Book Review: Witch Cradle

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Witch Cradle     Amazon US TPB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada TPB Amazon Canada HC
Kathleen Hills
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Historical   Police Procedural
Series: Constable John McIntire
Poisoned Pen, Mar 2006

In 1951 St. Adele, Michigan, an ice storm knocks down a giant pine tree on the property of Mia and Nick Thorsen, who investigates the damage only to find money, Teddy Falk’s passport and papers in the uprooted WITCH CRADLE roots. Their neighbor Constable John McIntire visits the Thorsens to see if they are okay; they show him the find, which leads him to wonder if something sinister occurred at the Falk farm years ago. McIntire believes that Finnish-Americans Rose and Teddy Falk, who along with several compatriots, relocated to Karelia in the Soviet Union in 1934. He visits the abandoned Falks farmstead finding the remains of two people inside a cistern.

As McIntire investigates the double homicide of the Falks, FBI agent Fratelli, in between his mission to destroy local Communists, tells the constable that Teddy lives in Detroit, having just come back from Russia. While the townsfolk including John’s wife Leonie want the case dropped, Fratelli uses the homicides to further his agenda. As the Red Scare surfaces including questions about where was McIntire in 1948, the constable follows clues that may lead to his destruction.

WITCH CRADLE is a superb historical mystery that provides insight into two related eras, 1934 and 1951, linked by Communism. The action-packed police procedural contains a strong cast who react differently to each clue that McIntire uncovers as the specter of the Federal witch hunt frightens everyone even the lead cop. However, the story line belongs to the supporting historical tidbits that showcase the Depression Era migration of thousands of American-Finns from Minnesota and Michigan to Soviet Karelia and the anti-communist crusade of the McCarthy period. Kathleen Hills provides an insightful educating, yet definitely entertaining who-done-it.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner