the_weirdling's review against another edition
5.0
Because this book had been an award winner, I guess I was expecting a good read. I wasn’t prepared for how much I enjoyed this book, how hard it was to put down and deal with real life, and how much I wished it wouldn’t end.
Westerns from the perspective of female protagonists are sadly not common enough. Less common are one with female protagonists that aren’t sappy romances, looking for ever newer ways to fail the Bechdel Test.
This story centers around a Colorado valley’s last midwife who is accused of murdering a new born. The baby is question is the child of the most powerful man in town, no less. At core is a fascinating tale about an incredibly compelling character, her family, and her experiences as an 19th century frontier midwife. The book is driven towards an investigation, trial, and usual surprise ending expected of the crime/procedural genre from which this novel borrows.
Whether read for the story of a frontier midwife or a murder/mystery, this is one of the most satisfying Westerns I’ve read in a couple of years. Yeah, it was that good.
laurantor's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
lrcartee's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
nursenell's review against another edition
4.0
Set in the 1880's in a mining town in Colorado this is the story of a midwife accused of murder.
savannahrich's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion, Murder, Death, and Child death
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Suicide, and Domestic abuse
kdferrin's review against another edition
4.0
I have been a little disappointed with the last several offerings from [a: Sandra Dallas|74078|Sandra Dallas|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1276294358p2/74078.jpg] but I really enjoyed this one