Fortune's Wheel (the Meonbridge Chronicles #1)

By

Carolyn Hughes (Goodreads author)

Carolyn Hughes first book is a historical fiction focusing on the small village of Meonbridge in aftermath of the plague in England. There are too few people to do all of the work and those who are left feel that they should get higher wages for their labor.  Of course the ruling class sees no reason to bow to the wishes of the working class.

Hughes focuses particularly on the women and how strong they are during difficult circumstances. A primary character, Alice, has lost her husband Philip and has two sons to deal with.  One of Alice’s previous love interests develops a mean streak making life in the village difficult.  Everyone agrees that his behavior is difficult to understand.

I am attracted to books with action.  I find Hughes does an excellent job of describing people but her descriptions of events are lacking.  Murders occur, but they are only mentioned.  People disappear but little is done.  Murderers are identified but their motives are vague and, in my mind, poorly described.  I found I was bored at times.

This book is about change.  People are forced to approach life through a new lens.  Citizens need to cooperate if villages are going so survive.  Of course this leads to murder and mayhem at first, but people must adjust if they are going to survive.   It’s a good story and I recommend this book to those looking for in depth character development.