The Blazing Tree, Mary Jo Adamson, Signet, $5.99.
The main character in this novel, Michael Merrick, is a well born young man who was plunged into poverty by the death of his father, and into despair by the deaths of his mother and sister. Turning to opium to alleviate his pain, he passes some years in this way, until he finds a friend in a Pequot Indian named Trapper who helps him get rid of his opium addiction, and a simple job - writing up the police report for a Boston newspaper - that keeps him busy and not thinking too much about his past.
Suddenly finding himself brought to the notice of the newspaper's aloof, wealthy publisher, he's asked by the publisher, Jasper Quincey, to investigate a series of fires that have plagued the Shaker community nearby - destroying one of their valuable seedhouses (the Shakers made a good living selling their seeds and herbal medicines) and killing an older member in the process. Merrick is skeptical that he's capable of investigating, but agrees to use the skills he's developed as an objective observer and make reports back to Quincey.
Things of course heat up when he arrives at the community - disguised as a new member - and falls hard for one of the
sisters (one of the reasons there are no more Shakers is their belief in celibacy) and he as well begins to notice a series
of small events that once again culminate in a death. He himself is put into danger and when his reports are given to Quincey,
it helps him to clarify his thoughts.
The writing here is lovely, and the depiction of the thriving Shaker community is fascinating. Adamson is able to
deliver a very real look at the faith of the members without sacrificing the skepticism of the unbeliever, Michael. Both
sides are presented, leaving the reader to make up his or her own mind. While this book is on the gentle side, it's a
compelling read that may leave you wanting to know more about Michael Merrick and the 19th century Boston he inhabits.
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