Michael is struck by the unconventional, unadorned style of Quincey’s home’s furnishings. When they meet, Quincey tells Michael that there has been an occurrence of suspicious fires in Shaker communities in western Massachusetts, one resulting in death. Quincey wants Michael to ostensibly join the Shakers and report his observations back to Quincey in hopes of uncovering the culprit. Michael is resistant to the proposal but finds himself the following morning accompanying the kindly Brother Philomen on the journey to Hancock Village. Philomen answers his questions and acquaints him with details of various members of the community but is insistent that none of them could possibly have set the fires.

Michael is impressed by the warmth and generosity of the Shakers and with the unusual equality between men and women. Among the members is an elder, Sister Esther, whom Michael had expected to be a woman of middle or advanced years but is in fact young, extremely capable, and to whom Michael is soon strongly attracted. Another member is Brother Samuel who had been Michael’s father’s business partner and whom Michael blames for the deaths of his mother and sister. Samuel has joined so that his son Giles who suffers from some strange disorder (now recognized as Tourette’s syndrome) might live where his unexplained behavior would be accepted.

Michael is a non-believer, but he is struck by the power of Shakers’ beliefs and is puzzled by events that seem to be explained only as a result of supernatural forces. But all is not right within the community. When an elderly woman is assaulted and Michael’s notes are stolen, he knows that someone with evil intent is among them.

The book’s cover describes this as “A Michael Merrick Mystery,” but other characters have prominent roles in the story. Many of them are well developed and become individuals within the larger community. Due to the first person narration, the reader, however, becomes most familiar with Michael and observes the action only through his eyes. There are hints in The Blazing Tree of ample personal history and problems to provide a foundation for future stories.

The unusual setting of this historical mystery distinguishes it from similar mysteries. The author has interwoven details about the Shaker beliefs and practices with her story line. I have the advantage of having visited Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, but readers who have no more exposure to the Shakers than having heard the hymn “Simple Gifts” or seen Shaker chairs will not be at a loss in understanding their unique customs.

It is my expectation that in coming installments of the series Michael’s newspaper connection will permit a wide range of investigations in a variety of nineteenth settings, but I for one will miss learning of the further activities of his Shaker friends and hope the author intends for him to revisit this particular locale in the future.

--Lesley Dunlap