Book Blurb:
In 1700 New York City, the beautiful Sarah Kidd is an enigmatic figure. The wealthy wife of the notorious pirate Captain William Kidd possesses both riches and extraordinary mystical abilities. With the gift of vivid dreams and the power to summon valuable treasures to her hands, Sarah walks a fine line between fortune and fear, knowing that such gifts could lead to accusations of witchcraft and, if convicted, death.
Fast forward to 2026, where her descendant, Roberta Kyd Rousby, a talented artist and retired US Army Command Captain, discovers she has inherited more than just Sarah's sprawling estate at Three Mile Harbor on Long Island. Burdened by her new abilities and haunted by the echoes of her ancestor's past, Roberta finds herself drawn into a web of intrigue. Three Mile Harbor, once believed to be a possible hiding place of Captain Kidd’s legendary treasures, is now home to a secret government research facility probing the mysteries of teleportation, dream physics, quantum cryptography, and the paranormal.
As Roberta navigates her newfound gifts, she becomes the focus of clandestine operations that could change the course of history. Will she harness Sarah’s powers to uncover the truth behind their family's legacy, or will she fall victim to the dark forces that seek to control her? Join Roberta on a thrilling journey of discovery, danger, and the magical intersection of past and present, where dreams may hold the key to unimaginable treasures—and perilous secrets.
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/SlpTGn2
Editorial Review:
“Three Mile Harbor” (A Novella)
Author: Joseph Kovler
“Sarah, wearing a bright formal gown, was invisible to others as she stood on London’s Executioner Dock gallows. A subtle glow, also invisible to others, surrounded her. The wind blew anything not tied down, but Sarah’s hair and dress did not move. She moved, unseen, positioning herself in front of the executioner. He reached for his hat so it wouldn’t blow off. Sarah watched as two horse-drawn carts arrived from Newgate Prison. Four prisoners in ragged clothes and six guards exited the wagons and lined up as a large, boisterous, and bloodthirsty crowd met them. The small procession, led by Chaplain Lorraine, wearing a cassock, gown, and cap, walked to the gallows.”
Sarah Kidd is married to a pirate (yes, William Kidd!), and her gifts are many. But these are the types of gifts that would barely be accepted or understood in modern times, let alone in the year 1699. Sarah is in danger of being thought a witch, and must navigate a fraught society to both use, and hide, her powers. Pirates have buried treasure (obviously!), and this legend echoes through the generations, linking Sarah with her descendants and the evocative location where Joseph Kovler’s book “Three Mile Harbor” is set and named for.
This novella is set in different times, with a stark contrast between each. Piracy, witchcraft and science all merge together in the storyline. In 2026, Three Mile Harbor is also significant to Sarah’s modern-day descendant, Roberta, who has inherited property there but must also contend with a government research project with a secretive purpose. Note that if, like this reviewer, you have automatically thought of the year 2026 as some futuristic space age time, it is in fact a little over 12 months away, hence the use of “modern-day”.
““Before you leave, I would love to tell you a story about my grandfather, Lion Gardiner, and an alleged witch, Goody Garlick. Will you indulge me?” asked John.
William said, “Sarah loves stories about witches. So much so that shortly after we were married, we went to one of the witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts.”
“It was quite dreadful, but despite how all that unfolded in Salem, I would love to hear the story about your grandfather. I am intrigued by stories about witches,” Sarah said.
“In that case, I am happy to lend you a book that has been in my family for many years. It was written almost one hundred years ago by King James of Scotland. It is a study of Demonology and his views on witches, among other unworldly creatures,” Gardiner said. He went to a bookcase, retrieved the book, and handed it to Sarah.
As is always the case with these split timeframe books, there is a risk that the reader will prefer one timeframe over another. Perhaps it is this reviewer’s slight obsession with pirates that is responsible, but Sarah Kidd is an incredibly well-drawn character and the glimpse into her fascinating life is left only with reluctance. Yes, Roberta is capable, and a worthy descendant of such a resilient and resourceful woman, and her storyline is absorbing. But…pirates.
“Sarah sat on Sterling’s chest and pressed his knife into the wound in his forehead. She ignored his screaming and said, “I’ll be removing your ear if you don’t tell me where my treasure is,” Sarah said. Sterling stared at her, coming in and out of consciousness. “Alright, then.” Sarah took the knife and cut off part of Sterling’s ear. Ironically, she was deaf to his screams. “I will cut you to pieces,” she said and placed the tip of the blade into one of Sterling’s nostrils. Still, he refused to speak. She slowly pulled the knife and sliced Sterling’s nose open. Sterling grabbed his face and mumbled, “It’s in my cabin.”
The pacing of Three Mile Harbor is swift; it is a novella but packs quite a storyline in the shorter format. The author has clearly engaged in significant historical research, illustrated by the references to Sarah’s life and times, and also the life of her husband William Kidd, and their children. The historical attitudes to “dream powers” are also interesting to read of. In covering such disparate eras within a novella, there is necessarily some bridging of time, and this can be a little abrupt between certain scenes. Nevertheless “Three Mile Harbor” is a great yarn and is a definite candidate if you are searching for some escapism over the holiday season (and there are pirates!).
“Three Mile Harbor” by Joseph Kovler is a tale of adventure, and an intriguing window into a time of pirates and witches. The addition of a modern day storyline provides a mirror of sorts to the early themes, despite the immense social change that has occurred between 1699 and current times. The supernatural aspects of the plot (or “dream powers”) add an extra dimension to an already fascinating novella.
*****
"Three Mile Harbor” by Joseph Kovler receives 4 stars from The Historical Fiction Company
To have your historical novel editorially reviewed and/or enter the HFC Book of the Year contest, please visit www.thehistoricalfictioncompany.com/book-awards/award-submission
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