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The Twisted Road
Jonathan Perris Can’t Save His Clients…Until He Saves Himself 1907: Rising from the devastation of a massive earthquake and fire, San Francisco is once again on the move. But a strike by streetcar drivers threatens to halt the Golden City in its tracks. Protests turn to violence and violence leads to death. Soon a young guard is convicted of willfully killing a protester and the public is out for blood.Jonathan Perris, an immigrant attorney from England, has opened a law firm with an eye toward righting wrongs, and the guard’s conviction may fall into that category. But the talented barrister soon finds his newfound career shaken by a tragic the gruesome homicide of the beautiful and mysterious Lena Mendelssohn—a woman he’s been squiring around town. It’s difficult to run a law firm when you’ve been arrested for murder.
466 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 21, 2024
About the author
A.B. Michaels
14 books379 followersA native of northern California, A.B. Michaels earned masters' degrees in history and broadcasting, and worked for many years in public relations and marketing. Now that she's an empty nester, she has time to write the kinds of stories she loves to read. Her historical series, "The Golden City," follows characters who make their way in turn of the twentieth century San Francisco. "I love creating flawed characters I can relate to, who have to make difficult choices, and who long for happiness like the rest of us. So much was happening in the early 1900's that help shape my novels. Once I tear myself away from the underlying research, they are fascinating stories to write."
Currently Ms. Michaels lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband and two furry creatures who are unclear on the concept that they are just dogs. In addition to writing, she loves to read and travel. A dabbler in fabric art, she also plays bocce in a summer league. Her latest stand-alone novel, "The Price of Compassion," is Book Four of the "Golden City" series. It's scheduled for release this summer and will be followed by Book Five, "Josephine's Daughter."
Currently Ms. Michaels lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband and two furry creatures who are unclear on the concept that they are just dogs. In addition to writing, she loves to read and travel. A dabbler in fabric art, she also plays bocce in a summer league. Her latest stand-alone novel, "The Price of Compassion," is Book Four of the "Golden City" series. It's scheduled for release this summer and will be followed by Book Five, "Josephine's Daughter."
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 4, 2024
I am an ARC reader and this is my honest opinion. I really enjoyed this book. It's another book that, reading the first chapter I wondered where it was going, but I very soon became invested in the characters and the story as it unfolded. I, like a lot of people I imagine, knew about the San Francisco earthquake in 1906 but only the bare bones facts. This book is set in the aftermath, highlighting the problems caused by endemic corruption. Jonathon Perris, an English barrister who moved to San Francisco under mysterious circumstances, to work as a defence attorney is the principal character, and something of an enigma. Born the second son of a Duke and a mysterious mother who, it seemed to me, was perhaps a gypsy or something similar. He inherited from her a "Cadou" - a sense of pre knowing, that he detests, but she called a gift. In French, gift means Cadeau. Jonathon has collected a group of interesting people around him, especially Miss Cordelia Hammersly, his assistant Attorney who is the kind of strong, determined young woman I would love to have been had I lived at that time. The title of the book is very apt. At first it seemed there was one crime to investigate, then two, then one again. One young woman with a complicated history and another, fervent to the point of insane obsession about the workers revolution and the overthrow of capitalism - whilst living on her rich family's money. So many twists and turns - I can't wait for Ms Michaels to produce book 2 in this series
May 11, 2024
AB Michaels weaves a very intricate and exciting tale loaded with secrets and suspense that held my attetion and concentration until the conclusion.
The complexity and individuality of the major characters is made richer by the added development of the supporting characters as well, all of which is rendered more exciting by the setting of Progressive Era San Francisco. The intersection of the capitalist and revolutionary worlds is a fantastic background for this tale of murder, corruption, and idealism gone awry.
The phrase “everybody uses somebody” is on full display here, and Michaels kept me guessing “how and to what ends?”
This is indeed a well written and researched mystery adventure.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The complexity and individuality of the major characters is made richer by the added development of the supporting characters as well, all of which is rendered more exciting by the setting of Progressive Era San Francisco. The intersection of the capitalist and revolutionary worlds is a fantastic background for this tale of murder, corruption, and idealism gone awry.
The phrase “everybody uses somebody” is on full display here, and Michaels kept me guessing “how and to what ends?”
This is indeed a well written and researched mystery adventure.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 13, 2024
Spoilers: A.B. Michaels’ Barrister Perris Mystery, The Twisted Road, is one of those Historical Mysteries that knows how to bring the past to life: warts and all. Set in 1907 San Francisco, it takes shots at labor struggles, gender roles, class division, artistic expression, political unrest, immigration conflicts, all of the things that made the Progressive Era a fascinating and difficult time in history.
Jonathan Perris, a barrister who emigrated from London, finds himself in a bind when his girlfriend, Lena Mendelssohn is found murdered and Jonathan was the last one to be seen with her. While trying to prove his innocence, Jonathan and his team peer into Lena’s life and discover more layers and deception into the late Austrian socialite than Jonathan initially thought.
This book is a great combination of a detailed historical mystery and has a memorable team to explore it. The effective team begins with their leader. Jonathan Perris is a protagonist with many mysteries of his own to unravel and fits in well with this year’s theme of “Troubled Historical Detectives.” An aristocrat, he is in possession of some second sight abilities that are inherited from his mother that he calls “the cadeau” (French for “the gift”.) While the second sight could veer this book into supernatural mystery territory so far it’s not overdone and seems to be written as deep intuition and deductive reasoning, traits that make Jonathan good at his job. He has ongoing questions of his own in wondering where his mother disappeared to and possibly just as afraid of learning the answer. He is also estranged from his titled brother and is still reminded of the scandals of his frere’s past, some which were instrumental in Jonathan leaving England for California. He is a troubled man who helps others so he doesn’t have to look at the conflicts in his own life.
Jonathan is good at his job in being a barrister and helping his clients but he is also adept at picking an efficient team and they get as much attention and convey as much interest as their boss. One of Jonathan’s more progressive attributes is recognizing talent in those who society would have otherwise overlooked, particularly in Cordelia Hammersmith. Cordelia is a sharp tongued strong willed attorney who is ready to prove herself in the legal field. She is someone who takes copious notes and is ready for a saucy comeback when others call attention to her gender. She wants to let her qualifications and expertise speak for themselves so she gets irritated when Jonathan overcompensates by overly defending her as he does at a party. She fits the archetype of the New Woman that was so present in the time period in which she lives.
Cordelia is hired to defend Emmett Barnes who has been accused of murder during a labor union protest and has to use her sharp wits and observational skills to not only investigate this case but Lena’s when she learns that the two are linked.
Dove Davydov is an investigator who also offers his own unique stamp to the firm. A sketch artist, he doodles his information as much as Cordelia writes and Jonathan senses. He grew up in the rough side of San Francisco and is unafraid to visit the bars, brothels, fights, and violent rallies that his higher class more sophisticated colleagues would be uncomfortable visiting. He has many contacts within the underworld and a shady past which suggests that he is familiar with the opposite side of the law.
Dove first investigates Aunt Susie’s, the brothel where Lena worked. He is then led to an art class and a Socialist organization. Using his working class experience and his somewhat rebellious sardonic nature, he is able to bond and glean information from the various people in Lena’s life who might be put off by Jonathan’s class and sophistication or Cordelia’s gender and abrasiveness.
The group is rounded out by Oliver Bean, a naive new partner and Althea, the motherly office manager. They don’t get as much mention in this book as the others but they have some memorable moments. Althea has a running gag in which while her colleagues run around chasing leads, she remains in the office to “obfuscate.” Oliver has a delightful bit at Aunt Susie’s where Dove uses his familiarity with the ladies to ease through interrogation sessions, Oliver is overwhelmed by the attention from the plethora of beautiful women. By the time they are ready to go, poor Oliver is completely surrounded and leading them in a game of Three Card Monte much to his coworker’s amusement.
The mystery leads Jonathan and his team through various facets of early 20th Century San Francisco. Like many Historical Mysteries, The Twisted Road is a time capsule of the period in which it is set. In investigating Lena’s death, Jonathan and the others chase connections through a class of iconoclastic artists, a Socialist organization whose plans are moving beyond peaceful protests, a prostitution ring with an intercontinental stream of high profile clients, and a recent labor strike that resulted in a gruesome death and Barnes’ arrest. These different leads show what the Progressive Era was all about and what it represented within history.
Mostly, the Progressive Era was a time when the status quo of wealthy white American men was being challenged. Immigrants, unions, women, and many others were speaking out loud and making their voices heard through action, speeches, protests, art, volunteering, and social work. It was a time that looked for great change and sometimes change involved violence and deaths. Sometimes unscrupulous types took advantage of those who needed help and wanted to do the helping, causing more problems in the long run. Sometimes people were so enamored with their causes that human life became secondary and they were willing to put lives on the line just for their dream society to be realized, a society that may not be as perfect as the one they visualized (especially if they have to commit violence to achieve it).
The Twisted Road shows that transition in American history when people called for change and that change started to be made.
Jonathan Perris, a barrister who emigrated from London, finds himself in a bind when his girlfriend, Lena Mendelssohn is found murdered and Jonathan was the last one to be seen with her. While trying to prove his innocence, Jonathan and his team peer into Lena’s life and discover more layers and deception into the late Austrian socialite than Jonathan initially thought.
This book is a great combination of a detailed historical mystery and has a memorable team to explore it. The effective team begins with their leader. Jonathan Perris is a protagonist with many mysteries of his own to unravel and fits in well with this year’s theme of “Troubled Historical Detectives.” An aristocrat, he is in possession of some second sight abilities that are inherited from his mother that he calls “the cadeau” (French for “the gift”.) While the second sight could veer this book into supernatural mystery territory so far it’s not overdone and seems to be written as deep intuition and deductive reasoning, traits that make Jonathan good at his job. He has ongoing questions of his own in wondering where his mother disappeared to and possibly just as afraid of learning the answer. He is also estranged from his titled brother and is still reminded of the scandals of his frere’s past, some which were instrumental in Jonathan leaving England for California. He is a troubled man who helps others so he doesn’t have to look at the conflicts in his own life.
Jonathan is good at his job in being a barrister and helping his clients but he is also adept at picking an efficient team and they get as much attention and convey as much interest as their boss. One of Jonathan’s more progressive attributes is recognizing talent in those who society would have otherwise overlooked, particularly in Cordelia Hammersmith. Cordelia is a sharp tongued strong willed attorney who is ready to prove herself in the legal field. She is someone who takes copious notes and is ready for a saucy comeback when others call attention to her gender. She wants to let her qualifications and expertise speak for themselves so she gets irritated when Jonathan overcompensates by overly defending her as he does at a party. She fits the archetype of the New Woman that was so present in the time period in which she lives.
Cordelia is hired to defend Emmett Barnes who has been accused of murder during a labor union protest and has to use her sharp wits and observational skills to not only investigate this case but Lena’s when she learns that the two are linked.
Dove Davydov is an investigator who also offers his own unique stamp to the firm. A sketch artist, he doodles his information as much as Cordelia writes and Jonathan senses. He grew up in the rough side of San Francisco and is unafraid to visit the bars, brothels, fights, and violent rallies that his higher class more sophisticated colleagues would be uncomfortable visiting. He has many contacts within the underworld and a shady past which suggests that he is familiar with the opposite side of the law.
Dove first investigates Aunt Susie’s, the brothel where Lena worked. He is then led to an art class and a Socialist organization. Using his working class experience and his somewhat rebellious sardonic nature, he is able to bond and glean information from the various people in Lena’s life who might be put off by Jonathan’s class and sophistication or Cordelia’s gender and abrasiveness.
The group is rounded out by Oliver Bean, a naive new partner and Althea, the motherly office manager. They don’t get as much mention in this book as the others but they have some memorable moments. Althea has a running gag in which while her colleagues run around chasing leads, she remains in the office to “obfuscate.” Oliver has a delightful bit at Aunt Susie’s where Dove uses his familiarity with the ladies to ease through interrogation sessions, Oliver is overwhelmed by the attention from the plethora of beautiful women. By the time they are ready to go, poor Oliver is completely surrounded and leading them in a game of Three Card Monte much to his coworker’s amusement.
The mystery leads Jonathan and his team through various facets of early 20th Century San Francisco. Like many Historical Mysteries, The Twisted Road is a time capsule of the period in which it is set. In investigating Lena’s death, Jonathan and the others chase connections through a class of iconoclastic artists, a Socialist organization whose plans are moving beyond peaceful protests, a prostitution ring with an intercontinental stream of high profile clients, and a recent labor strike that resulted in a gruesome death and Barnes’ arrest. These different leads show what the Progressive Era was all about and what it represented within history.
Mostly, the Progressive Era was a time when the status quo of wealthy white American men was being challenged. Immigrants, unions, women, and many others were speaking out loud and making their voices heard through action, speeches, protests, art, volunteering, and social work. It was a time that looked for great change and sometimes change involved violence and deaths. Sometimes unscrupulous types took advantage of those who needed help and wanted to do the helping, causing more problems in the long run. Sometimes people were so enamored with their causes that human life became secondary and they were willing to put lives on the line just for their dream society to be realized, a society that may not be as perfect as the one they visualized (especially if they have to commit violence to achieve it).
The Twisted Road shows that transition in American history when people called for change and that change started to be made.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2024
The earthquake in San Francisco in 1907 disrupted many lives. The death toll was staggering and what the earthquake did not damage, the resulting fires did. This is the world Jonathan Henry Perris, barrister, lived in, although not exactly what he expected when he emigrated from England. Bloody Tuesday started with a devastating riot outside the streetcar barn. With the union on strike for better wages, the driving was taken over by scabs, creating more upset. Young Jimmy Walsh was murdered and his best friend was found guilty. But was he?
There are so many twists and turns in this story you might begin to wonder if the mystery of this death and others will ever be solved. I thoroughly enjoyed trying to figure out who really did the dastardly deed.
An ARC of this first Barrister Perris Mystery was received through Red Trumpet Press and BookSirens. These impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.
There are so many twists and turns in this story you might begin to wonder if the mystery of this death and others will ever be solved. I thoroughly enjoyed trying to figure out who really did the dastardly deed.
An ARC of this first Barrister Perris Mystery was received through Red Trumpet Press and BookSirens. These impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.
May 10, 2024
After a slow start in the first few chapters, which left me wondering where this story was going, I discovered an engaging and enjoyable murder mystery set in the aftermath of the San Francisco earthquake in 1906. As Jonathan Perris and his firm represent a slew of characters in search of the truth, he finds he has ties to several of these clients, discovering that a few of his past clients have a desire to expose secrets long buried in his closet. Once the book gets going, there are plenty of exciting twists and turns with adequate prose and ample dialogue to pull the storyline along. The interesting characters brought the story to life, adding zest to the plot. I am glad I persevered and kept reading because now I can’t wait for book number two. I received this as a free ARC; my review is voluntary.
April 30, 2024
Engaging murder mystery
Not one but two murders find Jonathan Perris and his law firm engaged in representing clients and finding out the truth. Normally Attorneys are not so interested in the truth, but when Perris has ties to one of the victims, he finds others have been digging into his past and some of his skeletons in the closet may be exposed.
An enjoyable read with plenty of twists along the way. There is a nice flow to the writing along with good dialogue. The characters are varied and are a good addition to the story and plot. I look forward to reading more about Perris, his law firm and his loyal crew. I received this book for free and voluntarily reviewed.
Not one but two murders find Jonathan Perris and his law firm engaged in representing clients and finding out the truth. Normally Attorneys are not so interested in the truth, but when Perris has ties to one of the victims, he finds others have been digging into his past and some of his skeletons in the closet may be exposed.
An enjoyable read with plenty of twists along the way. There is a nice flow to the writing along with good dialogue. The characters are varied and are a good addition to the story and plot. I look forward to reading more about Perris, his law firm and his loyal crew. I received this book for free and voluntarily reviewed.
May 14, 2024
There were a couple of things I liked about this book, different from many others I've read. First, I love the new setting of San Francisco after the quake and fires in the early 1900's and the subsequent rebuilding of the city. Second, the mysteries involved were twisty, turny, intertwined and interesting. Jonathan Perris is a likeable character with a hidden, turbulent past but he seeks justice and wants to do what's right. And Cordelia, the plucky female attorney in an age when there were very few female attorneys brought a freshness to the story. She is determined and plucky and on the side of justice for all. I enjoyed the book and look forward to the possibilities of a series with these characters. And I would love to know more about Jonathan's mother! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews