What do readers think of A Simple Murder by Eleanor Kuhns? Write your own review.

My favorite genre is mysteries and my second favorite is historical fiction, and I found this book disappointing on both levels. I think that the author could have improved the mystery by developing the characters more fully, especially those in the Shaker community. Also, more details about Shaker beliefs, their history, and their place in the community would have added greatly to the setting. I read historical fiction to learn about a certain period in history, and to be transported back in time. Somehow, while reading this book, I did not feel that I was back in the late 1700's.

A Simple Murder is a satisfactory story. It has a mystery that needs to be solved, and is, but the story is lacking. I just didn't care about the characters. The story moved at a slow pace, but it was easily predictable on who committed the crimes.

I found this book disappointing and rather superficial. I found the book slow going in the beginning and I didn't really get much of a feeling for the characters, the time or the place. The mystery itself is somewhat interesting, but the setting of a Shaker community in 18th-century New England adds nothing to it. I wanted to know more about the Shakers as a religious community and especially why there was such animosity towards them. When all the suspects are gathered together at the end, a la Agatha Christie, the revelation of the murderer seems to come from nowhere. How Will Rees determines the connection …more between the victims and the murderer is unexplained. The relationship between Will and Lydia and Will's son, David, was more interesting than the actual mystery itself. (less)

This book held no appeal either as a crime book or history book. The characters were simple, the story simple and a no-brainer on who the murderer was. I would have enjoyed it more if the community was more defined not just surface relationships and plot.

A captivating itinerant weaver who is also a Revolutionary War era murder investigator? What a great character! In fact, many of the main characters are quite engaging.

Setting the story in the midst of a Maine Shaker village is clever. Kuhns offers up insight into their way of life in a way that will probably entice some readers to do their own research (a bonus provided any good book, imho!).

The plot is intriguing but rather predictable. Nonetheless, I can see the beginnings of a good series here and I certainly would pick up a sequel ... or even a prequel!

I was disappointed with this book for several reasons. First, the writing style is boring.
The book is written at a low reading level, appropriate for young readers, but the material is more suitable for adults.
I enjoy historical fiction, but I discovered little history in this book. The story was
interesting and the Shaker community was reasonably represented.
I honestly do not recommend this book for young adults or the mature reader.

This book just seemed way off to me. The historical context was a little shaky, as the book was set in a year when the Shakers may or may not have been a nascent presence in Maine, but surely had not had time to develop the reputation to outsiders that was depicted in the book, nor many of the traditions and organizational hierarchies referenced. Likewise, a pervasive reference to toothpicks being spit out and replaced was distracting, as disposable toothpicks were not invented until the 1830's, about 40 years after the setting in the book.

Historical context aside, I thought the author needlessly developed too …more many peripheral characters, creating confusion as to their significance. The conflict relating to the main character's sister's family being removed from the farm was never resolved (did they go quietly? did a fight ensue? was a relationship preserved or destroyed?), although the conflict was developed and referenced many times throughout the book.

The ending's social situation was predictable. The convoluted explanation of bloodlines really muddled the whodunit aspect. The plot never pulled me in or held me in suspense. I really had to force myself to finish. (less)