An amazing novel filled with great characters, a wonderful protagonist, and stellar writing that examines and describes so much of the human condition. This book floored me.

Robert McCammon writes such vivid characters—especially in this novel. In early 1700s New York you get to spend time with a lot of them, know them personally and see what makes them tick. The dialogue is wonderful and revealing. All of the characters are so human, and McCammon writes them and explores them in such an empathetic way.

If you don't like meandering stories, this isn't for you. But man I implore you to try it. It's a mystery, but it's a character first mystery. It's about Matthew Corbett and who he is first. He has a desire for the truth; he doesn't like mysteries. He hunts down all manner of mysteries, not just the central one. His charactwr and curiosity drive this novel; not the main murder mystery. The antagonists however, are very interesting too. I don't think the main plot will dissapoint. This isn't a faced paced plot, but it's some of my favorite writing ever.