Must Maiden Die

The Civil War is about to get started, and a man is found murdered in Seneca Falls. It turns out that he was connected to illegal gun-running; guns are being bought from England, smuggled thru the port of Oswego, New York, thence to Seneca Falls and eventually to the about-to-secede southern states. A young girl whose father had sold her into indentured servitude to the murdered man is the prime (but wrong) suspect in his murder. Glynis (of course) figures out who really did the murder, and exonerates the maiden. There is much more in this novel, mystery and suspense and adventure enough to make it a really enjoyable read, and as a bonus, (HISTORY TEACHERS TAKE NOTE!) you learn a bit about American history. Highly recommended! [email protected]

This is one of a series of historical novels based in the years immediately prior to the Civil War. Glynis Tryon, the protagonist of all of the novels is an intelligent, independent woman who is a librarian of a small New York town, Seneca Falls. This is an engrossing novel both as a mystery and as a point-of-view story. I would highly recommend it!

I happened on this book in an airport bookstore. It hooked me on this author. I enjoy the glimpse into an era when women's rights were the headlines. She does a very good job of presenting the issues without being preachy. The mystery is well woven into political and historical events of the day, giving the reader some insight on how complicated life could be, even in "simplier" times.

Once again, Monfredo has delivered a well-researched dose of history to her readers. For me, the mystery has never been the draw to her novels; it's the history. Monfredo gives us a slice-of-life view of the 1860s that is at once maddening (women HAVE come a long way), and intriguing.