One April After the War: Louisville to Cumberland - A Review

 Review

ONE APRIL AFTER THE WAR: LOUISVILLE TO CUMBERLAND
By G. S. Boarman
M. Warner Annals Book I

In April of 1870 Secret Service agents Argent and Merritt have finished up a counterfeit case and agree to escort a woman from Kentucky to the White House on behalf of President Grant. Instead of an elderly lady they find an unusual young woman. A young woman who does not want to go. 

ONE APRIL AFTER THE WAR: LOUISVILLE TO CUMBERLAND is a work of historical fiction that also works as a morality tale. Issues such as race, gender, and human rights all come into play. Mary is not the "normal" woman to be found in Kentucky in 1870. She is grief stricken. She has strong beliefs. She has some idiosyncrasies. There is some moral ambiguity here. People continually are doing things in her best interest. But is it in her best interest, or is it just making things easier for those doing it? That goes for not only the secret service men, but Mr. Howard and Miss Carrie, people who actually love her too.

I love the historical detail, and the fact that the days match this year's April days is a fascinating feature. I enjoyed recognizing facts, such as Roebling's suspension bridge, and places, such as Athens, Ohio, and seeing things though M's eyes. The relationship between M, Merritt, and Argent is fascinating, at once a job, perhaps something more. But in her eyes, is it growing friendship, or certainty that she is a prisoner?

Although I knew the book wouldn't finish the story, it says Louisville to Cumberland on the cover after all, I didn't anticipate the book ending on a cliff hanger! I am now desperate to see what happens next, even though I know Book II will not answer all of my questions as there is also a Book III!

Part travel journal, part morality tale, part mystery, ONE APRIL AFTER THE WAR: LOUISVILLE TO CUMBERLAND brings readers on a post Civil War adventure encouraging a thoughtful glimpse into 1870s America.