The Keeper

by John G. Ives

Historical fiction set in Provincetown, Cape Cod, Ma. in 1899. Joshua Duell joins the U.S. Life-Saving Service, which patrolled the beaches in winter storms and saved 175,000 lives in it's brief history. His mother disappeared in a mysterious shipwreck off these shores. During his duties he meets strong and independent Julia, one of two doctors in the area, a rare role for a woman in her time. A story of honor and love, fellowship and betrayal, with electrifying rescue scenes.

415 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2013

Reviews

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great historical fiction. Life saver station life was not an easy day at the beach. Throw in a little love, a little piracy, and harsh weather and you've got a story. Growing up on Cape Cod you always hear of the the old life saving stations ( the beachcomber bar and restaurant in Wellfleet was one), now I have an understanding into what the men did. Amazing and brave.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful historic accounting of the day-to-day lives of turn of the century U.S. Life-Saving Service members (the precursor to today's Coast Guard), with some fun characters and good story telling included. Thoroughly enjoyed it...

As a frequent visitor to and fan of Provincetown, MA, I also enjoyed the author's historic references to places, events and local landscapes, but especially enjoyed his fictional re-creation of the lives of typical folks one might encounter around town during that period: e.g. a female physician; local business people and even a few salvage pirates!

After having read this book, I'm also now especially curious to learn more about the seasonal "Hell Town" that was apparently located in the vicinity of Hatches Harbor during this period, and would be interested to know if anyone is aware of any photos that may have survived of that settlement?

By the way, if you enjoyed the 2016 movie, "The Finest Hours", about the historic February 1952 storm off the coast of Cape Cod and the extraordinary efforts by the Coast Guard to rescue the stranded 30 member crew of the oil tanker that was ripped in half by the storm, you will probably also like this book.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is amazing, a beautifully written historical novel about the harrowing life of a young man who ends up in Provincetown, Cape Cod, working for the U.S. Life-Saving Service (precursor to the U.S. Coast Guard), where he & others risk their lives to save people from shipwrecks. He also finds love, answers to the mystery of his mother's death in a shipwreck, and the true meaning of friendship and loyalty. One of my favorites this year. Available to purchase & ship through www.titcombsbookshop.com.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1899, Joshua Duell is trying to cope with the death of his brother in the Spanish American War and the death of his mother in a shipwreck. He and his friend Buddy join the U.S. Life-Saving Service, a precursor to the U.S. Coast Guard, where they train for saving lives off Cape Cod's shores. This is Joshua's story of growing physically and emotionally through his service. I liked the story, just could not get excited about any of the characters.

[Lora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, though it seemed to have some time discrepancies. I have been to Provincetown and the dunes many times so it was fun to try to picture the town as it was around 1900.