Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday: The Orphanmaster



"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.





The Orphanmaster by Jean Zimmerman

Viking, June 19, 2012

Synopsis:

It's 1663 in the tiny, hardscrabble Dutch colony of New Amsterdam, now present-day southern Manhattan. Orphan children are going missing, and among those looking into the mysterious state of affairs are a quick-witted twenty-two-year-old trader, Blandine von Couvering, herself an orphan, and a dashing British spy named Edward Drummond.

Suspects abound, including the governor's wealthy nephew, a green-eyed aristocrat with decadent tastes; an Algonquin trapper who may be possessed by a demon that turns people into cannibals; and the colony's own corrupt and conflicted orphanmaster. Both the search for the killer and Edward and Blandine's newfound romance are endangered, however, when Blandine is accused of being a witch and Edward is sentenced to hang for espionage. Meanwhile, war looms as the English king plans to wrest control of the colony.

Jean Zimmerman brings New Amsterdam and its surrounding wilderness alive for modern-day readers with exacting period detail. Lively, fast paced, and full of colorful characters, The Orphanmaster is a dramatic page-turner that will appeal to fans of Hilary Mantel and Geraldine Brooks.

What are you "waiting on" this Wednesday?

6 comments:

  1. When I first saw this title, I was thinking Orphan Master's Son, but I see this is very very different! Enjoy this one Megan.

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  2. I was thinking The Orphan Master's Son too. This book sounds good!

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  3. I like historical fiction, and I haven't read alot set in this time period, so this looks really interesting to me. Great pick!

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  4. haven't heard of this one before!!!

    stop by my post? I'm hosting an exclusive cover reveal for a fall 2012 YA from Paper Lantern Lit and Philomel/Penguin!

    http://lindsaycummingsblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/exclusive-cover-reveal-venom-by-fiona.html

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  5. I really enjoyed reading Beverly Swerling's take on the early days of New York and so I would definitely be interested in this one.

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  6. This is one I'm really interested in. Can't wait to get a copy.

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