than their last. In order to appease God’s wrath—and end the heat-wave—the city’s overlords have launched a brutal campaign to whip the city’s sinners into godliness. But for someone in York, this is not enough. First a prostitute and her client are found stabbed to death, then a pair of adulterers are beaten and strangled. York’s sinners have been targeted for execution.
Bridget and Martha—assisted once again by Will, Bridget’s good-hearted nephew—race to find the killer even as he adds more bodies to his tally. The list of suspects is long: Hezekiah Ward, a fire and brimstone preacher new to York; Ward’s son, Praise-God, whose intensity mirrors his father’s; John Stubb, one of Ward’s fanatic followers, whose taste for blood may not have been sated by his time in Parliament’s armies. Or could the killer be closer to home? Will’s brother Joseph is no stranger to death, and he shares the Wards’ dreams of driving sin from the city.
To find the killer, Bridget, Martha, and Will must uncover the city’s most secret sins, and hope against hope that the killer does not turn his attention in their direction.
Bridget and Martha—assisted once again by Will, Bridget’s good-hearted nephew—race to find the killer even as he adds more bodies to his tally. The list of suspects is long: Hezekiah Ward, a fire and brimstone preacher new to York; Ward’s son, Praise-God, whose intensity mirrors his father’s; John Stubb, one of Ward’s fanatic followers, whose taste for blood may not have been sated by his time in Parliament’s armies. Or could the killer be closer to home? Will’s brother Joseph is no stranger to death, and he shares the Wards’ dreams of driving sin from the city.
To find the killer, Bridget, Martha, and Will must uncover the city’s most secret sins, and hope against hope that the killer does not turn his attention in their direction.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 7, 2014
27 people are currently reading
1415 people want to read
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January 16, 2014
Find this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....
Author Sam Thomas introduced readers to the independent and unconventional Bridget Hodgson in The Midwife’s Tale, but her crime solving days are far from over. Picking up a year after the original story, book two of the series, The Harlot’s Tale, returns to the tumultuous streets of York, where Bridget, Martha and Will must race to discover who is sending the city’s sinners to their final judgment.
Before I get too far ahead of myself, I want to make it clear that while The Harlot’s Tale can be read independent of its predecessor, the book is best appreciated as a follow-up. Thomas provides all necessary information for those readers who might have missed his 2013 debut, but there is a lot to be said for the nuance and subtle detail built on the foundation of the original which is why I highly recommend reading the series in chronological order.
Take for example, Thomas’ setting. Under siege in 1644, York felt like a city under occupation with its rhythms dominated by military order. A year later, York has fallen into Puritan hands and is utterly transformed by dogmatic conflict. Thomas’ ability to first recreate seventeenth century York and then convincingly reinvent his fiction is nothing short of extraordinary, but the effort wouldn’t be noticed by those who’d skipped the first installment.
Also of note is Thomas' cast and how he successfully avoided the situational and personal drama he highlighted in The Midwife’s Tale. These are the same characters, but they’ve grown with the passage of time and that progression has wrought slight changes to their personalities as well as the role each plays in the larger story. There is a certain degree of familiarity here, but Thomas moves the story forward, effectively balancing the interests of new readers against those of his established fans.
Like its predecessor, I didn’t feel the mystery particularly enigmatic, but that being said, I liked how it played out. Despite having correctly identified the culprit in the early stages of the novel, I remained engaged in the narrative and greatly enjoyed watching the details come to light.
A vividly atmospheric and action-packed historical, The Harlot's Tale is a deliciously alluring fiction that cleverly combines doctrine, disorder and death in a single irresistible volume.
Author Sam Thomas introduced readers to the independent and unconventional Bridget Hodgson in The Midwife’s Tale, but her crime solving days are far from over. Picking up a year after the original story, book two of the series, The Harlot’s Tale, returns to the tumultuous streets of York, where Bridget, Martha and Will must race to discover who is sending the city’s sinners to their final judgment.
Before I get too far ahead of myself, I want to make it clear that while The Harlot’s Tale can be read independent of its predecessor, the book is best appreciated as a follow-up. Thomas provides all necessary information for those readers who might have missed his 2013 debut, but there is a lot to be said for the nuance and subtle detail built on the foundation of the original which is why I highly recommend reading the series in chronological order.
Take for example, Thomas’ setting. Under siege in 1644, York felt like a city under occupation with its rhythms dominated by military order. A year later, York has fallen into Puritan hands and is utterly transformed by dogmatic conflict. Thomas’ ability to first recreate seventeenth century York and then convincingly reinvent his fiction is nothing short of extraordinary, but the effort wouldn’t be noticed by those who’d skipped the first installment.
Also of note is Thomas' cast and how he successfully avoided the situational and personal drama he highlighted in The Midwife’s Tale. These are the same characters, but they’ve grown with the passage of time and that progression has wrought slight changes to their personalities as well as the role each plays in the larger story. There is a certain degree of familiarity here, but Thomas moves the story forward, effectively balancing the interests of new readers against those of his established fans.
Like its predecessor, I didn’t feel the mystery particularly enigmatic, but that being said, I liked how it played out. Despite having correctly identified the culprit in the early stages of the novel, I remained engaged in the narrative and greatly enjoyed watching the details come to light.
A vividly atmospheric and action-packed historical, The Harlot's Tale is a deliciously alluring fiction that cleverly combines doctrine, disorder and death in a single irresistible volume.
January 15, 2014
If you like a great historical mystery set in the mid-1600s of York, then I highly recommend Sam Thomas' midwife mystery series for its superb character development, intriguing mystery, and detailed social and emotional issues of 17th Century England!
As The Midwife's Tale introduces widowed, wealthy, and independent midwife Bridget Hodgson to us, as well as her supporting characters of maid Martha and Hodgson's nephew Will, we learn about how they all came to be in their respective situations in York, the state of the citizens, and takes us en route with them as they solve a murder mystery.
In The Harlot's Tale, the novel picks right up in their ongoing lives, giving us a brief update, as well minor (but more than enough) details about who the characters are in case someone picks it up to read without reading The Midwife's Tale. But it doesn't at all make the book seem wordy or redundant for those who did read the first book, either. In my opinion, he does a nice job of setting the story and is fast getting to the plot of The Harlot's Tale. I definitely think you could read this second book without even reading the first (though reading the whole series will certainly show a progression and give more depth to the series).
I LOVED The Harlot's Tale even more than his first book. The writing seemed more carefree, as if he was more at ease with himself as fictional writer. He seemed more willing to be open about the social issues of the day, namely the inclusion of fundamentalist Christians who began giving roadside sermons and cracking down on sinners at this time. Isn't this the main source of all angst in English cities of the past? Trying to rid the area of whores and pox by telling women they are sinners seems to be one of the most talked about issues in history. Maybe eventually it's because of Jack the Ripper immortalizing the situation for everyone. Well, long before Jack came, Christians tried to rid the cities of whores by condemning them even further than their already lowly status. Thomas does an excellent job within the story of allowing us to see the circumstances through the eyes of women who lived in poor conditions without a husband and had to sell their bodies in order to survive. He allows his protagonist Bridget to be rather religiously impartial, even though her law enforcer brother-in-law is not. Thomas has her character weighing both sides of the coin, which I always think is a great way to get readers to think on important issues and break down judgemental barriers.
When a harlot is gruesomely murdered in a strange death scene in the novel, it's as if the Old Testament of the Bible is being acted out to represent their sin. Bridget, Martha, and Will take to their detective work again, all the while uncovering heartfelt emotions for the reader (well, this reader) as to the plight of those women who were forced to work as prostitutes just to feed their children. Why were the men never taken to task for their abhorrent behavior? No demand, no supply right? That's the way I see it. Many times these women had no other choice. Those Christian women with money who tried to preach a better way to them didn't understand that most of them KNEW it was wrong, and why, and didn't even like doing it themselves. Who would? But as a line in the book said, words don't feed children. I really like how Bridget always has compassion for them as she holds men accountable for having bastard children and then leaving them to starve. At any rate, I think Thomas handled this issue extremely well and I applaud him as a man for genuinely being able to channel a strong female character as a male author. He has a very uncanny knowledge of women's emotions and desires and it all adds to his well-developed characters as well as to the social message of his books.
Thomas' mystery novel was fast-moving, intelligent, emotional, gritty, and I didn't want to put it down. It moved much faster and was written with more finesse even than his first. I am beyond excited to read the third in his series next year. Bridget is a perfectionist at everything she does, whether it be delivering babies or solving a murder, and as I reader I felt as if I was bustling around the city with her and Martha. She has her own fears and nightmares (and grief) behind the scenes which really softened her more in this novel and as I reader I could connect with her even further than before.
Thomas is a historian and his research on midwives is unparalleled. His intricate details of her work as a midwife in this series is captivating. Overall, he creates a world for us that makes it easy to join in as we read, even though we could never imagine what it might have been like to live in it.
I am eager to recommend The Harlot's Tale to fans of English mysteries set in the mid -1600s. If you like Sherlock Holmes, switch up the protagonists and try your hand at reading about a female midwife who stumbles upon becoming a detective of sorts and finds she not only rather feels it a duty, but an intense desire within herself to help women in need. As she delivers babies in to the Old World with precision, she also pieces together puzzles of death and mayhem. It's absolutely a series not to be missed!
As The Midwife's Tale introduces widowed, wealthy, and independent midwife Bridget Hodgson to us, as well as her supporting characters of maid Martha and Hodgson's nephew Will, we learn about how they all came to be in their respective situations in York, the state of the citizens, and takes us en route with them as they solve a murder mystery.
In The Harlot's Tale, the novel picks right up in their ongoing lives, giving us a brief update, as well minor (but more than enough) details about who the characters are in case someone picks it up to read without reading The Midwife's Tale. But it doesn't at all make the book seem wordy or redundant for those who did read the first book, either. In my opinion, he does a nice job of setting the story and is fast getting to the plot of The Harlot's Tale. I definitely think you could read this second book without even reading the first (though reading the whole series will certainly show a progression and give more depth to the series).
I LOVED The Harlot's Tale even more than his first book. The writing seemed more carefree, as if he was more at ease with himself as fictional writer. He seemed more willing to be open about the social issues of the day, namely the inclusion of fundamentalist Christians who began giving roadside sermons and cracking down on sinners at this time. Isn't this the main source of all angst in English cities of the past? Trying to rid the area of whores and pox by telling women they are sinners seems to be one of the most talked about issues in history. Maybe eventually it's because of Jack the Ripper immortalizing the situation for everyone. Well, long before Jack came, Christians tried to rid the cities of whores by condemning them even further than their already lowly status. Thomas does an excellent job within the story of allowing us to see the circumstances through the eyes of women who lived in poor conditions without a husband and had to sell their bodies in order to survive. He allows his protagonist Bridget to be rather religiously impartial, even though her law enforcer brother-in-law is not. Thomas has her character weighing both sides of the coin, which I always think is a great way to get readers to think on important issues and break down judgemental barriers.
When a harlot is gruesomely murdered in a strange death scene in the novel, it's as if the Old Testament of the Bible is being acted out to represent their sin. Bridget, Martha, and Will take to their detective work again, all the while uncovering heartfelt emotions for the reader (well, this reader) as to the plight of those women who were forced to work as prostitutes just to feed their children. Why were the men never taken to task for their abhorrent behavior? No demand, no supply right? That's the way I see it. Many times these women had no other choice. Those Christian women with money who tried to preach a better way to them didn't understand that most of them KNEW it was wrong, and why, and didn't even like doing it themselves. Who would? But as a line in the book said, words don't feed children. I really like how Bridget always has compassion for them as she holds men accountable for having bastard children and then leaving them to starve. At any rate, I think Thomas handled this issue extremely well and I applaud him as a man for genuinely being able to channel a strong female character as a male author. He has a very uncanny knowledge of women's emotions and desires and it all adds to his well-developed characters as well as to the social message of his books.
Thomas' mystery novel was fast-moving, intelligent, emotional, gritty, and I didn't want to put it down. It moved much faster and was written with more finesse even than his first. I am beyond excited to read the third in his series next year. Bridget is a perfectionist at everything she does, whether it be delivering babies or solving a murder, and as I reader I felt as if I was bustling around the city with her and Martha. She has her own fears and nightmares (and grief) behind the scenes which really softened her more in this novel and as I reader I could connect with her even further than before.
Thomas is a historian and his research on midwives is unparalleled. His intricate details of her work as a midwife in this series is captivating. Overall, he creates a world for us that makes it easy to join in as we read, even though we could never imagine what it might have been like to live in it.
I am eager to recommend The Harlot's Tale to fans of English mysteries set in the mid -1600s. If you like Sherlock Holmes, switch up the protagonists and try your hand at reading about a female midwife who stumbles upon becoming a detective of sorts and finds she not only rather feels it a duty, but an intense desire within herself to help women in need. As she delivers babies in to the Old World with precision, she also pieces together puzzles of death and mayhem. It's absolutely a series not to be missed!
August 23, 2021
The year 1645. The puritans and their preachers have taken over York. Whores are being viciously murdered. Bridget and Martha try to find the murderer. You enjoy seeing some of the characters from the first book while being introduced to some new characters both good and bad. Should be read in order.
January 30, 2019
Sam Thomas has really hit his stride with the second book in this series. He retains the ability to write from a female POV amazingly well. Bridget is a strong, independent, godly woman who doesn't suffer fools or villains. A couple of times in the book she's physically violent, which surprised me, but I think it rings true to the different time, as does her assumption that as a lady she has the right to expect a certain respect from those who are not of her class.
The city of York has passed through some of the worst throes of the English Civil War, and rigid Protestants have come to power in the city. Whores are being killed, and Bridget is enlisted to use her position within the world of women to investigate. Bridget is not a big fan of prostitution, but she does manage to have some sympathy for women forced into that life. Her apprentice Martha is both more sympathetic and more passionate about social justice, probably because of the events that have marred her past.
The culprit(s) are not too surprising, and Bridget's main problem is that some suspects are shielded by their social status. I enjoyed the progression of the book, and really liked the authentic feeling window into a bygone age- I think that Thomas nails the feel of it. I'm interested in the main characters and am interested to see what trouble they will find next.
The city of York has passed through some of the worst throes of the English Civil War, and rigid Protestants have come to power in the city. Whores are being killed, and Bridget is enlisted to use her position within the world of women to investigate. Bridget is not a big fan of prostitution, but she does manage to have some sympathy for women forced into that life. Her apprentice Martha is both more sympathetic and more passionate about social justice, probably because of the events that have marred her past.
The culprit(s) are not too surprising, and Bridget's main problem is that some suspects are shielded by their social status. I enjoyed the progression of the book, and really liked the authentic feeling window into a bygone age- I think that Thomas nails the feel of it. I'm interested in the main characters and am interested to see what trouble they will find next.
July 26, 2016
Lady Bridget Hodgson lived in York in the mid 1600s. She was married and widowed twice, and she lost her two children. She is a skilled midwife with a lot of experience. I met her for the first time in The Midwife’s Tale.
When I was invited to review The harlot’s Tale for this book tour, I accepted right away, all too happy to spend some more time with Bridget, her assistant midwife Mary Hawkins, and her servant Hannah. Just to reassure you, it works really well as a standalone, you can understand this one very well even if you have not read the #1 in the series.
Just like in the 1st mystery in the series, Bridget is summoned by her brother, working for the police, to help him in a double murder. But as in The Midwife’s Tale, Edward does not want her to get too much involved and is preparing to pronounce justice by himself. As usual, Bridget can feel he is mistaken, and she has very little time to investigate by herself to figure who really did it and why. Things get more complicated as more...
my whole review is here:
http://wordsandpeace.com/2014/01/06/b...
When I was invited to review The harlot’s Tale for this book tour, I accepted right away, all too happy to spend some more time with Bridget, her assistant midwife Mary Hawkins, and her servant Hannah. Just to reassure you, it works really well as a standalone, you can understand this one very well even if you have not read the #1 in the series.
Just like in the 1st mystery in the series, Bridget is summoned by her brother, working for the police, to help him in a double murder. But as in The Midwife’s Tale, Edward does not want her to get too much involved and is preparing to pronounce justice by himself. As usual, Bridget can feel he is mistaken, and she has very little time to investigate by herself to figure who really did it and why. Things get more complicated as more...
my whole review is here:
http://wordsandpeace.com/2014/01/06/b...
October 14, 2013
If you enjoyed The Midwife's Tale, you are going to love The Harlot's Tale. The mystery is as gripping with a great cast of supporting characters that will have you guessing the identity of the villain throughout the entire book. I came to love Bridget Hodgson even more for her feisty sleuthing in a man's world, and with Martha again by her side they are quite the feminist pair. Sam Thomas again gives us a vivid look at historical York in 1645 and social dynamics of an England gripped by Puritanism. There are definitely some twists, including the death of a main character that have me eagerly waiting the next book in this series!
January 20, 2014
(originally published at http://nomadreader.blogspot.com)
The backstory: Last year I read and adored The Midwife's Tale, Sam Thomas's debut mystery.
The basics: The story opens in August 1645, the year after the events of The Midwife's Tale. York is battling a brutal heatwave and adjusting to life with Puritan control. A new minister, Hezekiah Ward, has arrived in town, preaching about the evils of prostitution, just as much of the city believes the heat is God's punishment for evil. When the bodies of a prostitue and a john are found brutally murdered, Bridget's brother-in-law calls her in to view the bodies. Once again, her skills as a midwife find a crime-solving purpose.
My thoughts: Once again I was delighted with the characters of Bridget and Martha, her servant and midwife apprentice. The relationship of the two women is one of my favorite parts of this series. As Bridget teaches Martha more about midwifing, the reader learns with her. There are numerous births throughout this mystery, but I also appreciate how Thomas uses the story to teach more about the less expected aspects of midwifery:
It's this darker side of service that draws Bridget and Martha into the murders. As a midwife, Bridget has unparalleled access to information. In this case, the class differences between Bridget and Martha also aid in their solving of the crime. Because Bridget is a lady, there are people who will only speak to her, but there are also people who cannot fathom speaking to a lady about matters of prostitution and murder.
Beyond Bridget and Martha, their motley crew of family and friends continues to delight. This broad cast of characters are a wonderful antidote to the often dark tone of this novel, and I look forward to these relationships continuing to develop in future books.
The mysteries at the heart of this novel were indeed fascinating, but I wished for more red herrings and actual mystery. While the resolution was quite satisfying, the mystery itself was not as engaging throughout the book as the other plot points were.
The verdict: The Harlot's Tale is a wonderful continuation of The Midwife's Tale. Thomas masterfully constructs the world of York in the 1600's, and the depth of this world and his characters more make up for the less intense moments of the mystery.
The backstory: Last year I read and adored The Midwife's Tale, Sam Thomas's debut mystery.
The basics: The story opens in August 1645, the year after the events of The Midwife's Tale. York is battling a brutal heatwave and adjusting to life with Puritan control. A new minister, Hezekiah Ward, has arrived in town, preaching about the evils of prostitution, just as much of the city believes the heat is God's punishment for evil. When the bodies of a prostitue and a john are found brutally murdered, Bridget's brother-in-law calls her in to view the bodies. Once again, her skills as a midwife find a crime-solving purpose.
My thoughts: Once again I was delighted with the characters of Bridget and Martha, her servant and midwife apprentice. The relationship of the two women is one of my favorite parts of this series. As Bridget teaches Martha more about midwifing, the reader learns with her. There are numerous births throughout this mystery, but I also appreciate how Thomas uses the story to teach more about the less expected aspects of midwifery:
"This was the darker side of service as a midwife. Most of our labor went into delivering mothers and infants, but constables and Justices also called upon us in more desperate situations. Midwives bore the burden of examining the wasted bodies of children who had been bewitched, and those of infants left to die under a haystack."
It's this darker side of service that draws Bridget and Martha into the murders. As a midwife, Bridget has unparalleled access to information. In this case, the class differences between Bridget and Martha also aid in their solving of the crime. Because Bridget is a lady, there are people who will only speak to her, but there are also people who cannot fathom speaking to a lady about matters of prostitution and murder.
Beyond Bridget and Martha, their motley crew of family and friends continues to delight. This broad cast of characters are a wonderful antidote to the often dark tone of this novel, and I look forward to these relationships continuing to develop in future books.
The mysteries at the heart of this novel were indeed fascinating, but I wished for more red herrings and actual mystery. While the resolution was quite satisfying, the mystery itself was not as engaging throughout the book as the other plot points were.
The verdict: The Harlot's Tale is a wonderful continuation of The Midwife's Tale. Thomas masterfully constructs the world of York in the 1600's, and the depth of this world and his characters more make up for the less intense moments of the mystery.
January 15, 2014
I love historical mysteries, and THE HARLOT’S TALE is easily one of my favorites. This is the second book in Sam Thomas’ Midwife Mysteries series, and the story picks up about a year after Parliamentarians won the city of York during the English Civil War. Puritanism is on the rise, and with it comes a fanatical preacher named Hezekiah Ward. In his sermons, Ward targets the prostitutes of the city, saying their sin is the reason God is punishing York with unbearable heat and drought. Their evil ways must be stopped. It is God’s will.
Lady Bridget Hodgson is a respected midwife, wealthy gentlewoman, and sister-in-law to a powerful man in government. Her occupation and station gives her more influence than most women of her day. When a string of gruesome murders takes place, all of the victims prostitutes or their “clients,” Bridget’s brother-in-law Edward calls on her to help with the investigation. When clues surface indicating one of the godly crowd may be the killer, Bridget must take care. The men in charge of the city are Puritans, and many share the same belief that York should be wiped clean of sinners and be an example for the rest of England.
There’s so much I enjoyed about this book! First, the characters. They are engaging, well-drawn, and most importantly, realistic for their time. Bridget is clever, strong, and intelligent. As a wealthy widow, she’s gained independence, though she understands the limitations society has put on her as a woman. Bridget’s partners in mystery-solving are her savvy and headstrong assistant Martha, and her loyal, yet troubled nephew Will. Martha’s sarcastic tongue had me snickering several times.
The mystery itself was fantastic. The pacing was fast, and there were several viable suspects. Just when I thought I had it figured out, another plot twist would change my line of thinking. I was so surprised by the ending! I love the author’s engaging writing style and vivid descriptions of mid-17th century England. This book gave an eye-opening account of some absurd crime-solving techniques of that time, as well as an interesting look at midwifery and the women who practice it. Highly recommended!
Source: Review copy from NetGalley.
Lady Bridget Hodgson is a respected midwife, wealthy gentlewoman, and sister-in-law to a powerful man in government. Her occupation and station gives her more influence than most women of her day. When a string of gruesome murders takes place, all of the victims prostitutes or their “clients,” Bridget’s brother-in-law Edward calls on her to help with the investigation. When clues surface indicating one of the godly crowd may be the killer, Bridget must take care. The men in charge of the city are Puritans, and many share the same belief that York should be wiped clean of sinners and be an example for the rest of England.
There’s so much I enjoyed about this book! First, the characters. They are engaging, well-drawn, and most importantly, realistic for their time. Bridget is clever, strong, and intelligent. As a wealthy widow, she’s gained independence, though she understands the limitations society has put on her as a woman. Bridget’s partners in mystery-solving are her savvy and headstrong assistant Martha, and her loyal, yet troubled nephew Will. Martha’s sarcastic tongue had me snickering several times.
The mystery itself was fantastic. The pacing was fast, and there were several viable suspects. Just when I thought I had it figured out, another plot twist would change my line of thinking. I was so surprised by the ending! I love the author’s engaging writing style and vivid descriptions of mid-17th century England. This book gave an eye-opening account of some absurd crime-solving techniques of that time, as well as an interesting look at midwifery and the women who practice it. Highly recommended!
Source: Review copy from NetGalley.
January 23, 2014
In his second book in the "Midwife Mystery" series, "The Harlot's Tale," Thomas takes his readers back to 17th century England to the town of York, where the fanatically religious have taken over the town and any and everyone is suspect to evil doings.
Midwife Lady Bridget Hodgson and her assistant Martha primarily go about their duties delivering the babies of the town, but frequently they are called upon to witness and examine the deaths of the unfortunate. (It's a horrible job, but one that goes along with being a midwife in those days.) Now, in the midst of a raging heat wave, someone is going about make a religious statement by killing some of the harlots and their companions and it falls upon Bridget and her friends to find out who is doing these unspeakable deeds and stop them before the entire town is swept up in the fevered frenzy of fear.
Thomas does a wonderful job of setting the stage for this intriguing mystery, leading the reader through the twists and turns, and ultimate surprises that make this such an enjoyable novel to read. Plus he adds in historical facts that educate as well as entertain the reader. Thomas' characters are so interesting - the wise, curious and brave Lady Bridget is a great heroine (who was a real-life 17th century midwife), and her sassy sidekick Martha keeps the action moving along at a lively pace. Even the secondary characters - Bridget's smart, but vulnerable nephew Will, the adorable scamp Tree, and spunky dwarf jailer Samuel Short - are so personable and add to the overall story.
Fans of historical fiction with a generous dose of mystery will find this novel a great addition to Thomas' series, but it can also be easily read as a stand-alone novel as well.
Midwife Lady Bridget Hodgson and her assistant Martha primarily go about their duties delivering the babies of the town, but frequently they are called upon to witness and examine the deaths of the unfortunate. (It's a horrible job, but one that goes along with being a midwife in those days.) Now, in the midst of a raging heat wave, someone is going about make a religious statement by killing some of the harlots and their companions and it falls upon Bridget and her friends to find out who is doing these unspeakable deeds and stop them before the entire town is swept up in the fevered frenzy of fear.
Thomas does a wonderful job of setting the stage for this intriguing mystery, leading the reader through the twists and turns, and ultimate surprises that make this such an enjoyable novel to read. Plus he adds in historical facts that educate as well as entertain the reader. Thomas' characters are so interesting - the wise, curious and brave Lady Bridget is a great heroine (who was a real-life 17th century midwife), and her sassy sidekick Martha keeps the action moving along at a lively pace. Even the secondary characters - Bridget's smart, but vulnerable nephew Will, the adorable scamp Tree, and spunky dwarf jailer Samuel Short - are so personable and add to the overall story.
Fans of historical fiction with a generous dose of mystery will find this novel a great addition to Thomas' series, but it can also be easily read as a stand-alone novel as well.
January 25, 2016
The Harlot's Tale is the second in this series by Sam Thomas. While it is a stand-alone book on its own, I would encourage you to read The Midwife's Tale, also by Sam Thomas, in order to get a feel for the time period and the characters themselves.
York is beseiged with Puritans during this time period. It is noteworthy to observe the fanatical religious fervor that existed. Every thought, word, and action was under scrutiny. This was reflected in the Great Migration in the 1600's when Puritans settled in our own New England which led to the Salem Witch Hunts. How anyone can justify such brutal behavior and claim that it is God's Will is far beyond me. And such is the setting and mindset of our story, The Harlot's Tale.
Bridget Hodgson, a midwife, and her maid/assistant Martha are front and center once more. Will, Bridget's nephew, provides assistance as he did in the first book. The Harlot's Tale is more historical fiction than mystery as was experienced in The Midwife's Tale. Sam Thomas does a fine job of portraying the role of women at this time in history. No matter how feisty our females are, there is a societal stopgap in place much to the frustration of the readers as well as to the characters themselves. Yes, times have certainly changed for the better.
It is my hope that Sam Thomas will deepen the mystery element in his next offerings in this series. Bridget, along with Martha and Will, have proven that they possess the sleuthing skills to live up to a deeper more challenging adventure. I guarantee that the readers would certainly be on board for that. Paralleling history and mystery in York is the makings for more extensions in this enjoyable series by Sam Thomas.
York is beseiged with Puritans during this time period. It is noteworthy to observe the fanatical religious fervor that existed. Every thought, word, and action was under scrutiny. This was reflected in the Great Migration in the 1600's when Puritans settled in our own New England which led to the Salem Witch Hunts. How anyone can justify such brutal behavior and claim that it is God's Will is far beyond me. And such is the setting and mindset of our story, The Harlot's Tale.
Bridget Hodgson, a midwife, and her maid/assistant Martha are front and center once more. Will, Bridget's nephew, provides assistance as he did in the first book. The Harlot's Tale is more historical fiction than mystery as was experienced in The Midwife's Tale. Sam Thomas does a fine job of portraying the role of women at this time in history. No matter how feisty our females are, there is a societal stopgap in place much to the frustration of the readers as well as to the characters themselves. Yes, times have certainly changed for the better.
It is my hope that Sam Thomas will deepen the mystery element in his next offerings in this series. Bridget, along with Martha and Will, have proven that they possess the sleuthing skills to live up to a deeper more challenging adventure. I guarantee that the readers would certainly be on board for that. Paralleling history and mystery in York is the makings for more extensions in this enjoyable series by Sam Thomas.
January 8, 2014
This is the second book from Sam Thomas involving his fascinating character, Lady Bridget Hodgson, a midwife in Puritan York circa 1645. Loosely based on a real woman, Bridget is a lady of means and some influence in town. Her brother in law is a magistrate and turns to her for input when a horrible murder occurs.
A prostitute and her client have been killed just as a new preacher has come to town railing against such ungodly acts. Bridget, her assistant and nephew start to investigate but soon find that all is not as it seems in their god-fearing town.
It is so interesting to go so far back in time to try and solve a mystery without the up to the minute answers we are so used to with today's CSI mentality. Bridget and her band must work through their murders in what seems to be agonizingly slow increments but you need remember that they are 250 years in the past and it's all manner of remarkable that a woman is at the center of the story. But apparently midwives carried some weight during this period which I found very fascinating. The plot is twisty and turny and the final killer came as a bit of a surprise. You do have to love that in a murder mystery. The relationships introduced in the first book developed further here and the door is left open for future Tales (I hope, I hope!) but the book can stand alone quite nicely.
If you like your history with a bit of murder and a cast of diverse and well developed characters then come read what tale the Harlot has to tell.
A prostitute and her client have been killed just as a new preacher has come to town railing against such ungodly acts. Bridget, her assistant and nephew start to investigate but soon find that all is not as it seems in their god-fearing town.
It is so interesting to go so far back in time to try and solve a mystery without the up to the minute answers we are so used to with today's CSI mentality. Bridget and her band must work through their murders in what seems to be agonizingly slow increments but you need remember that they are 250 years in the past and it's all manner of remarkable that a woman is at the center of the story. But apparently midwives carried some weight during this period which I found very fascinating. The plot is twisty and turny and the final killer came as a bit of a surprise. You do have to love that in a murder mystery. The relationships introduced in the first book developed further here and the door is left open for future Tales (I hope, I hope!) but the book can stand alone quite nicely.
If you like your history with a bit of murder and a cast of diverse and well developed characters then come read what tale the Harlot has to tell.
January 28, 2014
2nd in a 1600's murder mystery series, I give The Harlot's Tale 3 1/2 stars. Main character is a midwife who helps the city of York solve crimes - In this case, someone is brutally killing the city's whores. (The word "whore" is used in the book way too many times). It pits the evil religious fanatics against the sinners of society.
Bridgit, the midwife, has been a well-drawn character in both of the books in this series. Her cohorts are also well-drawn. (Although the relationship between Bridgit and her brother-in-law and his family strikes me as odd, and hot and cold). The mystery was good. The murders were pretty gruesome, and there was a lot of death in this story. I liked the ending. Will probably continue reading Bridgit's stories, if author continues to write them.
Bridgit, the midwife, has been a well-drawn character in both of the books in this series. Her cohorts are also well-drawn. (Although the relationship between Bridgit and her brother-in-law and his family strikes me as odd, and hot and cold). The mystery was good. The murders were pretty gruesome, and there was a lot of death in this story. I liked the ending. Will probably continue reading Bridgit's stories, if author continues to write them.
September 17, 2015
I really wish there were half stars. I would give this book 3 and a half stars. The story continues in the second installment in the midwife series. Although the siege has been lifted, a scorching heat plagues York. A itinerant clergyman comes to town and blames the heat on the whores and adulterers. He says that if the sinning doesn't stop that God's wrath will be unleashed. Then the murders begin... Horrible, scarring murders. I had to skim over these parts because they were pretty gruesome. I stayed with the book because I liked the characters from the first book, but if this is the direction the series is going in, I will not continue to read them. Just sayin'.
December 29, 2014
Another GREAT work from Sam Thomas. I loved his 1st one "The midwife's Tale" I was very happy to see that the same characters are also fatured here.
The midwife, Lady Hodgson is once again helping women give birth and not always in the plushest of places. Prostitutes are coming up dead, and her curious mind wraps around trying to solve the crime.
The city of York with all it's sludge and glory is portrayed perfectly, I became totally immersed into the book and that's when I know it is a winner.
The midwife, Lady Hodgson is once again helping women give birth and not always in the plushest of places. Prostitutes are coming up dead, and her curious mind wraps around trying to solve the crime.
The city of York with all it's sludge and glory is portrayed perfectly, I became totally immersed into the book and that's when I know it is a winner.
December 27, 2013
A solid and engaging historical mystery; the details of Puritan York ring true, and the ending is a satisfying and surprising one without resorting to a cliche (or, as I call 'em, M. Night Shyamalan-esque) and over the top twist. An interesting cast of characters that includes a man with a clubfoot, a dwarf gaoler, and some very fanatical preachers. A quick read for a cold night.
February 2, 2014
This is the second in the author's Midwife series set in 1644 York. While this is definitely darker than the first, with a few fairly grizzly murders, I thoroughly enjoyed it. My main frustration? I want to read the next in the series immediately. I like the "family" that Bridget is forming and wonder how some new additions are going to work out.
June 4, 2015
Equally as enjoyable as the first in the series
May 22, 2017
This sequel started out slowly for me even though the main characters are well-rounded and complex. After the second murder, the pace picked up--or I was more in the mood for this mystery; I read several books at at time and sometimes one is just more engrossing than the others, for whatever reason.
While one could begin with this volume, as there are sufficient, but not overwhelmingly frequent references to the back stories of the characters, it is worthwhile to read these four, so far, volumes in order. Volume 1 had the city of York in danger of the Roundheads (in part the civil war was political and in part religious, though one might argue the religious is always political and vice versa), so there was extra tension because of that. In this volume the Roundheads have won York and perhaps that is why this volume seemed to start slowly--there is religious tension, but not such that it affects all York in terms of plot.
One does feel for Will and wonder how Lady Bridget's oddly composed family will work out.
For more on the plot, read other reviews.
While one could begin with this volume, as there are sufficient, but not overwhelmingly frequent references to the back stories of the characters, it is worthwhile to read these four, so far, volumes in order. Volume 1 had the city of York in danger of the Roundheads (in part the civil war was political and in part religious, though one might argue the religious is always political and vice versa), so there was extra tension because of that. In this volume the Roundheads have won York and perhaps that is why this volume seemed to start slowly--there is religious tension, but not such that it affects all York in terms of plot.
One does feel for Will and wonder how Lady Bridget's oddly composed family will work out.
For more on the plot, read other reviews.
August 12, 2019
I enjoyed this book even more the the first. I will admit I figured out the murderer, although not all the surrounding information, about 2/3 through the book but that did not diminish my enjoyment.
And yes, it is still hard to read through the historical accuracies of the classist and sexist society back then. But that is part of the historical accuracy and can not be white-washed. In fact, this book really brought out the classism during that time, especially through the main character. It gives her great depth, if it also takes some of the shine off her "halo."
I am thoroughly looking forward to the third book in the series. And I am quite looking forward to see how the secondary characters evolve.
And yes, it is still hard to read through the historical accuracies of the classist and sexist society back then. But that is part of the historical accuracy and can not be white-washed. In fact, this book really brought out the classism during that time, especially through the main character. It gives her great depth, if it also takes some of the shine off her "halo."
I am thoroughly looking forward to the third book in the series. And I am quite looking forward to see how the secondary characters evolve.
April 9, 2021
I guess I felt obligated to finish this book because I purchased it. Otherwise I think I would have given up on it. I couldn't get past the poor writing which appeared to be geared toward a 4th or 5th grader. Yet the subject matter and some of word choices are definitely geared towards an adult. There are a lot of characters in the book which are difficult to track because they aren't really memorable but the main characters talk a lot about them. Lots of twists and turns but the writing does not inspire the reader to be engaged. I did enjoy the historical perspective of what life was life in 1700 York time period.
August 13, 2018
"The Harlot's Tale" - written by Sam Thomas and published in 2013 by Minotaur Books, an imprint of St Martin's Publishing Group. Bridget Hodgson is back for a second Midwife Mystery, taking place in York, England in 1645. Her status of a noblewoman garners her respect and allows her to question policies, especially those related to women and prostitutes, but she still cannot break through the historical powerless station of being a woman. The Puritans have taken over the city, trying to purge it of sinners, and they are surely involved in several grisly murders that Bridget investigates. "It is a new world the godly have made." Thomas writes a grimly realistic story that makes you glad you don't live in that time, but the story, although busy with twists and turns, was not very compelling, just sort of a ho-hum read. There are now four in the series.
February 9, 2017
The preachers descend on the town when the army returns. Prostitutes start turning up dead. Are they connected? Great sense of history without hitting over head with it. Lots of characters, but so well defined that its not hard to keep track of them.
October 25, 2019
Another good mystery in the series. A midwife becomes involved in a series of murders while a crazy minister rants about sins of harlots. Members of her family become involved and the plot thickens. Well researched and some interesting descriptions of 17th century life in York, England.
January 2, 2020
I like the series, this is book 2. There are several plot lines at ones, but easily followed because the author develops his characters well. As in his last book, a surprise twist at the end. However, I do get a bit weary of the midwife endlessly referring to her status of a gentlewoman.
April 25, 2020
Love the historical insight in this and MIDWIFE, and female perspective gives it depth. Note: I also like that the author doesn’t have to bring in romance for the main character. So many historical novels are weakened by that strategy.
August 11, 2021
Enticing historical details but we really didn’t see this world from a “harlot’s” perspective. We saw it through the charitable but judgmental eyes of a titled lady working to make sure “harlots” get some measure of justice when they are brutally murdered. An easy and engaging read nonetheless.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2025
This book drew me in much more than the first book in the series. Perhaps because there was more action and mysteries. I like the characters. I feel really sorry for Will. Hopefully things will look up for him in the next book in the series -- if I can track it down!
July 3, 2017
1600s midwife who stands up for what is right (in her eyes). She ruffles a lot of feathers as a woman with leadership power.
August 13, 2017
Still enjoying these plot driven mysteries. 1600's England has a few similarities to today.
September 5, 2017
3.5 stars. The mystery was a little more obvious in this book, but I enjoyed the character growth. I will continue to read on in the series.
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