The Fugitive King is the 3rd book in the Simon Shaw Mystery series by Sarah R Shaber and the 3rd one I’ve read. I LOVED IT!

After reading the first two, I was afraid that one element would remain the same in the plot and if it did, I wouldn’t read any more of these books–even though I love the amateur sleuth Simon Shaw PhD and forensic historian.

Saved! This mystery showed character growth and hence a new plot twist at the climax. (I don’t want to give it away, but you’ll like it too!) And so I could go on to read the next mystery, which I did. (another review coming soon.)

As an author of novels with spiritual content, I was interested in an intrinsic confict in Simon Shaw’s character. His father was an Appalachian teacher from a Baptist family and his mother a NYC Jewish nurse who came to the mountains in the 1960’s. An interesting marriage and an interesting conflict for their son. Simon struggles with the theology. This continues and I will say more in the next review as more is discussed in the next book.

Finally, I applaud Sarah Shaber–not only for a great amateur sleuth and great myseries—but also for all the local history I’ve learned from her. I had never heard of a Melungeon (I think I spelled that right.), have you?

The man convicted of the murder who wants Dr. Shaw’s help is one of these, a group of dark-skinned pople who suffered racial prejudice till the late 20th century. If nothing else, reading about these people was worth the price of the book!
For more information http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05…

So bravo, Sarah R Shaber for another great and well-researched mystery!!

PS. The title refers to a move in the game of checkers. I looked it up but I’ll let you figure out what it has to do with the mystery!

To purchase click here. The Fugitive King (The Professor Simon Shaw Murder Mysteries)