Book Review: The Blind in Darkness

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Blind in Darkness     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Stephen Lewis
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Historical   Amateur Sleuth
Series: Catherine Williams # 2
Berkley Prime Crime, May 2000, $5.99, 272 pp.

In colonial Newbury, New England, Catherine Williams earns a living as a midwife and general healer. Catherine visits old man Isaac Powell to tend his festering wound caused by a bite on his hand. A few days later, someone murders Powell and the deceased’s apprentice, Thomas of Barbados is missing.

The local residents believe that Catherine’s assistant, a non-converted Indian Massaquoit, killed Powell. Though he never became a Catholic, Catherine knows her helper and believes he is innocent. As she works with her patients, Catherine begins to make inquiries into the murder of Isaac even if it places her in danger from a culprit who will do anything to keep secrets hidden.

THE BLIND IN DARKNESS is an excellent Colonial mystery filled with tidbits of the era. The story line is exciting as the who-done-it takes the audience on several twists and turns before revealing the killer’s identity. The characters make Colonial New England seem vividly alive, especially amateur sleuth Catherine and her Indian assistant. Stephen Lewis provides sub-genre fans with a triumphant tale that will leave readers clamoring for more novels starring Catherine et al.

Harriet Klausner

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