In 1796 a trading ship arrives in the vibrant harbour town of Newburyport, Massachusetts, her crew decimated by a virulent fever. Despite the ship being placed under quarantine, this mysterious disease sweeps through the waterfront, causing entire families to die of plague-like symptoms with alarming haste. The pestilence tests the civility and courage of the seaport residents. Some risk their lives to nurse the sick, while others steal crucial medicine and profit on the black market. Some preach that the afflicted deserve the Lord's punishment and those who treat the sick are in league with the devil.

Dr. Giles Wiggins, a surgeon and veteran of the American Revolution, works tirelessly to save lives, often disagreeing with his medical colleagues on both the cause of the deadly ailment and its remedy. As the epidemic grows, the seaport's future is threatened by obsession, greed, and fear.

About the Author
John Smolens has published ten works of fiction, most recently Wolf's Mouth, which has been selected as a Library of Michigan Notable Book. In 2010 he was the recipient of the Michigan Author of the Year Award from the Michigan Library Association.


Book Information
ISBN 9781611863260
Author John Smolens
Format Paperback
Page Count 379
Imprint Michigan State University Press
Publisher Michigan State University Press
Weight(grams) 454g