Review of The Devil Take Tomorrow
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Heidi Sims
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Review of The Devil Take Tomorrow
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Devil Take Tomorrow" by Gretchen Jeannette.]
Love and revenge are equally powerful motivators. Both of these forces serve to drive the plot and to envelope the characters in Gretchen Jeannette’s The Devil Take Tomorrow. The fledgling United States - newly “free” with its Declaration of Independence from England - sets the scene. Here in the late 1770s, the 13 Colonies struggle to find their footing as a country in their own right. Likewise, Jeannette’s characters also grapple to find solid moral ground amongst the ever-changing alliances to the Crown, to the former Colonies, and to themselves.
Ethan Matlock, a dashing “rebel” spy, centers the plot. His current mission revolves around the discovery and capture of one Captain Parker, a redcoat counterpart of Matcok’s who has already infiltrated the American ranks. According to the American’s intelligence, Parker’s mission threatens the very heart of the Revolution itself. It is to assassinate His Excellency, General George Washington.
Matlock is certainly the man for this job. In some ways, he resembles another literary spy: James Bond. Capable on the battlefield, clever in the taverns, and captivating in the ballrooms where he charms the belles of Philadelphia, Matlock manifests as the perfect protagonist. He even has an enviable means of “horsepower.” Matlock’s stallion King Arthur, much like his master, is a stand-out in the stable and on the battlefield.
A horrific death of a loved one by English hands fostered Matlock’s foray into the world of intelligence. The Devil Take Tomorrow presents him as already mission-tested. This time around, though, Matlock happens to find love on his journey for revenge. His new-found feelings for a colonial sympathizer complicate Matlock’s orders and comprise his focus on finding Parker.
If Matlock seems a little hard to believe, it is because -- at times -- he is. He looms so larger-than-life that it is hard to appreciate the danger or suspense of certain situations in the plot because readers already know that Matlock, like a 1770s superhero, will indeed save the day. So, certain elements of the story are predictable. Even when injured or thwarted, Matlock always manages to wrangle a win.
The real “hero” of the book, however, is not Matlock. It is Jeannette, or rather, Jeannette’s vast and intricate knowledge of the American Colonial period. The jargon, the clothing, the politics, and the people of the time captivate the audience. She wonderfully weaves historical figures like George Washington, Nathaneal Green, and William Howe into the work -- even a pre-treasonous Benedict Arnold gets a mention.
As a life-long resident of eastern Pennsylvania, I appreciated and enjoyed how Jeannette accurately showcased the state’s geography, character, and characters. In her well-edited work, Jeannette made me proud. I believe any Pennsylvania resident would feel the same. Yet, this book is not just for Pennsylvania residents like me. It has history, romance, adventure, and suspense. Overall, I give the novel 3 out of 4 stars. For me, the devil can certainly take tomorrow while I happily read more of Jeannette’s writing today.
******
The Devil Take Tomorrow
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Love and revenge are equally powerful motivators. Both of these forces serve to drive the plot and to envelope the characters in Gretchen Jeannette’s The Devil Take Tomorrow. The fledgling United States - newly “free” with its Declaration of Independence from England - sets the scene. Here in the late 1770s, the 13 Colonies struggle to find their footing as a country in their own right. Likewise, Jeannette’s characters also grapple to find solid moral ground amongst the ever-changing alliances to the Crown, to the former Colonies, and to themselves.
Ethan Matlock, a dashing “rebel” spy, centers the plot. His current mission revolves around the discovery and capture of one Captain Parker, a redcoat counterpart of Matcok’s who has already infiltrated the American ranks. According to the American’s intelligence, Parker’s mission threatens the very heart of the Revolution itself. It is to assassinate His Excellency, General George Washington.
Matlock is certainly the man for this job. In some ways, he resembles another literary spy: James Bond. Capable on the battlefield, clever in the taverns, and captivating in the ballrooms where he charms the belles of Philadelphia, Matlock manifests as the perfect protagonist. He even has an enviable means of “horsepower.” Matlock’s stallion King Arthur, much like his master, is a stand-out in the stable and on the battlefield.
A horrific death of a loved one by English hands fostered Matlock’s foray into the world of intelligence. The Devil Take Tomorrow presents him as already mission-tested. This time around, though, Matlock happens to find love on his journey for revenge. His new-found feelings for a colonial sympathizer complicate Matlock’s orders and comprise his focus on finding Parker.
If Matlock seems a little hard to believe, it is because -- at times -- he is. He looms so larger-than-life that it is hard to appreciate the danger or suspense of certain situations in the plot because readers already know that Matlock, like a 1770s superhero, will indeed save the day. So, certain elements of the story are predictable. Even when injured or thwarted, Matlock always manages to wrangle a win.
The real “hero” of the book, however, is not Matlock. It is Jeannette, or rather, Jeannette’s vast and intricate knowledge of the American Colonial period. The jargon, the clothing, the politics, and the people of the time captivate the audience. She wonderfully weaves historical figures like George Washington, Nathaneal Green, and William Howe into the work -- even a pre-treasonous Benedict Arnold gets a mention.
As a life-long resident of eastern Pennsylvania, I appreciated and enjoyed how Jeannette accurately showcased the state’s geography, character, and characters. In her well-edited work, Jeannette made me proud. I believe any Pennsylvania resident would feel the same. Yet, this book is not just for Pennsylvania residents like me. It has history, romance, adventure, and suspense. Overall, I give the novel 3 out of 4 stars. For me, the devil can certainly take tomorrow while I happily read more of Jeannette’s writing today.
******
The Devil Take Tomorrow
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Randy the Irresistible by S M Goodier
