not bad for a first novel-plot was ok-characterization adequate-would have liked to learn more about the shakers
( )

This book was a very slow start, but it had a very interesting and attention grabbing middle and ending.

I love myself a good murder mystery novel, and this book added to my love of trying to figure out who killed the victims.

The book follows William Rees as he goes back to see his son at a sort of religious gathering place. I did not fully understand the setting and what type of religion these people were, but it was a good place to throw a murder mystery in.

A young woman who is relatively new to the community is murdered and Rees is hired on to solve the murder. He ends up getting involved with multiple murders as he goes around trying to crack the mystery.

The book is set in the 1700s and proves to be a good time for the novel as well. At first I did not like the fact that it was back in the past, but once the book got farther along with the story I began to enjoy the setting.

Overall, I did not find many faults with the book other than finding it very slow. The beginning felt painful and the middle was okay until I reach the last fourth of the book. Once it got to the last fourth I was able to get into the book and feel attached to the characters. If the book moved a little faster, it could have been a five star book.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. ( )

A Simple Murder=a simple book. No character development, simple plot and a no brainer on the murderer. ( )

Synopsis: William Rees goes looking for his son who has run off to join the Shakers. Upon arriving to the Shaker Community a woman is murdered. Will offers to solve the murder.

My Rating:
3/5

These books are very character oriented and I would recommend reading them in order. Some cozy mysteries can be read out of order but I feel these won't make sense as the characters go through too many changes.

These books follow Will Rees and explore his relationships with his family, love interest, and the world he lives in.

Will is an alright character. He is a traveling weaver which has caused some issues in his relationship with his son and his sister, who has been his son's guardian since Will's wife died. Will is complex. Sometimes his views on women drive me crazy. Sometimes I like him. Sometimes I don't. He can be overbearing and overprotective of Lydia, the Shaker woman who helps him with his investigation. On the other hand, she can be too "I can do whatever you can" also.

The mysteries are fine but nothing super special.

I enjoyed the setting for A Simple Murder. I didn't know much about Shakers before reading. I have seen some reviews compare this series to Amish mysteries. I am not sure I agree. I would say these are decent historical mysteries. If you like historical mysteries I suggest giving this series a try.

This series somewhat reminds me of the Gaslight Mystery Series by Victoria Thompson, which is one of my favorites though I don't like the Will Rees series quite as much.

I enjoyed the first book in the series and I plan to keep reading. ( )

Will Rees Mysteries: Book 1 A Simple Murder (2012)

by Eleanor Kuhns

hardcover

1796...Shaker community in Durham Maine...historical fiction...murder investigation...debut novel...
post Revolutionary War....

Will Rees gained a reputation for crime solving while serving in the Continental Army.
Returning home, he pursues his runaway son David, now living in a Shaker community, and agrees to
investigate the murder of a young Shaker woman, and later the disappearance of two Shaker men years before.
"Sleuthing sidekick" is Lydia Jane Farrell, a former Shaker living near the settlement.

Will Rees Mysteries: Book 1 ( )