Review: Thou hast thrown me for a loop
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 7, 2014
I was given an advanced copy of the Mayflower Murders as a beta reader as well as for an honest review.  Having read almost everything that Ms. McCray and Mr. Hopkins has published; I was not surprised to have loved this book.Mayflower Murders is based back when the English were coming to colonize in America.  With the help of an Indian, Tisquantum aka Squanto, the new members on the Mayflower were starting to finally gain some ground.  Faced with a hard trip across the ocean, people were starting to die from scurvy and tuberculosis.  However, there were the occasional unanswered deaths that had people wondering what was going on.  It was the gospel of Father Wilkes that was trying to hold his flock together and let them know that all the deaths were due to their unfaithfulness in God.Parley and his, aka, assistant, friend Joseph were always willing to help out with what was needed on the ship as well as on land.  Parley, a physician in training, who is hiding his identity, starts to question why and how there so many unanswered deaths are going on.  What starts as an accidental finding of blood spots in the whites of a strangled deer eyes, starts the hunt for a murder amongst the colony.In the meantime, Squanto and his tribesmen are in a battle amongst themselves.  Some have issues with the white folks.  Others are welcoming them and have forged an alliance.  Only problem is the internal battle for leader in the Indian tribe.  It’s up to Squanto to help figure out what and how to help his fellow man as well.What I loved about Mayflower is how it’s a combination of stories.  The bonding between races of the Indians and white folks is impressive.  Granted this is not historically accurate in how a lot of it all goes down…this is a fictional book!  I did enjoy seeing that not all the tribes were against the colony.  There is also the love story of two people from two different walks of life.  To see how it all goes from just a look to the way the book ends, just touches that special place in one’s heart, without getting all mushy.  Finally, there is the murder.  How calculating the murderer is and capable of placing blame on those around him.  Makes for a very interesting story.Not once have I ever read a book by these two authors that has left me disappointed.  I don’t foresee that there will be much to follow in this storyline, with the way it ended.  If they do decide to revisit this book and create a series, it will be interesting to follow and see how all the characters develop over time.