Speaks the Nightbird by Robert McCammon
Length: 792 Pages
Genres: Historical Mystery
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Trigger Warnings for Racism and Racial Epitaphs, Blood, Gore, Beastiality, Sexism and Probably a Lot More I Forgot
Speaks the Nightbird has been on my TBR for a while now, and I finally decided to take the plunge into this massive tome and am so happy I did! It is meticulously researched, a real step back into the time period by a master of prose and plot lines, and a treat for any historical mystery lovers!
Matthew Corbett is the young and curious (sometimes to his own detriment) clerk to the magistrate Isaac Woodward, a man who is sometimes more father than employer. He plucked Matthew out of a boys' home and obscurity, and ever since Matthew has done his job and everything the man asks of him in hopes of repayment. Now, he has followed him to the wilds of The Carolinas in 1699, where a town is being plagued by otherworldly problems: deaths and failing crops, and even strange creatures. All of it is blamed on a woman, part-Portuguese and far too close to Spanish for the English citizens in a time where relations between the two countries were icy at best, called Rachel. They say she is a witch, and responsible for it all.
Matthew, however, has doubts. The witness statements have as many similarities as they have holes, and everyone in town is desperate for Rachel to be put to the stake to relieve their problems. And then Matthew loses his heart to the very woman who awaits her execution...
So, I really loved this book. The characters were vivid and incredibly realistic, especially for their time period. I'm also in awe of how many plot threads wind throughout this book, each one serving its purpose towards the conclusion, and how enjoyable they all were which is a feat unto itself! The main thing keeping this from being a solid five stars is the portrayal of the characters of color and some of the female characters. I felt Rachel was no more than a object for Matthew's affections, having very little personality or motivation of her own other than being "strong" and "beautiful". The Indians were portrayed as grinning, violent savages, and the black characters as obedient and wise to their white masters. I know these were period typical attitudes, but the use of omniscient POV made it seem less the characters thoughts and prejudices and more the author's.
Overall, an enjoyable and hard to solve mystery with a few serious flaws. Keep it all in mind should you choose to read!
