R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on 3/29/2017 + 1452 more book reviews

Timothy Wilde found himself wearing a copper star and part of the newly established New York police force thanks to his meddling brother, Valentine. Prior to the tragic fire that destroyed his employment as a bartender, Tim worked hard to save money so he could purchase a ferry boat and ask Mercy Underhill, the woman he loved, to marry him. But the fire left him without work, his face burned and disfigured. He is also penniless as he lost his savings when his home burned. He could do worse than work as a "copper" but resents that he must take this job from his politically active brother whose second passion is working to control fires.

The city is filled with anti-Irish and anti-Catholic individuals who avoid hiring anyone with these affiliations which makes Tim's job dangerous since he, too, is Irish but what can he do? Many of his fellow "coppers" are Irish. Tim, 27, feels that he is an unlucky chap on all points but to avoid being tossed into the streets must take this job. His brother assures him that he will do well yet Tim doubts both himself and his brother.

Tim is the narrator for this story about 1845 New York, the first in a series featuring him as the lead character. Due to the potato famine, the Irish are flooding New York and the city will grow from 50,000 in population to 500,000 in just a decade. No wonder the city is filled with crises and chaos. Several characters in this novel are fascinating including Valentine, Tim's brother, who drinks too much, indulges in too much sex and recklessly rushes to the latest fires, leading his crew to fight the flames and save as much as they can. Mercy, Tim's sweetheart, is a complex young woman with an agenda of her own key of which is the goal of getting away from her religious father. The character I loved most was Little Bird Daly, only ten years old, who has escaped from a brothel which includes children among its offerings to those so inclined. A precocious liar, her tales change from time to time as she assesses what her listeners will believe. The author weaves a great yarn with complexity, action and moving realistic characters. I look forward to reading more by this author. Gods is so well done.

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