Deadly Crossroads by Daniel Bjork | Review
I once read that if you want to write successful and immersive historical fiction, don’t only research what the time was like but read what was written during the period. Being a student and lover of early American literature, Daniel Bjork hit the mark in this cozy mystery. I felt like I was reading a book from New England in the 1850s instead of a contemporary historical novel. Deadly Crossroads, the first in a series, embodies early American writing in both style and dialogue. This isn’t a huge surprise considering that Bjork is a history professor at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. His focus of study is on the United States’ “intellectual and cultural history,” and Deadly Crossroads reflects his expertise.
Deadly Crossroads follows Doctor Josiah Bartlett as he tries to uncover what he feels is the mysterious death of Mary Chase. To everyone, it appears Mary has taken her own life, drowned herself in the Concord River she so loved to take respite in on hot New England days. However, Dr. Bartlett’s daughter, Hannah, discovers her diary tells a much different story of the secretive Mary Chase.
Dr. Bartlett is deeply disturbed by the tone of Mary’s diary. One would expect a diary of an individual who had taken their own life to be filled with melancholy thoughts, but Mary’s diary is quite the opposite. Mary claims to arrive at a ‘crossroad’ and is excited by the prospect of where it could lead. She also speaks of a secret romance with a man from Boston. Convinced Mary didn’t drown herself. Bartlett sets out to discover who the real killer is and bring them to justice.
The story takes place in Concord, Massachusetts, in 1852. For literary nerds, this is a dream come true. The village of Concord is filled with some of America’s most prominent writers. From Bronson Alcott and his daughter Louisa May to Nathanial Hawthorne (one of my favorite authors) to Ralph Waldo Emmerson to Henry David Thoreau. Each literary bigwig is interviewed by the nosy doctor, and Bjork successfully captures each with their voice and character. Bronson Alcott is a hardline philosopher who would be quiet at home at a PETA meeting. This is entirely at odds with Bartlett’s voracious appetite for all things meaty and baked. Louisa May is quiet yet forceful, and her language is direct. Coming from a house ruled by the ironfisted Bronson, it’s easy to see how her character was formed. Emmerson is precise and a little cold to Bartlett, preferring to sit with his books than converse with the meddling doctor. Thoreau is a free-spirited bearded hippy, indulging in long tromps through the forest and doing as he pleases. Bjork’s writing made me feel like I was holding court with some of my favorite writers from American history.
I enjoyed this cozy historical mystery. Up until the last chapter, I still didn’t know who the murderer was. It wasn’t until Bartlett figured it out that the reader does too. The realization hit both Bartlett and me like a sledgehammer. In my opinion, lit nerds and mystery fans alike will enjoy this twisted little tale of murder and passion.
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