Murder In the Oval Library - A Review

Murder In the Oval Library

by

C. M. Gleason

A Review

The year is 1861; Lincoln has been inaugurated, and the South has started to succeed; the country is on the brink of a civil war. Oh, and a body is found in the Oval Office of the Whitehouse.

Abraham Lincoln assigns Adam Speed Quinn the task of digging for the truth. Sophie Gates, an independent reporter writing for the New York Times, appoints herself as his assistant. Together they will need to put together the pieces of a puzzle that will only become more complicated once Washington DC is invaded by the Rebels from the South.

The story was a fun read and held this reader’s attention for the duration of the book. Well worth my time.

A “Note From The Author” does a good job of helping to connect the story to the historical events in the days immediately following the inauguration. What was disappointing was that events discussed in the book could not be verified through Google, etc. As I have said in earlier reviews, the ability to follow up with a bit of independent research is what makes an historical novel particularly interesting. The brief essay at the end ties the book to some of that history, but it also leaves some questions unanswered.

Having said that, I have ordered an earlier title by the same author written with the same characters and similar sitting. I do not expect to be disappointed.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

Cold Shot - A Review

Cold Shot

by

Dani Pettrey

A Review

The Civil War battles at Gettysburg had ended a long time ago. And Finley Scott, forensic anthropologist, was present to recover some of its lost history. But what should have been a long buried body was soon understood to have been buried just a few months ago. And it would take Ms. Scott’s team and Chief Ranger Griffin McCray, along with his friends, to discover who put it there.

Sadly, the book is advertised as a “romantic suspense” - not untrue, but that word “romantic” may drive some who would like the book away. Similarly, the cover shot of a lonely Ranger, underwrites the “romantic”. I would argue that the book is a thriller first and foremost. Yes, it has a hint of romance, but placing the book’s focus at this point will, again, drive away some who might enjoy the book.

If I had one word to describe this book, it would be “secrets”: each of the characters carries a load that they would like to hide but that limit their ability to do their work at their best. But the secret would come out and the jobs would get done. And the evidence would lead to the truth.

I appreciated the way the author weaved spiritual truth into the story - not with heavy scripture, but with the characters living out their faith. Faith is not applied in a heavy handed manner, but becomes a natural part of the story as it evolves over the character’s lives.

Recommended for believers of all stripes, the book was well worth the time I spent between its pages.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.