Tales of Colonial New England
Bringing New England History to Life
Scott Vonn writes historical slow-burn mystery novels, weaving intricate narratives set in the coastal towns and landscapes of colonial New England. A lifelong resident of the region, Scott enjoys bringing its history to life and making it accessible to readers around the world. The energy and feel of old buildings, roads, towns, and even cemeteries are palpable in what were once the original colonies. These locations and structures carry a presence that Scott seeks to capture in his writing. He counts himself fortunate to live in Massachusetts with his wife along the Merrimack River, the setting for his novel To Quiet the Child. One can feel the presence and echo of history in places like this.
Coming December 2026
Newburyport, Massachusetts — 1764
When the battered body of a local man is found drifting in the Merrimack River, the death is quickly dismissed as misfortune.
Ronan Merrill is not convinced.
What begins as a single unexplained death soon suggests something far more deliberate—and far more sinister—beneath the respectable surface of the town’s commerce and polite society.
A trail of evidence weaves through the dark dealings of a powerful merchant and the unsavory characters that he controls. The pursuit of justice will prove elusive, dangerous, and often hindered by the twin forces of wealth and power. Yet, fate has other ideas.
To Quiet the Child is a historical mystery set in pre-Revolutionary New England, where the pursuit of truth carries consequences—and powerful men have reason to keep it buried.