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Their Chilling Fall: A Historical Mystery of 1804
In Fall 1804, a shipwreck shatters the plans of newlyweds Georgina and Jeffrey Chadwick and deposits them on the shores of Cape Breton with a dead body.Georgina and Jeffrey Chadwick, head to Boston to start a new life. But travel in 1804 is perilous and the ship on which the Chadwicks are travelling is veered off course in a fierce storm that deposits them on Cape Breton. Among the flotsam left on the beach by the storm, are several dead bodies, one full of knife wounds.
Chadwick had not envisioned spending his first winter with his bride sharing a one room cabin with a box bed, an open fireplace and an outdoor privy. Nor had he imagined himself leading an investigation into a murder. As a former military officer once tasked with spying on Napoleon, he has some investigative skills. But are they enough to find the murderer before he strikes again?
Cape Breton in the fall of 1804, is a colonial frontier lashed by brutal winters. Before Dublin society turned on her, Georgina’s skills included how to dress fashionably and supervise a political dinner for twenty of her father’s cronies, neither of which can help her now. Can she learn enough basic survival skills to help her husband survive the winter, when all she really wants to do is help with the investigation?
Georgina and Jeffrey’s plans have taken a hard left into chaos. Instead of the city they expected, they are in the wilderness of Nova Scotia, instead of preparing for the winter, they are charged with a murder investigation and then there are the orphans. Surely the winter can’t be that long!
Chadwick had not envisioned spending his first winter with his bride sharing a one room cabin with a box bed, an open fireplace and an outdoor privy. Nor had he imagined himself leading an investigation into a murder. As a former military officer once tasked with spying on Napoleon, he has some investigative skills. But are they enough to find the murderer before he strikes again?
Cape Breton in the fall of 1804, is a colonial frontier lashed by brutal winters. Before Dublin society turned on her, Georgina’s skills included how to dress fashionably and supervise a political dinner for twenty of her father’s cronies, neither of which can help her now. Can she learn enough basic survival skills to help her husband survive the winter, when all she really wants to do is help with the investigation?
Georgina and Jeffrey’s plans have taken a hard left into chaos. Instead of the city they expected, they are in the wilderness of Nova Scotia, instead of preparing for the winter, they are charged with a murder investigation and then there are the orphans. Surely the winter can’t be that long!
255 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 18, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 23, 2022
An interesting story that takes place in a beautiful and historical part of Canada
Solving a mystery takes a methodical course, whether it is today or 200 years ago. And this mystery takes place in the cold of late autumn with a group of people that survived a ship wreck. Food and supplies are limited and winter is coming.
This is a murder mystery with three dead victims. It is especially troubling because two are women. If the same killer ie responsible for all three, this murderer is a serial killer.
I did not like the outcome of this novel. One women is known to have killed another woman and is not tried, but is banished by the presiding governor to another province. Did she has successfully murdered three people? If so, will she stop? Or did they banish her and she will kill again? Yes she suffered abuse, but does that justify letting her go?
Solving a mystery takes a methodical course, whether it is today or 200 years ago. And this mystery takes place in the cold of late autumn with a group of people that survived a ship wreck. Food and supplies are limited and winter is coming.
This is a murder mystery with three dead victims. It is especially troubling because two are women. If the same killer ie responsible for all three, this murderer is a serial killer.
I did not like the outcome of this novel. One women is known to have killed another woman and is not tried, but is banished by the presiding governor to another province. Did she has successfully murdered three people? If so, will she stop? Or did they banish her and she will kill again? Yes she suffered abuse, but does that justify letting her go?
May 13, 2026
Necessary Changes.
This work invites the reader to immerse themselves in an atmosphere of utter isolation, where every decision counts and the couple’s secrets from the past are put to the test in the face of the unknown. How does one survive in a land where you can trust neither the weather nor what the sea has brought? With a pace that blends the tension of suspense with the harshness of life on the frontier, this story promises constant intrigue, a tale that mixes criminal mystery with the challenge of adapting to the colonial frontier, where the secrets of the past and the dangers of the present converge beneath the snow. It’s the perfect read for those who love mysteries that keep you doubting everything until the thaw finally arrives.
This work invites the reader to immerse themselves in an atmosphere of utter isolation, where every decision counts and the couple’s secrets from the past are put to the test in the face of the unknown. How does one survive in a land where you can trust neither the weather nor what the sea has brought? With a pace that blends the tension of suspense with the harshness of life on the frontier, this story promises constant intrigue, a tale that mixes criminal mystery with the challenge of adapting to the colonial frontier, where the secrets of the past and the dangers of the present converge beneath the snow. It’s the perfect read for those who love mysteries that keep you doubting everything until the thaw finally arrives.
May 9, 2026
What I liked most is how the history doesn't feel like homework. The period detail is everywhere, but it sits lightly in the narrative rather than slowing it down. You're reading a mystery that happens to be historically grounded, not a textbook with a murder in it. Georgiana and Jeffrey are good company. Smart, thoughtful, and convincingly human in the choices they make and that makes this reading really interesting. The ending is a little morally complicated in a way that stuck with me and I keep thinking about it. Which is maybe the most historically accurate thing of all and that is what makes this book special. A solid, enjoyable addition to the series.
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April 3, 2023Fascinating history ,delightful characters, and engrossing mystery!
I read the third book in this series first so absolutely needed to discover how this delightful cast of characters ended up in the colonies solving murder mysteries. The love story that is at the heart of the series is sweet and Georgiana and Jeffrey are intelligent ,courageous characters, and the author gives enough
clues that the solution to the mystery is satisfying. Still needs some editing for typos but she tells great stories!
I read the third book in this series first so absolutely needed to discover how this delightful cast of characters ended up in the colonies solving murder mysteries. The love story that is at the heart of the series is sweet and Georgiana and Jeffrey are intelligent ,courageous characters, and the author gives enough
clues that the solution to the mystery is satisfying. Still needs some editing for typos but she tells great stories!
July 21, 2021
An entertaining yarn…
I liked the plot and the characters of this murder mystery set in early 1800’s Cape Breton. I thought it was pretty obvious who the culprit(s) was(were). What was distracting were all the typographical errors…and/or sentence structure problems. I’d recommend a good editor…
I liked the plot and the characters of this murder mystery set in early 1800’s Cape Breton. I thought it was pretty obvious who the culprit(s) was(were). What was distracting were all the typographical errors…and/or sentence structure problems. I’d recommend a good editor…
March 19, 2022
Perplexing and surprising
Admirable protagonist. Balanced mix of good n bad events. Interesting plot twists. However, next Enemies book doesn't seem to follow the characters to Boston or maybe New York? DISAPPOINTING not to know what happens next to Paddy, who gets the children, does George learn to cook? ? ?
Admirable protagonist. Balanced mix of good n bad events. Interesting plot twists. However, next Enemies book doesn't seem to follow the characters to Boston or maybe New York? DISAPPOINTING not to know what happens next to Paddy, who gets the children, does George learn to cook? ? ?
July 24, 2021
Interesting story
Story held my interest and engaged. The characters certainly had twists and turns to ponder as they attempt to solve the case. Would like to see continuation of this story.
Story held my interest and engaged. The characters certainly had twists and turns to ponder as they attempt to solve the case. Would like to see continuation of this story.
August 7, 2021
This was a surprise. It would have been better if this has been mentioned that it was part of a series though; it would have been nice to read the first book prior to this. A good mystery, good characters - all on all not a bad cozy summer read.
January 26, 2021
Well written historical novel. Hard to put down.
January 27, 2021
Enjoyed reading this book. Could not identify the murder. Surprise ending.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews