I started reading this book and found that it was not for me. I didn't want to review a book that I didn't finish.

this was a great addition to the Gideon Stoltz Mystery, it had the charm of the first book and I think it improved on this book. The characters were great and I enjoyed the plot of the book.

The story wasn't bad, but I expected it to be better considering the specifics of 'for fans of Madeline Miller, historical mysteries involving witchcraft', which would've been the concept of a favorite reading (and this just... wasn't).

I'll be honest, I almost sat this one aside a short bit into the book. I haven't read the first book, and it seemed like there was a lot of backstory mentioned that confused me. However, the story had me intrigued, so I continued on. And I am very glad I did. I enjoyed this one quite a bit. 

The plot was well executed and kept me guessing right until the end. The setting was interesting, and the characters were intriguing. I'll definitely keep my eyes peeled for the next book in this series. 

Two thumbs up from yours truly.

I managed to read this book in one day! It was a great, quick read, and I'm grateful to the publisher for the advanced copy! TW: mental health struggles, rape, assault, body mutilation, drug use, murder.

I went into this thinking it was on the cozier side of mystery, but the descriptions and crimes committed were detailed and horrific. It is 1836 and Gideon Stoltz, 23, is the sheriff in Adamant, already running up against walls by being of Dutch descent. Living in a town that is slowly attracting more and more Pennsylvania Dutch settlers due to available land and great crop yields, Gideon is constantly investigating disputes between his fellow German settlers and the others in town. When a dead woman turns up on a German settlement not far out of town, Gideon is in for a challenge - accusations are flying, and a recent head injury has caused Gideon quite a bit of memory loss. When one of the townsfolk not-so inadvertently accuses Gideon of the murder, he is troubled by memory flashes that suggest that it may be true. At the threat of losing his job, Gideon has to race to solve this murder, even as he starts to think he may be the guilty one...

Gideon was a very likeable character. He is struggling throughout to remember the past he's forgotten, while also worried those memories will show him things he doesn't want to remember. The time period was interesting to read about, especially the way early American settlers lived. The detail in the setting, the character development, and the surprise twist at the end had me racing to finish this one!

It's 1836 and young Gideon Stoltz, the sheriff of Colerian County, is struggling. He fell off a horse and has what is clearly a TBI; most importantly, he's lost part of his memory. His wife True lost their baby and is depressed. He's Pennsylvania Dutch in an area where that isn't a positive. And then Rebecca is found dead, with a nail through her skull. Rebecca killed her husband , some thought she was a witch, and Gideon vaguely recalls being with her on the day of her death. It's a lot. Fergus has created a wonderful character in Gideon (and True who is key here) and the atmospherics are terrific. While this might move a bit slowly in spots, savor it because there are clues along the way. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Don't worry if you didn't read the first book- this will be fine as a standalone. Fans of historical fiction should give this a try.

Gideon is just 23 years old and Sheriff of Colerain county. It is 1836 and he is not popular as he is of Dutch extraction and other officials are sour over his appointment, especially his superior Fish. Apart from his official problems, he faces personal problems as his wife True has not recovered from the loss of their baby and is in deep depression most of the time.

Balancing his official life with his personal one, Gideon is now drawn into the murder of a young woman Rebecca - someone whose reputation is colorful (having been in prison for murdering her husband) and also the more complicated reputation of being a witch.

Trying to solve this takes all his effort as he is battling amnesia after a severe fall from a horse, and not able to recollect events, dealing with migraine and loss of vision and having no one to confide in as well.

It is a slow moving story reminscent of the times and detection takes much longer than it would today. However, well documented, well told and was interesting to read.