Also by Suzanne Adair:
- The Blacksmith's Daughter: A Mystery of the American Revolution
- Regulated for Murder: A Michael Stoddard American Revolution Thriller
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Bookmark on DeliciousPublished: Nov. 25, 2009
Words: 96614 (approximate)
Language: English
Ebook short description
As the American Revolution batters the Carolinas, 33-year-old widow Sophie Barton leaves her home in Georgia to solve her father's murder and plunges into a hornet's nest of spies, terror, and treachery. PAPER WOMAN received the Patrick D. Smith Literature Award from the Florida Historical Society. "...a swashbuckling good mystery yarn!" Ben Steelman, The Wilmington Star-NewsExtended description
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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Tags
southern, mystery, history, espionage, spy, revolutionary war, historical mystery, historical suspenseAvailable ebook reading formats
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Reviews
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Review by:
aobibliophile
on July 17, 2011 :
"Let justice be done though the heavens should fall." - John Adams in a letter in 1777
June 1780. in the Georgia frontier town of Alston, Sophia Elizabeth Barton nee St. James helps her father Will run his printing business.the patriarch, though, is opposed to the British colonists and he uses his printing press to print broadsides featuring atrocities allegedly committed by the redcoats. Will and two others later turn up dead. Sophie resolves to learn the truth about his father's murder and who was or were responsible. together with her brother David, Mathias Hale and Jacques le Coeuvre, she sets out on a journey that takes her to Florida and as far as Havana, Cuba.
this fast-paced fictional account of what could have happened to a handful of Americans during the Revolutionary War is well-researched and written. Suzanne Adair's novel has the elements of a thriller, murder mystery, adventure and international espionage combined. she has captured the language and sentiments of a turbulent period with rich detail and with well fleshed out characters especially Sophie, the main protagonist.
twists and surprises along the way make this a gripping read. history buffs and fans of historical fiction will surely enjoy this book which won the Patrick D. Smith Literature Award.
(reviewed long after purchase)
Review by:
Sandy Rowland
on July 09, 2011 :
Suzanne has done it again. Sophie is witty and brave. The historical research and attention to detail propelled me to the days of the American revolution with such vigor, I couldn't put down the book. Loved it!
(reviewed long after purchase)
Review by:
Kellie Rix
on June 16, 2011 :
From the very first sentence of Suzanne Adair's historical mystery Paper Woman, I was hooked. Paper Woman takes place during the American Revolution where we meet Sophie Barton, aka Paper Woman, a 33 year old widow, who sets out to solve her father's murder while facing the harsh realities of war. Paper Woman is not only a learning experience, but an enjoyable, suspense-filled read that has the right mixture and perfect balance of history, romance, adventure and page-turning mystery.
(reviewed long after purchase)
Review by:
Sandra Gilbert
on June 05, 2011 :
I loved this book, LOVED IT!
The historical setting drew me and Sophie had me cheering and groaning as she plunged into an adventure that would change her life.
Loved it, I want more.
(reviewed long after purchase)
Review by:
Judy Cox
on May 21, 2011 :
I really enjoyed this book. I loved all the mystery and action that never ceased. It was read in one day, I just couldn't put it down. I love historicals with mystery, danger, some romance, and non stop action. Great read!!
(reviewed within a month of purchase)
Review by:
sal654
on May 17, 2011 :
I was reading a different book that frankly was a bit dark and I wanted something different, so I am taking a break. I started Paper Woman, which is a historical taking place during the American Revolution. I have to say, I have read many historicals, which is the genre that first got me reading again as an adult and has since ventured into many other genres for a change of pace, as so many of the historicals seemed to fall into the cookie cutter repetitiousness that often occurs with a popular market genre. I am glad that I chose to read Paper Woman at this time, as it has to be one of the best historicals I have ever read. The writing is comfortable to read and the twist, at least for me, completely unique. I found I immediately liked the main characters and loved to hate the bad guys, even when I was not always sure who they were. Paper Woman has it all - intrigue, suspense, adventure, ironic humor, romance, and of course a fresh look at history. This is a book definitely worth reading and I would highly recommend it as a great read.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)
Review by:
Tracy Smith
on April 23, 2011 :
Paper Woman is a well-researched and well-paced historical mystery with sufficient twists and turns that will make you want to read it all in one sitting.
Taking place during the American Revolution, Paper Woman stands out partially because the setting is one mostly neglected by history books and novels alike: Georgia, Florida, and the Caribbean. The perspective is also a refreshing change in that it's not the typical Patriot vs Loyalist fare, but, rather, is told from the point of view of a main character who is neutral.
Independent and intrepid, Sophie Barton gets caught up in her father's intrigues that lead her and her trusted companions onto a path of adventure. Along the way, she faces danger several times, but also has the opportunity to gain insight not just into her own life, but also that of those closest to her.
There's an arrogant, smarmy villain that readers will love to hate, as well as minor characters who will enter the adventure at various points who will also capture the reader's interest.
I highly recommend this book.
(reviewed within a week of purchase)
Review by:
GraceKrispy
on April 20, 2011 :
A first novel by Suzanne Adair, this book won the Patrick D. Smith Literature Award. Fluid and descriptive, with writing that seamlessly weaves plot and historical context, it was a well-deserved win. The writing carries you along in such a way that you can't help but become engrossed in the time and the context of the story. The gritty realities of life in this time are made clear, as are the challenges women faced. This is no romanticized vision of the past, this is truth down to the grueling detail. The story was immediately engaging as we follow Sophie at a party, fending off unwanted advances and trying to keep track of her willful and outspoken father. Taking the reader across Florida and then across the ocean, this is a thrilling ride, full of adventure, duplicity and intrigue. With just enough twists in the story to maintain interest, it's easy to imagine yourself there, amidst the grime and fear, struggling to stay a step ahead of the game.
There are plenty of characters to keep track of, and the development of these characters is top-notch. Although it's sometimes tricky to remember a name here and there (and, for some reason, it threw me off that Sophie's father is referred to as "Will" in the story rather than "her father" or some such moniker to denote his relationship to Sophie), there is enough context given for each character that they really distinguish themselves along the way. Sophie is a kick-ass character. She is a woman in a man's world, but manages to hold her own against many powerful and determined men. She's strong, yet vulnerable; especially with regards to her love life. "Uncle" Jacques is colorful and engaging, and it's easy to imagine him as the fun guy at the party. Edward appears a simple character, but turns out to be more complex than we may have imagined, while Fairfax is so ruthless and clever it's easy to despise him. David is perhaps the least developed character, and it would have been nice to get a little more personality from him, but, really, "least developed" in this crew is still more developed than many stories I've read. He may just seem the least developed to me because the others are so tangible in my mind. Of all the characters, Mathias is my favorite. There's something about his own past and his conflicted feelings about love and happiness that pulls me right in. I rooted for him, but I wanted to smack sense into him at the same time.
Although a very well-written and engaging story, I did find myself lost a time or two along the way. There was so much going on, sometimes I had to backtrack to see what I'd missed on my first read. Some of the plot events almost seemed too much. I think I craved a touch more simplicity in the plot, since the characterization and setting were so rich and complex. Overall, however, a fantastic story that allowed me to fully immerse and enjoy!
4.5 /5 stars @ MotherLode blog
(reviewed long after purchase)
Review by:
Caroline Clemmons
on April 11, 2011 :
Prize winning author Suzanne Adair creates a wonderful historical tale filled with tension to keep readers turning the page. I couldn't put this book down.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)