I hate to say goodbye, as I have enjoyed this series, and being with Rose Carroll Dodge, as she goes about her midwife duties and everyday life. Unfortunately, there is usually a body that shows up, and our Rose uses her sleuthing ability to help solve another murder.
The author has given us such a great series, we get a look into the Quaker religion, and a look at life in the nineteenth century New England!
There is excitement in the Town of Amesbury as they welcome Spring Opening, and show their world famous carriages. There is also talk of a new invention of a horseless carriage, and then a murder.
Come and travel in Roses shoes as she bring in new lives, and says goodbye to a dear friend, and embarks on a new adventure!
This book can be read alone, but we do meet up with a lot of old friends from previous books, and they are all equally good!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Beyond The Page, and was not required to give a positive review.

Rose Carroll, a Quaker midwife, is pregnant with her own first child. No lazy days for this mama-to-be, however, as Rose soon inserts herself into a murder investigation. This is the 7th novel in a series that focuses on midwife/mystery-solving Rose and her community.

I had a really difficult time getting into this one. If you're interested in the Quaker culture, you may be interested in this series. It just wasn't quite for me.

Quaker midwife Rose Carroll is now married to Dr. David Dodge and she is still involved in solving crimes. When a Canadian carriage maker, in town for the annual Spring Opening, is found murdered and another carriage maker claims his new plans have been stolen, Acting Police Chief Kevin Donovan knows he needs Rose's assistance. This time, Rose isn't so eager to be involved as she is five months pregnant, but she does what she does best, talks to people and gathers information. A bittersweet entry into this lovely, kind series.

The latest (and perhaps last?) book in the Quaker Midwife Mystery series finds Rose Dodge happily married to her beloved David, delivering babies and apparently well-adjusted to married life. Amesbury is awash with visitors from near and far for the Spring Opening, a trade show for carriage makers. The horseless carriage still a novelty, manufacturers from around the world have gathered to showcase the latest and greatest designs and technologies. A murder of a conference attendee on the first night sends the town into a spin, and Rose is soon on the case. As usual, she tangles with suspects, sifts through red herrings, and deals with personal tragedies.

While still enjoyable, the mystery wasn't terribly compelling. I wanted to know more about a central figure's backstory: what - or who - made her into the cold customer she was. Perhaps a bit more about the ugliness that shaped the person behind the beautiful facade? There seemed to be a flimsy excuse for the murder itself, and many of the interactions between characters seemed to re-acquaint the reader with people from previous books rather than advancing the plot. Themes of beginnings and endings were ever present, and in one poignant development, Rose had the honor of assisting someone close to her on their deathbed.

Rose and David's marriage seems very modern - and a fantasy view of modern life at that. A 19th C Manic Pixie Dream Husband, he cooks, is progressive, supportive of his wife's career, never argues with her, and has no desires of his own outside of making Rose's life as ease-filled as she'll allow. He's too good to be true in this day and age and beggars belief for the time period. I'd have appreciated getting a glimpse behind his mask of perfection.

'A Changing Light' is well-worth the read, especially if you've devoured the previous novels in the Quaker Midwife series. Maxwell's writing flows well and chapters fly by - no plodding devices used here! A wrap-up of Rose's current story, the door is left open to more adventure, either in a continuation of this series or cameos in other books. I felt as if I was catching up with an old acquaintance over many cups of coffee, knowing that we may not see each other again for some time. It's always a pleasure to see you , Rose Carroll Dodge.

3.5/5 *

A sincere "Thank You!" to Beyond the Page Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to receive an advance copy of the book to read and review!

Grateful that Beyond the Page publishers gave me a digital copy of A CHANGING LIGHT to read in exchange for an honest review. I requested it because this is my genre.

The latest in the Quaker Midwife mystery series takes place during a gathering of business owners. They own carriage making companies, including companies based in town. Rose Carroll Dodge, the Quaker midwife and her husband Dr, Dodge are expecting their first baby.

Before the baby arrives, there is another murder. One of the business owners is a murder victim and the police chief asks the Quaker midwife for help. And Rose's mentor Orpha is dying.

Loved the characters, the plotting and the setting of Amesbury, MA. I always learn something new about the Quakers while reading the mystery novels.

Content Warning: Possibility of crying while reading the novel so have a box of tissues handy.

DESCRIPTION:
As the nineteenth century nears an end, midwife Rose Carroll can see signs of progress and change everywhere in her Amesbury community. Adding to the excitement is the annual Spring Opening, when the town's world-famous carriage manufacturers throw open their doors to visitors from all over the globe. This year's festivities are tainted, however, when a representative from a prominent Canadian carriage company is murdered.

Driven by her strong sense of justice, Rose is determined to track down the killer. She has only just begun her investigation when she learns that the plans for a radical new horseless carriage have gone missing. Faced with the question of whether the two crimes are connected—and a list of suspects that includes some of Amesbury's own residents and any number of foreign visitors—Rose has to delve into a case with implications for the future, even if the motive for murder is one of mankind's oldest . . .

The historical setting is beautiful , the townspeople are charming, and the plot is a wonderful mystery! This book gives the reader a fascinating look at nineteenth-century American faith, culture, and small-town life.
The characters are well developed and the mystery is absolutely enjoyable.

I believe that any reader whom enjoys historical fiction will love this one!!

BOOK QUOTE:
“Last night I dreamed I gave birth to a frog. And it seemed perfectly normal to do so. The night before our baby was a full-grown three-year-old, even though I knew I’d given birth the day before.”

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

#PamelaReads2021 #AChangingLight #NetGalley #EdithMaxwell #BeyondThePagePublishing
#100BooksIn2021 #ReadingChallenge2021

The seventh in a charming and tender series, this book has just the right balance of love, crime and murder. The midwife angle is fascinating and the Quaker religion and cultural nuances are intriguing.

Set in the Victorian era, Rose, a midwife, is preparing for the arrival of her own little one but her pregnancy does not prevent her from forming her own ideas about a murder which occurs at a spring carriage show. There are several possible suspects whom Rose interviews in her chatty way. She insists she is not investigating as she discusses her ideas with the police. But there is much more to the story than murder...we also see the lives of Rose and her husband, a doctor. I like that Rose is clever and uses her intelligence without being aggressive and overbearing.

This book would appeal to Mystery and Historical Fiction readers who enjoy this author and/or gentle books without anything graphic. A truly refreshing read. More, please!

My sincere thank you to Beyond the Books Publishing and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this delightful book.

#AChangingLight #NetGalley 4.5 stars rounded to 5."Edith Maxwell is an Agatha-Award winning and national bestselling mystery author.She writes the historical Quaker Midwife Mysteries",which was nominated once and won the Agatha Award once.

I definitely will try one of those two books,(one is a a short story) as this seems to be the end of this series. Rose Carroll, now married and expecting a child is drawn into a murder investigation that occurred at an annual event in her town Amesbury. Apparently as usual, she throws herself into helping the police solve this crime and has her own life threatened.

The well done epilogue shows Rose and her newborn daughter and her husband discussing how the crime was solved and agreeing that there would be no more "detective" work. Very easy to read and enjoyable book. 4.5 stars rounded to 5."Edith Maxwell is an Agatha-Award winning and national bestselling mystery author.She writes the historical Quaker Midwife Mysteries",which was nominated once and won the Agatha Award once.

I definitely will try one of those two books,(one is a a short story) as this seems to be the end of this series. Rose Carroll, now married and expecting a child is drawn into a murder investigation that occurred at an annual event in her town Amesbury. Apparently as usual, she throws herself into helping the police solve this crime and has her own life threatened.

The well done epilogue shows Rose and her newborn daughter and her husband discussing how the crime was solved and agreeing that there would be no more "detective" work. Very easy to read and enjoyable book.

A further story in the life of Quaker midwife cum unofficial detective in 19th century America. This time she assists in uncovering the murderer of a visiting Canadian - down for the Spring Opening of carriage-makers' wares in the town. There's much more about her personal life this time - the loss of her mentor, her married life with David and their joyful pregnancy - and this just took over too much for me. From being in early pregnancy at the start to having produced the offspring at the end I'm wondering if she needs a break whilst the author finds more time to think about the murder mystery side of Rose's life. Thanks to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

A charming mystery featuring a late 19th century Quaker midwife with interesting historical details about carriages and revolutions happening in science and technology. The characters are well developed, the mystery satisfying and the flow is smooth. While this is the 7th, and probably last in the series…at least for a while, there was no need to read the others to understand what was going on. It just promises interesting relationships and stories that I have yet to explore and look forward to.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of the ARC in return for an honest review.

Terrific ending to an outstanding series. A midwife who is ready to give birth solves a murder. Well written and well drawn characters.