Murder on Principle

Eleanor Kuhns

Jul 2021 · A Will Rees Mystery Book 10 · Severn House Publishers Ltd

About this eBook

Will Rees faces a moral dilemma when a slaveholder is murdered while attempting to recapture a former slave: should he pursue lawful justice or should he let the killer go free? November 1800, Maine. After helping their long-time friend Tobias escort his wife, along with a liberated slave and her child, from the Great Dismal back to Durham, Will and Lydia Rees’s lives are interrupted when a dead body is found near their home. The body is that of Mr Gilbert, a slaveholder from the Great Dismal. Was he murdered in pursuit of the former slaves? When it’s discovered Gilbert was infected with smallpox, and Gilbert’s sister arrives demanding justice and the return of her absconded slaves, Will is torn. Finding the killer could lead to the recapture of the former slaves. Letting them go free could result in a false arrest and endanger the Durham community. Will must make a choice . . .

Ratings and reviews

Will Rees is informed by Constable Rouge that a body has been discovered on the Shakers farmland. That of Randolph Gilbert, who has travelled north following a trail, looking for his escaped slaves. The same ones that he and Lydia help escape. As Rouge falls ill Rees takes over the investigation knowing that some of his friends believe the killing to be justified. An enjoyable and well-wriiten historical mystery with its likeable and interesting characters. Another good addition to the series

About the author

Eleanor Kuhns is the 2011 winner of the Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel competition for A Simple Murder. The author of nine previous Will Rees mysteries, she is now a full-time writer after a successful career as the Assistant Director at the Goshen Public Library in Orange County, New York. www.eleanor-kuhns.com