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A Jean Fairbairn/Alasdair Cameron Mystery #4
The Charm Stone
Beneath the hanging tree…
Witches weren’t burned in the colony of Virginia. They were hanged. But in the twenty-first century no one should be hanged from the trees of Colonial Williamsburg.
Jean Fairbairn’s significant other, ex-Scottish cop Alasdair Cameron, might sometimes wish he could pass judgment on the dingbats Jean writes about. Especially when her current subjects, a set of batty conspiracy theorists, may be involved in the theft of a Williamsburg-crafted replica of the sixteenth-century Witch Box. It was stolen from a Scottish castle for which Alasdair has been supervising security—even though the original Witch Box is safe in a Williamsburg museum.
The charm stone went missing from the original Witch Box two hundred years ago. Perhaps it was not a traditional healing stone at all but a cursing stone. Perhaps it was lost somewhere in the colony of Virginia. Perhaps someone will kill to find it.
Can Jean maintain her resolve to abandon the academic battlefield forever, or will she be tempted back into combat by an appealing former colleague, Matthew Frost? And what about Alasdair, who is supposedly retired from the rigors of law enforcement, but who is now confronted not only by a theft but two murder cases—and by Stephanie Venegas, the detective in charge.
Amid the falling leaves and autumn shadows, Jean and Alasdair must deal again with murder most grotesque, its roots deep in history and myth. With ghosts only they can see. And with things going bump in the night of their own relationship.
It’s All Hallows Eve, in Colonial Williamsburg.
Witches weren’t burned in the colony of Virginia. They were hanged. But in the twenty-first century no one should be hanged from the trees of Colonial Williamsburg.
Jean Fairbairn’s significant other, ex-Scottish cop Alasdair Cameron, might sometimes wish he could pass judgment on the dingbats Jean writes about. Especially when her current subjects, a set of batty conspiracy theorists, may be involved in the theft of a Williamsburg-crafted replica of the sixteenth-century Witch Box. It was stolen from a Scottish castle for which Alasdair has been supervising security—even though the original Witch Box is safe in a Williamsburg museum.
The charm stone went missing from the original Witch Box two hundred years ago. Perhaps it was not a traditional healing stone at all but a cursing stone. Perhaps it was lost somewhere in the colony of Virginia. Perhaps someone will kill to find it.
Can Jean maintain her resolve to abandon the academic battlefield forever, or will she be tempted back into combat by an appealing former colleague, Matthew Frost? And what about Alasdair, who is supposedly retired from the rigors of law enforcement, but who is now confronted not only by a theft but two murder cases—and by Stephanie Venegas, the detective in charge.
Amid the falling leaves and autumn shadows, Jean and Alasdair must deal again with murder most grotesque, its roots deep in history and myth. With ghosts only they can see. And with things going bump in the night of their own relationship.
It’s All Hallows Eve, in Colonial Williamsburg.
389 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
7 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Lillian Stewart Carl
64 books58 followersAuthor bio:
Lillian Stewart Carl's work often features paranormal/fantasy themes and always features plots based on mythology, history, and archaeology. Most of her novels take place squarely in the twenty-first century, where the past lingers on into the present, especially in the British Isles, Lillian's home away from home.
She is the author of nineteen novels so far, including the Jean Fairbairn/Alasdair Cameron mystery series---America's exile and Scotland's finest on the trail of all-too-living legends.
Her newest novel is Fairbairn/Cameron number six, THE MORTSAFE.
Of her mystery, fantasy, and sf short stories, twelve are available in a collection titled ALONG THE RIM OF TIME, and thirteen, including three from "Best Of the Year" anthologies, are collected in THE MUSE AND OTHER STORIES OF HISTORY, MYSTERY, and MYTH.
All of Carl's work is available in electronic as well as paper form.
She has also co-edited (with John Helfers) a retrospective of Lois McMaster's Bujold's science fiction work, titled THE VORKOSIGAN COMPANION, which was nominated for a Hugo award.
Lillian Stewart Carl's work often features paranormal/fantasy themes and always features plots based on mythology, history, and archaeology. Most of her novels take place squarely in the twenty-first century, where the past lingers on into the present, especially in the British Isles, Lillian's home away from home.
She is the author of nineteen novels so far, including the Jean Fairbairn/Alasdair Cameron mystery series---America's exile and Scotland's finest on the trail of all-too-living legends.
Her newest novel is Fairbairn/Cameron number six, THE MORTSAFE.
Of her mystery, fantasy, and sf short stories, twelve are available in a collection titled ALONG THE RIM OF TIME, and thirteen, including three from "Best Of the Year" anthologies, are collected in THE MUSE AND OTHER STORIES OF HISTORY, MYSTERY, and MYTH.
All of Carl's work is available in electronic as well as paper form.
She has also co-edited (with John Helfers) a retrospective of Lois McMaster's Bujold's science fiction work, titled THE VORKOSIGAN COMPANION, which was nominated for a Hugo award.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 26, 2023
Beneath the hanging tree
Witches weren't burned in the colony of Virginia. They were hanged. But in the twenty-first century no one should be hanging from the trees of historic Williamsburg. Jean Fairbairn's significant other, ex-Scottish cop Alasdair Cameron, might sometimes wish he could pass judgment on the dingbats Jean writes about. Especially when her current subjects, a set of batty conspiracy theorists, may be involved in the theft of a Williamsburg-crafted replica of the sixteenth-century Witch Box. It was stolen from a Scottish castle for which Alasdair has been supervising security -- even though the original Witch Box is safe in a Williamsburg museum. The charm stone went missing from the original Witch Box three hundred years ago. Perhaps it was not a traditional healing stone at all but a cursing stone. Perhaps it was lost somewhere in the colony of Virginia. Perhaps someone will kill to fin it. Can Jean maintain her resolve to abandon the academic battlefield forever, or will she be tempted back into combat by an appealing former colleague, Matthew Finch? And what about Alasdair, who is supposedly retired from the rigors of law enforcement, but who is now confr9onted not only be a theft but two murder cases -- and by Stephanie Venegas, the detective in charge. Amid the falling leaves and autumn shadows, Jean and Alasdair must deal again with murder most grotesque, its roots deep in history and myth. With ghosts only they can see. And with things going bump in the night of their own relationship. It's All Hallows Eve in historic Williamsburg, Virginia."
I enjoyed this one -- the next to the last in the series, darn it, mostly from following the one-step forward-two-steps-back Alasdair/Jean love affair. AS usual, the plot was complicated by many tangled threads and motives, and abetted with the presence of Thomasina, the local ghost and her Bellermine bottle, which traveled the house in her ghostly hands.
The ending was exciting, with Alasdair getting shot trying to come between the murderer and Jean, and the painfully slow investigation prior to that rousing finish unwound slowly, tediously until the light at the end of the book.
Witches weren't burned in the colony of Virginia. They were hanged. But in the twenty-first century no one should be hanging from the trees of historic Williamsburg. Jean Fairbairn's significant other, ex-Scottish cop Alasdair Cameron, might sometimes wish he could pass judgment on the dingbats Jean writes about. Especially when her current subjects, a set of batty conspiracy theorists, may be involved in the theft of a Williamsburg-crafted replica of the sixteenth-century Witch Box. It was stolen from a Scottish castle for which Alasdair has been supervising security -- even though the original Witch Box is safe in a Williamsburg museum. The charm stone went missing from the original Witch Box three hundred years ago. Perhaps it was not a traditional healing stone at all but a cursing stone. Perhaps it was lost somewhere in the colony of Virginia. Perhaps someone will kill to fin it. Can Jean maintain her resolve to abandon the academic battlefield forever, or will she be tempted back into combat by an appealing former colleague, Matthew Finch? And what about Alasdair, who is supposedly retired from the rigors of law enforcement, but who is now confr9onted not only be a theft but two murder cases -- and by Stephanie Venegas, the detective in charge. Amid the falling leaves and autumn shadows, Jean and Alasdair must deal again with murder most grotesque, its roots deep in history and myth. With ghosts only they can see. And with things going bump in the night of their own relationship. It's All Hallows Eve in historic Williamsburg, Virginia."
I enjoyed this one -- the next to the last in the series, darn it, mostly from following the one-step forward-two-steps-back Alasdair/Jean love affair. AS usual, the plot was complicated by many tangled threads and motives, and abetted with the presence of Thomasina, the local ghost and her Bellermine bottle, which traveled the house in her ghostly hands.
The ending was exciting, with Alasdair getting shot trying to come between the murderer and Jean, and the painfully slow investigation prior to that rousing finish unwound slowly, tediously until the light at the end of the book.
June 27, 2018
Academic turned journalist Jean Fairbairn and her significant other, retired policeman Alasdair Cameron, visit Williamsburg, VA for a combined holiday-business trip. A rare artifact protected by Alasdair's company is on display, and Jean is to interview a couple who have some strange theories about a variety of historic events. But a suspiciously-dead body and the report of the theft of a comparatively valueless box back in Scotland pitchfork the duo into an investigation, complicated by their mutual reluctance to talk about their relationship. No matter how skeptical you are, Carl will have you looking for ghosts in the corners. This is a continuation of earlier books about Fairbairn and Cameron; you may enjoy reading the series in order.
March 3, 2014
This book takes place in Williamsburg, Virginia. Jean Fairbairn, a reporter for Great Scot magazine and her boyfriend Alasdair Cameron, a representative of the Scottish Protect and Serve are visiting to investigate the theft of a replica of a witch box. Their investigation involves conspiracy theorists, ghosts and eventually leads to several murders. They find that they are in the midst of the investigation both as suspects and as detectives. The book is a little slow but the story itself is good and the characters are very well written.
September 24, 2019
2019 Reread
Read this about a month ago. I think I liked it better the second time around. I think I'd give it the full three stars. It's not my favourite in the series, certainly, but I think it did work better for me the second time around.
2017
2.5 stars rounding up. There's nothing wrong with this, but I read this over the course of about a week, and I never quite invested. It's certainly competently done, but felt like it was missing something...
Read this about a month ago. I think I liked it better the second time around. I think I'd give it the full three stars. It's not my favourite in the series, certainly, but I think it did work better for me the second time around.
2017
2.5 stars rounding up. There's nothing wrong with this, but I read this over the course of about a week, and I never quite invested. It's certainly competently done, but felt like it was missing something...
March 11, 2024
Literary mystery
Jean and Alasdair are now in Colonial Williamsburg for a holiday. As a writer for Great Scot magazine, Jean will also interview the Dingwalls, some off the wall believers in the Francis Bacon charm stone. Alasdair is soon caught up in the same mess while there is a related theft in Scotland. This mystery is rather convoluted. It wasn’t easy enough to read without taking breaks to try to digest what was going on. But in the end Jean and Alasdair solve the mysteries but not without some perilous moments. I like that the ghostly actively is only witnessed by them and is a benign guide.
Jean and Alasdair are now in Colonial Williamsburg for a holiday. As a writer for Great Scot magazine, Jean will also interview the Dingwalls, some off the wall believers in the Francis Bacon charm stone. Alasdair is soon caught up in the same mess while there is a related theft in Scotland. This mystery is rather convoluted. It wasn’t easy enough to read without taking breaks to try to digest what was going on. But in the end Jean and Alasdair solve the mysteries but not without some perilous moments. I like that the ghostly actively is only witnessed by them and is a benign guide.
August 1, 2023
Couldn't put down
I love a well written , smart mystery with a historical basis. I especially liked the Williamsburg setting as I've been there and could picture the sites.
I love a well written , smart mystery with a historical basis. I especially liked the Williamsburg setting as I've been there and could picture the sites.
July 27, 2023
I absolutely loved this book.
January 17, 2012
Jean Fairbairn and her lover, Alasdair Cameron are sent to historic Williamsburg, VA for duel purposes. Jean is a journalist/ co-owner of 'Great Scot!" magazine and is there for an opening of a Scottish/American exhibit. Alasdair was only going to be on vacation but, at Blair Castle (a client of his Security company in Scotland/England,) there has been a theft of 'The Witch Box' which is a replica of the original installed in the museum holding the new exhibit. Alasdair and Jean are on the job to solve this theft.
Before they can begin, mysteries, deaths, and liable suits are swirling about the museum. Is the box really from Lord Bothwell who was tried for witchcraft in the U.K., or is it Francis Bacon's and a treasure of literary wealth?
All Jean and Alasdair know for sure is that whatever the mystery be, people are killing to solve it.
Ms. Carl writes exquisite historical fiction and quickly draws you into the mystery. Ms. Carl adds a touch of the paranormal in having her sleuths share in "allergies" to the ghosts.
I truly love this series. It is now available as ebooks as well.
Before they can begin, mysteries, deaths, and liable suits are swirling about the museum. Is the box really from Lord Bothwell who was tried for witchcraft in the U.K., or is it Francis Bacon's and a treasure of literary wealth?
All Jean and Alasdair know for sure is that whatever the mystery be, people are killing to solve it.
Ms. Carl writes exquisite historical fiction and quickly draws you into the mystery. Ms. Carl adds a touch of the paranormal in having her sleuths share in "allergies" to the ghosts.
I truly love this series. It is now available as ebooks as well.
February 3, 2015
I've read the previous books and ice become more annoyed with the characters as the series progresses. For one thing, they seem awfully old fashioned and plain old in some ways. Much older than their actual age. I also still don't get any romance between them. He's miserable and she's more emotionally damaged than seems realistic for her character's background
As for the story, it was a bit bogged down and never really felt like a clear story. Meh is the overall feeling I'm left with.
As for the story, it was a bit bogged down and never really felt like a clear story. Meh is the overall feeling I'm left with.
February 16, 2010
I will confess up front that I skimmed this one. The mystery was okay but i was getting fed up with jean and Alistair. Thank goodness the author wrapped that up in a tidy bow at the end. If there are more of this series to come I may or may not pick them up.
September 16, 2015
This book is bogged down in too much information at the beginning. So I am reading it very slowly. I just had a very hard time getting into this book. Topic was interesting, but it was a very slow read.
February 13, 2011
Great book with plenty of mystery, history, and romance. I liked the twists and turns that kept me guessing. A good read for a cold winter's night.
Read
June 8, 2017Miniseries: A Jean Fairbairn/Alasdair Cameron Mystery
Category: Mystery
Category: Mystery
October 7, 2013
A nice cozy which takes place during Halloween at Colonial Williamsburg - the site of witchcraft and spooky goings on. It is a little slow but the story is a nice read for the season.
March 6, 2014
More adventures
December 5, 2014
The story was interesting and the author clearly has a wealth of knowledge both historical and mythological. It was the execution that slowed and dragged.
January 16, 2016
charming murder mystery. Takes place in Colonial Williamsburg, so you learn a little history, too.
Read
June 24, 2017It was a interesting book that kept you on the edge of your seat waiting to read what was going to happen next. I enjoyed reading the book every much.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews