Let’s clear something up first: this isn't a novel. 'Dealings with the Dead, Volume 2' is a series of long, thoughtful essays. Published in 1856, it’s the second half of Lucius M. Sargent's project where he visits old New England cemeteries, particularly Boston's Copp's Hill Burying Ground. But he’s not giving a dry history tour. For each worn-out headstone he finds, Sargent acts like a detective. He goes back to old records, newspapers, and local memory to piece together the full, often turbulent, life of the person buried there.

The Story

There isn't one single plot. Think of each essay as its own little mystery. Sargent picks a grave and asks a question. Who was this sea captain? What happened to this young mother? Why does this epitaph seem so angry? He then reconstructs their world. You get tales of shipwrecks and lost fortunes, family betrayals, tragic accidents, and quiet acts of heroism that time forgot. He connects these personal stories to bigger events, like the American Revolution or Boston's growth from a small town to a bustling city. The 'story' is really the uncovering itself—the journey from a silent, mossy stone to a vibrant, complicated human life.

Why You Should Read It

What grabbed me was Sargent's voice. He’s not a detached scholar; he’s a passionate local. You can feel his frustration when a story is lost and his satisfaction when he solves a puzzle. He has strong opinions about morality and memory, which makes him a fascinating, if occasionally preachy, guide. Reading this feels like time travel. The book removes the glass wall between us and the past. These weren't just 'colonials' in textbooks; they were people who laughed, made huge mistakes, loved deeply, and grieved. It makes history feel immediate and personal. It also makes you look at your own town differently.

Final Verdict

This is a niche but wonderful read. It's perfect for history buffs who are tired of battle dates and want human stories, for true crime or mystery fans who enjoy historical sleuthing, and for any New Englander curious about the ground they walk on. A fair warning: the 19th-century prose takes a few pages to get used to, and Sargent’s moralizing can be heavy. But if you push through, you’ll find a unique, thoughtful, and surprisingly moving book. It’s less about the dead and more about what we choose to remember, and why.