The Blind in Darkness

When Catherine Williams' neighbor, old man Powell turns up dead, minus his scalp, suspicion quickly settles on her Indian servant, Massaquoit. The strong-willed Catherine will not bow to such accusations and maintains Massaquoit's innocence, even when it means that she herself will be chastised for it. Determined to uncover the real murderer and clear Massaquoit's name, Catherine and her faithful accomplice set out on a dangerous path strewn with deception. The Blind In Darkness is an enlightening piece of historical fiction which authentically deals with such intriguing issues of Colonial Society as law and order, crime and punishment, town government, prejudice, and even midwifery. With exciting, well-orchestrated twists and turns of plot, Stephen Lewis takes the reader on a bumpy, but exciting ride through Colonial Massachusetts. Both Massaquoit and Catherine present as well-crafted characters, fitting of their time, yet with enough admirable characteristics to give them modern appeal. Midwife Catherine Williams is endowed of great strength and courage--reminiscent of the factual person of Anne Hutchinson. Massaquoit has a quiet pride that effectively invokes sympathy from the reader. Although I am a fan of historical mysteries, I expected to find this book somewhat duller than some mysteries because of its Puritan setting, but instead found it to be a colorful and lively story of suspense. I can only attribute this to extensive research on the part of Lewis to bring depth and detail to the Puritan setting and to find a shocking, but believable resolution. Although I missed the first novel of Stephen Lewis' Trilogy, The Dumb Shall Sing, I look forward to picking up a copy and embarking on another sojourn to the 17th century realm of the Puritans. The Blind In Darkness lacked the heroic romance I usually crave in my reading and yet it proved a fascinating read. I must give it a nine out of ten, because of its chilling, challenging mystery and its extremely authentic feel.

In colonial Newbury, New England, Catherine Williams earns a living as a midwife and general healer. Catherine visits old man Isaac Powell to tend his festering wound caused by a bite on his hand. A few days later, someone murders Powell and the deceased's apprentice, Thomas of Barbados, is missing.The local residents believe that Catherine's assistant, a non-converted Indian Massaquoit, killed Powell. Though he never became a Catholic, Catherine knows her helper and believes he is innocent. As she works with her patients, Catherine begins to make inquiries into the murder of Isaac even if it places her in danger from a culprit who will do anything to keep secrets hidden.THE BLIND IN DARKNESS is an excellent Colonial mystery filled with tidbits of the era. The story line is exciting as the who-done-it takes the audience on several twists and turns before revealing the killer's identity. The characters make Colonial New England seem vividly alive, especially amateur sleuth Catherine and her Indian assistant. Stephen Lewis provides sub-genre fans with a triumphant tale that will leave readers clamoring for more novels starring Catherine et al.Harriet Klausner