Timber Beasts: A Sage Adair Historical Mystery of the Pacific Northwest(1 Sage Adair Historical Mysteries)

The year is 1902. John Sagacity Adair, "Sage" to his friends, is a wealthy restaurant proprietor in Portland, Oregon. Beneath the flickering gaslights of his elegant eatery, Mozart's Table, Sage appears urbane and attractively shallow. Yet, he is someone altogether different. Haunted by memories of an impoverished childhood, Sage seeks acceptance by City's financial elite only so that he can expose their secrets. After nearly two years of social maneuvering, he has won an invitation to Arista Dunlop's exclusive soiree. By the end of that night, more questions are raised than he thinks can be answered. What is the secret deal Portland's financiers are so eager to hide? Did his cook's nephew knife the brutal railroad guard? And, why has his Chinese colleague chosen such an inopportune time to make the distracting observations that "a soul needs unbreakedness?" Nothing is turning out as Sage planned. Few know that Sage's past has led him to working as a secret operative of the growing labor movement. Though eager to pursue leads overheard at the soiree, the entreaties of Sage's cook bring a halt to his plans. Her nephew stands accused of murder. While Sage knows that railroad guard deserved to die, he also knows that it is up to him to prove the young boy innocent. Donning the clothes and persona of America's turn-of-the-century itinerant workers, Sage seeks answers to the two seemly disparate questions: Who really killed Clancy Steele? What is the secret deal the financiers are trying to hide? Obscuring his quest like a low-hanging cloud, is Fong's comment about the soul's need for unbreakedness. The ensuing search takes Sage into hobo jungles, rural farms, bordellos and logging camps only to have the answers finally emerge in the drawing room of one of Portland's wealthiest citizens. Timber Beasts is the first book in a series that relies on historical facts for the structure of an exciting, fast-paced story.The novel is based on an actual land fraud scheme and authentically depicts Pacific Northwest's the vibrant ethnic, social and economic milieu at the turn of the twentieth century.

Review :
I recommend that you buy and dive right into Timber Beasts, the series' first, a fast-paced read that'll bring you right up to speed. In this book, Stoner brings to life the famous turn of the 20 century Oregon land fraud scandal that in 1905 brought down U.S. senator John H. Mitchell. th People portrayed therein are a multi-cultural cast spanning the spectrum from city folk to farmers, those working the woods to those scheming to achieve barony over the NW timber landscape. Stoner makes it clear that the working (and unemployed) woods workers are not the beasts of the cliche . . . It's those who plan to cheat honest laborers and the government by fraud and frequent violence. David Milholland, Oregon Cultural Heritage Commission Praise for the Sage Adair Historical Mystery Series "Sage Adair is a likable and realistic anchor for this well-written, smartly plotted historical mystery series that blends real and fictional people and events. The series is still accumulating a loyal fan base, but each novel brings it closer to the wide acclaim it deserves." American Library Association Booklist Review An "engrossing tale . . . in what promises to be a worthy series." School Library Journal ". . . An exciting piece of historical fiction, recommended. Midwest Book Reviews " Added to the Special Collection as material that "enriches research in the history and culture of the Pacific Northwest." Washington State Library System "Stoner skillfully weaves fact and fiction together to craft a story that not only entertains, but informs." East Oregonian "This series is only getting better. . . While Sage Adair is the main character, a long-ago Portland and its denizens are as much a part of the story as he is." Portland Oregonian ". . . Sets a great backdrop for the intrigue that happens on the dark side of the law . . . a page-turner." The Southeast Examiner. "Timber Beasts the winner and, Land Sharks a finalist, for the Next Generation Indie Gold Medal "For those who like mysteries . . . it is hard to put down and the reader is rewarded with exciting drama as well as living and breathing characters." The Portland Alliance "Stoner sets a great backdrop for the intrigue that happens on the dark side of the law . . . the novel is a page-turner." Southeast Examiner "A unique mystery . . . enjoyed the flavor of the old Pacific Northwest." Labor World "Combines rousing adventure with accurate back-to-the-past details." Jim Strassmaier, Oral Historian, Oregon Historical Society, ret. "A hard-to put-down deeply satisfying and entertaining adventure." Ross K. Rieder, President, Pacific Northwest Labor History Association "A detective story of murder, skillfully developed." Michael Munk, author, The Portland Red Guide. "Leads us on a thrilling adventure through the seamy side of Portland's early days. A great read." P. Anna Johnson, author, Australia Years "A good book is one that takes the reader on a fascinating journey with admirable characters to root for. Stoner's Sage Adair historical mysteries do that and more . . . a rollicking novel that almost turns the pages by itself." Caroline Miller, author, Heart Land.