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Midwife Mysteries #4
The Midwife and the Assassin
"Sam Thomas has created one of the most unique sleuths in modern mystery fiction." -The Plain Dealer
In this thrilling new mystery from the critically acclaimed author of The Witch Hunter's Tale midwife Bridget Hodgson travels to London where she's forced into a new profession-as a spy.
It's 1649. Three years have passed since midwife Bridget Hodgson and her deputy Martha Hawkins fled York for the safety of the English countryside. But when a mysterious letter from London brings them to the capital, they are forced into service under Jonathan Marlowe, Oliver Cromwell's chief spymaster. Reunited with Bridget's nephew Will, the three seek out Parliament's enemies even as the nation awaits the trial of the King on charges of treason.
Marlowe's first mission for Bridget is to spy upon Katherine Chidley, a notorious political radical and-Marlowe fears-a potential rebel against Parliament. The more time Bridget spends with Katherine, however, the closer the two become, and when Katherine's husband Daniel is murdered, Bridget and Martha join in the search for the killer. As the two uncover Daniel's secrets, the list of suspects grows ever longer, until it includes royalists, radicals, and a figure from Bridget's past, who is equal parts mysterious and deadly. When the killer strikes again, Bridget and Martha realize that he is bent on far more than mere murder, but intends to revive the civil wars or destroy England entirely.
In this thrilling new mystery from the critically acclaimed author of The Witch Hunter's Tale midwife Bridget Hodgson travels to London where she's forced into a new profession-as a spy.
It's 1649. Three years have passed since midwife Bridget Hodgson and her deputy Martha Hawkins fled York for the safety of the English countryside. But when a mysterious letter from London brings them to the capital, they are forced into service under Jonathan Marlowe, Oliver Cromwell's chief spymaster. Reunited with Bridget's nephew Will, the three seek out Parliament's enemies even as the nation awaits the trial of the King on charges of treason.
Marlowe's first mission for Bridget is to spy upon Katherine Chidley, a notorious political radical and-Marlowe fears-a potential rebel against Parliament. The more time Bridget spends with Katherine, however, the closer the two become, and when Katherine's husband Daniel is murdered, Bridget and Martha join in the search for the killer. As the two uncover Daniel's secrets, the list of suspects grows ever longer, until it includes royalists, radicals, and a figure from Bridget's past, who is equal parts mysterious and deadly. When the killer strikes again, Bridget and Martha realize that he is bent on far more than mere murder, but intends to revive the civil wars or destroy England entirely.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published March 15, 2016
10 people are currently reading
446 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
June 27, 2022
Die Geschichte spielt in England im Jahr 1649. Das Land befindet sich im Bürgerkrieg, der König soll hingerichtet werden. In diesen Wirren wird die Hebamme Bridget nach London gerufen und erpresst: Sie soll als Spionin arbeiten und ein Verbrechen aufklären.
Ich musste mich erst wieder ein wenig zurechtfinden, denn ich habe zwar schon den ersten Band dieser Reihe gelesen, aber das ist lange her. So waren mir einige Vorkommnisse nicht mehr bewusst. Ich denke aber, man kann dieses Buch auch ohne Vorkenntnisse lesen und verstehen.
Es ist ein Historischer Roman, der zu einer sehr spannenden Zeit spielt. Das Land ist gespalten. Das wird in diesem Buch sehr gut deutlich.
Es geht um Mord, Verrat, Revolution, Liebe, Freundschaft, Spionage und nicht zuletzt um die Arbeit als Hebamme in dieser schwierigen Zeit.
Alles sehr spannend, interessant und unterhaltsam.
Ich habe jetzt den ersten Band und nun diesen vierten Band gelesen. Ich hoffe, ich werde Band 2 und 3 in der Bibliothek noch bekommen, denn ich möchte die beiden Bücher unbedingt auch noch lesen!
Sam Thomas schreibt sehr anschaulich und fesselnd. Vor allem der geschichtliche Hintergrund reizt mich an diesen Büchern.
Ich musste mich erst wieder ein wenig zurechtfinden, denn ich habe zwar schon den ersten Band dieser Reihe gelesen, aber das ist lange her. So waren mir einige Vorkommnisse nicht mehr bewusst. Ich denke aber, man kann dieses Buch auch ohne Vorkenntnisse lesen und verstehen.
Es ist ein Historischer Roman, der zu einer sehr spannenden Zeit spielt. Das Land ist gespalten. Das wird in diesem Buch sehr gut deutlich.
Es geht um Mord, Verrat, Revolution, Liebe, Freundschaft, Spionage und nicht zuletzt um die Arbeit als Hebamme in dieser schwierigen Zeit.
Alles sehr spannend, interessant und unterhaltsam.
Ich habe jetzt den ersten Band und nun diesen vierten Band gelesen. Ich hoffe, ich werde Band 2 und 3 in der Bibliothek noch bekommen, denn ich möchte die beiden Bücher unbedingt auch noch lesen!
Sam Thomas schreibt sehr anschaulich und fesselnd. Vor allem der geschichtliche Hintergrund reizt mich an diesen Büchern.
March 28, 2016
This is my favorite of the series thus far - so many good twists and turns in the plot!
May 13, 2016
I wavered between giving this 3 or 4 stars because, while I love the series and will definitely continue to read it, I did have some issues with this particular installment. It's fun to have the main characters working as spies for Cromwell, but the plot overall felt really rushed (especially the romance--having it proceed so quickly felt very untrue to Bridget's character). There were also a few moments where I found myself stopping to consider the plausibility of events, which is rarely a good sign in a mystery.
However, Thomas has clearly done his research again and one of the joys of this series is learning about a time period that relatively few other authors write about. I love Bridget and Martha and enjoy finding out what new troubles Thomas has decided to plague them with in each new entry in this series. Hence bumping this up to 4 despite my reservations!
However, Thomas has clearly done his research again and one of the joys of this series is learning about a time period that relatively few other authors write about. I love Bridget and Martha and enjoy finding out what new troubles Thomas has decided to plague them with in each new entry in this series. Hence bumping this up to 4 despite my reservations!
April 7, 2016
I enjoyed the first three books in this series, but this was a less successful effort. It wasn't terrible, but the plot lagged seriously in the middle of the book with way too much boring exposition about the murder of a character I barely knew. I would appreciate more historical detail and less murder plot. I sometimes wonder if these authors are pressured to pump out a book a year whether they're ready or not.
February 11, 2022
I really have enjoyed this well-researched historical mystery series. The author has done an excellent job in recreating the time period (late 1600s) in London with meticulous attention to historic details. Not an easy feat. Although the end of this one left us with the start of the next storyline, apparently this is the last novel in the series (sniff...).
September 9, 2016
interest in the period - events surrounding execution of King Charles...but found the book to be boring otherwise - as well as outlandish, beyond belief, etc.
August 19, 2019
I am so disappointed and frustrated! I really enjoyed the first two books. A strong, independent woman, of her time and yet not, on such a great character-development arc. And I mostly enjoyed the third book. But I had a feeling, when the it ended as it did, that I would not like where the author was taking this series. And sure enough, I read the first chapter of this fourth book and stopped reading. It was all I could do to not throw it across the room.
In the first three books, she was a women of standing in her town and got involved in situations because of circumstances. She then used her wit, friends and Martha to get out of them. But she remained a midwife, a woman of standing, going about her business, being in control and in charge of her business, which was engaging and richly satisfying work for her and Martha.
In the first three books, she was allowed to be independent and self-determined. Yes, she was threatened and, for short periods of time, thwarted by the male power-brokers (and the female ones too) but she never lost her self-determination. She remained the author of her own life at all times. Then, the last book ended with her being ordered out of her own town by a man. I knew then the author was moving away from what made this series and this protagonist special.
And sure enough, this book BEGINS with her losing that self-determination and, instead, working under the thumb of a man by duress. I just don't have the patience to bother reading any further to see how she is going to work her way through this one.
He couldn't have left her in York, being part of the community, standing up for her friends and justice, helping other women through their "travails?" She couldn't remain a powerful, independent female in her own world? Nope, we are back to the female being ordered about by the almighty, powerful men. Instead of having a reputation as a powerful figure for justice, she is turned into a menacing creature who creates chaos wherever she goes. How very "witch hunt" of this author. UGH
Time to find another series to read. Sigh.
In the first three books, she was a women of standing in her town and got involved in situations because of circumstances. She then used her wit, friends and Martha to get out of them. But she remained a midwife, a woman of standing, going about her business, being in control and in charge of her business, which was engaging and richly satisfying work for her and Martha.
In the first three books, she was allowed to be independent and self-determined. Yes, she was threatened and, for short periods of time, thwarted by the male power-brokers (and the female ones too) but she never lost her self-determination. She remained the author of her own life at all times. Then, the last book ended with her being ordered out of her own town by a man. I knew then the author was moving away from what made this series and this protagonist special.
And sure enough, this book BEGINS with her losing that self-determination and, instead, working under the thumb of a man by duress. I just don't have the patience to bother reading any further to see how she is going to work her way through this one.
He couldn't have left her in York, being part of the community, standing up for her friends and justice, helping other women through their "travails?" She couldn't remain a powerful, independent female in her own world? Nope, we are back to the female being ordered about by the almighty, powerful men. Instead of having a reputation as a powerful figure for justice, she is turned into a menacing creature who creates chaos wherever she goes. How very "witch hunt" of this author. UGH
Time to find another series to read. Sigh.
July 9, 2017
I struggled to get through the middle of this book and I didn't feel connected to the characters. The plot and the writing were good overall so it feels puzzling to me, but still it has to be a 2...it is almost a 3. I quickly turned to read the last chapter (which I never do) when I was ready to give up -- in chapter 21. Then I started reading it backwards by chapter. That helped me to get through it.
June 2, 2017
Bridget is a midwife in the 1640's in England. What she experiences is the King being killed, Cromwell's power increasing, and how that impacts her life. She is forced to work as a spy, her son is being held hostage. Cromwell wants to find out how the opposing group feels about things. Meanwhile, she solves two murders and falls in love.
December 22, 2019
An intriguing series set in 17th century England with a midwife as the main character. N thus entry, Bridget becomes an unwilling spy for Oliver Cromwell and becomes embroiled in several murders. Her personal life also takes on some changes as well. I love the character development in this series and like the depiction of London. Good research.
August 22, 2020
It was a fascinating about a lady forced to move to London and pretend to be poor. She works as a midwife and is forced to spy on her neighbors and catch murderers. All quite fascinating. It would be hard I think to figure out who the assassin is before the book reveals it. Best kind of mystery there is!
July 5, 2017
3.5 stars. Again, as with some of the other books, I'm glad to see the main character, Lady Hodgson, questioning the law and not accepting it fully. I hope more books come out in this series because I enjoy the POV and the characters.
February 15, 2018
This book follows along the others in the series. Bridget and Martha solve a murder that turns into multiple murders, and almost end up dead. What I found odd ,was how the author rushed Bridget's love story into a few chapters, when previously her love life was non existent.
August 4, 2019
Historical Mystery
A lady midwife is pretty much forced to spy for Cromwells' spymaster and living in poorer conditions than she is use to. Add in assassinations, plots, love and danger and you have a keeper. I liked the diverse characters and twists to keep you guessing.
A lady midwife is pretty much forced to spy for Cromwells' spymaster and living in poorer conditions than she is use to. Add in assassinations, plots, love and danger and you have a keeper. I liked the diverse characters and twists to keep you guessing.
November 7, 2017
Bridget Hodgson mě opět nezklamala! Londýnský případ je třetí knihou, kterou jsem z této série četla a stále mě baví! Pokud máte rádi historické krimi a téma porodnictví, určitě po ní sáhněte! :)
November 17, 2017
This book is part of a midwife mystery. I enjoy reading this series and watching the main characters grow. It is easy light reading
January 5, 2018
There has been a gap between books. I hope its just that he's busy and not giving up on the series.
January 12, 2018
It was just boring and I don't really like the characters.
March 6, 2018
Still enjoying the adventures of Lady Hodgson and March Hawkins. I always learn a bit about English history too. A plus.
April 19, 2018
A most awesome read, if you love history and mystery together!!
January 9, 2019
Eh...the ending wasn't very satisfying and it isn't 100% clear of who exactly committed the murders (save for one).
July 10, 2019
Enjoyed the descriptions of London of the time.
January 15, 2020
While I really liked the others in the series, I found this one to be too heavy on the history. I felt as though I was English History 101. It bogged down for me because of that.
Read
May 4, 2021Really enjoyed the entire midwife series. Hope he writes more. Kind of like Ken Follet without the graphic and detailed sex scenes.
August 15, 2021
I love this entry into the series. Bringing in Marlow added a new dimension to the Bridget Hodgson story. The mystery was good, the characters were good and the writing is good.
December 16, 2021
Excellent series. I’m sad that it has not continued. I could easily go on reading many more books about Bridget and Martha.
June 18, 2025
I enjoyed this one, and was happy to see romance for the midwife.
Read
July 9, 2016Midwife Bridget Hodgson is living quietly in the country when she gets a letter saying that her nephew is in the Tower of London, and she needs to come. In alarm, she goes. She finds that her nephew is a hostage of sorts. If she will agree to be a spy for Cromwell's man, her nephew will be set free. What choice does she have?
Her job is to dress as an ordinary working class woman, not as the gentlewoman she really is. So she sends all her silk gowns home. She puts on a plain cloth dress, and moves into a tenement apartment with her partner Martha, which makes her burst out crying over her lost status. (Which made me wonder, would a gentlewoman even be a midwife? It seems too hands-on and dirty a job for a lady. But surely, I thought, Sam Thomas, who is a historian by trade, and has researched the politics, and clothing, and lifestyle of the 17th century, knows better than I.)
Her job, in particular, is to keep an eye on Katherine Chidley, who is a member of the political sect called the Levellers, who believe in freedom for everyone, including the radical idea of votes for women. Katherine Chidley is also a midwife, so the midwives (Katherine, Bridget, and Martha) all become friends, and go about the business of delivering babies and gossiping.
Then Katherine's husband is found dead, and the midwives become detectives, hunting the killer. Soon it appears that almost everyone is a spy. There are spies spying on spies, and everyone has secrets. Meanwhile, the body count keeps mounting. So did the excitement. The beginning of the book was somewhat leisurely paced, but as it got closer to the end, I read faster to find out what was going to happen.
I liked Bridget Hodgson, for being spunky and practical, hard to intimidate, compassionate, yet still a woman of her times, not ready to see all social order turned upside down by all this freedom talk. This book is one of a series, and while it can stand alone, there were frequent references to things that happened in previous books, so it would be better, I think, to read the books in order.
Her job is to dress as an ordinary working class woman, not as the gentlewoman she really is. So she sends all her silk gowns home. She puts on a plain cloth dress, and moves into a tenement apartment with her partner Martha, which makes her burst out crying over her lost status. (Which made me wonder, would a gentlewoman even be a midwife? It seems too hands-on and dirty a job for a lady. But surely, I thought, Sam Thomas, who is a historian by trade, and has researched the politics, and clothing, and lifestyle of the 17th century, knows better than I.)
Her job, in particular, is to keep an eye on Katherine Chidley, who is a member of the political sect called the Levellers, who believe in freedom for everyone, including the radical idea of votes for women. Katherine Chidley is also a midwife, so the midwives (Katherine, Bridget, and Martha) all become friends, and go about the business of delivering babies and gossiping.
Then Katherine's husband is found dead, and the midwives become detectives, hunting the killer. Soon it appears that almost everyone is a spy. There are spies spying on spies, and everyone has secrets. Meanwhile, the body count keeps mounting. So did the excitement. The beginning of the book was somewhat leisurely paced, but as it got closer to the end, I read faster to find out what was going to happen.
I liked Bridget Hodgson, for being spunky and practical, hard to intimidate, compassionate, yet still a woman of her times, not ready to see all social order turned upside down by all this freedom talk. This book is one of a series, and while it can stand alone, there were frequent references to things that happened in previous books, so it would be better, I think, to read the books in order.
February 15, 2017
Enjoyed this whole series
May 9, 2016
This is a very well written period murder mystery.
I have to say that my first love has been a good period murder mystery. This series has everything that I would want: strong female characters, medical drama (but not too much), and a over-arching mystery. In this book Lady Hodgson finds herself in London at the time that Parliament tries and beheads King Charles. Though she is not there by choice she soon finds herself enjoying city life over the quiet country estate.
I appreciate the period details that Mr. Thomas adds to the book. He touches on the political drama of the time and how it would affect women and midwives. He also does a very fine job of giving enough of the medical details without allowing it to take over the entire narrative. I have enjoyed this series because I have not read very many books set in this time before. I have very much enjoyed learning what lead up to Parliamentary rule and the overthrow of the monarchy.
This book also includes a romance for Mrs. Hodgson and Martha both. That is the only part of the story that did not feel as genuine. It felt a little bit rushed and contrived for me. I do not think a romance would have developed quite as quickly as in the book.
All of that said this is a very enjoyable series and I look forward to the next installment!
I have to say that my first love has been a good period murder mystery. This series has everything that I would want: strong female characters, medical drama (but not too much), and a over-arching mystery. In this book Lady Hodgson finds herself in London at the time that Parliament tries and beheads King Charles. Though she is not there by choice she soon finds herself enjoying city life over the quiet country estate.
I appreciate the period details that Mr. Thomas adds to the book. He touches on the political drama of the time and how it would affect women and midwives. He also does a very fine job of giving enough of the medical details without allowing it to take over the entire narrative. I have enjoyed this series because I have not read very many books set in this time before. I have very much enjoyed learning what lead up to Parliamentary rule and the overthrow of the monarchy.
This book also includes a romance for Mrs. Hodgson and Martha both. That is the only part of the story that did not feel as genuine. It felt a little bit rushed and contrived for me. I do not think a romance would have developed quite as quickly as in the book.
All of that said this is a very enjoyable series and I look forward to the next installment!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews