Skip to main content

Nell: Marshal of Bodie (The Nell Doherty Mysteries #1) by John Edward Mullen: A Book Review

Nell: Marshal of Bodie (The Nell Doherty Mysteries #1)
Author: John Edward Mullen
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery & Suspense, Western 
Publisher: Murders in Time Press
Release Date: 2022
Pages: 300
Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: In the winter of 1892, the once-vibrant gold-mining town of Bodie, California is in serious decline. 

      Nell Doherty, an 18-year-old young woman with a wooden leg, dreams of leaving and becoming a Pinkerton detective. 

     When a tragic shooting presents her with an opportunity to prove she has the skills needed to work for the Pinkertons, Bodie’s justice of the peace deputizes Nell — over the loud objections of the majority of the town’s residents.

     Can she prove them all wrong?

      Nell digs in and investigates the shooting, with the help of Rags, her half-Irish, half-Chinese best friend. 

     As they work against the clock to solve the mystery, Nell and Rags become the targets of ruthless desperadoes who won’t let anyone get between them and a fortune.

     My Review: Nell Doherty dreams of becoming a Pinkerton Detective. When her father is shot, Nell is determined to find her father’s shooter. Nell gets the opportunity to investigate the case when she is chosen to become a deputy marshal. She chose as her sidekick to be her half-Chinese best friend, Rags. However, Nell and Rags find that investigating the case is not easy because they are often faced with discrimination.

   I really like Nell. I thought that she was a very plucky heroine. She has a disability, but she never let it stop her from pursuing her dreams. There were moments that I found her frustrating. She often lets her emotions get to her while investigating the case, and it leads to her emotions clouding her judgement. Nevertheless, I admired her strength and stubbornness as she investigates a personal case. Therefore, I rooted for Nell through every step in her journey.

    Overall, this was a coming-of-age story about dreams, secrets, and friendship. I liked all of the characters and found them to be very realistic. I also find the mystery to be so compelling that I couldn’t put the book down! The reason why I am not giving it a solid five stars is because there were still some loose ends. I did like the setting of when the ghost town, Bodie, was rich, thriving, and bustling. Nell: The Marshal of Bodie was a very engrossing and fun read! I can’t wait for the sequel! I hope it comes out soon! I want to know more about what happens to Nell! I recommend this for fans of Dead White, The Pryce of Conceit, and The Secret Life of Anna Blanc!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki: A Book Review

The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post Author: Allison Pataki Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Ballantine Release Date: February 15, 2022 Pages: 381 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: Mrs. Post, the President and First Lady are here to see you. . . . So begins another average evening for Marjorie Merriweather Post. Presidents have come and gone, but she has hosted them all. Growing up in the modest farmlands of Battle Creek, Michigan, Marjorie was inspired by a few simple rules: always think for yourself, never take success for granted, and work hard—even when deemed American royalty, even while covered in imperial diamonds. Marjorie had an insatiable drive to live and love and to give more than she got. From crawling through Moscow warehouses to rescue the Tsar’s treasures to outrunning the Nazis in London, from serving the homeless of the Great Depression to entertaining Roosevelts, Kennedys, and Hollywood’s biggest stars, Marjorie Merriweath...
2 comments
Read more

Shipwreck (The Heirs of Anarchy #3) by G. Lawrence: A Book Review

Shipwreck (The Heirs of Anarchy #3) Author: G. Lawrence  Genre: Historical Fiction  Publisher: G. Lawrence Publication Date: 2021 Pages: 315 Source: Borrowed Synopsis: Autumn, 1139, Normandy        On a beach in Normandy stands Matilda, once Empress, Queen and Countess, named heir to England and Normandy, daughter of Henry I. Her throne stolen from her by the hands of her cousin Stephen of Blois, Matilda has waited to gather her supporters, waited to sail to England that she might wage war to claim the throne she was promised by her father.        With loyal men and women at her side, the Empress will begin her campaign for the throne of England and Normandy, to reclaim her birthright from the man who stole it from her. The period known to history as the Anarchy is about to begin, and chaos to unfold upon England, Normandy and the people of those kingdoms as one cousin struggles against another for the crow...
Post a Comment
Read more

Interview with Melanie Dickerson

     Today, I have the honor to host Melanie Dickerson, who is not only the author of The Healer’s Apprentice , but also of her latest novel, The Captive Maiden . She is a young adult author that spins classic fairy tales into a historical and Christian perspective. I have all of her books. I am still in the process of finishing her series, but the books that I have read, I love them. I even went to her book signing to get her to sign my copy of The Healer’s Apprentice . This interview gives readers a good insight to her writing and style of her novels. I would like to thank Mrs. Dickerson for her time and cooperation with the interview and generosity to give my readers a book giveaway. 1. Can we learn from fairytales, and why do they appeal to you? Fairy tales have amazing themes, and I think we can learn from them. Most of  them have some sort of moral or takeaway, a lesson we can learn. I like  them, but it's hard to say what it is about them that ap...
2 comments
Read more