The Scarlet Pen

By Jennifer Uhlarik

Book Overview

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 na ve woman she is engaged to a charlatan who is being linked a string of deaths in Nebraska?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1643529293
• ISBN13: 9781643529295
• Release Date: July 2021
• Publisher: Barbour Fiction
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Captivating true crime fiction

The Scarlet Pen, by Jennifer Uhlarik, is part of the True Colors True Crime series, a group of fictional novels based on American crime. Having read most of the books in this series, I looked forward to reading The Scarlet Pen and was not disappointed. I was drawn into the story quickly as in the first few pages Emma and Stephen pledge their love for each other, and the tension of their romance begins. Set in the Midwest during the late 1870s, the book tells the horrifying story of a serial killer. Uhlarik is a wonderful storyteller as her writing is strong and descriptive. She has blended suspense, romance, and faith in the narrative to make a story that keeps the pages turning. Uhlarik created her characters to be believable, relatable, and people that I would like to have known as friends (well, the good guys anyway!) Emma, spunky and loyal. Stephen, a charmer with big dreams. And Clay, an honorable lawman with a haunting past and strong faith in God. As these three interact and sometimes clash, their story pulls on the reader’s emotions, shock, horror, sorrow, hope, and compassion. I enjoyed the book, and I look forward to reading more from this author. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing. A favorable review was not required, and the opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.