No Safe Harbor by Elizabeth Ludwig

Back Cover:

New York City, 1897

She came to America searching for her brother. Instead all she's found is a web of danger.

Cara Hamilton had thought her brother to be dead. Now, clutching his letter, she leaves Ireland for America, desperate to find him. Her search leads her to a houseful of curious strangers, and one man who claims to be a friend--Rourke Walsh. Despite her brother's warning, Cara trusts Rourke, revealing her purpose in coming to New York.

 

She's then thrust into a world of subterfuge, veiled threats, and attempted murder, including political revolutionaries from the homeland out for revenge. Her questions guide her ever nearer to locating her brother--but they also bring her closer to destruction as those who want to kill him track her footsteps.

 

With her faith in tatters, all hope flees. Will her brother finally surface? Can he save Cara from the truth about Rourke... a man she's grown to love?

Review:

I usually really like historical novels. I love visiting different eras, imagining how people lived in that time. Unfortunately No Safe Harbor did not impress me.

The story is centered on Cara Hamilton and Rourke Walsh, and their mysterious pasts and current confusing relationship. The characters are well written, growing through out the book, though how their relationship develops is somewhat confusing. That would have been plenty for the reader to process.

Unfortunately, the story is bogged down by way too many supporting characters! First is all is Cara’s fellow rooms mates at the boarding house, all with their own tales. I often had no idea who was who, and couldn’t remember the characters from earlier in the story. Next were Rourke’s family and friends and, of course, their back stories as well. Then there were the people from Cara and Rourke’s respective pasts. Oh! And do not forget the “bad guys” of the story too.

Simply put: I was so confused who to imagine when reading this book! Sadly, most of the supporting characters became faceless.

The story is set in New York City when immigrants were poring into the city. It was easy to imagine, having read other books set at the same time. The author described the city as I had pictured - the dirty streets, the rich mansions, New York in the turn of the century.

The plot of the story, I believe, would have been much better without all the extra character, to give more time to Cara and Rourke. I understand their relationship, but it felt forced at key points in the book. I know what the author was trying to go for, but however thing Elizabeth Ludwig fell short.

Overall: I might read this book again, only to try to understand the plot a bit better. Elizabeth Ludwig had a great idea for the story, but unfortunately overloaded the reader to the point of having to go back a few pages and read extra carefully to understand. 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.