Rated of 5
by Mary B. (St Paul, MN) A Simple Murder
The story is very interesting with the events taking place in 1796. A variety of characters add to the sense of mystery. I would like to see several of the central characters continue their adventures!
Rated of 5
by Loretta F. (Fountain Inn, SC) An Unremarkable Mystery
My favorite genre is mysteries and my second favorite is historical fiction, and I found this book disappointing on both levels. I think that the author could have improved the mystery by developing the characters more fully, especially those in the Shaker community. Also, more details about Shaker beliefs, their history, and their place in the community would have added greatly to the setting. I read historical fiction to learn about a certain period in history, and to be transported back in time. Somehow, while reading this book, I did not feel that I was back in the late 1700's.
Rated of 5
by Anna S. (Auburn, AL) A Not-So-Simple Murder
I enjoyed the story and learned a great deal about the Shakers, and I really wanted to be able to rate the book higher. There were two things that I found off-putting. First, I found the dialog and general sensibility more typical of the 21st Century than the 19th, and second, there were too many loose ends left hanging.
Rated of 5
by Marion H. (Los Angeles, CA) Simply Great
No DNA, no finger prints, no video cameras - utterly no technology is used in the solution of a murder mystery which takes place in 1796 America. Boring? Definitely not! In her first novel Eleanor Kuhns demonstrates nuanced character development and complex plot lines that engage the reader to the very last page of this novel. Kuhns' itinerant weaver-detective, William Rees' skills closely align to Sherlock Holmes', where extraordinary common sense and thoughtful insight solve the crime. And because Kuhns' good writing skills enable you to take this journey with Rees, you will need to find more than a few hours to complete the whole book.
Rated of 5
by Robert F. (Charleston, IL) An impressive first novel
I like mysteries, especially procedurals, and I like historical novels, and this book satisfied me on both counts. The setting (1796 in a Shaker settlement in Maine) puts some interesting constraints on the procedure for solving the crime, but it also sets up the intriguing twists and subplots that fill out the main narrative. The central character, Will Rees, is the perfect "detective" for this situation; he's likable and credibly motivated. His relationship with his son, who has run away to join the Shakers, adds a warm human counterpoint to the attempts to solve the mystery--and it's not just tacked one; it's an integral part of the story. The other characterizations (especially those of Lydia Jane Farrell and Sheriff Coulton) are equally engaging, and persuasively woven into the plot. The storyline becomes complicated--a bit too much, I think--but the unraveling of the crimes is clear and satisfying: I didn't feel cheated or fooled. I suspect that Will and Lydia Jane appear again in a sequel or two. I hope so.
Rated of 5
by Paula K. (Cave Creek, AZ) Amazing First Novel
A Simple Murder is the first published book by Eleanor Kuhns and I had the good fortune of receiving a First Impressions copy. The book is terrific – an amazing first effort and even better, promises a series. I became so enthralled with the characters, the locale and the mystery, I read the book over a period of two days! The story is set in 1796 when widower William Rees, a weaver by trade, returns to his farm from a round of travels, only to discover his 14-year old son, left in his sister’s keeping, has left home to join the Shakers. Rees travels to the Shaker community to bring his son home and is requested to solve the murder of a Shaker sister. This was the book’s one soft spot – the implausibility of why both the town sheriff and the Shaker elder would approve of an outsider to solve the crime, and Rees’ son’s recommendation that his father be considered for the task. The younger Rees is full of recrimination for his father’s abandonment at the hands of his aunt who packs him off so she and her nasty husband can assume wrongful ownership of Rees’ farm. In addition to Rees’ work to solve the murder, there are many dynamics at work in the book and many characters that can be a bit tricky to track. The Shaker village setting is most compelling and the selfless devotion to community an interesting counterpoint to the greed that serves as the backdrop of the book. I enjoyed learning a bit more about the Shakers and found the language and descriptions to be quite authentic. The resolution was terrifically satisfying and I can’t wait for the next book in the series. I am a fan!
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of 5
by Mary B. (St Paul, MN) 
of 5
by Loretta F. (Fountain Inn, SC) 
of 5
by Marion H. (Los Angeles, CA) 
