The Red Pearl
by Chloe Helton
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GENRE: Historical fiction
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BLURB
The Red Pearl is a delight. Meticulously researched, it transports the reader to the inns and
backstreets of Boston in 1778. Lucy Finch’s personal tragedy spurs her on to take an active role
in the revolutionary war, despite the immense danger it brings to herself, her family and friends.
Ms. Helton’s characters are warm, living beings with gifts and flaws. Their relationships are
altered — broken or strengthened — by the battles on distant fields and the evil of individuals
closer to home.
There’s something peculiar about the small group of men who have begun to frequent The Red
Pearl, the tavern that has hosted a variety of Boston’s men since before the Revolutionary War
began. In a rebellious city that does not tolerate Loyalists, men could come here and speak
freely without fear of the repercussions -- and Jasper Finch, the tavern-keeper, has always been
proud of that.
But now the war is in full force, and Lucy Finch -- the tavern-keeper’s wife -- is growing nervous
about The Red Pearl’s most loyal customers. Their clandestine meetings and hushed whispers
suggest dark secrets -- secrets which may threaten the safety of Boston, and the future of the
war itself.
Lucy struggles to stay loyal to her husband’s wishes while grappling with the surprising truths of
America’s war for independence. When a terrible assault makes her ache for revenge, she must
make a choice: Will she keep quiet about the explosive secrets she has learned, or will she
expose them and risk her marriage and possibly her life?
Set in the wild and unpredictable world of the Revolutionary War, fans of historical fiction will fall
in love with Lucy Finch, who faces impossible choices that may change the fate of a nation.
Excerpt
“I came to tell you something to pass to your captain.”
“Such as?”
“Information. Men talk, especially when they’re drinking in the tavern, and I’ve heard things that
might be of interest.”
“Tavern gossip is not our concern, Lucy. It was good to see you.”
My lips pursed. Jonathan had never been the most friendly of us, but this was rude. “No. I paid
fifteen pennies and took a whole day to come here, which my husband would have my hide for if
he knew of, by the way, and I won’t let you pass me off. As your sister, I deserve to be listened
to, at least.”
He looked away, then sighed. “I regret my rudeness. You may speak.”
Tempted to clench my jaw - you may speak, how patronizing of him - I launched into the story
immediately, my enthusiasm spiralling with every word, and when I finished I glanced at him
proudly, anticipating his astonished and impressed smile.
His fingers twitched. “Thank you,” he said flatly. “I’m sure it will be taken care of.”
That didn’t sound right. “You’re not going to do anything about it?”
There were a few other soldiers on the other side of the empty pit, and they perked up for a
moment at my urgent tone.
“We get dozens of tips like this,” my brother informed me quietly. “The colonists never have a
problem foiling British shipments.”
“You don’t understand. They’ve gotten away with it so far; they said they’ve never had a ship
that didn’t pass through.”
He considered this. “Okay.” It wasn’t a rejection, but it wasn’t a promise, either. It was less than
he would have given Thea, who had married a good patriot, whose first love had not been so
wild as to scare our father into marrying her to someone so absurdly sensible as my husband.
“I promise you, I am speaking truth,” I told him. “I wouldn’t bring this to you if I didn’t believe it.”
Review
The Red Pearl was an interesting read for me. I've always been interested in historical writing, both fiction and non-fiction, and yet there have been some major gaps in the kind of historical writing I've read. I've read very little, possibly nothing set during the revolutionary war and so I was excited to get the chance to read this one.
The Red Pearl pulls you into the world right away, feeling authentic and introducing you to a lead character that you can root for.
The storyline is compelling, and I found myself easily flipping the pages and wanting more and this is where I come to my biggest negative on the book.
I wanted more.
Like I mentioned, the storyline was compelling and the charcaters great, I just felt as if I wanted the book to be longer. To expand upon the charcaters and flesh them out a little more, because what was there, was great.
The subject covered in this book, felt as if it could have supported a much longer novel and I found myself disappointed when I had no more pages to turn, which in my opinion, is a sign of good writing.
Had the book been a little longer and developed the stories and charcaters of this era in a little more depth. I think I'd be looking at a 4, possibly even 5 start book.
As it is. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it. Especially to people who enjoy time travelling through books as much as I do.
Rating 3.5/5
About the Author
Chloe Helton is the author of four historical fiction novels, including And the Stars Wept and the
Wattpad favorite A Thousand Eyes. Her readers have journeyed with her from the shores of
Elizabethan England to the stormy battlefields of the Civil War in search of the often-hidden stories of women who made history.
Links
Chloe Helton will be awarding $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.