Hannah Trevor would rather forget James Trevor, her dead husband, and the misery he caused her before he deserted her and was allegedly killed. Hannah is too worried about preventing officials who want to take her deaf mute daughter, Jennet, and sell the child as an indentured servant, to concern herself with the new family that's made its home in her village.

But when the head of the family turns out to be her unlamented husband, Hannah's forced to take notice. And when James' throat is slit and his "wife" and children are killed with an ax, many of the good citizens of Rufford believe Hannah is responsible.

One person who doesn't think Hannah's a crazed killer is her married lover, Daniel Josselyn. Daniel loves Hannah and he's Jennet's father. Hannah and Daniel each try to discover the truth behind the murders and in doing so uncover more secrets and more pain for themselves and for the "good" people of Rufford.

In a time when women and children can be bought and sold to cover the debts of their husbands and fathers, feminine rage and desperation are certainly understandable. Ms. Lawrence's historical details don't just provide a backdrop; they're the heart, the blood of this story - providing reasons why a woman might be moved to kill.

Some may find Ms. Lawrence's writing to be a trifle melodramatic and, yes, feminist issues abound throughout the story. Certainly Blood Red Roses is a not-too-subtle reminder for women never to take their rights for granted.

However, it's also the history, the absence of rights for women, that makes this mystery so intriguing and suspenseful. Hannah is a worthy heroine and I 'm looking forward to reading The Burning Bride, the next installment in Hannah and Daniel's saga, which is currently available in hardcover.

--Judith Flavell