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Set in rural Vermont in the volatile 1960s, Agony Hill is the first novel in a new historical series full of vivid New England atmosphere and the deeply drawn characters that are Sarah Stewart Taylor's trademark.
In the hot summer of 1965, Bostonian Franklin Warren arrives in Bethany, Vermont, to take a position as a detective with the state police. Warren's new home is on the verge of monumental change; the interstates under construction will bring new people, new opportunities, and new problems to Vermont, and the Cold War and protests against the war in Vietnam have finally reached the dirt roads and rolling pastures of Bethany.
Warren has barely unpacked when he's called up to a remote farm on Agony Hill. Former New Yorker and Back-to-the-Lander Hugh Weber seems to have set fire to his barn and himself, with the door barred from the inside, but things aren’t adding up for Warren. The people of Bethany—from Weber’s enigmatic wife to Warren's neighbor, widow and amateur detective Alice Bellows — clearly have secrets they’d like to keep, but Warren can’t tell if the truth about Weber’s death is one of them. As he gets to know his new home and grapples with the tragedy that brought him there, Warren is drawn to the people and traditions of small town Vermont, even as he finds darkness amidst the beauty.
In the hot summer of 1965, Bostonian Franklin Warren arrives in Bethany, Vermont, to take a position as a detective with the state police. Warren's new home is on the verge of monumental change; the interstates under construction will bring new people, new opportunities, and new problems to Vermont, and the Cold War and protests against the war in Vietnam have finally reached the dirt roads and rolling pastures of Bethany.
Warren has barely unpacked when he's called up to a remote farm on Agony Hill. Former New Yorker and Back-to-the-Lander Hugh Weber seems to have set fire to his barn and himself, with the door barred from the inside, but things aren’t adding up for Warren. The people of Bethany—from Weber’s enigmatic wife to Warren's neighbor, widow and amateur detective Alice Bellows — clearly have secrets they’d like to keep, but Warren can’t tell if the truth about Weber’s death is one of them. As he gets to know his new home and grapples with the tragedy that brought him there, Warren is drawn to the people and traditions of small town Vermont, even as he finds darkness amidst the beauty.
308 pages, Hardcover
First published August 6, 2024
183 people are currently reading
18550 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Stewart Taylor
19 books754 followersSarah Stewart Taylor lives with her husband and three children on a farm in Vermont where they raise sheep and grow blueberries.
Sarah is the author of the Sweeney St. George series and the Maggie D'arcy series. The first Maggie D'arcy mystery, THE MOUNTAINS WILD, was nominated for the Dashiell Hammett Prize and was on numerous Best of 2020 lists. The new Maggie D'arcy novel, A STOLEN CHILD, is out now. AGONY HILL, the first installment in her new series set in Vermont in 1965, will be out in 2024.
Sarah is the author of the Sweeney St. George series and the Maggie D'arcy series. The first Maggie D'arcy mystery, THE MOUNTAINS WILD, was nominated for the Dashiell Hammett Prize and was on numerous Best of 2020 lists. The new Maggie D'arcy novel, A STOLEN CHILD, is out now. AGONY HILL, the first installment in her new series set in Vermont in 1965, will be out in 2024.
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July 29, 2024
Agony Hill
by Sarah Stewart Taylor is the first book in a new historical mystery series featuring Detective Franklin Warren. Set in 1965 in Bethany, Vermont and the surrounding rural area, Warren has just joined the Vermont State Police and has responsibility for the southern part of the state. He’s not quite finished unpacking when he’s called to a remote farm on Agony Hill. Hugh Weber, a former New Yorker and believer in self-sufficiency and autonomy through a back-to-the-land culture, seems to have set his barn on fire, with him locked inside. However, Warren doesn’t think the case is that simple. Additionally, the people of Bethany seem to have secrets including Hugh’s wife Sylvie and Warren’s neighbor, widow and amateur detective Alice Bellows.
The main and secondary characters have depth. Warren, formerly from Boston, must adjust to life in a rural community where he doesn’t know anyone. He’s a sincere and empathetic as well as being a talented investigator. It also turns out that he’s good at mentoring. Alice is somewhat enigmatic. She comes across as a kind and thoughtful person with hidden depths and abilities who loves to garden. Trooper Goodrich is eager to be Warren’s assistant investigator. Bethany Chief of Police Longwell is a somewhat old-school policeman with an ego.
The author does a great job of world-building. The setting and geography of Vermont came alive. This was also a time of change and conflict. Interstates were being built, new and more scientific investigative techniques were starting to be used, the Cold War was ongoing, and the Vietnam war and protests surrounding it were occurring regularly across the country. All of these came to life in the story.
This is more of a historical police procedural that is heavy on characterization and world-building, but has a well-developed and intricate plot as well as some occasional action. While somewhat slower paced than many police procedurals set in modern times, the pace felt appropriate to the setting and time of the novel. The author does a great job of bringing to life the small rural town and the people of Bethany, including those who have left and return only annually for a community celebration. Gossip, secrets, treatment of others, politics, progress, grief, protests, loneliness, family, death, theft, judgment of others, mentoring, money, anger, jealousy, and much more are threads that are woven into the story line. My only quibbles were that it took too long to get to the details of why Warren moved from Boston to Vermont and he wasn’t introduced to the other troopers at the local barracks.
Overall, this is an excellent historical crime novel that introduces readers to a wonderful new character in Warren as well as a fascinating town on the cusp of change. The great and vivid storytelling and fantastic characterization have made this novel a winner for me. If you enjoy old-fashioned detective work prior to cell phones, the internet, and DNA testing, then this is a series to consider. I can’t wait to find out what is next for Warren, Alice, and the other residents of Bethany.
St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Sarah Stewart Taylor provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for August 06, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.07 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
The main and secondary characters have depth. Warren, formerly from Boston, must adjust to life in a rural community where he doesn’t know anyone. He’s a sincere and empathetic as well as being a talented investigator. It also turns out that he’s good at mentoring. Alice is somewhat enigmatic. She comes across as a kind and thoughtful person with hidden depths and abilities who loves to garden. Trooper Goodrich is eager to be Warren’s assistant investigator. Bethany Chief of Police Longwell is a somewhat old-school policeman with an ego.
The author does a great job of world-building. The setting and geography of Vermont came alive. This was also a time of change and conflict. Interstates were being built, new and more scientific investigative techniques were starting to be used, the Cold War was ongoing, and the Vietnam war and protests surrounding it were occurring regularly across the country. All of these came to life in the story.
This is more of a historical police procedural that is heavy on characterization and world-building, but has a well-developed and intricate plot as well as some occasional action. While somewhat slower paced than many police procedurals set in modern times, the pace felt appropriate to the setting and time of the novel. The author does a great job of bringing to life the small rural town and the people of Bethany, including those who have left and return only annually for a community celebration. Gossip, secrets, treatment of others, politics, progress, grief, protests, loneliness, family, death, theft, judgment of others, mentoring, money, anger, jealousy, and much more are threads that are woven into the story line. My only quibbles were that it took too long to get to the details of why Warren moved from Boston to Vermont and he wasn’t introduced to the other troopers at the local barracks.
Overall, this is an excellent historical crime novel that introduces readers to a wonderful new character in Warren as well as a fascinating town on the cusp of change. The great and vivid storytelling and fantastic characterization have made this novel a winner for me. If you enjoy old-fashioned detective work prior to cell phones, the internet, and DNA testing, then this is a series to consider. I can’t wait to find out what is next for Warren, Alice, and the other residents of Bethany.
St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Sarah Stewart Taylor provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for August 06, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.07 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
July 3, 2024
One of the things that drew me to this book was the story of a small-town crime where a lot of the town’s secrets can end in murder and mayhem. I love stories about small, rural towns full of so-called “upstanding” folks that turn out to be just as nefarious and unscrupulous as the rest of the population (think Linda Castillo’s Painter’s Mill). This story had the added ingredient of being in 1965 with the background of the Vietnam war as well as the impending industrial progress, in the form of an interstate highway coming right through this rural town where there were clear sides of those that wanted the highway and those that didn’t.
The book summary introduces the primary storyline of the investigation of the apparent suicide of a local farmer, Hugh, who leaves behind a wife and four children and one on the way. Hugh was NOT a nice guy and extremely unpopular and disliked among the townspeople. So, suffice it to say, there are a few suspects. Frank Warren, a former Boston cop, who needed a new start after some trouble back in Boston (that isn’t revealed until the second half of the story), who struggles to connect with some of the townspeople he comes across during the investigation.
There is also another storyline of Warren’s neighbor, Alice, who is desperately trying to keep the secrets of her past life from coming out. However, she is quite the busybody with everyone else’s personal info and secrets as well as their behavior and their comings and goings. There is also the storyline of who is the stranger that some believe is living in the woods surrounding Hugh’s property. None of this is a spoiler since it was all revealed very early in the story.
Most of the story revolves around the investigation of the Hugh’s death along with the aftereffects of the reading of Hugh’s will. Hugh’s brother, Victor, is not happy at all with the results and he proceeds to harass Hugh’s widow. The widow, Sylvie, is an odd one and I’m not sure what to make of her throughout most of the story. Even though I had no idea if Hugh was murdered or committed suicide, it didn’t really matter, I found that the ending was very satisfying as well as a little sad. Leaves some questions that I am sure will have an effect on future installments.
This is a character driven story, which I enjoyed because characterization is such a vital element of a story. It is most certainly not a fast-paced, action-packed kind of story that I read so much of. However, the pacing was steady and I didn’t find it slow, dragging or boring – at all. The storyline was intriguing and the writing was well done and I liked the ending. I’m looking at an overall rating of 3.8 that I will round up to a 4star rating. I will definitely be continuing with the series and for now, I will check out the prequel that looks like it provides some background info on Alice. I want to thank NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #StMartinsPress #AgonyHill
The book summary introduces the primary storyline of the investigation of the apparent suicide of a local farmer, Hugh, who leaves behind a wife and four children and one on the way. Hugh was NOT a nice guy and extremely unpopular and disliked among the townspeople. So, suffice it to say, there are a few suspects. Frank Warren, a former Boston cop, who needed a new start after some trouble back in Boston (that isn’t revealed until the second half of the story), who struggles to connect with some of the townspeople he comes across during the investigation.
There is also another storyline of Warren’s neighbor, Alice, who is desperately trying to keep the secrets of her past life from coming out. However, she is quite the busybody with everyone else’s personal info and secrets as well as their behavior and their comings and goings. There is also the storyline of who is the stranger that some believe is living in the woods surrounding Hugh’s property. None of this is a spoiler since it was all revealed very early in the story.
Most of the story revolves around the investigation of the Hugh’s death along with the aftereffects of the reading of Hugh’s will. Hugh’s brother, Victor, is not happy at all with the results and he proceeds to harass Hugh’s widow. The widow, Sylvie, is an odd one and I’m not sure what to make of her throughout most of the story. Even though I had no idea if Hugh was murdered or committed suicide, it didn’t really matter, I found that the ending was very satisfying as well as a little sad. Leaves some questions that I am sure will have an effect on future installments.
This is a character driven story, which I enjoyed because characterization is such a vital element of a story. It is most certainly not a fast-paced, action-packed kind of story that I read so much of. However, the pacing was steady and I didn’t find it slow, dragging or boring – at all. The storyline was intriguing and the writing was well done and I liked the ending. I’m looking at an overall rating of 3.8 that I will round up to a 4star rating. I will definitely be continuing with the series and for now, I will check out the prequel that looks like it provides some background info on Alice. I want to thank NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #StMartinsPress #AgonyHill
December 8, 2024
*Happy Publication Day!*
3.5 stars. Sarah Stewart Taylor has started a new series which is a historical mystery set in Vermont in the fall of 1965. Detective Lieutenant Tommy Johnson of the Vermont State Police has offered Franklin Warren, the son of his army buddy Allen, a job with Vermont's Bureau of Criminal Investigation; Warren will work from the barracks in Bethany, in the southern part of the state. Warren had been a detective in Boston until a personal misfortune forced him to leave his job and now he's more than happy for a fresh start.
The first day on the job, Warren gets called to the scene of a barn fire with a fatality. The farmer had been in his office in the barn with the doors locked when the fire occurred. Suicide? The autopsy later reveals that the man had a head injury but if it was a homicide, how did the killer exit the barn?
Being set in 1965 gives the author an opportunity to weave in aspects of the Vietnam War era, including the draft and anti-war protests. Taylor has done a great job of creating small-town life with interesting, believable characters such as Warren's elderly neighbor Alice Bellows, whose late husband was involved in secret WWII activities. It seems she still has some connections and a desire to involve herself in local puzzles. And then there's the pregnant widow with four sons to raise...and her husband's brother who is often drunk and verbally abusive. It seems her late husband angered just about everyone in town so there's no lack of possible suspects. I did find the mystery easy to solve however and knew who the killer had to be by 50% or so but hung in there to see if I was right and learn all the details of motive and means.
Interview with PJ Tracy and Sarah Stewart Taylor about their new mysteries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HPPN...
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery via NetGalley. I look forward to reading more in this new series. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
3.5 stars. Sarah Stewart Taylor has started a new series which is a historical mystery set in Vermont in the fall of 1965. Detective Lieutenant Tommy Johnson of the Vermont State Police has offered Franklin Warren, the son of his army buddy Allen, a job with Vermont's Bureau of Criminal Investigation; Warren will work from the barracks in Bethany, in the southern part of the state. Warren had been a detective in Boston until a personal misfortune forced him to leave his job and now he's more than happy for a fresh start.
The first day on the job, Warren gets called to the scene of a barn fire with a fatality. The farmer had been in his office in the barn with the doors locked when the fire occurred. Suicide? The autopsy later reveals that the man had a head injury but if it was a homicide, how did the killer exit the barn?
Being set in 1965 gives the author an opportunity to weave in aspects of the Vietnam War era, including the draft and anti-war protests. Taylor has done a great job of creating small-town life with interesting, believable characters such as Warren's elderly neighbor Alice Bellows, whose late husband was involved in secret WWII activities. It seems she still has some connections and a desire to involve herself in local puzzles. And then there's the pregnant widow with four sons to raise...and her husband's brother who is often drunk and verbally abusive. It seems her late husband angered just about everyone in town so there's no lack of possible suspects. I did find the mystery easy to solve however and knew who the killer had to be by 50% or so but hung in there to see if I was right and learn all the details of motive and means.
Interview with PJ Tracy and Sarah Stewart Taylor about their new mysteries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HPPN...
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery via NetGalley. I look forward to reading more in this new series. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
August 17, 2024
Prior to this book I had only read one by Sarah Stewart Taylor - one of her Maggie D'Arcy series. I was happy to have the chance to read another by her.
Description:
Set in rural Vermont in the volatile 1960s, Agony Hill is the first novel in a new historical series full of vivid New England atmosphere and the deeply drawn characters that are Sarah Stewart Taylor's trademark.
In the hot summer of 1965, Bostonian Franklin Warren arrives in Bethany, Vermont, to take a position as a detective with the state police. Warren's new home is on the verge of monumental change; the interstates under construction will bring new people, new opportunities, and new problems to Vermont, and the Cold War and protests against the war in Vietnam have finally reached the dirt roads and rolling pastures of Bethany.
Warren has barely unpacked when he's called up to a remote farm on Agony Hill. Former New Yorker and Back-to-the-Lander Hugh Weber seems to have set fire to his barn and himself, with the door barred from the inside, but things aren’t adding up for Warren. The people of Bethany—from Weber’s enigmatic wife to Warren's neighbor, widow and amateur detective Alice Bellows — clearly have secrets they’d like to keep, but Warren can’t tell if the truth about Weber’s death is one of them. As he gets to know his new home and grapples with the tragedy that brought him there, Warren is drawn to the people and traditions of small town Vermont, even as he finds darkness amidst the beauty.
My Thoughts:
The rural Vermont setting was enjoyable and evoked the feeling of rural life and community. The murder mystery was strange with the man burned to death in a room in a barn that was locked from the inside. If it wasn't suicide, how would it have been possible? With a man everyone seemed to dislike, there were certainly numerous theories to investigate; but it was certainly a difficult investigation. I enjoyed the story and liked the writing style. The characters fit their parts well and were mostly likable, especially Franklin Warren, the detective and Alice Bellows, the amateur detective elderly neighbor. They each had some secrets themselves which were interesting to uncover.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
Set in rural Vermont in the volatile 1960s, Agony Hill is the first novel in a new historical series full of vivid New England atmosphere and the deeply drawn characters that are Sarah Stewart Taylor's trademark.
In the hot summer of 1965, Bostonian Franklin Warren arrives in Bethany, Vermont, to take a position as a detective with the state police. Warren's new home is on the verge of monumental change; the interstates under construction will bring new people, new opportunities, and new problems to Vermont, and the Cold War and protests against the war in Vietnam have finally reached the dirt roads and rolling pastures of Bethany.
Warren has barely unpacked when he's called up to a remote farm on Agony Hill. Former New Yorker and Back-to-the-Lander Hugh Weber seems to have set fire to his barn and himself, with the door barred from the inside, but things aren’t adding up for Warren. The people of Bethany—from Weber’s enigmatic wife to Warren's neighbor, widow and amateur detective Alice Bellows — clearly have secrets they’d like to keep, but Warren can’t tell if the truth about Weber’s death is one of them. As he gets to know his new home and grapples with the tragedy that brought him there, Warren is drawn to the people and traditions of small town Vermont, even as he finds darkness amidst the beauty.
My Thoughts:
The rural Vermont setting was enjoyable and evoked the feeling of rural life and community. The murder mystery was strange with the man burned to death in a room in a barn that was locked from the inside. If it wasn't suicide, how would it have been possible? With a man everyone seemed to dislike, there were certainly numerous theories to investigate; but it was certainly a difficult investigation. I enjoyed the story and liked the writing style. The characters fit their parts well and were mostly likable, especially Franklin Warren, the detective and Alice Bellows, the amateur detective elderly neighbor. They each had some secrets themselves which were interesting to uncover.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.
July 30, 2024
Please note that I received this via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.
I don’t see me reading the subsequent books in this series. It was long and tedious. Jumping between three characters and too many mysteries that were left unresolved has me giving this two stars. Full review to come.
Full review: "Agony Hill" takes place in Vermont in 1965. A man named Franklin Warren arrives to work at the local sheriff's office as a detective. Warren has experience in major crimes and now that more "city" folks and problems are flowing through the area, the job of policing has started to change. When a local farmer named Hugh Weber though is found dead in a locked barn which leaves a question of whether he committed suicide or was murdered. This is the first book in the so-called Franklin Warren series, but the book also follows a female amateur detective named Alice Bellows, and the wife of the dead man, Sylvie.
So, this all together really didn't work. Honestly the best part of the book for me was Alice Bellows and her history. We get some glimpses of this during the book, but she's really similar to a younger Miss Marple and I liked what we get about how she solved other mysteries in the town and really seemed to know right away what happened with regards to Hugh Weber (that does not get revealed til the very end though).
Franklin Warren was boring. You have the mystery of why he is in Vermont, the reveal, and then I don't know, he seemed to just blunder around until the very end. There are still some mysteries left for him to get to the bottom of, but I didn't care.
The character of Sylvie's point of view really didn't need to be added. I just didn't get a lot of added there via her, and I just thought hers and Warren's points of view slowed down the entire flow of the book.
The plot such as it was, just isn't the main focus (Hugh's death) because we get little town mysteries and bigger mysteries going on too. It was just too much after a while.
The setting of Bethany, Vermont actually felt older than it was depicted in the book. It's supposed to take place during 1965, but it read like a throwback town in the early 1950s at times. I also thought it was weird there was no mention of Malcolm X's assassination, Bloody Sunday, The Civil Rights Marches, etc. It just felt oddly empty of Black Americans at all. Even just mentioning them and the events taking place would have made the book feel more grounded. There are many mentions of the Vietnam War and boys/men going through Vermont to get to Canada, but even that didn't seem to have been taken a hard look at via the author and their characters.
The ending didn't pack that much of a punch. I love locked room mysteries novels, but this one was pretty eh since it's real obvious who was responsible for it, (at least it was to me). It just felt like a lot of book to get there. I was hoping for something reminiscent of Miss Marple, but this was a miss for me.
I don’t see me reading the subsequent books in this series. It was long and tedious. Jumping between three characters and too many mysteries that were left unresolved has me giving this two stars. Full review to come.
Full review: "Agony Hill" takes place in Vermont in 1965. A man named Franklin Warren arrives to work at the local sheriff's office as a detective. Warren has experience in major crimes and now that more "city" folks and problems are flowing through the area, the job of policing has started to change. When a local farmer named Hugh Weber though is found dead in a locked barn which leaves a question of whether he committed suicide or was murdered. This is the first book in the so-called Franklin Warren series, but the book also follows a female amateur detective named Alice Bellows, and the wife of the dead man, Sylvie.
So, this all together really didn't work. Honestly the best part of the book for me was Alice Bellows and her history. We get some glimpses of this during the book, but she's really similar to a younger Miss Marple and I liked what we get about how she solved other mysteries in the town and really seemed to know right away what happened with regards to Hugh Weber (that does not get revealed til the very end though).
Franklin Warren was boring. You have the mystery of why he is in Vermont, the reveal, and then I don't know, he seemed to just blunder around until the very end. There are still some mysteries left for him to get to the bottom of, but I didn't care.
The character of Sylvie's point of view really didn't need to be added. I just didn't get a lot of added there via her, and I just thought hers and Warren's points of view slowed down the entire flow of the book.
The plot such as it was, just isn't the main focus (Hugh's death) because we get little town mysteries and bigger mysteries going on too. It was just too much after a while.
The setting of Bethany, Vermont actually felt older than it was depicted in the book. It's supposed to take place during 1965, but it read like a throwback town in the early 1950s at times. I also thought it was weird there was no mention of Malcolm X's assassination, Bloody Sunday, The Civil Rights Marches, etc. It just felt oddly empty of Black Americans at all. Even just mentioning them and the events taking place would have made the book feel more grounded. There are many mentions of the Vietnam War and boys/men going through Vermont to get to Canada, but even that didn't seem to have been taken a hard look at via the author and their characters.
The ending didn't pack that much of a punch. I love locked room mysteries novels, but this one was pretty eh since it's real obvious who was responsible for it, (at least it was to me). It just felt like a lot of book to get there. I was hoping for something reminiscent of Miss Marple, but this was a miss for me.
May 20, 2024
This is the first book in a new series by Sarah Stewart Taylor (who I have NOT read before), and I really enjoyed it! It is set in the 60s so showcases some old school detective skills along with sleuthing in a different era. I liked the characters a lot. Franklin seemed so haunted but hid his feelings well. I liked the glimpses we got into his grief and how much this case affected him. The setting is a small town and focuses on the family that everyone knows about and thinks they are just different. I am looking forward to reading the next one (whenever it comes out).
Franklin is just getting settled into his new job in upstate Vermont when he gets a call about a fire and a body. Being the outsider and newbie, he doesn't recognize the family name or know that the deceased, Hugh Weber, was rough around the edges. He was very vocal and a newly minted drunk. He also had a large family of boys and a wife who looked young and unsure. The question is did Hugh kill himself or was there malice involved? And so the story unfolds. Franklin starts uncovering things about the town that people know about but don't address like the farm where men who don't want to get enlisted go that seems to be more of a cult. He learns that Hugh was drawn to this farm and helped start it up until a rift came between him and the owner. He learns that Hugh was hiding a lot about his finances to everyone including his wife all while he tries to figure out who had the motive to make a move. He also is trying to not follow his gut and make a move on Sylvie but he is DRAWN to her. So was it her that killed her husband who was abusive but not physically? Was it the unknown mountain man who has his own backstory? Was it someone in town who was just sick of how Hugh talked to people?
I liked the plot twist at the end. I kept thinking it might come back to that how it did but wasn't disappointed when that is how it unfolded. I liked the different POVs we got with this story and how it ever so slowly unraveled. I liked the potential for future stories and cases and the added element of the war and the threat of Russia going on. I liked the snippets we got that there were larger government spies involved somehow and think that could go somewhere. I HOPE that Franklin and Sylvie become something. There was potential there and Franklin needs someone to help him on his darker days.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! I would definitely recommend this one for a slower small town secrets detective story.
Franklin is just getting settled into his new job in upstate Vermont when he gets a call about a fire and a body. Being the outsider and newbie, he doesn't recognize the family name or know that the deceased, Hugh Weber, was rough around the edges. He was very vocal and a newly minted drunk. He also had a large family of boys and a wife who looked young and unsure. The question is did Hugh kill himself or was there malice involved? And so the story unfolds. Franklin starts uncovering things about the town that people know about but don't address like the farm where men who don't want to get enlisted go that seems to be more of a cult. He learns that Hugh was drawn to this farm and helped start it up until a rift came between him and the owner. He learns that Hugh was hiding a lot about his finances to everyone including his wife all while he tries to figure out who had the motive to make a move. He also is trying to not follow his gut and make a move on Sylvie but he is DRAWN to her. So was it her that killed her husband who was abusive but not physically? Was it the unknown mountain man who has his own backstory? Was it someone in town who was just sick of how Hugh talked to people?
I liked the plot twist at the end. I kept thinking it might come back to that how it did but wasn't disappointed when that is how it unfolded. I liked the different POVs we got with this story and how it ever so slowly unraveled. I liked the potential for future stories and cases and the added element of the war and the threat of Russia going on. I liked the snippets we got that there were larger government spies involved somehow and think that could go somewhere. I HOPE that Franklin and Sylvie become something. There was potential there and Franklin needs someone to help him on his darker days.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! I would definitely recommend this one for a slower small town secrets detective story.
May 19, 2024
Thank you Sarah Stewart Taylor and Minotaur Books for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
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“That was how it was with other human beings. Until you started digging, you only ever saw snapshots of their lives.”
Franklin Warren has recently moved to Bethany, Vermont from Boston for his new job as a detective with the state police. Before he can even unpack, he’s called to a farm in Agony Hill, where it appears a farmer intentionally locked himself in his barn and set fire to it. Though it seems to be a straight forward suicide, Warren has doubts. As he investigates the fire, he gets to know the town and his neighbors while at the same time processing his own tragedy.
What a beautifully atmospheric, small town, police procedural mystery! Set in 1965, the Vietnam war and subsequent protests are very much a part of the narrative. Warren himself is an enigmatic character and I enjoyed getting to know him, as he got to know the people in the town. The town was so richly and vividly portrayed that I felt as if I was there. Don’t even get me started on the food. From burgers and fries, sliced bacon frying, fresh bread out of the oven, and homemade raspberry jam, I was wishing I could jump inside the story!
Agony Hill is deeply character driven, however the plot, to my surprise and delight, had some lovely additional layers, as not all in the town are who they seem to be. The person who stole the show for me, was Warren’s neighbor, Mrs. Alice Bellows. An unassuming elderly widow, she is kind and caring, observant, intuitive and clever. I found myself looking forward to what she might be getting into. I’m thrilled this is book one of a new series, because I can’t wait to find out what happens next in Bethany!
Potential spoiler content warnings below.
⚠️Content Warnings: death of a family member, stabbing, alcoholism
______
“That was how it was with other human beings. Until you started digging, you only ever saw snapshots of their lives.”
Franklin Warren has recently moved to Bethany, Vermont from Boston for his new job as a detective with the state police. Before he can even unpack, he’s called to a farm in Agony Hill, where it appears a farmer intentionally locked himself in his barn and set fire to it. Though it seems to be a straight forward suicide, Warren has doubts. As he investigates the fire, he gets to know the town and his neighbors while at the same time processing his own tragedy.
What a beautifully atmospheric, small town, police procedural mystery! Set in 1965, the Vietnam war and subsequent protests are very much a part of the narrative. Warren himself is an enigmatic character and I enjoyed getting to know him, as he got to know the people in the town. The town was so richly and vividly portrayed that I felt as if I was there. Don’t even get me started on the food. From burgers and fries, sliced bacon frying, fresh bread out of the oven, and homemade raspberry jam, I was wishing I could jump inside the story!
Agony Hill is deeply character driven, however the plot, to my surprise and delight, had some lovely additional layers, as not all in the town are who they seem to be. The person who stole the show for me, was Warren’s neighbor, Mrs. Alice Bellows. An unassuming elderly widow, she is kind and caring, observant, intuitive and clever. I found myself looking forward to what she might be getting into. I’m thrilled this is book one of a new series, because I can’t wait to find out what happens next in Bethany!
Potential spoiler content warnings below.
⚠️Content Warnings: death of a family member, stabbing, alcoholism
August 1, 2024
This book was actually quite brilliant. I loved the plot and how it all panned out in the end didn't go for this big cresendo but a more realistic conclusion. Books don't normally do this and this was a refreshing change.
I really like Warren. He arrives in the small town to become a detective after a great loss and is thrown right into the thick of it. You can see he wants to do a great job but also has a soft spot for the people he meets doing it.
Its a historical mystery with a moderate pace and some really wonderful dialogue. I am so glad this is a start of a series and cannot wait for book 2!
I listened to the audio and while the narrator wasn't brilliant, they did a good enough job to jkeep you going.
4 stars
I really like Warren. He arrives in the small town to become a detective after a great loss and is thrown right into the thick of it. You can see he wants to do a great job but also has a soft spot for the people he meets doing it.
Its a historical mystery with a moderate pace and some really wonderful dialogue. I am so glad this is a start of a series and cannot wait for book 2!
I listened to the audio and while the narrator wasn't brilliant, they did a good enough job to jkeep you going.
4 stars
April 16, 2024
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The book is the first in a new series about a police detective that just moved to Bethany, Vermont from Boston. His name is Franklin Warren (just call him Warren) and he left Boston when his wife died. On his first day on the job in Bethany, there is a suspicious fire on Agony Hill where a man is killed. It appears to be a suicide but Warren must investigate to make sure, and to make a good impression at his new job.
I'm sure there are many who enjoy a slow paced mystery set in picturesque Vermont, but I am not one of them. I was hoping for an edge of your seat kind of thriller and this did not do it for me. The writing is beautiful, The words painted a perfect picture of the rural Vermont town, but honestly I was just bored throughout most of the book. I did enjoy the characters in the story and I really liked how we got different perspectives throughout the book. It just wasn't fast paced enough for me
The book is the first in a new series about a police detective that just moved to Bethany, Vermont from Boston. His name is Franklin Warren (just call him Warren) and he left Boston when his wife died. On his first day on the job in Bethany, there is a suspicious fire on Agony Hill where a man is killed. It appears to be a suicide but Warren must investigate to make sure, and to make a good impression at his new job.
I'm sure there are many who enjoy a slow paced mystery set in picturesque Vermont, but I am not one of them. I was hoping for an edge of your seat kind of thriller and this did not do it for me. The writing is beautiful, The words painted a perfect picture of the rural Vermont town, but honestly I was just bored throughout most of the book. I did enjoy the characters in the story and I really liked how we got different perspectives throughout the book. It just wasn't fast paced enough for me
June 12, 2024
4.5
@Thank you to Sarah Stewart Taylor & Minotaur Books for this giveaway win! I enjoyed the book and Vermont products! Great socks and delicious candy!
If, if, if , changes, suspicions…
Franklin Warren is starting his new job as a Vermont state police detective. The tragedy that caused him to leave Boston for a rural Vermont job is a big secret.
He is just beginning to settle in, when he is notified of a barn fire and a body. The big question is - was it suicide or murder? Warren investigates the fire as he is introduced to the townspeople of Bethany and learns about the town’s traditions. The small-town atmosphere includes a simpler lifestyle with a feeling of what expectations are for each.
However, “you never really know what happened, when you weren’t there.”
*1965 police procedural / historical mystery.
*I had a hunch, but only solved part of the mystery! Good luck solving all of the puzzle pieces!
*Mrs. Bellows was a delight! Hugh was an enigma.
*Author painted a vivid picture of rural Vermont. Very descriptive- I could “see & hear the sights and sounds described.” I visited Vermont ( & 4 other New England states) in the fall of 2010 - stunning!
*I was in Stratton, Woodstock, Plymouth Notch, Weston & Quechee Gorge. Love the covered bridges!
*Sarah Stewart Taylor is a gifted storyteller!
*This is Book #1 of a new historical / mystery series. Count me as a definite for reading future books in the series!
Available - August 6, 2024
@Thank you to Sarah Stewart Taylor & Minotaur Books for this giveaway win! I enjoyed the book and Vermont products! Great socks and delicious candy!
If, if, if , changes, suspicions…
Franklin Warren is starting his new job as a Vermont state police detective. The tragedy that caused him to leave Boston for a rural Vermont job is a big secret.
He is just beginning to settle in, when he is notified of a barn fire and a body. The big question is - was it suicide or murder? Warren investigates the fire as he is introduced to the townspeople of Bethany and learns about the town’s traditions. The small-town atmosphere includes a simpler lifestyle with a feeling of what expectations are for each.
However, “you never really know what happened, when you weren’t there.”
*1965 police procedural / historical mystery.
*I had a hunch, but only solved part of the mystery! Good luck solving all of the puzzle pieces!
*Mrs. Bellows was a delight! Hugh was an enigma.
*Author painted a vivid picture of rural Vermont. Very descriptive- I could “see & hear the sights and sounds described.” I visited Vermont ( & 4 other New England states) in the fall of 2010 - stunning!
*I was in Stratton, Woodstock, Plymouth Notch, Weston & Quechee Gorge. Love the covered bridges!
*Sarah Stewart Taylor is a gifted storyteller!
*This is Book #1 of a new historical / mystery series. Count me as a definite for reading future books in the series!
Available - August 6, 2024
July 6, 2024
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Aug. 6, 2024
Frank Warren decides to leave Boston behind after the tragic murder of his beloved wife and unborn child, taking a job as a detective in rural Vermont. Immediately, Warren is asked to investigate a fire on a farm on Agony Hill, with husband and father Hugh Weber trapped inside. As Warren investigates, some things become clear; the front door of the barn was bolted from the inside, making suicide a possibility. However, Hugh was disliked by many people in the local town, so murder is also something that sits heavily on Warren’s mind. As he investigates, he gets to know his new neighbours and begins to find his place in his new town.
Sarah Stewart Taylor is the author of the Maggie D’Arcy and Sweeney St. George series of novels, so she absolutely has some notable writing chops. “Agony Hill” seems to be her first standalone, and it, too, stands out for its creativity and smooth flow.
The novel is mostly from Warren’s perspective although Warren’s elderly neighbour, Alice Bellows, has a totally different but equally appealing story that we get to hear about in her words. Warren and Alice are connected only be geography, but both have tragic and intriguing stories to tell. Hugh’s widow, Sylvie, finishes the novel with an unexpected bang, wrapping up all of the plot points in an intoxicating package.
Rural Vermont in the 1960s is the perfect setting for this novel, before the time of cell phones and modern technology, when “living off the land” was more than a trend, and small communities were as close as families. Through Taylor’s descriptive words and composed writing, I was transported to the beautiful, though painfully named, Agony Hill, and submerged into the life of its residents.
Taylor has several plots going on simultaneously, and yet she connects them brilliantly. “Agony Hill” has powerful, relatable characters among a calm, beautiful setting, with secrets brewing under the surface of every farmstead. I was instantly taken in by Taylor’s “Agony Hill”, and I look forward to more standalones from her. I would like to see, perhaps, a novel that continues Alice’s story, or tells us more about her past, but I’ll leave it up to Taylor to decide where she takes us next (I’ll read whatever she creates, just the same)!
Expected publication date: Aug. 6, 2024
Frank Warren decides to leave Boston behind after the tragic murder of his beloved wife and unborn child, taking a job as a detective in rural Vermont. Immediately, Warren is asked to investigate a fire on a farm on Agony Hill, with husband and father Hugh Weber trapped inside. As Warren investigates, some things become clear; the front door of the barn was bolted from the inside, making suicide a possibility. However, Hugh was disliked by many people in the local town, so murder is also something that sits heavily on Warren’s mind. As he investigates, he gets to know his new neighbours and begins to find his place in his new town.
Sarah Stewart Taylor is the author of the Maggie D’Arcy and Sweeney St. George series of novels, so she absolutely has some notable writing chops. “Agony Hill” seems to be her first standalone, and it, too, stands out for its creativity and smooth flow.
The novel is mostly from Warren’s perspective although Warren’s elderly neighbour, Alice Bellows, has a totally different but equally appealing story that we get to hear about in her words. Warren and Alice are connected only be geography, but both have tragic and intriguing stories to tell. Hugh’s widow, Sylvie, finishes the novel with an unexpected bang, wrapping up all of the plot points in an intoxicating package.
Rural Vermont in the 1960s is the perfect setting for this novel, before the time of cell phones and modern technology, when “living off the land” was more than a trend, and small communities were as close as families. Through Taylor’s descriptive words and composed writing, I was transported to the beautiful, though painfully named, Agony Hill, and submerged into the life of its residents.
Taylor has several plots going on simultaneously, and yet she connects them brilliantly. “Agony Hill” has powerful, relatable characters among a calm, beautiful setting, with secrets brewing under the surface of every farmstead. I was instantly taken in by Taylor’s “Agony Hill”, and I look forward to more standalones from her. I would like to see, perhaps, a novel that continues Alice’s story, or tells us more about her past, but I’ll leave it up to Taylor to decide where she takes us next (I’ll read whatever she creates, just the same)!
October 3, 2024
Agony Hill was an intriguing read that balances tension and emotional depth. As Officer Franklin Warren arrives in the small town of Bethany, he is immediately called to a crime scene. With the discreet help of his neighbor,Alice Bellows, Franklin begins putting together the pieces of Hugh Webers' death. I am looking forward to seeing where the next book will take these characters.
June 19, 2024
AGONY HILL ( Franklin Warren #1) by Sarah Stewart Taylor
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for the ARC ebook to read.
3.5 stars
Taking place in Vermont in the 1960s. Franklin Warren is relocated to Bethany, Vermont as a detective. We sense there is something he carries from his past that has affected him. On his first day in Bethany, Warren is sent to investigate a fire up on Agony Hill that killed Mr. Weber, a member of the community whom many disliked. Things don’t add up for Warren and he has his work cut out for himself; as the people of Bethany harbor many secrets.
I loved the feel of the small sleepy town atmosphere and the character driven mystery surrounding the town. It is a bit of a slow burn at first and has a dark feel to it, but overall it is a good read. This is my first read by this author but look forward to the second book in her series, as well as, checking out some of her other books.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for the ARC ebook to read.
3.5 stars
Taking place in Vermont in the 1960s. Franklin Warren is relocated to Bethany, Vermont as a detective. We sense there is something he carries from his past that has affected him. On his first day in Bethany, Warren is sent to investigate a fire up on Agony Hill that killed Mr. Weber, a member of the community whom many disliked. Things don’t add up for Warren and he has his work cut out for himself; as the people of Bethany harbor many secrets.
I loved the feel of the small sleepy town atmosphere and the character driven mystery surrounding the town. It is a bit of a slow burn at first and has a dark feel to it, but overall it is a good read. This is my first read by this author but look forward to the second book in her series, as well as, checking out some of her other books.
February 3, 2025
I got this opportunity to read book two in this series as an advance copy and thought it seemed like something for me. But I always like to read the books in order. So I got myself a copy of Agony Hill by Sarah Stewart Taylor. I am so glad I did because it was great, I love small town stories and this one sure is that. But it is so much more, great characters and a mystery to solve that intrigues, the setting is wondeful and now I have two series set in Vermont. The other one being the Joe Gunther series by Archer Mayor. After reading this first book about the new detective I am pleased that I have book two ready to read and I just found a free short story on Amazon as well. If you like me love small town mysteries and a slower pace I recommend that you try this one out.
August 6, 2024
Agony Hill
4⭐️
This was a well written slow burn book. The main characters are likable and unique. The personalities of each were deep and realistic. Warren is new in town after accepting a position as a detective with the state police in the small town of Bethany, Vermont. He is hard working, kind, and determined to prove himself worthy in the tight knit community. Alice is a likable nosy neighbor of Warren. She originally grew up in Bethany and returned after her husband passed away. She herself is somewhat of an amateur detective. Sylvie is newly widowed with 4.5 children. She is an amazing mom and basically superwoman, while also humble, quiet, and bit mysterious.
Hugh Weber has died in a barn fire. Was it self-induced or murder? Before Detective Warren can find the answer, more questions pop up. Warren has to figure out if all the recent events are related.
This is a good book if you’re looking for great storytelling at a slower pace with characters that are well defined and likable. I can usually take or leave detective series, but this is one I’m excited to read more of in the future.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for this ARC.
Publication Date Aug 06 2024
4⭐️
This was a well written slow burn book. The main characters are likable and unique. The personalities of each were deep and realistic. Warren is new in town after accepting a position as a detective with the state police in the small town of Bethany, Vermont. He is hard working, kind, and determined to prove himself worthy in the tight knit community. Alice is a likable nosy neighbor of Warren. She originally grew up in Bethany and returned after her husband passed away. She herself is somewhat of an amateur detective. Sylvie is newly widowed with 4.5 children. She is an amazing mom and basically superwoman, while also humble, quiet, and bit mysterious.
Hugh Weber has died in a barn fire. Was it self-induced or murder? Before Detective Warren can find the answer, more questions pop up. Warren has to figure out if all the recent events are related.
This is a good book if you’re looking for great storytelling at a slower pace with characters that are well defined and likable. I can usually take or leave detective series, but this is one I’m excited to read more of in the future.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for this ARC.
Publication Date Aug 06 2024
March 8, 2025
This was such a good read, with deep, multifaceted characters and an enticing investigating duo who should give this series a long run. Highly recommended!
March 5, 2024
I really enjoyed this book! It was my first by Sarah Stewart Taylor and it did not disappoint. I loved the scene that was set very early on in the book, as well as the time in which the book takes place. The characters are very well written and relatively relatable making it a breeze to read this book! I can’t wait to read more from this author! Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this ARC!
November 14, 2024
Abandoned at 40%. Too slow moving for me. I really didn’t care about the characters, either.
November 24, 2024
Atmospheric read. Didn’t realize it was the first in a new series but I wouldn’t mind following along!
August 1, 2024
This is the first book I've read by this author and the first in a new series. It's set in the 1960s in Vermont, and it's very atmospheric and reminiscent of that time in history. Main character Franklin Warren moves to the small town of Bethany to take a job as a state police detective, and his job starts off with a bang when, almost immediately after he arrives, a suspicious death occurs. As he investigates, he realizes that he might not be the only inhabitantf of Bethany who moved there to escape something. I'll definitely continue the series so that I can find out what secrets will come to light next. This is a great book to read if you like a quieter historical mystery that is character-driven and focuses on interpersonal relationships but still has a puzzle at its center that moves the plot along nicely. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book, which publishes 8-6-24.
September 6, 2024
Agony Hill is the first book in a new series featuring Frank Warren, a police officer from Boston who has relocated to Bethany, Vermont.
There were aspects of this book I enjoyed very much. The setting of small town Vermont in the 1960s was wonderful, and I liked the cast of characters very much, especially Alice. The mystery was well thought out and compelling with a satisfactory conclusion.
I did, however, feel like the pacing was very slow. At times, I found myself getting a little bored.
Overall, it was a good start to a new series. This book was a nice introduction to the characters and town.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
There were aspects of this book I enjoyed very much. The setting of small town Vermont in the 1960s was wonderful, and I liked the cast of characters very much, especially Alice. The mystery was well thought out and compelling with a satisfactory conclusion.
I did, however, feel like the pacing was very slow. At times, I found myself getting a little bored.
Overall, it was a good start to a new series. This book was a nice introduction to the characters and town.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
October 19, 2024
3.5 stars
This is the first book in a new series by this author (who I have never read before). It is most definitely not an edge-of-your-seat thriller--a much more slow-paced mystery. I liked the characters who were introduced & the setting, so I will probably read whatever comes next.
This is the first book in a new series by this author (who I have never read before). It is most definitely not an edge-of-your-seat thriller--a much more slow-paced mystery. I liked the characters who were introduced & the setting, so I will probably read whatever comes next.
June 5, 2025
Intriguing start to the series, lots of mysterious backstory to pull from at a later date. Enjoyed the community that the author built in Bethany, Vermont with the addition of the overall portrait of the country at large - including historical events (on top of the main storyline) & their impact made this feel like a real place.
October 7, 2024
Franklin Warren, a man with a tragic past, has come to work as police detective in Bethany, Vermont - a small town where everyone knows everyone else’s business. It’s the late summer of 1965. Almost immediately, he has a case of possible murder and arson. He also meets his next door neighbour Alice Bellows, a middle aged woman with a complex history who has a way of managing people and situations. This was a really excellent mystery with a very satisfying conclusion. I am looking forward to this series continuing.
August 1, 2024
While some readers will find the setting of Sarah Stewart Taylor's Agony Hill a strange and unfamiliar world, for me, being back in the days of Woodstock, draft dodgers, and communes-- let alone no cell phones-- was a blast from the past. (And one that I enjoyed revisiting because Taylor skillfully puts readers in her setting without a bit of "information dump.")
The cast of characters is interesting. Frank Warren is no stranger to tragedy, and he's taken the job as a detective for the Vermont State Police to get a fresh start. He's not familiar with small towns and farms, and there's a scene where he gets lost in the woods that both made me laugh and gave me chills, and that's a rare reaction indeed.
Warren finds himself drawn to the dead man's wife, Sylvie, an enigmatic woman who's a capable yet fearful wife, mother, and poet. The fleeting scenes when she tries various wordings to set her surroundings into poems were among my favorites in Agony Hill.
As for my favorite character, that would have to be Warren's next-door neighbor, widow, and amateur detective Alice Bellows. There's much more to this woman than her amazing gardening skills.
Frank Warren did want to learn how Agony Hill got its name, and, unfortunately, we never did find out. Taylor uses misdirection to good use, and although Agony Hill is a good, solid mystery with interesting characters, I find myself uninterested in reading more. I've read two previous books by this same author with much the same reaction, so... although she's good and I have friends who love her writing, she's just not my cup of tea. Don't be surprised if your mileage varies!
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
The cast of characters is interesting. Frank Warren is no stranger to tragedy, and he's taken the job as a detective for the Vermont State Police to get a fresh start. He's not familiar with small towns and farms, and there's a scene where he gets lost in the woods that both made me laugh and gave me chills, and that's a rare reaction indeed.
Warren finds himself drawn to the dead man's wife, Sylvie, an enigmatic woman who's a capable yet fearful wife, mother, and poet. The fleeting scenes when she tries various wordings to set her surroundings into poems were among my favorites in Agony Hill.
As for my favorite character, that would have to be Warren's next-door neighbor, widow, and amateur detective Alice Bellows. There's much more to this woman than her amazing gardening skills.
Frank Warren did want to learn how Agony Hill got its name, and, unfortunately, we never did find out. Taylor uses misdirection to good use, and although Agony Hill is a good, solid mystery with interesting characters, I find myself uninterested in reading more. I've read two previous books by this same author with much the same reaction, so... although she's good and I have friends who love her writing, she's just not my cup of tea. Don't be surprised if your mileage varies!
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
September 13, 2024
A Small town mystery in the woods of Vermont. It’s the year of 1965 and Detective Warren has left the life he had in Boston and moved to Vermont to work with the police to solve the mystery of a man who has unexpectedly died in a fire.
While the beginning was slow, the plot was well thought out and began to pick up half way through. I really liked Warren and Sylvie as characters. Both very different, but also intriguing. I was drawn to the small town vibes in this story and how interconnected everyone was in some way. I also really enjoyed how the author made you feel like you jumped back in time and were in the most rural area of Vermont in the heat of the summers end.
Sarah Stewart Taylor will be doing a book signing in my town next week and I’m excited to hear her thoughts and inspirations on the process of writing her book.
4/5⭐️
While the beginning was slow, the plot was well thought out and began to pick up half way through. I really liked Warren and Sylvie as characters. Both very different, but also intriguing. I was drawn to the small town vibes in this story and how interconnected everyone was in some way. I also really enjoyed how the author made you feel like you jumped back in time and were in the most rural area of Vermont in the heat of the summers end.
Sarah Stewart Taylor will be doing a book signing in my town next week and I’m excited to hear her thoughts and inspirations on the process of writing her book.
4/5⭐️
November 15, 2024
This book is the first in a series about Detective Warren, who is barely settling in to his new job when he's called to a fire on a small farm. There's a body, but the barn was securely locked from the inside. We follow Warren as he investigates this and gets to know the residents of the small town. I particularly liked one resident, Alice, who is a brilliant woman who likes to garden. I really enjoyed the book, especially the ending, and I'll be looking for the next one in the series. I'd recommend it to those who enjoy historical police procedurals when things like DNA and computers were not available. But at least they had cars! :)
August 18, 2024
This is a murder mystery that takes place in rural Vermont in the mid 1960’s. Frank Warren comes to town as the new detective for the state police and finds himself investigating a murder as soon as he arrives. There are many secrets in this community as the investigation continues. There are a lot of great characters esp the widow of the murdered man. I look forward to the next book in this series.
July 8, 2025
I have not finished a book that was not assigned to me for a class since I was in middle school. This book was a terrific reintroduction to the joys of reading for pleasure. Sarah Stewart Taylor did a fantastic job with this novel. From the accurate and compelling depiction of rural life in the 1960’s, to the equally as compelling rudimentary detective work of the time. Sarah masterfully developed the characters in this novel in such a way that I cared deeply about what might befall them. I cannot wait to read the next instalment in this series so I can keep up with my newfound friends, Warren, Alice, and Sylvie.
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