Book Review - "The Bricklayer's Helper" by Amy Corwin

Mistaken identities, murderous secrets and a years-old mystery set the stage for Amy Corwin’s Regency novel, “The Bricklayer’s Helper.”

Young Samuel Sanderson prides himself on his skillful work as a bricklayer’s helper. He has grown in the job for thirteen years, since a tragic fire killed his family and left him a homeless orphan. Ingratiating himself to bricklayer Mr. Hawkins, he found a home of sorts and a profession. Now Hawkins was ready to wed his daughter to Sanderson and help him open a branch office of the business in London. There’s just one problem with the plan – Samuel is a girl and someone is trying to kill her.

Corwin weaves an intricate intrigue set against 1819 England with its strict class standards and restrictions. Her hero/heroine must stay alive long enough to solve the mystery of what happened to her family. Along the way, she encounters William Trenchard, an inquiry agent with Second Sons. He’s no Sam Spade, but he’s got the smarts to discover Samuel’s – er, Sarah’s – secret and he is committed to her safety.

The mystery and the romance run a footrace through the story, daring the reader to keep pace with the action. While there are some sexual allusions, the book is not a steamy one. The story can be shared without embarrassment. There are many humorous moments to lighten the tension.

This book will appeal to fans of the Regency period, romance lovers and mystery aficionados. Corwin does a great job of invoking the period without endless pages spent describing gowns. The pages are spent on plot.

Although the book is technically the third in a series, it stands alone quite well. You may find, however, that you want another serving of Corwin’s vision of Regency England. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

 

“The Bricklayer’s Helper” by Amy Corwin

Published by Wild Rose Press

 

Disclosure: This review is based on a review copy provided by the author. No restrictions were placed on the review and the opinions are my own.