A Stranger in the Kingdom: A Novel

Howard Frank Mosher has used his own personal experiences of the unique culture of Vermont to give this intriguing story the hearty flavor of northern New England. Mosher develops the story of the black Reverend Andrew's experience in a small Vermont town that has lacked any ethnic diversity for decades. The last time a black family was living in Kingdom County was in the time of the origination of the area, Pliny Templton is well respected as the founder of Kingdom County and the local elementary school holds his name. He was also the last black man living in Kingdom County. Our narrator, James Kinneson, tells the story of a complicated murder mystery phenomenon that sweeps through Kingdom County. Mosher introduces Claire, a French-Canadian girl, to Kingdom and begins a whole new fury of confusion. James takes on the open minded task of befriending both Nat(the new Reverends son) and Claire, who is not looked upon highly by the citizens due to the fact the she came into town as a fair girl. As the plot thickens we encounter instances of murder, racism, betrayal, questioned trustworthiness and the whole town becomes skeptical of their neighbors when the find out there is a murder suspect among them. The question is, who is the stranger? The original Charles Kinneson's second wife, Mari the gypsy who stayed in Kingdom after her group of traveling gypsies passed through, or Reverend Andrews, the first black man in years, or Claire, the French girl who lived with the Reverend in the town parsonage and caused much of the commotion. The list could go on and on, you'll have to read and see for yourself.......If you would like to read a murder mystery crossed with the story of a quaint Vermont town A Stranger in the Kingdom is a wonderful choice.

What a spectacular book -- Mosher takes you on a thoughtful journey through the Vermont countryside and small town life, while making you think about important issues such as having an open mind and seeing the strengths of all persons, regardless of race or socio-economic status. Once I got past my initial desire for the plot to move at a faster pace, I realized the pacing of the novel was much like life in a small town and essential to the narrative. The characters are unique and complete. Mosher is a master wordsmith and truly one of the most eloquent writers I've had the pleasure of reading in quite some time. His descriptions of character and place remind me of a less-ironic John Irving (and that is high praise, indeed, as Irving is my all-time favorite novelist). I'm surprised Mosher isn't more well-known, as he is so incredibly good.

Howard Frank MOSHER has written a book which ranks alongside To Kill a Mockingbird, for me. I couldn't put it down and yet, it is not a fast read. The settings are lovingly painted and the characters richly detailed. The legal background is impeccable and the book as a whole leaves one satisfied, yet introspective. I shall read more of him

Discovering this book has been great fun. (I would read the funny parts to my husband; soon he was reading over my shoulder.) Mosher tells a tale well and after reading it three times, am going to read it again with my adult book club. My 8th grade students said, "I'll never read a book again this is as good as this." The main character, a teenage boy from a good family, lives in a small town where racial tolerance is untested. When a single black minister and his son come to town the narrator's family quickly befriends them but the town's gossips go into action and a series of events soon tests the town's tolerance. This isn't so much a story about race as it is just a good story told by a good storyteller. My discussions around this book centered on small town attitudes and how we treat each other. I loved it and look forward to laughing at Mosher's humorous turn-of-a-phrase once again.