The Strange Death of Mistress Coffin

Set in 17th-century New Hampshire and based on an actual unsolved murder that occurred in a settlement there, the gripping tale of secrets and betrayals is spiced with the flavor of early America. Former law student Richard Browne is asked by the region's magistrate to investigate the death of Kathrin Coffin, whose battered body was found in a inland bay. Her husband Balthazar at first accuses Jared Higgins, who was supposed to escort her to and from the Dover market, but then withdraws the accusation. Soon Higgins suffers terrible dreams; then two of his children die. Convinced that Balthazar is poisoning his dreams, Jared flees into Indian territory to protect the rest of his family, leaving his wife Elizabeth to take care of the children and fend off any further evil mischief. Browne talks to the principals, including Jared, who is living in a wigwam protected by the Indians, but he is stumped until he is given Kathrin's diary and a note written to Balthazar from Elizabeth. This admirable first novel is dotted throughout with startling accounts of the tribulations suffered by superstitious Christians who settled the alien territory called America. (Apr.)