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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
My sister-in-law loaned me this novel. I haven't read the first book in the series, but I don't think that detracted from reading this one. The examination of Albany's political machinations in the late 1870s was interesting, as were the different plot threads. I had the "mystery" figured out pretty quickly, though I kept reading to see how other characters would figure it out. I didn't love the writing on the sentence level--at times it felt over written, at other times, clumsy. The story, though, kept my interest. It made a good beach read, and it certainly riled me up about issues still concerning women.
I loved this historical fiction, feminist story from Albany New York, 1800s. Gripping and fascinating. Well written characters.
During the book when they were describing the scenes when the girls were imprisoned, I was afraid that the book would drag on with those descriptions, but luckily that part of the book was short. The rest of the book focused on their difficult recovery and finding out who was responsible. I thought the book very cleverly pointed towards the guilty and then redirected attention to mantle for a while, so much so that I was convinced he was to blame. Only at the end when Jakob started to really lay the smack down during the trial did the full truth come out and it all made sense. The ending was satisfying, if not a little too neat, but it was a good way to end such an upsetting topic. I enjoyed it, and very much enjoyed Mary’s character, so I will have to go back and read book #1 for sure.
I enjoyed listening to the book and appreciated the historical details and research. The topic of child abduction and sexual abuse is hard to take in but it is an ongoing issue in modern society. About halfway though it became clear who the suspects were, and I think the book would have benefited from a bit more mystery before becoming obvious.
There is no doubt that Winter Sisters will be one of my best read books of 2018. The history of the time pulled me in and held on to my attention the entire book. I was intrigued by the role of women and how Mary Sutter was able to be a doctor in a time with that just didn’t happen. It was interesting to see how the men treated her and how she reacted to their treatment. Mary Sutter is a strong, unbelievably strong, character that comes from a time when women were expected to be at home raising the children, cooking dinner, and being a wife and made a career for herself in a male job.
The mystery aspect of the story was not hard to figure out but I found it interesting to see how the culprit would be brought down. I knew that some of the other characters were working to bring to them down and I was hoping they would be successful. I was appalled at some of the laws that made it difficult to find the justice that was desperately needed. Some of those who were enforcing those laws were equally horrific and I had hoped that would get what they deserved in the end also.
Winter Sisters is a wonderful, easy to read, enjoyable historical mystery fiction. I could not stop reading and felt that I was invested in the outcome. This is the first book by Robin Oliveira but I am definitely adding her to my must-read authors list.
The mystery aspect of the story was not hard to figure out but I found it interesting to see how the culprit would be brought down. I knew that some of the other characters were working to bring to them down and I was hoping they would be successful. I was appalled at some of the laws that made it difficult to find the justice that was desperately needed. Some of those who were enforcing those laws were equally horrific and I had hoped that would get what they deserved in the end also.
Winter Sisters is a wonderful, easy to read, enjoyable historical mystery fiction. I could not stop reading and felt that I was invested in the outcome. This is the first book by Robin Oliveira but I am definitely adding her to my must-read authors list.
dark
slow-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Slow to start but then turned very interesting and fast passed.
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Winter Sisters by Robin Oliveira is the second book in the Dr. Mary Sutter series. In Albany, New York in March of 1879 the O’Donnell family heads out. David to the lumber district, Bonnie to her millinery shop and the girls (Claire and Emma) to the grammar school. That afternoon a horrible blizzard strikes the area. After the storm, David and Bonnie are both found dead. Claire and Emma were released from school after the storm, but they never made it home. Dr. Mary Sutter and her husband, William search for the girls, but they are unable to find them. Mary routinely visits the police station, but Captain Arthur Mantel urges her to give up her quest. If the girls have not been found by now, they are presumed dead. Mary is not about to give up that easily.
While the Winter Sisters is the second book in the series, it can be read alone. My Name is Mary Sutter is summarized early in the Winter Sisters along with the history (backstory) of each main character. I found the pace to be lethargic which can be attributed to the abundant details and the author formal (and descriptive) writing style. The author’s descriptions help readers visualize the scenes. However, she needs to find a balance between not enough and too much. I was amazed to find that the age of consent for “women” was ten in New York (how sad and disturbing). The author included some fascinating historical information into the story which helped capture the era. The attitude towards women by many men (but not all) was accurately portrayed. The mystery was simple and easily solved before the answers are revealed. Winter Sisters contains foul language as well as vivid descriptions of violence and child rape (described in graphic details from a medical viewpoint by Dr. Sutter). I read Winter Sisters, but I could not get into the story (it failed to hold my attention). The ending wraps up all the storylines neatly and happily.
While the Winter Sisters is the second book in the series, it can be read alone. My Name is Mary Sutter is summarized early in the Winter Sisters along with the history (backstory) of each main character. I found the pace to be lethargic which can be attributed to the abundant details and the author formal (and descriptive) writing style. The author’s descriptions help readers visualize the scenes. However, she needs to find a balance between not enough and too much. I was amazed to find that the age of consent for “women” was ten in New York (how sad and disturbing). The author included some fascinating historical information into the story which helped capture the era. The attitude towards women by many men (but not all) was accurately portrayed. The mystery was simple and easily solved before the answers are revealed. Winter Sisters contains foul language as well as vivid descriptions of violence and child rape (described in graphic details from a medical viewpoint by Dr. Sutter). I read Winter Sisters, but I could not get into the story (it failed to hold my attention). The ending wraps up all the storylines neatly and happily.