Restitution

Kate Dolan
Cloonfad Press (2006)
ISBN 0976940450
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (7/06)

 

On the day of her church arranged marriage to despicable Mr. Porset, a young Moravian widow Mara Weingardt feared for the safety of her two sons after watching Mr. Porsen taunt his servant and his own son with beating and abusive words.

Jack McCready, an itinerant peddler, convinces Mara to accompany him to Annapolis. Posing as Jack’s wife, Mara indentures herself into the household service of James Brice, a wealthy, influential, colonist. The city was embroiled over the British tax on tea.  Jack’s desire for quick money entangles him in a plot to deliver messages between disgruntled colonists, and the duplicity of relaying these same messages to opposing forces.  

After leaving the community of the brethren Mara’s struggled with, deceit, lies, and pride.  Her desire to elevate her servant’s status to expose her to refined society consumed her.  This leads to personal conflict, emotionally and spiritually as Mara attempted to live up to her conservative religious convictions

Jack and Mara find themselves unwittingly involved in the Peggy Stewart affair in Annapolis harbor. Because of his refusal to reveal the source of a treasonous message, Jack was attacked and shot as he attempted escape. This near death experience helped Jack find purpose to life as he chose to aid the cause of the colonists. 
 
Dolan’s characters are believable.  I found myself vacillating allegiances as character flaws surfaced in Jack, Mara, Brice and others.  These flaws helped move the plot of the story forward.

I personally enjoyed learning more about the background and beliefs of the Moravians. Dolan used dialog to give background information on Moravian doctrine and tenets, particularly on forgiveness and restitution.  The underlying theme of the book was Mara’s finding personal forgiveness in light of the doctrine of restitution.

This novel fits the historical fiction and Revolutionary War genre.  It is a story of adventure, double agents, villains, and romance, in the years just preceding the Revolutionary War.  I found the story intriguing, fast moving, entertaining, and informational.  I am looking forward to reading Kate Dolan’s first novel, “Langley’s Choice.”

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