Quaker midwife Rose Carroll seeks the true cause of a young mother’s death The winter of 1889 is harsh in Amesbury, Massachusetts, but it doesn’t stop Quaker midwife Rose Carroll from making the rounds to her pregnant and postpartum mothers. When Charity Skells dies from an apparent early miscarriage, Rose wonders about the symptoms that don’t match the diagnosis. She learns that Charity’s … learns that Charity’s husband may be up to no good with a young woman whose mother appears to offer illegal abortions. A disgraced physician in town does the same, and Charity’s cousin seems to have a nefarious agenda. With several suspects emerging, each with their own possible motives, Rose and police detective Kevin Donovan race against time to solve the case before another innocent life is taken.
Praise for the Quaker Midwife Mysteries:
“Engaging.”–Publishers Weekly
“First of hopefully many more to come, I believe that everyone will definitely enjoy this stand-out book.”–Suspense Magazine
“Rose Carroll is a richly crafted and appealing sleuth. A terrific historical read.”–Rhys Bowen, New York Times bestselling author
“The historical setting is redolent and delicious, the townspeople engaging, and the plot a proper puzzle, but it’s Rose Carroll–midwife, Quaker, sleuth–who captivates in this irresistible series debut.”–Catriona McPherson, award-winning author of the Dandy Gilver series
“Maxwell introduces a fascinating new heroine with her Quaker midwife Rose Carroll.”–Victoria Thompson, bestselling author of Murder on St. Nicolas Ave
” Rose’s] strong personality combined with the author’s distinctive voice and vivid writing style transported me instantly to another time and place.”–Kathy Lynn Emerson, Malice Domestic 2014 Guest of Honor and author of How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries, Murder in the Queen’s Wardrobe, and the Diana Spaulding 1888 Mysteries
“A riveting historical mystery featuring a refreshingly different kind of heroine, a Quaker midwife who also solves crimes with wit, intelligence, and gentle grace. It’s a page turner. It’s a fascinating look at nineteenth-century American faith, culture, and small-town life. And best of all, it’s the second of what is sure to be a long and beloved series.”–William Martin, New York Times bestselling author of Cape Cod and The Lincoln Letter
“An intriguing look at life in 19th-century New England, a heroine whose goodness guides all her decisions, and a mystery that surprises.”–Kirkus Reviews
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CHARITY’S BURDEN by Edith Maxwell is the fourth book in the Quaker Midwife Mystery series. It’s the wonderfully written story of Quaker midwife Rose Carroll as she tries to solve the murder case of one of her patients, Charity Skells. It all takes place during the harsh winter months of 1889 in Amesbury, Massachusetts.
While making her rounds, Rose finds Charity in great pain and bleeding much more profusely than from a standard miscarriage and insists on taking her to the hospital. After she succumbs to the loss of blood, things just don’t add up. Rose makes a trip to see her friend, police detective Kevin Donovan, and request that her death be looked into further.
Things take on murderous turn when the autopsy confirms what Rose believed – that she had died from an ill-fated abortion. Never one to turn her head on seeing a wrong being righted, Rose knows that she must once again seek out clues as to who had done this dastardly deed. It becomes difficult when the new police chief does not approve of her amateur sleuthing and puts her friend’s job on the line if she communicates with him through normal channels. It makes it difficult and more time consuming, but not impossible as she works around that by using Kevin’s wife to relay messages.
It seems there are more than one suspect to be considered with greed being the main reason when a will of Charity’s relative shows she was to inherit a great deal of money followed closely by infidelity when it surfaces that her husband was having an affair with Miss Davies.
With several attempts on Rose’s life, she weighs her options and decides to continue her investigation moving cautiously and with dedication to finding justice for Charity.
All the while, she is helping to maintain her deceased sister’s household and is joyous over the announcement of the union of marriage of her niece, Faith, and her beau, Zeb, and all the wedding plans. A small part of her is jealous that it’s not her wedding to her love David, but that day will come when it’s time.
Can Rose find the answers to the puzzle on how Charity had died? Who was behind the acts that killed her? Was the person that killed her doing it on their own part or had they been hired to do it? Is money really the root of all evil? Will the person threatening Rose succeed in their threats before she can find the answers?
CHARITY’S BURDEN is a well written story that is true to the time frame showing the dedication to detail and accuracy on the part of the author. She shows how women virtually had no rights and no control – even over their own bodies – during this era. Edith Maxwell tackled a very delicate subject showing all sides and the difficult decisions that woman had to make during that time – including risking their own lives. She managed to make you feel just about every emotion in this book from the fear when Rose is run off the road, the sympathy for the young child who must grow up way too fast by becoming woman of the house after the death of her mother, the joy of a wedding and promised love, the anger at the useless loss of life, to laughter at the naivety of a soon to be bride on sexual matters. I’ve loved every book in this series and this one was no exception. Although part of a series, CHARITY’S BURDEN can definitely be read as a standalone. Can’t wait for the next installment which I hope has another marriage in it of our own Miss Rose. I would definitely recommend this book and have.
Charity’s Burden is the fourth book in the Quaker Midwife Mystery series.
I love this series. The author does a wonderful job of describing the community of Amesbury as it must have appeared in 1889. And also providing an insightful look into another controversial topic of the time, the providing of information on family planning and birth control.
Charity Skells comes to the midwife, Rose Carroll suffering from heavy bleeding. Rose Carroll’s first thought is that she is having a miscarriage but further examination, Rose Carroll in pretty sure that Charity is suffering from a botched abortion. She puts Charity in her buggy and head for the hospital where Charity dies soon after arriving. Rose Carroll seeks out her friend and the police detective, Kevin Douglas to see if she get him to order the hospital to perform an autopsy. As she is explaining what she wants Chief Talbot orders her out of the police station and threatens to fire Douglas if he attempts work with Rose Carroll. This is devastating news to Rose Carroll but vows to find who performed the illegal abortion on Charity. She soon learns that Charity’s husband might be in a relationship with a lady who lives near their farm and whose mother allegedly performs abortions. There’s also a man, John Douglas, who holds himself out as a doctor, who also claims to help women with unwanted pregnancies. Rose Carroll will once again help with her sleuthing from her friend and postmistress, Bertie Winslow and her fiance David. When one evening her buggy is deliberately run off the road she knows she must have struck a nerve with the killer.
This is another well-plotted and told story and has a cast of wonderful characters. Ms. Maxwell, as in the other books in the series, provides a look at some significant item of history and skillfully weaves it into the story.
Hopefully, we will have more books in this informative series.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
This was such a powerful story! 1889 in Amesbury, Massachusetts and Quaker midwife Rose Carol is caught up in a hot political issue. As a midwife, she feels part of her job is to help with family planning but with The Comstock Law that is on the same level as performing an abortion. Let me be clear, Rose does not perform “mechanical” abortions but someone in town does and it may have cost one of her patients their lives.
Charity Skells is dead after losing too much blood, more blood that would have been caused by a miscarriage. Rose believes Charity may have had an abortion. When she visits the husband’s work to inform him of his wife’s death the receptionist is a little overprotective regarding who can talk to the man. A woman whose mother provides prohibited procedures. Rose also finds another doctor in town that could have hurt her patient. She soon realizes she needs to the help of her friend, Detective Kevin Donovan, but they have to get a little creative with their communications because the new police chief has banned her from the station and any case she may want to get involved in.
On Rose’s homefront, she is still waiting for approval to marry her non-Quaker beau David both from his mother and the Amesbury Friends. Her niece Faith has been given permission to wed her betrothed Zeb and the marriage will take place soon. Her brother-in-law Frederick introduces his new companion Winnie. Everyone is happy because he had been struggling greatly following his wife’s death.
Ms. Maxwell weaves such a wonderful story of the life of women in 1889. I had a “Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.” moment think of our world in 2019.
Rose’s life is complicated as she tries to determine how her patient died, but she is also dealing with her other pregnant patients and helping raise her sister’s children. Rose is so brave, stubborn, and independent, even when her own life is threatened. She and her Friends are comfortable in their faith and their place in the town. The author strikes a nice balance between the main mystery plot and the daily life subplots. I loved that history moves on with a telephone in Rose’s home and that she helps with an unusual birth,
Two ceremonial events, a funeral, and a wedding take place in this story. I was so intrigued by these happenings in the Quaker tradition. Even a Catholic in attendance comments on the differences. The Quakers have such a calm way about them in happy times and in sad and are very open to allowing non-Friends to express themselves as well. I was moved by both events.
Characters that are genuine with true dialogues including the “thee”s and “thou”s, are involved in a very compelling story. Scenes are described in such rich detail, I forced myself to slow down so I could breathe in every word.
I am so excited. The next book in this series Judge Thee Not will be released in just a few weeks, September 10.
As always, I recommend reading this series in order for maximum enjoyment.
I really like this series and this book in particular. I agree with the authors interpretation of the issues of the day and really enjoy the Quaker influence. They are easy, enjoyable reads while also highlighting some difficult issues.
CHARITY’S BURDEN by Edith Maxwell
The Fourth Quaker Midwife Mystery
When Rose Carroll gets a call from a desperate woman she rushes to help. However, Charity is bleeding too profusely and dies. There seems to be too much blood for an early miscarriage, could her death be the result of a mechanical abortion? If so, was it just incompetence that killed Charity, or was it murder?
Rose Carroll is intelligent, caring, and feisty, especially for a Quaker. Yet it is her faith that guides and helps her as she confronts belligerent and dangerous characters. In this fourth Quaker Midwife Mystery we see romances blossoming and blooming as Frederick welcomes a lady friend and Faith and Zeb plan their wedding. Meanwhile Rose patiently waits for her marriage to David. I was happy to meet Kevin’s wife and precocious son and look forward to even more of their involvement in future books. But not all relationships are happy and healthy, as we see with Charity. Was her husband involved with her death? Did he treat her well beforehand?
Once again Edith Maxwell has provided a well researched trip back in time. I found the details about nineteenth century birth control and abortion fascinating. The mystery was compelling with numerous suspects, unsavory characters, and intriguing motives.
While CHARITY’S BURDEN takes place in 1889, its themes are just as relevant today. Women’s health, abortion, and the ability to choose are the center of this mystery. Sadly, many of these issues remain today as certain portions of the Comstock Act still exist, as do other laws and the views of certain members of society.
CHARITY’S BURDEN is a fascinating historical mystery that addresses issues women still face today.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
Be ready to go back to 1889 and Amesbury Massachusetts, and with our Quaker/Detective/Midwife Rose Carroll, now this is the fourth in this series and I have read them all, but there is enough information give that you can read this one alone.
When are all the facts are reveled here it all goes back to greed, only so many are hurt by this person’s acts. Surprises happens and I felt I knew who the culprit was, but I kept changing my mind.
Poor Rose, bodies seem to follow her and she is innocent and just goes about helping woman, and newborns. Also, will she and David ever be able to marry, life goes on, but so do what at time seem to be insurmountable problems.
Another mystery and a glimpse into the life of a Quaker.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Midnight Ink, and was not required to give a positive review.
Charity’s Burden is 4th in the Quaker Midwife Mystery series, filled with intense suspense, intrigue, and family joy. Historical events are well-researched. The characters are very mature for their ages and sufficiently defined. The mystery is stimulating. At the same time, the mystery results in thought-provoking conversations about something that is still a hot-button subject today.
It is the winter of 1889 in Amesbury, Massachusetts. Rose Carroll is a Quaker midwife in her late 20’s. She is a diligent, caring professional who loves what she does. Since her sister Harriet’s death, she lives in and offices out of the home of her brother-in-law to help with her five nieces and nephews. Rose’s fiancé, David, is a physician; their wedding date is pending due to objections from the local Meeting (as he is not Quaker) and David’s mother. We get to join Rose and her family as they prepare for the marriage of Faith, her oldest niece, and Zeb, who she has been seeing for a while.
Rose is called to go to the home of Charity Skells, a young mother of five who lost her last child, born prematurely. The Skells have had financial problems. Charity’s husband Ransom has recently gone back to work, but during her last pregnancy, she often went without food to feed their children. When Rose arrives at the Skells’ apartment, Charity seems to be having a miscarriage, but there is far too much bleeding for a first-trimester pregnancy. Rose rushes her to nearby Methodist Hospital, but it is too late to save her. She requests an autopsy to be performed, but it must be either requested by the police or approved by her husband.
Rose successfully gets the autopsy to go forward through the police detective and friend, Kevin, who she has given information to in the past about murders. Charity’s mother, Virtue, had given her money to get herbs that could take care of her situation as she was still weak from her last pregnancy. Rose’s concern for the women in her care coupled with autopsy results and information she begins to hear from other clients indicate that someone is illegally performing “mechanical” (as opposed to herbal) abortions and give her some clues. There are several suspects, including Charity’s husband, suspected of having an affair with a co-worker. When an attempt is made on Rose’s life, she knows she is getting too close to the killer and must decide if she should leave it to the police to find who the killer is, and whether it was on purpose or very badly botched.
This is a challenging, multi-faceted mystery that brings more women’s history to the forefront. I was surprised at the stringency of the Comstock Laws that made it illegal to even discuss family planning or birth control, much less give herbal preparations or use mechanical means for an abortion. I appreciate the frustrations of women in obtaining any kind of birth control and their medical providers who must keep silent. This is a challenging read, however, for anyone who is pro-life. I appreciated seeing a marriage and funeral conducted in the Quaker tradition along with how Rose practices her faith. I was somewhat surprised at the final events, including confirmation of who the murderer was. This is a well-written, thought-provoking novel, and I recommend it to anyone who appreciates historical mysteries.
From a thankful heart: I received a copy of the eArc of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley; a positive review was not required.
Charity’s Burden
Edith Maxwell’s CHARITY’S BURDEN was so satisfying that I held the book and contemplated it for a few minutes when I finished. I had read all afternoon and evening until sleepiness overtook me, and a description of Rose’s weariness confirmed that we both needed rest, so I “slept on it” and read to stunning resolution at dawn. The death of a patient from excessive bleeding marked the beginning of a very twisted mystery, leading to discussions of “family spacing,” “regulating” women’s monthlies, and the Comstock Laws making even gentle remedies illegal. Rose Carroll resolves to be careful and stay out of police matters, but is drawn in by curiosity and a sense of duty, and the need to clear her own reputation of the poison of gossips. There is also a wedding to plan, and a twinge of sadness at the delay of her own, but it will happen “as Way opens.” What a marvelous way to think of difficulties!
Births, equine as well as human, are dramatic, sometimes difficult, and joyous! Mothers are heroic! The day to day tasks inspire in a smaller, but still crucial way, as life goes on. Rose, wrapped for the cold, pauses to plan dinner, starting dough for bread and then re-wrapping herself to face the cold. The bread-making reminded me of my grandma’s baking, no recipe, but the best ever, and the cinnamon sugar to make cookies from left-over pie dough was a fun bonus in my mom’s kitchen as well.
There was sad irony that Charity was reluctant to accept charity, did so for her children’s sake, but underfed herself. The economy made charity necessary. “What was a chandler to do when the world had turned to gas lighting instead of candles?”
A nurse warns, regarding a husband’s refusal to use a ‘safe,’ “A man who disregards his wife’s health isn’t worth her affections.” Men of intemperate habits can create harm beyond themselves, reminding me of Elizabeth Proctor’s warning to John in THE CRUCIBLE, “There is a promise made” even in what was intended as a meaningless coupling.
Fortunate are the women who partner with good men, who do (thank goodness) outnumber the others and enrich lives with love and comfort, wisdom and expertise. There is promise of more happiness . . . book five will come in the fall. One doesn’t have to read the series in order, but you might want to. There’s time . . . <3
Charity’s Burden is not your typical cozy mystery or Christian Quaker read. It has a definite bite. Where should I start? I’ll start with this is not be viewed as a Christian fiction or cozy mystery. Yes, it centers around the Quakers in Massachusettes in 1889 but there are no mentions of bible verses or faith-based sermons you usually find in a Christian book. There is one romance scene that while it does not go into detail you understand there are inappropriate relations between two unmarried characters, one of them being the Quaker midwife.
This book discusses in detail the pros and cons of different abortion and safe sex practices in 1889. I found it very educational for the curious researcher in me. If you are fiercely against abortion I would say this is not the book for you. As I was reading I did not feel as if this was a political platform, it just shared how such things were thought of during the time. The Comstock laws were mentioned several times during the book and I would suggest you take a moment to look those up if you are unfamiliar with them.
I am definitely interested in reading the first three books in the series and have in fact already requested the first book from my local library.
Please do not use this review for ANY POLITICAL platform as this is not the place for them!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Midnight Ink through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
PS: Edith Maxwell is also Maddie Day of the Country Store series.
A powerful look at contemporary themes packaged as a historical mystery. No wonder Edith Maxwell won the Agatha for this thought-provoking mystery.
Charity’s Burden is the fourth in the Quaker Midwife mystery series written by Edith Maxwell. The 2020 winner of the coveted Agatha award for Best Historical Mystery, this is a well-plotted, intelligent book which shines a light on how women were treated — and, in many cases , mistreated — by people they trusted for help in desperate situations. Highly recommended.
Charity’s Burden by Edith Maxwell is the fourth in the Quaker Midwife series. Rose Carroll is a midwife who resides with her dead sister’s family in order to assist. She sleeps and runs her practice out of the parlor. He fiancé, David, is a busy doctor whom she will marry as soon as his mother consents. The impending wedding has been an issue because David is not a Friend from her local meeting but that has been dealt with, if only his mother… Currently Rose is escorting a client to the hospital. She appears to be having a miscarriage but there is too much blood and it is the wrong color. Rose suspects something more. Sadly the bleeding couldn’t be stopped and Charity Skells dies. Rose feels compelled to let her husband, Ransom, know and so she sets off to his place of employment, where some of the people are behaving a little strangely.
Rose is an interesting character, which is able to interact with a host of people. She has a friend who is a police officer, although she is currently banned from the station, she has a variety of clients, all of whom know other interesting people, she has a keen sense of who and what. Her first impressions are nearly impeccable. She has a big heart, wanting to help others whenever she can. She loves her family and wants a good life with her husband-to-be. She is an excellent, well-written character. Charity’s Burden is an intriguing look into the lives of 19th Century small-town America, Friends or otherwise. It is worth the read.
I received a free ARC of Charity’s Burden. All opinions expressed herein are solely my own. #netgalley #charitysburden