A Catch of Consequence

July 1, 2003
Makepeace Burke hates waste, so it is only logical that she would fish a drowning man out of the ocean. The man turns out to be Englishman Philip Dapifer, who was tossed into Boston Harbor by several Sons of Liberty protesting the Stamp Tax. Most of her customers and Makepeace herself are closely aligned with the cause for American freedom, so she tries to keep Philip hidden in her tavern until he recovers, but once Makepeace's future mother-in-law intrudes, everyone in Boston soon knows she is harboring the enemy. Forced to leave everything behind, Makepeace travels with Philip to England to begin a new life in a country she hates with a man with whom she is slowly falling in love. Resplendent with historical details, filled with beautifully crafted characters, and kissed with a subtle touch of romance, Norman's tale is historical fiction at its best. Makepeace is so irresistibly indomitable, readers will relish every moment of her unforgettable adventures.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2003, American Library Association.)