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The Spider Catcher
He is a young Welshman who forsook the family shipbuilding business to study medicine . . . until, poised at the brink of a brilliant career, tragedy broke his heart and shattered his dreams. She is a daughter of London's inner city, a woman-child weaned on life's harsh realities who has learned much about fending for her living and her virtue but little of what it means to be loved. Thrown together by circumstance, Rees Kenyon and Callie Summers head across the ocean toward a new life during the stormy beginnings of the American Revolution. As a new nation struggles for independence, Rees employs his medical knowledge to save lives, and his shipbuilder's skills to build the potent fighting vessel known as the 'spider catcher.' But it is Callie, whom Rees scooped from the mud of the London streets, on whom his own life will soon depend . . . and who can help him find for himself the faith, hope, and love he has taught her.
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
49 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
About the author
Gilbert Morris
541 books564 followersalso published under the name Gilbert L. Morris
Gilbert Morris was one of today's best-known Christian novelists. He lived in Gulf Shores, Alabama, with his wife, Johnnie. He is the father to Lynn Morris and Alan Morris
Series:
* Adventures of Kerrigan Kids
* American Century
* Appomattox Saga
* Barney Buck
* Bonnets and Bugles
* Cheney Duvall, M.D. (with Lynn Morris)
* Cheney and Shiloh: The Inheritance (with Lynn Morris)
* Chronicles of the Golden Frontier
* The Creole (with Lynn Morris)
* Danielle Ross Mystery
* Daystar Voyages
* Dixie Morris Animal Adventures
* Far Fields (with Robert Funderburk)
* House of Winslow
* Jacques and Cleo: Cat Detectives
* Katy Steele Adventures (with Alan Morris)
* Lady Trent Mystery
* Liberty Bell
* Lions of Judah
* Lone Star Legacy
* Omega (with Lynn Morris and Alan Morris)
* The Price of Liberty (with Robert Funderburk)
* Reno Western Saga
* Seven Sleepers
* Seven Sleepers: The Lost Chronicles
* Singing River
* Spirit of Appalachia (with Aaron McCarver)
* Too Smart Jones
*
Gilbert Morris was one of today's best-known Christian novelists. He lived in Gulf Shores, Alabama, with his wife, Johnnie. He is the father to Lynn Morris and Alan Morris
Series:
* Adventures of Kerrigan Kids
* American Century
* Appomattox Saga
* Barney Buck
* Bonnets and Bugles
* Cheney Duvall, M.D. (with Lynn Morris)
* Cheney and Shiloh: The Inheritance (with Lynn Morris)
* Chronicles of the Golden Frontier
* The Creole (with Lynn Morris)
* Danielle Ross Mystery
* Daystar Voyages
* Dixie Morris Animal Adventures
* Far Fields (with Robert Funderburk)
* House of Winslow
* Jacques and Cleo: Cat Detectives
* Katy Steele Adventures (with Alan Morris)
* Lady Trent Mystery
* Liberty Bell
* Lions of Judah
* Lone Star Legacy
* Omega (with Lynn Morris and Alan Morris)
* The Price of Liberty (with Robert Funderburk)
* Reno Western Saga
* Seven Sleepers
* Seven Sleepers: The Lost Chronicles
* Singing River
* Spirit of Appalachia (with Aaron McCarver)
* Too Smart Jones
*
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 2, 2024
Gilbert Morris' historical fiction has always made for a great read, and The Spider Catcher definitely does not disappoint. Set during the Revolutionary War, Dr. Rees Kenyon has left Wales to immigrate to America after a dispute with his father. He is accompanied by a young girl who has been living on the streets of London who Rees believes needs to start a new life. What will happen to them in the new country and will it be a happily ever after for one or both of them as they find themselves in the midst of the Revolutionary War?
Definitely a wonderful read for those who are interested in the Revolutionary War.
Definitely a wonderful read for those who are interested in the Revolutionary War.
April 3, 2015
I really enjoyed the story, the history and the way it ended. I have always liked doctor stories (I used to be a Ben Casey and Dr. Kildare fan). I lent my daughter this book because she enjoys Historical Romance. I think many would want to read this yarn.
September 25, 2024
Very interesting look at the American Revolution, as seen through the eyes of two young immigrants:
Rees Kenyon was raised to work in his father's shipbuilding business but felt called to be a doctor instead. A kind physician took him in as an apprentice and he learned the trade well. Unfortunately, the woman he loved died in a cholera outbreak in London. Heartbroken, he decided to go to America to get away from reminders of her.
On the eve of his departure, Rees saw a man abusing a young girl. Without thinking, he "bought" her. Callie had been orphaned at a young age and lived on the streets, earning her meager living as a pickpocket. She begged to go to America with him, knowing she would end up in a brothel or in jail if she stayed in London.
The two arrive in Boston, where Rees becomes a partner with an established doctor who is a member of the Sons of Liberty. At first, Rees tries to stay out politics but when he is captured at Bunker Hill and sees the cruel way the British treat their prisoners, he becomes a patriot. Later, he uses the shipbuilding skills he learned as a young man to build a swift vessel called a spider catcher, using it to capture British merchant ships and "reallocate" much needed supplies to George Washington's Army.
Callie's story focuses on her evolution from a hardened survivor of the streets, whose only interaction with men has been to fight off their lust, to a trusting woman who cares for others. Her delight in learning to read brought tears to my eyes, as did the description of the day she went to church in a bright red dress and makeup she bought herself. Bless her heart.
The ending was a bit abrupt, though ultimately predictable, but overall, it was an interesting story with characters you couldn't help but like.
Rees Kenyon was raised to work in his father's shipbuilding business but felt called to be a doctor instead. A kind physician took him in as an apprentice and he learned the trade well. Unfortunately, the woman he loved died in a cholera outbreak in London. Heartbroken, he decided to go to America to get away from reminders of her.
On the eve of his departure, Rees saw a man abusing a young girl. Without thinking, he "bought" her. Callie had been orphaned at a young age and lived on the streets, earning her meager living as a pickpocket. She begged to go to America with him, knowing she would end up in a brothel or in jail if she stayed in London.
The two arrive in Boston, where Rees becomes a partner with an established doctor who is a member of the Sons of Liberty. At first, Rees tries to stay out politics but when he is captured at Bunker Hill and sees the cruel way the British treat their prisoners, he becomes a patriot. Later, he uses the shipbuilding skills he learned as a young man to build a swift vessel called a spider catcher, using it to capture British merchant ships and "reallocate" much needed supplies to George Washington's Army.
Callie's story focuses on her evolution from a hardened survivor of the streets, whose only interaction with men has been to fight off their lust, to a trusting woman who cares for others. Her delight in learning to read brought tears to my eyes, as did the description of the day she went to church in a bright red dress and makeup she bought herself. Bless her heart.
The ending was a bit abrupt, though ultimately predictable, but overall, it was an interesting story with characters you couldn't help but like.
July 17, 2017
second reading - intriguing - love historical romance
December 15, 2017
Absolutely fanastic story line!
May 6, 2018
Great storyline with a well thought out mystery and unpredictable ending.
May 7, 2018
The ending was rather abrupt but all in all I really enjoyed this story.
July 8, 2018
The characters are well developed and I love this period in history.
August 21, 2019
I never really got into it. The writing doesn't quite engage one, it just sort of rattles of what happened. The story was good, however.
March 14, 2020
I never discovered the Leah Arlington mentioned in this description! How very odd.
But I loved this book - the characters, the history, the writing. Can hardly wait for
more by Mr. Morris.
But I loved this book - the characters, the history, the writing. Can hardly wait for
more by Mr. Morris.
October 23, 2021
Have enjoyed Gilbert Morris historical fiction for years. Had not read one recently. Enjoyed his mix of history ( American Revolutionary War) and fiction, love and faith. Good read!
April 19, 2022
Great read
December 10, 2022
Nice easy uplifting read
January 5, 2023
This was a great review of the American revolution and medicine at that time in history.
September 17, 2025
Gilbert Morris never disappoints with his novels based on history. Always good reminder of the sacrifices others made for freedom in our country’s infancy. Good read
October 21, 2014
Full Review: http://www.thebookwormslibrary.com/?p...
This is a book that I got frustrated with early — and it never really improved for me. As a preface, I should say that I really am not much of a fan of Christian literature. I get frustrated with the idealized personification of the characters — even in their extreme challenges and difficulties. This, in turn leads to a real disconnect from the characters in general. That was exactly the case in this one. Clearly, I should have read the description a little closer, as if I had realized it was in this genre, I may have steered away from it. In the opening of the book, I actually found Rees a potentially interesting character. His troubled background, his conflict between his father and step-siblings, his passion for medicine — which his family didn’t share: it all led to great potential for a really solid foundation. Unfortunately, I didn’t find that he developed much beyond this preliminary presentation. Rees ultimately became the epitome of many of the problems the majority of the characters manifested in this book. He is naive in the extreme — almost to the point of innocence personified. There is a total lack of the hardened world around him found in his nature. (And yet he grew up in a home where he is at constant loggerheads with his father and brothers). He sees the world through rose colored glasses that even when life goes wrong, never really come off. Generally, the characters are shallow representations of idealized persons. Their lives manifest some conflicts between their professed faiths and their actions. Ultimately, it isn’t so much that I found them unbelievable, as I found them lacking all depth and dimension.
This is a book that I got frustrated with early — and it never really improved for me. As a preface, I should say that I really am not much of a fan of Christian literature. I get frustrated with the idealized personification of the characters — even in their extreme challenges and difficulties. This, in turn leads to a real disconnect from the characters in general. That was exactly the case in this one. Clearly, I should have read the description a little closer, as if I had realized it was in this genre, I may have steered away from it. In the opening of the book, I actually found Rees a potentially interesting character. His troubled background, his conflict between his father and step-siblings, his passion for medicine — which his family didn’t share: it all led to great potential for a really solid foundation. Unfortunately, I didn’t find that he developed much beyond this preliminary presentation. Rees ultimately became the epitome of many of the problems the majority of the characters manifested in this book. He is naive in the extreme — almost to the point of innocence personified. There is a total lack of the hardened world around him found in his nature. (And yet he grew up in a home where he is at constant loggerheads with his father and brothers). He sees the world through rose colored glasses that even when life goes wrong, never really come off. Generally, the characters are shallow representations of idealized persons. Their lives manifest some conflicts between their professed faiths and their actions. Ultimately, it isn’t so much that I found them unbelievable, as I found them lacking all depth and dimension.
September 20, 2008
A compelling love story set in the midst of the American Revolution. Morris throws the readers into the confusion and danger of the 18th century dispute through the eyes of a protagonist quite indifferent to the cause... at first. With cliff-hangers at every chapter, I could count the number of sittings it took to read this book on one hand! The love story, though somewhat predictable, is still captivating and has a happily ever after that will please anyone!
June 6, 2011
This was little different story for me but loved it, Rees was a strong character and I was happy that he helped the young girl get out of the life she was in, it took him long time to realize what a good young woman she was and how she had grown into a remarkable woman that he had falled in love with. Good story. I have read Gilbert Morris before and he did not dissapoint me in this story.
December 10, 2009
It's amazing to me how fluidly Gilbert Morris grew each of the characters over time and 2 countries. The underlying love story was sweet, but by far not the only enjoyable aspect of this book. I love historical novels, and always find myself researching and learning from these types of books.
October 4, 2012
One I picked off the shelf at the beach (never knowing what you will find!). I am thinking Morris is a Christian fiction writer and I don't get much into that, but this book was enjoyable. It is set in the American Revolution time in Boston.
March 4, 2008
I was pleseantly surprised by this book. It is written by a Christain auther, so be aware of that. The story was really sweet and easy for me to want to keep reading.
July 6, 2009
I loved the historical content of this book. Very good story.
August 4, 2011
Pretty good except for the romance, which included way more kissing than appropriate (especially for characters unmarried and not intending to marry each other).
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February 17, 20144.5
February 22, 2016
A very sweet book. I liked the way the charaters grew in the book. His blend of history and fiction is brilliant.
May 8, 2008
WOW!!! i can't think of anything else to say, just ... WOW!!!
August 7, 2008
I really enjoyed this book!
April 13, 2011
A Christian novel that includes a lot of American history. Great read.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews