The Providence Rider by Robert McCammon

Want full disclosure? scroll down to Mystery Walk.

Installment IV about Matthew Corbett, Problem Solver for the Herrald Agency of New York City, 1703 shortly after the conclusion of the Tyranthus Slaughter affair.

Matthew has been keeping the details of the Slaughter affair mostly to himself; the horrors are still very fresh in his memory. And remember, Professor Fell put a contract out on Matthew at the end of Mr. Slaughter cuz Matthew has foiled more than one of Fell's plans . But he's trying to come out of his funk by enjoying dances at Sally Almond's place and the attention of young Berry Grigsby.

Two Manhattan businesses are blown up and Matthew Corbett's name is scribbled on the walls. It's an invitation. By way of Sirki, Professor Fell's personal liason and executioner, Matthew is being summoned by Fell; Matthew is resourceful and has garnered Fell's admiration despite having bested Fell in the Slaughter affair. Fell, as head of a burgeoning crime syndicate, is sure he has a traitor amongst his chief lieutenants and who better to solve his little problem than a proven problem solver?

Some none too gentle arm twisting encourages Matthew to join Sirki on the ocean-going Nightflyer destined for warmer climes, and who thinks Matthew needs some help than sweet Berry and Zed, the fearsome African Ga warrior freed at the end of Mr. Slaughter. A 3-week voyage takes them to Pendulum, the private island domain of Professor Fell where a meeting of Fell's chief deputies is to take place.

Fell is an enigmatic crime boss who hides his identity under some creative and bizarre disguises. He makes Matthew a pretty good offer that he better not refuse: Find the traitor and be handsomely rewarded and returned safely to Manhattan. Fail, and the implication is that Matthew and his friends will never leave the island alive. To gain access, Matthew is given an alias and a history so that he can move amongst the deputies who represent weapons, finance, extortion, forgery, poisons, and murder. Add to this an Indian woman named Fancy whom Matthew thinks is connected to the Iroquois that died saving Matthew during the Slaughter affair making her another soul for Matthew to save in his own plot to find the traitor, destroy Fell's plans and his lair, and escape back to Manhattan with Berry, Zed, and Fancy.

I saw one review refer to Matthew as sort of a colonial James Bond and I thought that was a pretty apt analogy. Drop the hero in the middle of an impossible task in an exotic location against a megalomanic who wants to unleash an apocalyptic weapon at considerable profit. While the plot may look like something Bond might conquer, it's McCammon's presentation that is the real star here. His elegant and articulate prose takes us to an unfamiliar time and place to present a difficult challenge that gets solved with extreme prejudice, and without compromise or leaps of faith. Matthew Corbett is an engaging character with much to admire, but we do find fault with as he struggles with his own temptations and demons, much of which are Fell's doing, As stated, this is the 4th Corbett book. While it might help to read these in order, one really could pick these up in any order as enough links to past adventures (mostly to Mr. Slaughter) are presented. Enough clues are scattered about to make Corbett fans eager for the next installment.

With each new McCammon book, I am continually amazed at the author's skill and creativity. For me, this was an exquisite construction and recreation of crime, mystery, and adventure in colonial America. Man, am I ever glad I picked up Gone South from the library way back in 1992.