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Searcher in the Dawn
It is 1623, and the young Lady Grace Upton has died, days after the birth of her son.
This is not particularly unusual, but when Eleanor Goodchild, local apothecary and niece of the midwife who delivered the child, sees the body, she begins to suspect that Grace's death may not have been natural. As the local searcher, Eleanor must report the death formally, and so begins her bid to discover the truth behind the young woman's death…
Was Grace's husband involved, or the mysterious and haughty French woman who has taken up residence in their home? Or does the truth lie further back, rooted in Grace's former life as the daughter of a village printer?
Meanwhile, Eleanor has her own life to manage. Her relationship with her brother Tom, with whom she has lived since the traumatic death of their parents some time ago, is strained and in the absence of a husband, Eleanor's future seems uncertain.
Searcher in the Dawn is an intriguing blend of murder-mystery and historical romance, and paints a fascinating portrait of village life and relationships in seventeenth-century England. A compelling story with a striking twist, it will appeal to lovers of crime novels and historical tales alike.
Lucinda Becker has spent many years researching and writing about Renaissance women and their ways of living and dying. She has produced a variety of books for university and college students and was once a newspaper feature writer. She lives in the countryside with her family and this is her first work of fiction.
This is not particularly unusual, but when Eleanor Goodchild, local apothecary and niece of the midwife who delivered the child, sees the body, she begins to suspect that Grace's death may not have been natural. As the local searcher, Eleanor must report the death formally, and so begins her bid to discover the truth behind the young woman's death…
Was Grace's husband involved, or the mysterious and haughty French woman who has taken up residence in their home? Or does the truth lie further back, rooted in Grace's former life as the daughter of a village printer?
Meanwhile, Eleanor has her own life to manage. Her relationship with her brother Tom, with whom she has lived since the traumatic death of their parents some time ago, is strained and in the absence of a husband, Eleanor's future seems uncertain.
Searcher in the Dawn is an intriguing blend of murder-mystery and historical romance, and paints a fascinating portrait of village life and relationships in seventeenth-century England. A compelling story with a striking twist, it will appeal to lovers of crime novels and historical tales alike.
Lucinda Becker has spent many years researching and writing about Renaissance women and their ways of living and dying. She has produced a variety of books for university and college students and was once a newspaper feature writer. She lives in the countryside with her family and this is her first work of fiction.
215 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2017
30 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 14, 2017
I thought while reading the book that it was a great detective story but that it was highly unbelievable to have a woman in this kind of profession in those times. Then to my utter surprise the writer explained at the end that she is working at a university and did research on that time frame and based the women in the book on the historical persons she had read about for her research. And when you google you indeed find her scientific publications as well.
Early 17th century: In a small English village the lady of the manor dies shortly after having given birth to an heir. Eleanor is the daughter of the late village doctor and what you would now call the pathologist. She sees symptoms that seem odd.
What makes this book more than the standard detective is the unfamiliar historical background and the rich setting of village life. Eleanor is at a crossroad in her life. We see her having to decide what road to take. A recurring theme is missing out on a chance to find love. Grace, Grace's father, Elisabeth, Will and Eleanor all see life thwarting a romantic interest. Some will find happiness with another others won't. Some find happiness in work or the love of a child others turn bitter.
http://dutchysbookreviews.blogspot.nl...
Early 17th century: In a small English village the lady of the manor dies shortly after having given birth to an heir. Eleanor is the daughter of the late village doctor and what you would now call the pathologist. She sees symptoms that seem odd.
What makes this book more than the standard detective is the unfamiliar historical background and the rich setting of village life. Eleanor is at a crossroad in her life. We see her having to decide what road to take. A recurring theme is missing out on a chance to find love. Grace, Grace's father, Elisabeth, Will and Eleanor all see life thwarting a romantic interest. Some will find happiness with another others won't. Some find happiness in work or the love of a child others turn bitter.
http://dutchysbookreviews.blogspot.nl...
July 4, 2019
I found this book discounted on Amazon via BookBub; this is my honest review.
-Editing: needs another pass. Missing letters here and there; sometimes a whole word.
-Eleanor knew of the possibility of more than one killer. Yet once she knew the innocent one, she never pursued to know who the second (or more) killer was.
-Yet, much later, she confronts that person by herself on the spur of the moment. Dimwit a bit?
-Apart from these flaws in the author's train of thought, and the fact I knew whodunit way before the book was finished, the book was interesting to read.
-Nothing in the book shows that it's set in the 1600's and that was missing.
-Editing: needs another pass. Missing letters here and there; sometimes a whole word.
-Eleanor knew of the possibility of more than one killer. Yet once she knew the innocent one, she never pursued to know who the second (or more) killer was.
-Yet, much later, she confronts that person by herself on the spur of the moment. Dimwit a bit?
-Apart from these flaws in the author's train of thought, and the fact I knew whodunit way before the book was finished, the book was interesting to read.
-Nothing in the book shows that it's set in the 1600's and that was missing.
December 5, 2017
I'll be looking for the sequal
This story was very well written. All the characters were very well developed. I felt I personally knew these people. The window into the 1600's was fascinating and well researched. I believe there have always been strong, thinking women who stood up and did what needed done with regardless of social limitations.
I look forward to more from this author and particularly this story
This story was very well written. All the characters were very well developed. I felt I personally knew these people. The window into the 1600's was fascinating and well researched. I believe there have always been strong, thinking women who stood up and did what needed done with regardless of social limitations.
I look forward to more from this author and particularly this story
January 10, 2018
1623 and Eleanor Goodchild, local apothecary, is called to Upton Hall. Bt toolate Lady Grace has died several weeks after giving birth. As the searcher of death it is for her to determine if it was a natural death.
An enjoyable story with an interesting portrayal of village life in these times with a selection of well-developed characters.
An enjoyable story with an interesting portrayal of village life in these times with a selection of well-developed characters.
August 30, 2018
Mystery
An apothecary in a small English village must try to find the cause of death of a new mother. The labor and delivery had gone very well. She finally is able to get insight from the mother's journal. The murderer is a complete surprise.
An apothecary in a small English village must try to find the cause of death of a new mother. The labor and delivery had gone very well. She finally is able to get insight from the mother's journal. The murderer is a complete surprise.
November 6, 2017
not my usual kind of read, but enjoyable in its careful detail. Also the determination of the women not to be hurried or overridden by those in power.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews