Paper Women
Author: Suzanne Adair
Publisher: Whittlers Bench Press
Pub. Date: Sept 18, 2006
Reissue: April 2011
Format: Digital
Retail: $3.99
Pages: 300
She expected the redcoats to solve her father’s murder. The redcoats and her father had other plans.
In early June 1780, the village of Alton, Georgia, is rocked by the triple murder of the town printer and one of his associates, both outspoken patriots, and a Spanish assassin. Alton’s redcoats are in no hurry to seek justice for the murdered men. The printer and his buddies have stirred up trouble for the garrison. But the printer’s widowed daughter, Sophie Barton, wants justice for her father. Under suspicion from the redcoats, Sophie sets out on a harrowing journey to find the truth about her father — a journey that plunges her into a hornet’s nest of terror, treachery, and international espionage.
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Paper Woman by Suzanne Adair is a gripping story and refreshing portrait of the American Revolution in a genre woefully depleted of anything connected to the founding of our country.
In 1780, Sophie Barton is a young widow running the printing press of her father – an outspoken patriot – in Alton, Georgia. Determined to remain autonomous, the worlds of the British, rebels and Indians collide for Sophie when the British search her father’s business inquiring after him. But when Sophie learns of her father’s murder, then receives a threatening visit from Spaniards, she’s determined to discover the truth about her father’s slaying. Further misgivings are raised when she intercepts a secret message intended for him and sets off on a harrowing journey from Georgia to Florida and ultimately Cuba intent on keeping the meeting her father was to have.With only her brother David and friend Matthias as her protectors during an arduous and perilous trek south to Florida, the three begin a journey into treachery that even the reader can’t anticipate.
Sophie is faced with impossible prospects as a strong, single woman struggling to endure while remaining neutral but loyal to her family and friends in a war that pits countrymen against countrymen. Readers will experience a truly different side of the Revolution – from a woman interacting with the British, Americans, Creek Indians and French. Sophie Barton, the heroic(Matthias and Edward Hunt) and treacherous characters (Lieutenant Fairfax and El Serpiente) populating the book and the ambiance of the American Revolution (rural Georgia and St. Augustine, FL) come alive thanks to Adair’s adept writing.
We feel Sophie’s struggle as she questions her father’s demise circling back to his political beliefs, we understand the toil of being a woman alone without protection as the British ransack her place of business and interrogate her, and we empathize with her facing extreme conditions and circumstances at home and across rugged terrain. We are taken into and experience the world of the Creek Indians and Spanish. But mostly, we cheer Sophie’s unrelenting spirit in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds whether fighting off enemies, suspicions or her conscience.
What makes this story so unique is the enormous task Adair has undertaken to skillfully weave so many elements, sides and personalities into a complete story that takes us across two states, political divides and the Caribbean.
As a devoted follower of the American Revolutionary period, I was utterly captivated by this tale that is rich in substance, realistic in detail and does not romanticize the era. Adair is uniquely qualified to capture this aspect of history thanks to her hands-on research as a Revolutionary War reenactor. She translates the senses, experiences and environments (of cooking, cleaning, foraging and fighting) so well through her characters and settings; I had to look away from the book more than a few times to remember I was in the 21st century!
So it’s not surprising that Paper Woman won Adair the acclaimed Patrick D. Smith Literature Award.Paper Woman is a treat for the senses and historically hungry reader –especially the American Revolutionary War fan – the multi-faceted characters, geographical and political scope and complex plot make this a must-read with two more books in the trilogy to look forward to.Rating: 9 (Excellent)
Heat-Level: 1 (Inspy)
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Thanks for the review! I have not seen this book out there as of yet, so I will have to keep an eye out for it. I love anything
American historical!
I must read this book! Is it only digital or can I find it in paper? If I can’t I’m definitely going to order it. Thanks for sharing!
Wendy, check out the American Historical Fiction group on Goodreads. Every day they post recommendations for historical fiction set in America.
Mel, Paper Woman is abundantly available in digital format right now. You may be able to find a used copy of the original print version, now out of print. I’m seeking to have it printed again.
Suzanne Adair
First time I have seen this book. Thanks for the review!
After reading this review, I want to read the book!
Great review, sounds like a fabulous read, will have to look for this one.
Wow, sounds like an exciting book to read
Thank you for the great review. It is unfortunate that America tends to receive so little attention in the historical fiction circles. The few colonial era and revolutionary period books I have read have been well done. All the elements for good fiction are there. Too bad more authors don’t take advantage of it.
librarypat wrote: It is unfortunate that America tends to receive so little attention in the historical fiction circles. The few colonial era and revolutionary period books I have read have been well done. All the elements for good fiction are there. Too bad more authors don’t take advantage of it.
I assure you that authors do take advantage of the action, romance, and suspense elements of the Revolutionary War time period and write stories set in that era. The problem is that the Revolutionary War is one of a half-dozen or so periods that are black-listed by agents and editors for the traditional big publishers. Most of these folks won’t even remotely consider stories set in the Revolutionary War. This drastically curtails their options and sends the authors to regional presses (where Paper Woman was originally published) or self-publishing.
Suaznne Adair