“Elegant and well-crafted, rich in period detail, Edith Maxwell’s latest foray is a stunner!” —Susanna Calkins, author of the award-winning Lucy Campion Mysteries and the Speakeasy MysteriesQuaker midwife Rose Carroll must fight bias and blind assumptions to clear the name of a friend when a murderer strikes in nineteenth-century Massachusetts . . .No stranger to judgmental attitudes in her small … judgmental attitudes in her small town of Amesbury, Quaker midwife Rose Carroll is nonetheless stunned when society matron Mayme Settle publicly snubs her good friend Bertie for her nontraditional lifestyle. When Mrs. Settle is later found murdered—and a supposed witness insists Bertie was spotted near the scene of the crime—the police have no choice but to set their sights on the slighted woman as their main suspect.
Rose is certain her friend is innocent of the heinous deed, and when Rose isn’t busy tending to her duties as midwife, she enlists the help of a blind pregnant client—who’s endured her own share of prejudice—to help her sift through the clues. As the two uncover a slew of suspects tied to financial intrigues, illicit love, and an age-old grudge over perceived wrongs, Rose knows she’ll have to bring all her formidable intelligence to bear on solving the crime. Because circumstantial evidence can loom large in small minds, and she fears her friend will soon become the victim of a grave injustice . . .
Praise for the Quaker Midwife Mysteries:
“Through Quaker Rose Carroll’s resourceful sleuthing—and her midwifery—we are immediately immersed in the fascinating peculiarities, tensions and secrets of small-town life in late-19th-century Amesbury.” —Susanna Calkins, author of the award-winning Lucy Campion Mysteries and the Speakeasy Mysteries
“Edith Maxwell’s latest Quaker midwife mystery teems with authentic period detail that fascinates as it transports the reader back to a not-so-simple time. A complex, subtle, and finely told tale, Judge Thee Not’s sensitive portraits and vivid descriptions, along with Rose Carroll’s humanity, intelligence, and—yes—snooping, make this a sparkling addition to a wonderful series. A sublimely delightful read.”
—James W. Ziskin, author of the award-winning Ellie Stone Mysteries
“Not only is it a well-plotted, intelligent mystery, it also shines light on how women were treated—and, in many cases, mistreated—by people they trusted for help in desperate situations. Highly recommended.” —Suspense Magazine on Charity’s Burden
“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 . . .”
—Catriona McPherson, Agatha-, Anthony- and Macavity-winning author of the Dandy Gilver series
“Clever and stimulating novel . . . masterfully weaves a complex mystery.”
—Open Book Society
“Riveting historical mystery . . . [a] fascinating look at nineteenth-century American faith, culture, and small-town life.”
—William Martin, New York Times bestselling author of Cape Cod and The Lincoln Letter
About the Author:
Agatha- and Macavity-nominated author Edith Maxwell writes the Amesbury-based Quaker Midwife historical mysteries, the Local Foods Mysteries, and award-winning short crime fiction. As Maddie Day she writes the Country Store Mysteries and the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries. A long-time Quaker and former doula, Maxwell lives north of Boston with her beau, two elderly cats, and an impressive array of garden statuary. She blogs at WickedAuthors.com and KillerCharacters.com. Read about all her personalities and her work at edithmaxwell.com.
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Dollycas’s Thoughts
I am so happy this series found a new home so quickly. I love these characters!
Again, Ms. Maxwell takes on a hot topic in 1889 and still a hot topic for some today. As a midwife, she willing discusses everything with her patients, from diet, birth control, and even rape. Rose Carroll is a Quaker and like most members has a very open mind. They treat everyone as equals regardless of class or standing. She is truly taken by surprise when society matron Mayme Settle makes her feelings known publically about postmistress and Rose’s friend Bertie’s nontraditional lifestyle, – a “Boston marriage” to attorney and partner Sophie. Soon after Mayme Settle makes her declarations she is murdered and a witness places Bertie near the scene of the crime. Rose is positive her friend had nothing to do with the death and she is going to do everything she can to prove it and pass along all the information she can to her friend police detective Kevin Donovan.
In addition to the characters we have met over the course of this series, the author also introduces us to two of Rose’s patients that really captured my heart. First, Jeanette Papka, a tall woman “with long dark hair and a delightful smile.” Sadly a childhood illness has left her blind. Amazingly it doesn’t hold her back. Jeanette speaks several languages fluently and works at the Second District Court in Amesbury as a translator. We also meet Sissy Barkley, the young wife of banker Irvin Barkley. He prefers his wife see a medical doctor but Sissy insists on seeing midwife Rose. She is nervous that her husband will send her back to her family is she doesn’t fulfill his wish to be a father. She evolves within these pages.
On Rose’s homefront, her relationship with David is moving along as is Frederick’s relationship with Winnie. The children are growing and one loves to cook and bake. I really enjoy the way Ms. Maxwell blends a terrific mystery with normal daily life including Rose’s prenatal and postnatal visits while giving readers a bird’s eye view of interesting things from that time, from medical discoveries to fashion and more. With each story, I also learn more of the Quaker faith.
There is so much packed into this story, and I enjoyed every step of the journey. The mystery was very well-plotted and the pace was comfortable. The title fits the story perfectly. I always try to slow y reading speed down because for me my visits to Amesbury always end way too soon.
I am waiting with bated breath for the next book in this series!
As always, I recommend reading this series in order for maximum enjoyment.
There’s so much to love in Edith Maxwell’s JUDGE THEE NOT that I stayed immersed in Rose Carroll’s world and MIA in the “real” world as problems and puzzles swirled and mystified.
Explanations of the difficulties and dangers of twin births reminded me of the wonders of modern options we may take for granted. I gave thanks that my friend’s three-months-early daughter is thriving, thanks to the many available options, and remembered being told at the Eugene Field House of the custom of naming a baby only after the completion of the treacherous first year of life.
In addition to the demands of midwifery, Rose deals with small-minded attacks on her friend Sophie’s “lifestyle” — could she lose her position of postmistress? When the most mean-spirited critic is murdered, the finger of suspicion points wildly . . . including toward Sophie. So many lies, and so many motives . . . can Rose help Kevin sort out the “case . . . as complex . . . as I can ever recall bing confronted with”?
In the contest between hypocrisy and greed vs. gentle simplicity and loving honesty . . . Rose Carroll sets an example I’d hope to follow. Avoiding the traps of ostentatious and unbridled consumption and staying true to one’s promises is a sensible approach to a happy life. Also admirable is Rose’s patient but firm way of dealing with conflicts, including with teenage nephew, curmudgeonly brother-in-law, and “difficult” future mother-in-law.
If you like to read in order, this is book five in the series that began with Delivering the Truth.
“Judge Thee Not” earns 5+/5 Judgments & Justice…Engaging and Entertaining!
Another absorbing tale! Hard to put down! Edith Maxwell has penned a compelling fifth book in her Quaker Midwife Mystery series! Rose Carroll is shocked to witness the rude treatment of her friend Bertie by society matron Mayme Settle who recently learned of Bertie’s “inclinations,” loudly protesting Bertie is “a danger to all proper ladies.” Bertie Winslow is “cohabitating” with a young female lawyer. Prejudices are foreign to Rose who holds strongly to the “live and let live” ideals of her Quaker faith, but it seems Mrs. Settle makes it a daily habit. This, of course, is important to Detective Donovan when Mrs. Settle is found murdered, and a witness with their own intentions comes forward to place Bertie near the crime scene casting doubt on her not being involved. Bertie is a prime suspect. Of course, Rose disagrees and sets out to prove it. Edith shines a bright light on prejudice and ill-advised judgments with a clever murder mystery, well-defined characters, and a surprise, yet satisfying, conclusion that validates Karma’s intervention. This series is brilliant depicting various fascinating aspects of nineteenth century life with such realism incorporating historical references, description of fashions and style, discussions on medical issues, and her portrayal of the role of women and issues with childbirth are a testament to her level of research. Beyond the entertainment value of her work, I always learn something fascinating: Quaker culture, the midwife techniques, and medical practices. But, this story easily translates to the present with the contemporary topics she tackles: the LGBTQ community, misjudging the physically-challenged, and the role of immigrants. Edith’s writing style is very entertaining with descriptive language and dialogue that illustrates well the tone, emotion, and different personalities. Each book is a stand-alone making it easy for newbies to start here, but I highly recommend this series…all of it!
Judge Thee Not by Edith Maxwell is the fifth entry in the Quaker Midwife Series and as usual let us know that may of today’s problems were yesterday’s problems as well. Maxwell handles them in a level-headed, even-handed manner that makes the reader wonder what all the fuss is about, both then and now. The setting is enticing, late 1800’s, a small town in Massachusetts, a Quaker home. Many of us are ignorant of what Quakers believe, but this Quaker family has many of the problems a modern family might have: bickering siblings, a single parent, loss of patience… Rose Carroll, the Quaker Midwife in question is caring, open-minded, loving, sympathetic, and the list goes on. Her friend, Bertie Winslow lives with another woman in and “inappropriate” relationship, yet does her job and lives her life quietly. For some people this is not enough. But, as so often happens, the citizen who is judgmental and not very nice, gets what’s coming to her. The question is, who is the killer. There are so many that have reason.
Judge Thee Not is a nicely written mystery with an extremely likable heroine. Rose has depth to her: she has opinions, she cares deeply for others, she is in loves and hopes to marry her betrothed. She is not a goody-two-shoes, however. She tries to help as best she can, but things anger her, although she tries to control her anger. Many of the other characters are written with less depth but as they are supporting cast members, that is acceptable. Read this book. You will enjoy it. Read the others in the series, as well. I recommend them.
I received a free ARC of Judge Thee Not. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #judgetheenot
I was so glad to see that Edith Maxwell is continuing Rose’s story with a new publisher, Beyond the Page. Rose, I hope, still has many more mysteries to solve. Here she is in her fifth mystery and a new set of challenges confront her. Besides dreaming of the day she can marry her beloved David, she has a new client, a very young second wife of an older man, a man who wants children. His first wife failed him and has died. His second wife fears that is she, too, fails him, she will be sent back to her mother to live, in shame at her failure. The challenge becomes very serious when Rose discovers twins are coming and that is very risky. Then, when she goes to the post office, she is witness to the horrible behavior of Mayme Settle, a woman of means and a mean spirit. She refuses to let Bertie wait on her and makes her reasons clear – she disapproves of Bertie’s relationship with another woman and says that she will be making a complaint to the powers that be. Mayme is known for her blunt outspokenness and she isn’t stopping with her opinion of Bertie’s life style. She later turns her nastiness on Jeannette, one of Rose’s clients, a young, talented blind woman who works at the courthouse as a multi language translator for new immigrants. When Mayme is found dead in her bed and it’s declared a homicide, Bertie is seen as a prime suspect. Not if Rose has any say in the matter.
Suspects abound because Mayme was known to just about everybody and had cross words for most of them. Working with police detective Kevin Donovan again, Rose is determined to find the killer. Which motive on the list was the one that moved the person to become a killer? I found myself staying up way into the night to finish the mystery. Time spent with Rose, her family, David and her friends is always a pleasure. The historical information and the setting are, for me, perfect. I’m looking forward to book #6.
Midwife Rose Carroll is surprised to step into the Amesbury, Mass., post office one June afternoon and find Mayme Settle complaining loudly about postmistress Bertie Winslow. The problem isn’t poor service but Bertie’s untraditional lifestyle, specifically that she lives with another woman. Mrs. Settle doesn’t feel this is proper, and is making her feelings known. While Rose is upset for her friend, Bertie is more than willing to let the slight go. However, one morning Mrs. Settle is found dead in her bed, and the police are quick to rule it murder. Unfortunately, they are just as quick to focus on Bertie as their prime suspect. Can Rose help the police find the truth?
The mystery is good with several viable suspects; however, I felt the pacing was off. It was a bit too slow in the beginning and a bit rushed at the end. While it wraps everything up, we get a lot of information thrown at us rather quickly to do so. It is always fun to spend time with Rose, and I love her friends. There were some interesting developments with her family in this book, which I enjoyed. The suspects were strong, but I felt the victim was a bit of a cliché, needing more time alive to become more real to me. My feelings on the victim also plays into my issues with the theme. As the title suggests, we get a few passages that look at how humans judge others. The problem was I felt these were too modern for a book set in the 1880’s. Mind you, I haven’t done the research, so maybe I’m the one judging too harshly. Other viewpoints were certainly not shown as anything other than wrong, and Rose comes off as almost judging others a few times herself. The title comes from a version in Matthew 7 in the Bible, and is taken out of context, as it usually is. These issues pulled me out of the book (and certainly bothered me) when they popped up, but the focus of the book was mostly on the mystery. Those who have enjoyed previous books will want to pick up this book and judge it for themselves. Most will probably be glad they did.
Judge Thee Not is the fifth book in the Quaker Midwife Mystery series.
I love this series and was so happy when I learned that it had found a new home. It is one of my favorite historical mystery series. One can learn a little of life was in the late 1800s and the opportunity to learn about the Quaker religion and midwifery.
The story starts with Rose Carroll stopping by the post office where she sees her friend and postmistress, Bertie, being snubbed by Mrs. Settle. Mrs. Settle doesn’t approve of Bertie lifestyle. The next morning the lifeless body of Mrs. Settle is found. When a credible witness volunteers that Bertie was seen walking by Settle house that evening. Kevin Donovan police detective has little choice but to consider Bertie the prime suspect. Rose is determined to clear Bertie’s name and proceeds to help Kevin with his investigation.
Rose Carroll has two new expectant ladies in this book. Sissy Barclay. Sissy is expecting twins and Rose is worried about her pregnancy. Her other patient is Jeannette Papka. Jeannette is blind and works as an interpreter for the local court. We learn about some of the misunderstandings that people have about people who are blind. But Jeannette’s blindness works to Rose’s advantage as Jeannette can gather the information that proves very valuable to Rose’s investigation.
Once again Edith Maxwell provides the reader with a well-written and plotted story with believable and well-developed characters.
I’m anxiously awaiting the next book in this very interesting series.
I enjoyed this novel very much! The mystery and its solution is intriguing, the underlying premise a challenge the world has faced since the Garden of Eden, that of judging – or better, not judging – others. The characters are beautifully three-dimensional; Carrie and her friends, old and new, and family are engaging and likable. The historical details of 1889 New England reflect many advances we have seen in just 130 years!
Most of us tend to judge people who are different from us. Mayme Settle is a vociferous example, first by her refusal to let Bertie, the postmistress, serve her at the Post Office, her reaction to Jeanette, a brilliant blind woman, and the unwed mothers at Alms Farm. Rose Carroll, the delightful young midwife who has helped the local police solve several murders, even witnesses how rude Mayme can be to her husband when he interrupted the Ladies’ Circle at her home.
Rose was stunned the following day to hear that Mayme was found dead in her bed by her poor maid that morning. Unfortunately, Kevin Donovan, the police detective who has become, with his wife and genius son, Rose’s friend, is questioning her friend Bertie. Bertie, as postmistress in Amesbury, has been the subject of several people’s dislike because of her “Boston marriage” to attorney and partner Sophie. It was only the day before that Mayme publicly aired her disgust at Bertie’s living arrangements. Later that evening the banker, Irvin Barclay, claims to have seen Bertie at the Settle’s home during the time frame that she could have been murdered.
Barclay brings his young wife, Sissy, to Rose’s home that day to oversee her pregnancy. An opinionated man, he doesn’t understand why Sissy would see a midwife instead of a doctor. Sissy is less than half his age, but is very clear that she wants a midwife, not a male doctor. The sweet young woman is pregnant with twins and afraid of being sent back to her family should she lose them. His first wife was unable to bear children and died mysteriously. Barclay is as opinionated as Mayme, attested to by Jeanette, another client of Rose’s. Jeanette is blind, fluent in English, French, and Polish, and works at the court as a verbal interpreter for immigrants who have yet to learn English.
It seems that everyone Rose meets knows something about Mayme Settle; she has aggravated many with her opinions and judgements. Some, like Jeanette, take her words with a grain of salt while others have much bigger heartaches. When trying to understand who would benefit from her death, there are some who could sate their desire for revenge, and at least one who might benefit financially.
I was captivated by this novel from the start. Learning more about real historical people such as John Whittier, a bit about being blind in those years, the knowledge Rose has as a midwife, and fashions that make life more accessible, such as the split skirt, is interesting. Studying the clues, especially of those judged harshly, and trying to arrive at who the real killer was a true challenge! I was quite surprised at the ending and satisfied with the resolution! I highly recommend this to fans of the author and Quaker Midwife series and those who like well-written historical cozy mysteries. And those who might want to challenge themselves to Judge Thee Not!
From a thankful heart: I received a copy of this from the publisher through NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
This is the second book I have read in the series and I really need/want to read the ones I have missed. Rose is a spitfire whose escapades I enjoy.
I find I not only learn about midwifery and how people lived in the 19th century but I also learn about the Quaker faith. The Quakers are very interesting and I have high respect for how they stood up to others to stay true to their faith.
Maxwell is not afraid to touch on themes such as lesbianism and rape. She handles them with such poise. I like how she includes them but does not feel the need to make it the focal point.
The Quaker Midwife series is a noteworthy addition to the genre of cozy mysteries.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Beyond the Page, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.