Bitter Cry — S.L. Stoner

Progressives' History With a Mystery Twist
The eight Sage Adair action-adventure mysteries are set at the beginning of the twentieth century in Portland, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. These fast-paced stories highlight the positive changes made by that era's progressives at a time when wealth and power were concentrated in the hands of a few. One reviewer wrote: “Authentic and well-researched, these historical mysteries show a colorful and corrupt city full of complex and shady characters. Sage Adair is a secret operative who works on behalf of the growing labor movement, pursuing his mission into hobo jungles, lumber camps, seedy saloons and the drawing rooms of the rich. Using authentic historical details, the books show readers a different Portland (OR), a time when houses of prostitution flourished, illegal votes bought judges, and employer opposition to unions took the form of murder.” Bitter Cry has Sage meeting a young newsboy whose plight embroils the undercover operative in the problems of child poverty and child labor. The writing style is simple and spare. The series' characters, who are multi-racial and multi-ethnic, work collaboratively and optimistically to overcome challenges, making new friends along the way.