North Star Conspiracy

Glynis Tryon #2

by Miriam Grace Monfredo

Glynis Tryon, the delightful Seneca Falls, New York, librarian introduced in Seneca Falls Inheritance (SMP, 1992), returns, still balancing her own life against the momentous events of the times. With sure authenticity, the author evokes the atmosphere of 1854, seven years before the Civil War, and brings to life the vivid cast of characters involved. A local election is pending, from which Glynis and Elizabeth Cady Stanton hope will come gains for women's rights. A wealthy resident has started Seneca Falls's first theater, and its production of Macbeth looms large in the story. Glynis herself faces a wrenching decision: Constable Cullen Stuart wants her as his wife when he moves west to become a Pinkerton man. Warm as her regard for Cullen may be, Glynis is reluctant, knowing how her life must change after marriage. Meanwhile, Seneca Falls has become an important stop on the Underground Railroad. Fugitive slaves following the North Star to Canada find support from many of the town's inhabitants, including Glynis. It is a difficult commitment at best, and when complicated by murder, a perilous one as well. Once again, Miriam Grace Monfredo has combined historical events, a moving personal story, and an engrossing mystery in a work of extraordinary interest.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Fiction, 19th Century, Crime, Womens

353 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Miriam Grace Monfredo, a former librarian and a historian, lives in Rochester, New York. This is the seventh Seneca Falls Mystery. A previous Seneca Falls Mystery, The Stalking-Horse, was chosen by the Voice of Youth Advocacy as one of 1998's best adult mysteries for young adults and received a "best" review in Library Journal's young adult section.

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I got this book from the free shelf at my school library. I wasn't sure what to expect since the book takes place in the 1850s and mentions a librarian who wants to stay single and is friends with Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Stanton and also discusses the Underground Railroad but is also a mystery. I didn't know if it would be too serious for what I enjoy from the genre. I wasn't disappointed by the book, though!
The topics in the book are serious, of course, but I feel like Monfredo handles them well for the most part. There are some comments, descriptions, word choice, and analogies that might be in poor taste, but I think that's always hard to avoid when writing about feminism and slavery in the U.S. The book is very rich with historical details and people, although the main characters are fictional, and the descriptions of the town of Seneca Falls and the surrounding areas, along with Virginia, are lively. The mystery itself was interesting, but the bulk of the book is more about the issues surrounding the mystery. The mystery is more of a frame for the main contents in my opinion, but that didn't bother me in this case because the main story is suspenseful and interesting as well. The courtroom scene was a little deus ex machina-ish, but since the mystery is still left unsolved after the court, it wasn't bad. I was surprised by the reveal because I had my sights on someone else entirely, and I had peeked ahead a little and saw a different name, so I guess my peeking and sleuthing skills weren't great this time. I was happy that, despite my bad habit of looking ahead, I was still caught off guard by the reveal. That actually made me happy. I also like the end, how it shows, that even though Kiri and Zeph are safe, it wasn't like slavery was resolved in the novel. I thought that was a great addition on Monfredo's part not to act like the issues are over just because they are for her fictional characters. It was just a good way to show that the implications of the complexity of slavery still existed within the book but also still exist for us now, something I couldn't help but think about as I read .
Overall, I enjoyed this book and got more out of it than I expected to. I've looked at reviews of the other Glynis Tryon books and might be tempted to read another, especially Book 3, which seems to feature Jacques, probably my favorite character in this book!

[Una Tiers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monfredo continues to teach history through mysteries. This book covered the underground railroad as well as the social atmosphere of the 1850s.

[Theodore Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great offering by MGM. Great plot twist again interposed with historical data. Many characters appear throughout the book and I must try to keep their names and deeds straight because I find sometime I don't remember them when they show up again. Fortunately, the author ties up loose ends at the stories conclusion. I found that in this volume I was on edge throughout most of it because of the many situations the characters found themselves. On to book three in the series.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book set in the mid 1850's in Seneca Falls, NY. It is primarily about the underground railroad. Glynis Tyron, the town librarian who has been working for the right of women to vote, has always felt slavery was a grave wrong. Until the issue hits close to home she hasn't become involved in the abolition movement because she is more comfortable obeying the law. When her landlady's son helps a young woman slave escape from VA Glynis becomes involved in helping her hide from the slave hunter. Meanwhile several people in Seneca Falls have been murdered, and their deaths seem to be involved with the slave hunter.

I thought the author did a very good job of making the reader feel as if you were there, hidden in a wagon's secret compartment, hidden inside a wall behind a bookcase, and hiding in plain sight dressed as a mourner complete with head coverings.

[Beaumont · Rating 2 out of 5]

On the one hand, I still really enjoy all the main characters and was pleased and shocked that the protagonist actually stuck to her decision not to marry (very rare especially in period pieces).

On the other hand, this books has several problems. It repeatedly pats its white characters on the back for things like ambivalence toward slavery (literally talks about how brave ambivalence is). It also makes light of abolition efforts. Not intentionally probably, but it absolutely makes it seem like a daring yet thrilling pastime for the whites who think slavery is sad but what can we do? It’s grating. The author should never have tackled this without bunch of sensitivity readers.

Also, way too much Shakespeare. But to be fair, that’s probably just me.

[Nell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am thankful that I don't have to deal with the daily miseries, obstacles, and indignities of life for women in the 19th century, from clothing to restriced choices to less pay for equal work--not that there isn't work to do still. Makes one realize how much courage the leaders of the women's equality movement had.

[Deanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Casts light on the plight of escaping slaves through the underground railroad through the eyes of fictional narrator. There is love, mystery, and experiences with actual historical figures. Personal connection to geographic location of text and author.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This mystery novel had very little mystery to it - it was almost like an afterthought that was squeezed in around the story the author actually wanted to tell, about a librarian helping with the Underground Railroad.

[Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who doesn't like a good librarian detective?

[Sarah Morenon · Rating 4 out of 5]

1854, the Fugitive Slave Act is in full force and people in the North are beginning to understand what slavery was really like. The sea change in opinion was beginning, culminating in the Civil War in 1861.
The Civil War has not ended (!) and I'm hoping earnestly that a similar sea change starts strongly now, moving toward remedying climate change, voter suppression, towards empathy and understanding.
This book will illuminate a lot! What does it mean to break a law that offends humanity? Or to be 'law-abiding citizen'? Our heroine meets Southerners who seem like they could be friends except for those blind spots that accept that white slave owners made every law, and every one was built for their benefit. Sound familiar?
This book, like the first one, has a cover that's way old-style and it does not appealing to current viewers. When I put it out in my Little Free Library, I'll put on a sticker I had made for my middle school. It says, "Terrible cover, but excellent book".

[Sally Lindsay-briggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a historical novel, based on facts, that took place in Seneca Falls, Rochester and Virginia. It was informative and eye opening regarding runaway slaves, the extent to which owners went to retrieve them, and the social customs which affected women who were unable to own anything and also could not vote. It was not well written. I kept rereading sections, the characters were not terribly well portrayed. I did enjoy the legal battle and the way it came together at the end.

[Dennis Fischman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good historical fiction at the point where the movement for the abolition of slavery meets the movement for women's rights. Good characters, with the ongoing relationships among our heroine and two different (very different!) men developing. The mystery played fair with the reader--the clues were there to be found--but the solution, once again, was more explained than revealed.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each outing in this series is fascinating, both for actual USA history and for the very complex plot.
I learned fascinating details of the complexity of salvery law in the 1850's and the way women struggled through life with the archaic laws of the times.

[Leezie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again we get a really interesting trial scene which was awesome and once again I was annoyed by Glynnis's anxiety/nerves.

[Sue Ricketts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction at its best. This book gave some insight into the Fugitive Slave Act and the institution of slavery. Eye opening best describes the subject matter covered in this book.

[Eunira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glynis Tyron joined forces with Elizabeth Cady Stanton a few years back in the fight for women's rights. Now the independent librarian-sleuth finds herself embroiled in an equally compelling campaign agains injustice - helping to lead futigive slaves to freedom along the historic Underground Railroad (to Canada). While most of the town of Seneca Falls, New York, is focused on the opening of a brand new theater, Glynis finds high dama of her own when she instigates the suspicious death of a freed slave - and digs up a shocking secret form years past...
A wonderful evocation of time and place with meaningful reflections on slavery and its devastating effects on the people, both owners and slaves. Historically very interesting, and still a good crime story. A bit of romance and desire adds the final touch to this compelling story.

[Jann Barber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series about librarian Glynis Tryon from Seneca Falls, New York. I think there are only five or six books in this particular series and I'll probably read them all. Not only does Monfredo write mysteries, but she pulls historical events into them, as well as people who were the movers and shakers of the time.

In her first book, Seneca Falls Inheritance, the historical events involved the Women's Movement and suffrage. In North Star Conspiracy, slavery and the Underground Railroad play an important part in the story.

I had trouble putting this book down once I started reading. I liked it more than Monfredo's first book; perhaps knowing the backgrounds of many of the characters helped, as I've invested in them and feel as if they're old friends.

I recommend this series and would have given this a 4.5 rating if partial stars were allowed!

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I was hampered a bit by not having read the first book in this series (I think - there are undercurrents in the relationships between the characters that I did not understand), I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the Fugitive Slave Act in the 1850's. The best part of the book was not the mystery, which I didn't find all that compelling, but the social atmosphere and analysis of slavery and other social systems of the day. There were "cameo appearances" by Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth. These were handled in a way that seemed natural to the story. This book is better historical fiction than mystery, and recommended as that.

[Annalinda Ragazzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this treasure right on my own book shelf,still not knowing how I acquired it. But what a well written treat! Monfredo spins a murder mystery set against the backdrop of the underground railroad, abolition movement and women's rights movement centered in western New York. Having finally toured the National Women's Rights Historic Site in Seneca Falls and the Mount Hope Cemetery and Susan B. Anthony house in Rochester this summer, I could actually visualize and feel the protagonists make their way in this taut mystery. I loved it and can't wait to read Monfredo's other novels in the Glynis Tryon series.

[Deanna Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book in the library because I saw "North Star" and "Elizabeth Cady Stanton" in a very quick perusal of the contents. It turned out to be a book I couldn't put down. The locale of the story and references to Rochester, where I live, made it very interesting. I have read a number of books on slavery and abolition, detesting the cruelty and thoughts toward slavery. This book also includes the Constitution's acceptance of slavery, which to my thinking made many of our founding fathers, including presidents, very hypocritical.

[Stacey Sturgis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing read! Cameos by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B Anthony, Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass. A great glimpse inside the Underground Railroad, the Fugitive Slave Law and general North/South relations in the decade prior to the Civil War. I really like how the parallel between woman's rights and slavery was drawn - no one is free while others are oppressed. Great mystery to boot :)

[BeParticular · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this second book of the series very much--a bit more than the first. Again, the sense of time and place is very well done. The author educates as she entertains and I find that a very potent combination. Women's rights are still a main topic, but slavery and the workings of the Underground Railroad are the main focus. Monfredo obviously devotes much time to research and it pays off. I enjoy her characters as well. Recommended!

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A look at the fugitive slave act and western New York in the mid 19th Century. This was a fascinating place, culturally alive because of the wealth brought by the Erie Canal. An engaging heroine and interesting plot. This series did slide down hill a bit toward the end. Still, I'm sorry Ms. Monfredo hasn't written any more installments recently.

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in a series of light murder mysteries, set in New York State before the Civil War. The main character is a small-town librarian, Glynis Tryon. The social problems, sexism and racism of 19th century America all all reflect the times in which the story is set. I enjoyed this book and intend to search out the rest in the series and look for other books by this author.

[Allyson McGill · Rating 2 out of 5]

A light mystery set in upstate New York at the time of the Seneca Falls Women's Conference. The detective is a librarian who is in her thirties and has vowed not to marry. I'd really give this book 2 1/2 stars --it was fun and I'll read the sequel.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Living only 20 minutes from Seneca Falls, New York made the book even better as you could relate to the setting of the book. I thought it was well written and I had an extremely hard time putting the book down!

[Anastasia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first, but I'm interested enough to read more of the series. While the plot seemed like it would have a lot to do with the Underground Railway, the story was complicated (poorly) by a lot of confusing details of various murdered individuals.

[Madelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book that I just had to keep reading. It is a blend of mystery, history and romance. The historical issue was regarding slavery in the 1850's. An outstanding novel and one I highly recommend.

[Judy Barabas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled on Ms. Manfredo's Gynis Tryon series among some books left by a former tenant. They had been sitting on my shelf for years! What great reads! Well researched stories blending history, mystery and a touch of romance. They pique your interest in the history of pre-Civil War Amerca.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good historical fiction. I enjoyed "meeting" the abolitionists and feminists. I liked the fact that it is about "my town". There were points where it could have been edited down. Clever premise, cool mystery.