The Providence Rider

Problem-solver Matthew Corbett’s past comes back to haunt him in McCammon’s intriguing fourth historical thriller (after 2010’s Mister Slaughter). Shanghaied in 1704 from Manhattan to Pendulum Island, the Bermuda home of his nemesis, criminal mastermind Professor Fell, Matthew is tasked with finding out who among Fell’s criminal confederates is leaking to England Fell’s plans to sell a devastating new type of weapon to the nation’s European enemies. Matthew must not only risk betraying his mother country to do Fell’s bidding but also find some way to save his girlfriend, Berry Grigsby, whom Fell is holding in pawn until Matthew completes the job. Once again, McCammon provides a colorful and well-researched depiction of colonial America, enlivened by a rogues’ gallery of well-drawn characters. Hair’s-breadth escapes and the teasing promise that characters who appear to have been disposed of might resurface in future adventures make this a rollicking good yarn. Agent: Cameron McClure, DMLA. (May)