This is the sixth historical novel in The Quaker Midwife mystery series! I like how it describes Rose’s married life with David! They were a very cute couple, and I loved their scenes together! I also love the mystery and found it to be well-done! Thus, this was a light, cozy historical mystery! I can’t wait to read the next installment to find out what happens to Rose and David! I recommend this for fans of Rosemary Thompson, C. J. Archer, and Sara Sheridan!

Taken Too Soon by Edith Maxwell is book #6 in the Quaker Midwife Mystery series. Rose Carroll has married David Dodge, only to receive an urgent message during their wedding reception that her aunt’s ward has been found dead. Rose and David hurry to her aunt’s house to assist. I really enjoy this series. I love Rose and David. They are a good duo. Rose is a Quaker and really embraces her faith. She is such a likable person. The author does a really good job of throwing in red herrings. Every time I was convinced that I knew who did it, another likely candidate was presented. I will definitely continue to read this series. Thank you to Netgalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for the copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is just such a good and interesting historical mystery series. Rose is a midwife and as such, sometimes has the ear of the locals that may not tell others what they tell her. This story involves more of Rose's own family, the secrets abound and the action on Cape Cod was well described.

I admit I have not made a point to read many historical cozy mysteries like I do historical fiction. I accidentally found this series not long ago and have fallen in love with Rose. Her tenacity is admirable.

I keep saying I need to back and read the ones I have missed and have yet to do that. I'm very interested to see how Rose started out.

Taken Too Soon has quite a bit of romance but one would expect that with Rose getting married. I am excited to see how the marriage progresses.

Reader beware it is written with a lot of "thee" and "thou" but once you get used to it you don't notice the antiquated way of speaking. I appreciate the author in keeping with the time period. It makes the story real.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

Taken Too Soon is by far my favorite from Edith Maxwell's series, Quaker Midwife Mystery. I could not put it down until I had the whole book read in one sitting. Five stars.

I love this series, the attention to detail, the sense of time and place and the characters. While Rose is away from home, on her honeymoon on the Cape, we still have some connections to family, plenty at the wedding, but even away Rose's great aunts and David's long lost brother play big parts in our mystery. Rose is called upon by her great aunts to find out who murdered her Aunt's ward.

While this was a great mystery with lots of great suspects, my favorite thing about this book is how we really learn about how Rose lives her faith. I learn more about what it means to be a Quaker and enjoy how Rose really works at being a good person while acknowledging that she just a real struggling soul.

This book was an interesting cozy mystery read! I really enjoyed the characters and the plot of the story, but I found it a little too slow-moving for me and the Quaker jargon took me a while to get used to. I also liked the overall message of the story about being excepting and non-judgemental of everyone. I think it is the perfect message for what is transpiring in the world today! If you enjoy a good cozy mystery, I would suggest giving this series a try!
Thank you to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

The next instalment of murder for our Quaker midwife come detective. This time she's away from home but with her new husband, staying with relatives who have lost their ward. The girl turned up dead in a boat. Enjoyable read, well-written and well-defined characters. I like the author's sense of place. Thanks to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Taken too soon by Edith Maxwell is a brilliant novel that will have you immersed in the descriptions and accuracy of that time frame. iRose Carroll and the love of her life have finally, after sometime, gotten married and while they are with friends and family afterwards celebrating , Rose recieves a telegram. One that had her rushing to Cape Cod due to a death.of the ward of her aunt. Rose decides to honeymoon and investigate a murder at the same time. Will Rose find more than she bargained for? This novel allows the reader to understand the time period as well as enjoy the characters the writer has created. Could there be more to this riveting mystery? You need to read to find out.

Thank you to netgalley as well as the author/publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It is my first Edith Maxwell book but it certainly won't be my last. It was a really good mystery which held my attention throughout the book. Very educational as well which was a bonus. I loved the character of Rose who I felt was like a Miss Marple figure. There were a few suspects for the murder of Rose's aunt's ward and Ioved how the story unfolded. I shall look out for other books in the series.

Taken Too Soon earns 5/5 Picnics at the Beach...Compelling & Entertaining Drama!

Edith Maxwell’s sixth book is another compelling drama in her Quaker Midwife Mystery series, but this time a change in the setting and several fascinating new characters. During the Rose’s and David’s wedding reception, a telegram arrives from Rose’s septuagenarian Aunt Drusilla pleading that Rose come immediately...there’s been a murder! The newlyweds had planned to spend their honeymoon on Cape Cod since her two aunts were unable to attend the nuptials. However, Aunt Tilly’s sixteen-year-old ward Frannie Isley has been found dead. Rose’s new mother-in-law Clarinda is, of course, critical of their early departure, David will miss catching up with his long lost brother Currie, and both are disappointed about foregoing their anticipated wedding night for a train ride, but David fervently supports his wife. Off they go...

Edith Maxwell’s drama is well rooted in the nineteenth century with its fashion, transportation, and absence of modern conveniences, but one can still easily identify with teenage angst, family disfunction, racial discrimination, “Me Too” issues, and the seedy side of the West Falmouth community. The characters are realistic and engaging from Rose’s spinster aunts to a new detective seeking Rose’s involvement and from another group of “Friends” ranging from devout to pretentious to non-Friends including members of the Wampanoag tribe. Maxwell’s writing style in a delightful first-person narrative is entertaining, well-researched, and filled with “thee-s” and thou-s” for authenticity. Her descriptive language colors well the setting and character appearances, and the dialogue illustrates the emotions and distinctive personalities. Along with the absorbing drama and a satisfying karmic ending, readers are given insights into more of Rose’s and David’s family exposing secrets, and although Rose is away from her female clients, midwifery does find itself into the story. Organized in delightfully short chapters, it is easily read and a stand-alone easy for newbies to start here. However, I highly recommend this book, this series…all of it!

TAKEN TOO SOON by Edith Maxwell
The Sixth Quaker Midwife Mystery

Despite many delays and conflicts midwife Rose Carroll and Doctor David Dodge have finally wed. A quiet Quaker service at her parents' meetinghouse is followed by a large reception David’s mother Clarinda’s insistence. The festivities are interrupted, however, by the surprise arrival of David’s estranged brother and a telegram. Rose’s two elderly aunts request that she come to them immediately. Tilly’s young ward has been murdered and they want Rose’s help.

I was worried the day would never arrive and I am so happy that Rose's wedding went off without a hitch. Now the reception was another story, but that's OK since Rose didn't want the lavish affair Clarinda demanded anyway. While her honeymoon wasn't exactly what she and David envisioned, they were together. I love their relationship and how they compliment each other, but each is able to go off and do their own thing. Rose continues to be a capable, independent woman who knows her own mind, even after marriage.

I really enjoyed the mystery, and was led astray by various red herrings. I especially appreciate the modern themes that run through this historical mystery proving that though times may change, people and their motives rarely do.

TAKEN TOO SOON is a thoughtful mystery that highlights the many ways in which people love, both positively and negatively. The Quaker Midwife series never fails to entertain, enlighten, and engage me and its sixth entry is no exception. I look forward to seeing how Rose and David adjust to married life and how they'll happen upon another murder to investigate in their next adventure.

Firstly, thanks to #NetGalley Beyond the Page and Edith Maxwell for this Arc to review.

Quaker midwife turned crime silver Rose Carroll is called to her next mystery during the reception of her wedding to David Dodge.
Frannie, the 16year old ward to her elderly aunt has been murdered and there’s nobody’s help they desire more than that of their investigative niece.
Despite the festivities still being in full swing, the new Mr and Mrs Dodge travel immediately to her family.
On arrival at the aunts’ not all is quite as arose would expect, but she does her best to learn as much as possible of the last day’s events.

I was intrigued by the premise of this book, however, 25% of the way though I’m bored.
It’s slow to get going - she’s arrived to solve a murder but has been taking a tour of the town, and seems to have no real urgency to get to the bottom of any mystery.

I have enjoyed the setting of the story, late 19th century, particularly meeting the Quaker characters. But, this just didn’t excite me as a murder mystery should.

Taken Too Soon by Edith Maxwell, is another in the Quaker Midwife series and opens with Rose and David's long-awaited wedding. Everything goes smoothly until a telegram is delivered requesting Rose to come immediately. Her aunt Tilly's ward, Frannie has been murdered and her aunt Drucilla is requesting her help. Of course, she and David set off right away. They arrive to find an oddly muted situation with Tilly not even at home and Drucilla on her way out so that Rose and David can have privacy for their wedding night. It turns into a complicated investigation with many players and some issues one might assume only occur in modern times, i.e. pedophilia. Rose finds a policeman open to her assistance, and another midwife, although this one is Wampanoag Indian.

Rose is such a good character, with her Quaker ways and her open and honest way of dealing with the world. Impediments are thrown in her way and she works through them in a simple, straightforward way that gains her victory every time. She is stalwart and courageous and never lets anything get her down. The story is complicated with different family relationships complicating matters. People will be people and no one knows that better than Maxwell, and Rose. This is an interesting and entertaining book, giving the reader insight into the times as well as our own. The plot is good. The setting is amazing. The characters are real and moving. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free ARC of Taken Too Soon by Net galley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #takentoosoon

To me, Taken Too Soon is head and shoulders above the previous books in this series. While I have enjoyed the previous novels about Midwife Rose Carroll, I truly enjoyed this one the most. The characters are defined with excellence, and historical references and inclusions such as Helen Keller are seamlessly noted as part of this 1889 setting. The vocabulary of the day is used, and even the weather is indicative of the general mood of the mystery. The mystery itself was not easy to solve, and I struggled between two “pet” suspects.

Rose Carroll and David Doge have had a longer engagement than most couples for various reasons, but their day has finally arrived. It was delightful to read about the joys of their special day as conducted at the Lawrence Friends Meeting House where her parents live. They will soon be leaving for their wedding night before they go to visit Rose’s elderly aunts, Tilly and Dru, who were unable to travel. One of their surprises is that David’s estranged brother Currie arrived at the reception. He now lives nearby where they will be staying for their honeymoon.

Their second surprise was not a delight at all. A telegram arrived from Aunt Dru. Aunt Tilly’s ward, Frannie, was found dead, murdered, that day, and Rose’s presence was needed as soon as possible. Their wedding night plans immediately changed to getting on the next train out. Such a terrible tragedy, a 16-year old girl with much to look forward to, Taken Too Soon from this life!

Rose helps the local police detective much the same way as she does for Kevin Donovan in Amesbury. Or at least she tries. Rose asks questions, learns some things she would rather not know, secrets in both her family and David’s family. It is hard to pick out just one person as a suspect! Whoever planned this murder did so in such a way to put Aunt Tilly as a suspect. Others blame the young man who she had been dating.

The plot was very well executed, with just the right amount of twists and surprises. I was surprised at some of the seemingly little, but well-researched, details such as how quickly Special Delivery mail went through, the express trains, and the wildlife in the area around Falmouth. The resolution delivered surprises, including one very positive one. I highly recommend this to those who enjoy well-written historical mysteries, fans of the series and author, and the Quaker lifestyle.

From a thankful heart: I received an eARC of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

It’s Quaker midwife Rose Carroll and David Dodge’s wedding day. The book opens with the couple greeting guests after the ceremony. David’s father, Herbert, is happy at the match, but David’s mother, Clarinda, not so much. Rose confides to the reader “Clarinda had thrown every obstacle she could onto the path of David’s marrying me.” Clarinda’s expectation is Rose will give up her “silly hobby” and conduct herself as a proper married woman, but it is an expectation David quickly shoots down. In his reply he makes it clear Rose will continue to work as a midwife as she is “fully capable of being both a wife” and a professional midwife. Rose and David’s relationship is countercultural in 1889 and testing of their union comes quickly.

At the reception, David’s long-estranged brother Herbert Currier Dodge, known as Currie, makes an appearance. Up until now, Rose had no idea David had a brother, and is a bit unsettled David has kept this information from her until now. The real conflict lies between Currie and Clarinda and into this tense encounter a telegram arrives for Rose’s father Allan Burroughs Carroll from his sister Miss Drusilla Carroll, Rose’s Aunt Dru. The telegram is urgent and requests Rose’s presence immediately. Frannie Isley, a ward of Rose’s Aunt Tilly, has been murdered. Tilly and Dru are elderly spinsters and live together in West Falmouth located on Cape Cod. Dru requests Rose’s presence right away because, in addition to being a talented midwife, Rose is also an amateur sleuth.

Instead of starting a honeymoon, Rose and David head to West Falmouth to be with Rose’s aunts and to solve a murder. Frannie’s murder exposes long-held secrets that demand resolutions with the power to heal or destroy.

Recommendation for this book

Read it. The historical detail immerses the reader into the Quaker way of life in the late 1880s. The mystery will keep you guessing.

My sincere thank you to Beyond the Pages Publishing and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this delightful book.

How on earth had I not discovered this Quaker Midwife series sooner?! I have read and enjoyed other books by this author but this is my new favourite. This novel was fine as a stand alone but I am now smitten and will read the first five in the series and await future ones.

Rose, a 19th century Quaker midwife and amateur investigator and her new husband have just married and are at the reception when news of a murder is delivered, requesting immediate assistance. Rather than enjoying their honeymoon in a fancy hotel as planned, they agreed to travel to Rose's aunts' town where the murder occurred. The newlyweds enjoy time together while Rose befriends and investigates along with the local authorities. Many twists and turns later, the mysteries are solved.

The importance of faith and culture was pronounced and fascinating. It is obvious the author did thorough research and drew from extensive personal knowledge of the Quaker religion, history and cultures mentioned. I like the use of correct vernacular of the time...really adds to the story. Also appreciate that the author used "wantonly stolen character names from the gravestones in the West Falmouth Cemetery". Brilliant!

The title really fits the tone of the story. The food descriptions were sublime! Though a cozy mystery, this wasn't one dimensional as they sometimes are. One of my favourite aspects is the added layers of a religion I do not know a lot about which created depth.

The only thing which didn't seem to fit was the short intimacy description.

I've already told several readers about this series and we are eager for the adventure!

The latest book in one of my very favourite series - and it's a terrific addition and a fantastic read!

At long last, Rose Carroll and her beloved David Dodge are tying the knot and looking forward to their week's honeymoon. However, their reception is interrupted by a telegram from Cape Cod where the ward of Rose's aunt has unexpectedly died and, knowing Rose's reputation in investigating such things, she pleads for her help. Rapidly deciding to combine their honeymoon with this sorry turn of events, Rose and David set out to assist in which ever way they can.

This is the delightful sixth book in The Quaker Midwife series, and it's thrilling to find Rose actually tying the knot at long last - they make such a great couple! This book sees Rose out of her usual setting where she knows everyone and everything that is going on, but it doesn't take her long to get be acquainted with the friends and neighbours of her two aunts - along with several others. It's rather exciting to find out lots of information about a new area - Edith Maxwell's research is second to none and her acknowledgements are always well worth a read! The mystery itself is quite intricate with plenty of suspects and following the Quaker way of life and worship is a means of keeping Rose calm and focused on her mission. There's something very soothing about the meeting house scenes and all put together this is another cracking mystery which kept me riveted from first to last. I hope this series continues for a long time to come - I look forward to them so much and they leave me with a real sense of peace. Wonderfully enjoyable and absolutely worth all five sparkling stars.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

In the sixth book in the Quaker Midwife mystery series, protagonist Rose Carroll has finally married her beau, Dr. David Dodge. At the wedding celebration, they get two surprises. David's estranged older brother Currie makes a sudden appearance. And Rose gets a telegram from her spinster aunts Dru and Tilly that their young ward Frannie Islay has been murdered and they need her help now. Since the newlyweds were already planning to spend their honeymoon in the Cape Cod area, they rush to West Falmouth that evening.

When the autopsy confirms that Frannie was pregnant. the identity of the father becomes key. Is he Reuben Baxter, the native son of local midwife Zerviah and Joseph? Or their pompous Quaker neighbour Abial Latting? Or even Currie himself who had been tempting Frannie with dreams of appearing in the local burlesque show?

There are also plenty of secrets about Frannie and her aunts that thwart her investigation. When David's demanding Clarinda becomes suddenly ill, he leaves town to be at her side, leaving Rose alone and potentially vulnerable. Rose is out of her normal element of Amesbury as she questions the locals about Frannie and this makes this a less enjoyable book than others in the series.

I received an eARC from Netgalley and Beyond the Page Publishing with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

As this book opens our beloved Rose is finally married to David and we are enjoying the reception. Yes, David's mother is here and we meet more of his family, a brother.
Of course, being with Rose you know a body will appear, and sadly this time it is family. So we journey with this new, finally married, couple down to the coast. Falmouth Massachusetts, and are honeymooning and now helping solve the murder of her sixteen year old cousin.
We meet new Friends, member's of her Aunt's church, and all the while we are wondering whom is responsible. A sweet sharing midwife and her family, whom are Indians, a wayward brother and burlesque, an older Quaker, a former girlfriend and liar, the list grows and there are more, but a young woman lies dead, and we are with Rose to find the culprit!
I have enjoyed this series of books, and this one is no exception.

I received this book through Net Galley and Beyond the Page Publishers, and was not required to give a positive review