*Editorial Book Review*
The Twisted Road: A Barrister Perris Novel
by A. B. Michaels
Publication Date: 11th February 2026
Publisher: Historium Press
Page Length: 466
Genre: Historical Thriller
Jonathan Perris Can’t Save His Clients
…Until He Saves Himself
1907
Rising from the devastation of a massive earthquake and fire, San Francisco is once again on the move. But a strike by streetcar drivers threatens to halt the Golden City in its tracks. Protests turn to violence and violence leads to death. Soon a young guard is convicted of willfully killing a protester and the public is out for blood.
Jonathan Perris, an immigrant attorney from England, has opened a law firm with an eye toward righting wrongs, and the guard’s conviction may fall into that category. But the talented barrister soon finds his newfound career shaken by a tragic event: the gruesome murder of the beautiful and mysterious Lena Mendelssohn—a woman he’s been squiring around town. It’s difficult to run a law firm when you’ve been arrested for murder.
In a turbulent time, as a city is rebuilt from the ground up after an earthquake and fire brought San Francisco to its knees, unrest and disorder threaten a future delicately hanging in the balance. Between the careful structure of the courtroom and the intricate web of unspoken rules in the more dangerous parts of town, this novel takes the reader on a journey through early 20th-century San Francisco, bringing all parts of its past vividly back to life.
The courtroom has order, a way of doing things, but that is not necessarily the way forward when roles are reversed and those upholding the law find themselves on the wrong side of it. Jonathan Perris is a renowned attorney. Having come to San Francisco from England, he finds himself in the midst of unrest. After the devastation of the earthquake and subsequent fires, transport around the city has suffered severe disruption, further hindered by union strikes. As tensions rise, movement around the city becomes increasingly difficult, and a fateful few fall victim to violence in the streets. Amid the strikes and chaos, Jonathan finds himself entangled in a different web of trouble: a woman he had been seeing is found dead, and all eyes turn towards him.
This novel does not simply highlight a poignant period in San Francisco’s history, as people attempt to find a new normal in a devastated city, but also weaves an intricate tale of murder and investigation. The setting has been painted with a careful touch, the destruction ever present as the loss of buildings, homes, and businesses—and the daily effects on people’s lives—are brought to light. The lack of transport in particular, as Jonathan and his team struggle to navigate the city, highlights how San Francisco was brought to a standstill by violence and unrest, crippling an already strained transport system. The setting is rendered with great intricacy, confusion and desolation shaping the backdrop for a carefully constructed narrative of murder and investigation, as the characters attempt to uncover the truth and cast suspicion away from the innocent.
From high society in London, Jonathan finds himself immersed in the underbelly of San Francisco as the city struggles to repair itself. With information scarce, he learns that the woman he has been casually seeing for the past few weeks is not necessarily who she claims to be. Unable to stand idly by, he is determined to uncover the truth. When he leaves her that evening, he has no way of knowing that he will soon find himself in handcuffs, arrested for her murder. Yet clearing his name means little if the truth cannot be revealed, and so an investigation unfolds as Jonathan and his colleagues at his law firm attempt to solve the murder of Magdalena von Mendelssohn.
Although such matters are usually left to the police, Jonathan and his colleagues—who typically enter proceedings only after arrests have been made and suspects presented in court—prove highly effective in their enquiries. Ruthless questioning, a determination to uncover the truth, and the ability to present a compelling case have equipped them with the skills to observe closely and draw meaningful conclusions. However, with unrest sweeping the city, it becomes difficult to determine whether any source can be fully trusted. Loyalties run deep, and once formed, they are not easily broken. San Francisco is vividly brought to life as various sources are explored, casting a spotlight on both the wealthy and the downtrodden—those untouched by disaster and those still struggling to rebuild their lives.
Jonathan is surrounded by people who believe in his innocence and are willing to work tirelessly alongside him to uncover the truth. I found myself especially fond of Cordelia Hammersmith, an exceptionally strong woman who has fought for her place in the world and refuses to back down. As a woman in the early 20th century, to attain such an important and public role is no small feat, and throughout the novel she consistently demonstrates her analytical mind and determination. Another notable character is Dove, through whom we witness the breadth of San Francisco’s social landscape. As he pursues his investigations, we follow him through many different spheres—from those living on the streets, who see and hear everything, to studios filled with high-energy political debate. The contrast is striking, yet threaded throughout is the persistent sense of unrest, of uncertainty about the city’s future, and the realisation that change is shaped not only by those who speak loudly, but also by those who quietly influence events behind the scenes. Through these characters, the author crafts a richly layered narrative that captures every walk of life, offering a well-rounded portrayal of early 20th-century San Francisco.
The Twisted Road by A. B. Michaels is a compelling novel of mystery and investigation—one that explores the pursuit of truth at any cost and the consequences of bringing it to light. As the story unfolds and the pieces gradually fall into place, I found myself utterly absorbed, hanging on every word as I followed the characters through the city. This is a novel that comes alive as you read: the sounds of riots, the smell of gunpowder in the air—it all feels tangible, drawing you in as you try to uncover the truth, condemn the guilty, and see the innocent set free.
Review by Ellie Yarde
The Coffee Pot Book Club
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A. B. Michaels
A native of California, A.B. Michaels holds masters’ degrees in history (UCLA) and broadcasting (San Francisco State University). After working for many years as a promotional writer and editor, she turned to writing fiction, which is the hardest thing she's ever done besides raising two boys. She lives with her husband and two spoiled dogs in Boise, Idaho, where she is often distracted by playing darts and bocce, learning pinochle, and trying to hit a golf ball more than fifty yards. Reading and travel figure into the mix, leading her to hope that sometime soon, someone invents a 25+ hour day. Her historical fiction series, “The Golden City,” explores America’s Gilded Age and its effect on characters, both actual and fictional, while her contemporary series, “Sinner’s Grove,” follows descendants of The Golden City as they navigate today’s equally treacherous waters. She is currently expanding both series.
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