The Scarlet Pen

Title: The Scarlet Pen

Series: True Colors (each stand alone)

Author: Jennifer Uhlarik

Publisher: Barbour Publishing

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, True Crime

My Review:

Not only did this book capture my attention from the first scene, but I also disliked Stephen Dee Richardson from that moment on! It made me wonder what Emma saw in him. Emma is sweet, caring, adores her siblings, and seems to be more in love with the idea of being in love, than actually in love with Stephen. She is also headstrong and impulsive, which gets her into trouble.

Clay is the true hero of the story. From the moment you meet him, you know he is a great guy. He cares about Emma's siblings and takes care of the kittens, even though there was no reason for him to do so. He treats everyone with respect and always tries to do the right thing. He is haunted by his past and it colors his present.

This story is gripping and haunting. There is a mystery, intrigue, romance, violent crimes, and a truly demented man. It will captivate you from the first scene and keep your attention to the conclusion.

The Scarlet Pen is based on the true crimes of Stephen Dee Richards. It is told from three different points of view. The story has some gruesome parts that might be hard for sensitive people to read, but they are not in-depth or long-winded. Other than that there is nothing to dislike about this story.

I would recommend this book to those who love suspense and mystery, but also historical events.

Thank you to Barbour Publishing and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

 For more books in the True Colors series you can click here.

★★★★/5

Synopsis: 

Step into True Colors — a series of Historical Stories of Romance and True American Crime
 
Enjoy a tale of true but forgotten history of an 19th Century serial killer whose silver-tongued ways almost trap a young woman into a nightmarish marriage.
 
In 1876, Emma Draycott is charmed into a quick engagement with Stephen Dee Richardson after meeting him at a church event in Mount Pleasant, Ohio. But within the week, Stephen leaves to “make his fame and fortune.” The heartbroken Emma gives him a special fountain pen to write to her, and he does with tales of grand adventures. Secret Service agent Clay Timmons arrives in Mount Pleasant to track purchases made with fake currency. Every trail leads back to Stephen—and therefore, Emma. Can he convince the naïve woman she is engaged to a charlatan who is being linked a string of deaths in Nebraska?