"Cross & Crown: A Sidewinder Story" by Abigail Roux

This book takes place in the "Cut & Run" universe but features Kelly Abbott and Nick O'Flaherty, two members of Marine Force Recon team Sidewinder.  These two played prominent roles in Roux's last book, "Ball & Chain."  It is now several months after "B&C" and Nick has returned to his job as a detective in Boston.  Kelly lives in Colorado but is visiting him for two weeks.  Just before Kelly arrives, Nick begins investigating a robbery/homicide.  There's a witness, but he claims amnesia and forms an attachment to Nick.  On top of that, retired CIA hitman Julian Cross is following the witness but is reluctant to say why.  Can Nick and Kelly figure out who the witness is before another killing?

This rather convoluted mystery involved lots of Revolutionary War history related to Boston, the Irish mob, Rosicrucians, and a possible cure for cancer.  Throw in Kelly and Nick's evolving relationship, Julian's unexpected appearance, and there's a lot to cover in 208 pages.  Unfortunately, it doesn't always fit together very well.  However, I still enjoyed seeing these characters again, especially Julian and his partner, Cameron Jacobs, from "Armed & Dangerous" and "Warrior's Cross."  Even Zane Garrett and Ty Grady from the "Cut & Run" series make cameos in phone conversations, so that made me happy.  208 pages.

The Rebellion of Jane Clark by Sally Gunning

This is the third book of historical fiction by Sally Gunning that is set in the pre-Revolutionary War era on Cape Cod and in Boston. I have read all three, and really enjoyed them. They incorporate a lot of history, and many of the same characters make appearances in each book.

In this book, Jane Clark is a young woman whose father has made what he considers a good match for her. In reality, it is a good match for him; he has plans for his future son-in-law that will benefit himself greatly. Jane loves her father, and likes the young man well enough; she fully intends to follow her father’s wishes and marry him. But when he purposes, she realizes she really doesn’t know him very well, and declines. When she refuses to follow her father’s wishes, he sends her to Boston to care for her aged aunt.

Boston is in turmoil; the Colonists are in constant conflict with the King’s soldiers, and Jane finds herself caught up in several instances of violence. She finds that there is right and wrong on both sides.  This is a pretty balanced account of the tensions that led up to the war for independence.  

288 pages