LINCOLN'S BODYGUARD by T. J. Turner is listed as the first book in the Lincoln's Bodyguard series but chronologically, book 3 is the first book in theLINCOLN'S BODYGUARD by T. J. Turner is listed as the first book in the Lincoln's Bodyguard series but chronologically, book 3 is the first book in the series. This series is historical fiction using an alternative history storyline in which John Wilkes Booth gets killed before he can kill President Abraham Lincoln. By killing Booth, the President's bodyguard, Joseph Turner becomes an enemy of the South and his wife is murdered and his child is kidnapped. Several years later Turner receives a letter from President Lincoln asking for his help.
The story takes place in several areas of the USA including Washington D.C., Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri and Ohio. Joseph makes for a good protagonist. He is compelling and full of flaws and virtues. His goals are mostly clear and his motivations are believable and well-drawn. The secondary characters were well-rounded and enhance the story with believable relationships. The internal and external conflicts are well defined and do not feel contrived. The stakes are high and this made the book a page-turner for me.
The book explores a lot of themes including family, friendship, loyalty, betrayal, revenge, forgiveness, hardship, cruelty, murder and much more. It has a number of plot twists and turns. Overall, the world-building was fantastic and gave a clear sense of time and place. The plot was engrossing, powerful, shocking, fascinating, well-researched and thought-provoking. I believe that those than enjoy historical fiction and alternative fiction set during this time period will enjoy this well-written and haunting novel. I look forward to reading the next book in the series....more
I won the kindle e-book version in a Goodreads giveaway. I liked this historical mystery, but it is not a fast-paced story. Also bear in mind, it has I won the kindle e-book version in a Goodreads giveaway. I liked this historical mystery, but it is not a fast-paced story. Also bear in mind, it has a paranormal component to the story.
The story begins in 1924 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during Prohibition. The main character is a widow with a young son. She is having trouble paying bills and decides to take in lodgers: a school teacher, a bookkeeper, and a rookie constable. One of her son's friends goes missing and the story is off and running.
This is a time of bootleggers, speak-easies, crime, flappers, gangsters, political bribes, police and judges on the take, and so much more. It is also about friendship, family and immigrant communities. Additionally, it is a time when women had few options for supporting themselves.
The author does a great job of giving the reader a sense of the times. I was easily able to visualize the clothes, houses, and people. She also did a great job of blending in the paranormal aspect of the story. There is a great cast of supporting characters. What kept this from being a 4 star rating for me was that it seemed a little slow in places. Otherwise, it is well-written and entertaining. Will I try book 2 in the series? Definitely. If you enjoy historical mysteries, I recommend you give this one a try....more
I won the kindle e-book edition in a Goodreads Giveaway. While it is the fifth in the series, it worked fine as a standalone novel. It is well writtenI won the kindle e-book edition in a Goodreads Giveaway. While it is the fifth in the series, it worked fine as a standalone novel. It is well written and set in 17th century France and England.
Pierre, Marquis de Beauvoir, Duke of Hertford takes his pregnant wife and young four-year-old son on a picnic. They are ambushed and Pierre is severely wounded and his wife and son are not found. With this as the beginning the story unfolds. It kept my interest throughout, but is was somewhat slow in a few places. I felt this was more of a amateur detective suspense novel than a thriller. It also showed some of the history of the times including discussions of Oliver Cromwell, Louis XIV, tenant conditions, mercenaries, gambling, indebtedness, alcoholism, friendships, and so much more.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read with some heart-wrenching moments that gives you a sense of the times. The characters were well-developed whether they were "the good guys" or some of "the bad guys". Does Pierre live? Did his wife and young son survive? Why were they attacked? Read the book to find out....more
I won this kindle e-book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you Oceanview Publishing, T.J. Turner and Goodreads.
This is the first historical fiction bookI won this kindle e-book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you Oceanview Publishing, T.J. Turner and Goodreads.
This is the first historical fiction book that I have read in 2019 and it was terrific. This book spans time from the end of 1860 to about 1862 during the time of Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War and is an espionage thriller, but it is so much more.
It stars a female protagonist who faces several life changing events. This novel is well written with plenty of action. The author does a great job of blending actual historical events and people with fiction. At the end of the novel T.J. Turner describes what is fact versus fiction.
So what does this novel include? Secrets, the Pinkerton Detective Agency, President Lincoln, heroism, espionage, the Underground Railroad, brothels, domestic violence, technology of the times, inner strength, slavery, danger, heroism and so much more....
While this is listed as Lincoln's Bodyguard book 3, it is chronologically the first book in the series. I now need to get the other two books in the series. I recommend this novel to those that love historical fiction and espionage....more
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