The Daring Ladies of Lowell by Kate Alcott

The Daring Ladies of Lowell by Kate Alcott - 287 pages

The Daring Ladies of Lowell is a novel that addresses the harsh working conditions of early American cotton mills (in this case, the first at Lowell, Massachusetts 1832-1834) and the friendships formed among the girls who worked there.  The story is followed mostly through Alice Barrow.  She befriends Lovey Cornell, whom is later murdered, and becomes Lovey's advocate for justice.  Additionally, she begins to petition for safer working conditions in the mill. Taken together, these two quests form the majority of the storyline.  Throughout, her friendship with the boss' son helps to pave the way for some reforms.

This novel was a fast-paced read and historically accurate.  In all, Alcott has scored another win and it's even better than her debut with The Dressmaker.

Robert B. Parker's Damned If You Do by Michael Brandman

Robert B. Parker's Damned If You Do: A Jesse Stone Novel by Michael Brandman --- 271 pages

First of all I have to say that it's only because of the wide margins and line spacing that this novel runs to 271 pages. If it was typeset properly we'd be talking about a 100 page novella here.

I loved Robert Parker's novels, particularly the Jesse Stone and the Sunny Randall series. Unfortunately, since his death, Parker's heirs and his publishers seem determined to milk his reputation for all it's worth, as they have published additional titles in several of his series written by other authors. I can't comment on the Spenser novels by Ace Atkins but I can say that this is the third Jesse Stone novel by Michael Brandman (he collaborated with Parker on various film screenplays and the scripts for the Jesse Stone made-for-television films starring Tom Selleck).

This could be made to work, but unfortunately with each successive iteration Parker's original work has been watered down to a pale and predictable imitation going through the motions. Sometimes good things should be allowed to come to an end.