While this is historical fiction, and not a fictionalized version of an actual historical event, if you enjoy mysteries, then it is an interesting read. The author did do his research, and name-drops a number of actual historical figures. The main plot of the book, the mystery to be solved, is completely created by the author. But the world in which the characters move is very well drawn. The plot is set several years before the Revolution, but the tensions between the colonists and the English government, or at least their local representatives, is starting to become apparent. One complication for the main character is that he is an indentured servant, and still has time left to serve.
Something that the character of Duncan McCallum makes obvious is that someone’s experiences before they arrived in the colonies very much could shape their actions once they arrived there. Due to his family’s participation in the battle of Culloden, he has no love for British soldiers. But he, as an English citizen, is loyal to the King. He is therefore working in the interests of the British against the representatives of the French government. Of course, this being a mystery, sometimes it was difficult to tell who was on which side!
Two things I found interesting with regard to the main fictional characters in this book is how many languages they spoke, and how much they traveled. Duncan was born in Scotland, and as a sailor, had traveled rather widely, and seemingly learned languages as he went. His friend Conawago, a Native who had been taken to England and educated there, also speaks several Native and European languages. The characters traveled quite a bit in the course of the story, as well, on foot, on horseback, and even by boat. They did not seem daunted by distances; they just started on their way with whatever form of conveyance they could find.
If this was your family, how would you research them? Even if they arrived very early in the history of country, almost all of us can trace our lines back to an immigrant. Were they pushed, or pulled, to move to a new country? While I tend to focus my research on American history, once you learn where your ancestors come from, you should also learn about the history of those countries from around the time your ancestors left. That may give you some idea of why they left. Of course, some may have just wanted the adventure! But many may have had a rough enough life to be willing to risk the journey.