Book Review: Tinker by Jennifer M. Lane
Part of Paste Creative Book Tours
Adult Alternate Historical Fiction / Romance A propulsive Whiskey Rebellion tale of defiance, rebellion, love, and divided loyalties on the early American frontier.
The people of western Pennsylvania suffer under a hefty tax on whiskey. When the local militia takes up arms against the hated tax collector, his estranged daughter finds herself caught in the crossfire.
The Story
Set in 1794 Pennsylvania, Caroline Neville is on her way to Pittsburgh to buy more ink when she encounters the burning remains of her father’s effigy along the road, alongside several “liberty poles” bearing Liberty and No Excise signs protesting the whiskey tax.
She arrives at Mr. Jeffrie’s small shop to pick up an ordered book and the ink she needs to write an article for the Gazette. Her ultimate hope? To convince the public that her father, the local tax collector, is not the evil man they make him out to be. The locals are angry at him, and any member of his family, and they are out for blood.
While at the shop, she meets Tench Coyle, a reporter for the Gazette and a member of the militia opposing the tax. Tench has no idea that she is Mr. Neville’s daughter.
Becoming “Tom the Tinker”
When open conflict erupts between the local militia and the government, Caroline takes matters into her own hands. She tries to get her father to present the farmers’ case to the President, but he refuses, stating that he’s only doing his job and doesn’t make the laws.
Desperate to turn the tide before her family gets hurt, Caroline adopts the pseudonym “Tom the Tinker” and pens peaceful pleas for tax repeal in the local Gazette, calling for a peaceful gathering.
Not knowing that she’s Tom the Tinker, or even a Neville, Tench gets the Gazette to print the letters. But as the two fall deeply in love, the harder it becomes for Caroline to tell him her true identity. Soon, her efforts at peace take a dangerous turn toward rebellion, and she faces losing everything she loves. Against all odds, she needs to fix it all before she’s charged with treason.
Review
Tinker is a compelling blend of historical fiction, political intrigue, and romance set against the turbulent backdrop of the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794. Rich in historical detail, the novel brings to life a little-known chapter of early American history while exploring themes of loyalty, justice, and personal courage.
Set against the rugged backdrop of Pittsburgh, Caroline Neville is a memorable heroine, intelligent, determined, and willing to risk everything to prevent violence and protect those she loves. Her double life creates constant tension, especially when she falls for Tench.
As their passionate, high-stakes romance develops, the tension thickens. Their chemistry feels genuine, while the escalating unrest surrounding the whiskey tax keeps the plot moving at a brisk pace. Lane expertly balances a propulsive plot of divided loyalties with a tender, slow-burn love story where secrets threaten everything.
Vivid Prose & Perspective
The narrative is told through Caroline’s first-person point of view, featuring vivid and highly descriptive prose:
“He pulled his hand back and smoothed his shirt, the fine lines around his eyes softening as the shock of being confronted by a woman overtook his decorum.”
Lane deftly captures the gritty defiance of the early American frontier while delivering a deeply emotional character study.
The Verdict
Overall, Tinker by Jennifer M. Lane is a thought-provoking and emotionally satisfying historical novel that offers readers an inspiring story of one woman’s determination to make a difference during a pivotal moment in American history. Fans of historical fiction with strong female protagonists and a touch of romance will find much to enjoy.
“If he ever looked up from the tasks he performed in honor of George Washington hundreds of miles away, he would see how his disloyalty to his family had cost him a daughter.”
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About the Author
Jennifer M. Lane is a Maryland native and Pennsylvanian at heart, currently living in the Philadelphia suburbs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy with a minor in communications from Barton College and a master’s in liberal arts with a focus on museum studies from the University of Delaware, where she wrote her thesis on the material culture of roadside memorials.
She is an active member of the Authors Guild, the Historical Novel Society, and the Independent Book Publishers Association. Her first book, Of Metal and Earth, won the 2019 Next Generation Indie Book Award for First Novel and was a Finalist in the 2018 IAN Book of the Year Awards (Literary / General Fiction).
When she isn’t writing, she sits on her township’s historical commission, serves as co-chair of the MontCo (PA) Book Fest, and co-organizes several book festivals each year.
**Thank you to Stephanie Caruso, Paste Creative Book Tours, and Jennifer M. Lane for the gifted copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
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