The Sorrowful Girl

An amazing mystery story that will have you trying to guess what could happen next. A woman goes missing and as a policeman justice comes first. Will he be able to solve the truth in time.

This novel is a departure from Keenan Powell’s psychological legal thrillers. It’s a historical mystery set in the Berkshire area of Massachusetts in the 1890s. It’s clear from the start that this book is a labor of love for Powell. Indeed, it is a fictionalized version of her personal history with characters and setting drawn from her family tree.

Western Massachusetts in the 1890s was a territory divided by nationality and religion. Powell plays on these differences and prejudices to craft a compelling novel that tells the story of strength and integrity in the face of corruption. It begins with a woman found murdered in the woods. Liam Barrett, a young Irish policeman for Adams, MA is called to identify the Irish lass. The ruling gentry and the Pittsfield police want no part of finding the real killer. For them, this is a case where Irish need only apply. Liam takes it upon himself to find the murderer, no matter where the trail leads. Along the way he uncovers a thread of corruption and cunning running through Protestant Pittsfield from the police to the gentry. The explosive ending uncovers the killer, and a motive that spans generations.

This is a book you will want to read more than once. First for the story, then for the beauty of the language. Highly recommend. Five Stars

Full disclosure: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review.

1890s, murder, murder-investigation, immigrants, rural, historical-novel, historical-research, history-and-culture, mystery, corruption, family-dynamics, family-drama, family-history, local-politics, local-law-enforcement, angst, Irish*****

Irregularly paced but engaging and with interesting characters one can relate to. The main character is an Irish immigrant, member of a fractured family, and a policeman subject to all of the prejudices and political demands that can be expected. An introspective mystery with a goal of justice rather than expediency. A solid read.
I requested and received an EARC from Three Hooligans Press/Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)/Members' Titles via NetGalley.

Another wonderful book by Keenan Powell! This one follows Liam Barrett, a police officer in Adams, Massachusetts in the late 1800s. When a young Irish Immigrant woman is found murdered near the large mill owners estate, the mystery begins. With pressure to make an arrest, Liam is fast on the case. The writing pulls the reader into the story through the flawless description of the terrain, the accents, and the unfolding of greed and corruption. I thoroughly enjoyed this. Thank you Netgalley, Keenan Powell, and Three Hooligan Press for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review