VOICES WHISPER

The second book in a trilogy about three British friends in 18th-century America.

Graham introduced David, Elisabeth, and Liam in Voices Beckon (2011), a novel spanning seven years in the lives of three young Britons bound for Philadelphia during the dawn of America’s independence. Here, the trio is fully ensconced in their new lives in Philly. Though the dynamics are different—Elisabeth and David are forging their lives together, leaving Liam without his constant companions—the cast is no less intriguing than the first time around. Liam’s at the center of the narrative; he battles his past as he jumps from job to job and woman to woman, finally finding his match, and maybe his soul mate, in the unconstrained Rhiannon Ross. Graham perfectly captures the initial spark between Liam and Rhiannon via Elisabeth: “Liam stepped into the room, his gaze gravitating to Rhiannon, who still stood at the window, watching the sky. Elisabeth’s brow drew at his expression. Why, it carried that same hint David’s did when…when he wanted…well, it wasn’t any way to look at a woman who wasn’t one’s wife.” As in the first book in this series, Graham manages to create a sweeping epic while focusing on three (and now four, with Rhiannon) compelling people, giving her book a sense of intimacy it wouldn’t have otherwise. But while it’s good to see familiar characters like David and Elisabeth, the author doesn’t give the couple a clear trajectory. As a result, the novel (at over 350 pages) feels long and meandering until about halfway through, when Graham’s plot threads start to weave together, leading to an exciting climax. And, yes, there’s a third book in the series.

A wandering but ultimately satisfying historical novel about life and love in the newly free America.