Reviewed by Saifunnissa Hassam for Readers' Favorite

Eric Picard’s novel, The Hazard Trade, is riveting historical fiction, a thrilling story of rebellion and espionage, set during the American Revolution. The characters include both fictional characters as well as real historical figures. In 1778, Newport, a port city on Aquidneck Island, is struggling to survive economically under British occupation and the blockade of its once-thriving and vibrant harbor. William and Mary Hazard are shopkeepers, their supplies of provisions coming from the limited commercial supplies allowed by the British. The Hazard family, including their daughter Bridget, 16, and son Benjamin, 14, neither support the American rebels nor collaborate with the British occupiers. All that changes dramatically, and frighteningly, one day when British soldiers march into their shop and arrest William and Mary. They are charged with possession of seditious material and coded intelligence for the Patriot network. As suddenly as they have been arrested, they are freed. The family discovers their release is the work of the Patriots. As a family, they decide to support the Patriots in their fight against the British occupation. The story is a page-turner, filled with courage, bravery, perilous action, and incredible tension.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Hazard Trade for its remarkable characters and the very skilfully crafted multiple subplots. The story sprang vividly to life through many key characters, specific actions, meticulous attention to detail in different settings, the dangerous work of intelligence and counterintelligence, and making hard choices. The story gained great depth through the character development of Benjamin Hazard. I liked the situations that show his exceptionally sharp and analytical mind, a keen eye for observation, and ability to learn the dangerous work of intelligence and espionage. I particularly liked the support of his family, as he faces hard choices, weighing the risks and benefits. This focus on characters and their viewpoints drew me deeper into the story, particularly when a powerful summer New England hurricane turns deadly. The inclusion of the broader conflict between the rebel Continental Army and the British made the story more realistic. I loved the cover illustration, which evokes Newport very imaginatively in the days of the American Revolution. I highly recommend Eric Picard’s novel to fans of historical fiction and espionage thrillers.