Review-The Secrets of Mary Bowser by Lois Leveen

 

 
THE SECRETS OF MARY BOWSER,
Lois Leveen
William Morrow
2012, pb, 496pb
978-0-06-2107909.








Lois Leveen will admit that when she studied The Civil War in school she found it to be rather dull. For the author, it wasn’t until she began to examine the social and cultural climate during the war, rather than specific battles that defined the war that changed her opinion. Fortunately for the reader, Leveen begins a search to answer a few curious questions. The result is a blend of known history and her imagined historical fiction surrounding the lives of three people who spied for the Union they were Mary Bowser, Elizabeth “Bet” Van Lew and Thomas McNiven.


This story takes place in Richmond Virginia where Mary is a house slave for the affluent Van Lew family.  The Van Lew’s have a daughter Elizabeth who has strong abolitionist views.  It is “Bet” who notices that Mary is quite bright. Although she can not read, she has a unique memory and demonstrates a quick mind. When Elizabeth manumits Mary, she arranges to send her to live in Philadelphia to attend school. Years later, Mary returns to Richmond to join with “Bet” to spy for the North. Mary, assumes the identity of a slave and works for Jefferson Davis and his wife. With clever irony Mary assumes the part of an illiterate and simple minded slave who actually has a photographic mind, is highly educated and has a natural mature poise. “Bet” Van Lew is believed to be pro-South, but is a true abolitionist. With her Southern charm and hospitality she apparently eludes suspicion.
  

The Secrets of Mary Bowser is an irresistible story of espionage and bravery.  Leveen has opened up the souls and minds of people who lived during this divisive war.   Whether slave, abolitionist, soldier, slaveholder, woman, freed African American, northerner or southerner, the Civil War impacted peoples’ lives beyond each gruesome and gory battle in disparate ways.   To this day, there is an unquenchable allure for books, articles, photos and anything about the Civil War. What makes this period of American History so compelling?  Perhaps it is a desire to seek understanding as we unravel the evil mark that slavery left on our history. The Secrets of Mary Bowser will satisfy those seeking historical fact and lovers of historical fiction who search for any perspective that will move us a step closer to understanding the disunion to e pluribus unum.


Wisteria Leigh, May 21, 2012

Disclosure: 
Copy of book received from TLC Tours for review.  
Alternate copy purchased :Kindle edition. 
 
 © [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2012].

Review-The Wolves of Andover, by Kathleen Kent

THE WOLVES OF ANDOVER
By Kathleen Kent
978-0-36-06862-8
$24.99/CAN$29.99
320 pages
Reagan Arthur Books
Published November 2010

Synopsis from the publisher:

"A story of love and intrigue from America's earliest days, by the author of the national bestseller The Heretic's Daughter.

In the harsh wilderness of colonial Massachusetts, Martha Allen works as a servant in her cousin's household, taking charge and locking wills with everyone. Thomas Carrier labors for the family and is known both for his immense strength and size and for his mysterious past. The two begin a courtship that suits their independent natures, with Thomas slowly revealing the story of his part in the English Civil War. But in the rugged new world they inhabit, danger is ever present, whether in the form of the assassins sent from London to kill the executioner of Charles I or the wolves—in many guises—who hunt for blood. A love story and a tale of courage, The Wolves of Andover confirms Kathleen Kent's ability to craft powerful stories of historical drama."

My Review

If you read Heretic’s Daughter and liked it as much as I did, then The Wolves of Andover will be a gratifying encore! Taking place in Massachusetts, during the Colonial time period beginning in 1649, the setting is a personal favorite of mine. As the author states in her author’s notes at the beginning of the novel, the characters are based on actual people. In 1692, Martha Allen Cartier was accused and hanged as a witch in Salem. She was married to Thomas Cartier and had children with him. Kent weaves a dramatic story of intrigue around these two characters based on her research and family lore.

Thomas, in the novel, is pursued by a party of ruthless men, desperate to capture him. Their cold indifference to life and harsh methods of acquiring information are brutal. The action provided by the relentless stalkers is chilling at times reflecting the barbaric and crude methods of punishment and slow painful death and suffering of the condemned typical during this period. Kent holds nothing back in this boldly graphic and haunting tale.

Martha, comes to live with Patience and husband, Daniel. To date, her woeful nature has discouraged any suitable marital possibilities. She has come to assist her cousin Patience with her pregnancy. Martha is determined to be more than a servant and soon insinuates herself as a strong force in the household. A blooming courtship between the obdurate and wise Martha and the mysteriously silent and serious Thomas is predictable and satisfying. Kent gently teases the reader as their friendship and trust for each other moves forward with just the right sensual tension and sweetness.

As I read The Wolves of Andover, I became curious about the political and religious climate in England during the reign of King Charles I that led to his execution. I love when historical fiction is an impetus to pursue further study of history. Once again, Kathleen Kent has written an inspiring read that will give you much to ponder and generate inquiry into the past.

Disclosure: I received The Wolves of Andover from the publisher.


© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2010].

Review-The German Woman

THE GERMAN WOMAN
Paul Griner,

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt,
2009, $25.00, hc, 320pp.
9780547055220.









The German Woman is the story of an English woman, Kate Zwieg, a trained nurse who is married to a German surgeon, Horst Zweig. It is 1919 during WW1 and together they work serving injured soldiers from the battles in East Prussia. Fast forward twenty-five years and Kate is now in London, the summer of 1944, considered the summer that never was. It is now WWII, bombings, air-raids, skeletal framework of once magnificent structures and massive casualties are part of every day life. Kate, is now widowed, when she meets Claus at a political rally. The speaker at the gathering is spewing propaganda falsities to a crowd of onlookers. Kate is incensed by the disinformation and steps forward with a barrage of razor sharp barbs. Claus, or rather Charles, an exiled American with German heritage, works making propaganda films for the Ministry of Information. He is in the crowd and notices Kate, and is attracted to her spirit and he introduces himself to her. Claus is also happens to be a spy supplying valuable information to the German military, although sometimes not as accurate as it should be. He knows his life depends on secrecy and trusting no one, but he meets Kate and romance turns to unexpected love. At some point, he becomes suspicious of Kate and his duality of loyalty will rock his perspicacious resolve. Kate is almost a silent, passive participant as the action is seen through Claus and his struggle.
Paul Griner shows a natural talent of subterfuge as he carefully creates a complex mask of mirrors causing a magicians allusion for the audience to solve. There are passages of beautiful lyrical poetic prose that could fit a musical score.

A Virtual Tour with David Snowdon

The Mind of a Genius by David Snowdon

ISBN: 978-0-9552650-1-3
Publisher: Pentergen Books
Pages: 288
£6.99/ $13.56

I have the pleasure of hosting a part of the David Snowdon Virtual Tour. I read The Mind of a Genius without a break as there was no place to take a breath. A secret project, a sultry scientist's widow, an assorted list of international spies and cunning criminals all jockeying for a first place finish to get the formula that could change the world. On the edge drama, you will wiz through this spy thriller!

David Snowdon Bio

British thriller writer, David Snowdon was born in London, and lives in London. He started writing in 1983, and wrote his first book, which hasn’t been published in 1984. His first published work, Too Young To die, was published in August 2006. And his second novel, The Mind of a Genius, was published in November 2007.

Introducing The Mind of a Genius

What was the project the British Scientist Malcolm Prince working on before he died? He claimed it was finished and it will change the world. British spies, the CIA and Danish Intelligence all want the formula. One spy, an independent agent working for M14 is Jason Clay. Definitely the confident James Bond type. As his luck would have it, his job is to get the formula from the scientist's widow, Laura Prince, anyway he can. Here is an excerpt from the book:

Excerpt from The Mind of a Genius by Daniel Snowdon

Sitting on a stool at the bar, Jason Clay sipped his drink, nodded in time to the music and watched the two girls from a distance.

Tonight he wore a black silk shirt with tight-fitting black leather trousers. Because there were so many well-dressed people in the club, he was able to blend in without attracting too much attention. Although, he still got the odd stares of admiration from the girls.

It had been six days ago that he had gone to see Shooter. And over the past three days, Shooter had continuously been on his back. He had repeatedly explained to Shooter that although he was keeping tabs on the girl, he hadn’t had a chance to make a move, and he didn’t want to ruin things by being rash. But Shooter didn’t want to know and kept urging him to do something as soon as possible, as they didn’t have a lot of time. Now he was itching for some action.

A flower guy came towards his direction moving through the crowd, and Clay caught his eye and nodded at him.

“Give that girl a flower,” he said, pointing to Laura when the guy got to him.

“Which one?” asked the guy, staring in their direction.

“The blonde one,” said Clay, handing the guy a £10 note. “And get yourself a drink. You look as if you can use one.”

“Thank you, boss,” said the flower guy, staring at Clay in amazement and not believing his luck.

He was a slim, medium height, North African-looking guy wearing a short-sleeved white shirt. He was from Morocco.

“No worries,” said Clay, as the guy went towards the girls.

“That’s for you, luv,” said the flower guy, handing Laura a flower.

Laura frowned at him, hesitated and decided to take the flower.

“It’s from the guy sitting at the bar,” he said, pointing towards Clay’s direction. “The blonde guy in the black shirt.”

Both girls stared towards Clay’s direction, noticing him for the first time, and both girls saw a stylish handsome blonde guy, wearing a black shirt, sitting at the bar and looking in their direction.

Clay saw the flower guy give Laura the flower, he saw the girls suddenly look towards his direction and he waved, giving them his boyish smile.

Laura regarded him from a distance, and she felt a wave of excitement sweep through her. He’s a dreamboat, she thought. Blonde, tall and handsome. And he was quite young. Well, he was a lot younger than her. Just the way she liked them.



Post comments on any of the blog tour stops and be entered in a drawing for a copy of The Mind of a Genius.

David Snowdon Website

Virtual Blog Tour