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lehc1984's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
elvenavari's review against another edition
2.0
I've never read anything by David O. Stewart before though from what I've gathered, he seems to be more of a non-fiction writer. Stewart had a good idea, perhaps it was something he stumbled across during research for another non-fiction? But, it doesn't seem he had enough to support his theory so...let's write a fiction novel! Sadly though, the story never came across as...exciting? I found myself staring at the page in boredom more than once. I think in the hands of a really good historical fiction writer, this could have been a real page turner. For me though, it fell flat.
sheltzer's review against another edition
3.0
Dr. Fraser is the man who hears Mr. Bingham's deathbed confession that Mary Surratt divulged a truth during the Lincoln assassination trial that would rock the foundation of the nation. So he partners with a colored newspaper man and sets out to find out who was really the person pulling the strings for the assassination.
It sounds to me as though David Stewart found an interesting nugget during his research, but not enough to substantiate it for there to be a non-fiction book. To explore his option, it had to be a fictionalized account. I think in the hands of a fiction writer, this could have been a page turner. Instead it was rather flat and I found myself reading chunks more through force of will than because I had to know what happens next.
All-in-all a bit disappointing.
It sounds to me as though David Stewart found an interesting nugget during his research, but not enough to substantiate it for there to be a non-fiction book. To explore his option, it had to be a fictionalized account. I think in the hands of a fiction writer, this could have been a page turner. Instead it was rather flat and I found myself reading chunks more through force of will than because I had to know what happens next.
All-in-all a bit disappointing.
ravenwolf_waf's review against another edition
2.0
The plot premise was good but I struggled to finish it because of the characters. Fraser annoyed the ever living daylights out of me with his naivete and delicate sensibilities. Cook was straight up rude. His only redeeming quality - pulling Fraser's butt out of the fire on multiple occasions. I wanted to smack them both half the time. What kept this from a 1 star review? My intrigue over the questions raised regarding the assassination. Otherwise, this was a flop for me.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Crossposted at Booklikes
I listen to the Virginia Historical Society Podcast. They tend to be pretty good. David O. Stewart was the speaker on two of the podcasts. The first was a talk about his book about Burr, and the second was about the Surratt’s (and in part to promote this book).
David O. Stewart is a really great and funny talker. I put the Burr book on my wish list, but ended up buying this one after I listened. Then I couldn’t wait to download it (okay, I had to wait, but you know what I mean).
Stewart usually writes non-fiction, and this is his first fictional work. There are some info dumps, sometimes a little too much telling.
So why four stars you ask?
Because unlike most writers who would take the premise and write a work of non-fiction (Cornwell on Jack the Ripper), Stewart writes his theory (if it is a theory and not simply a plot bunny) as fiction, but a fiction that is believable. The idea is based on a death bed comment about Mary Surratt. It is a mystery where two different men try to discover if the Lincoln assassination was more complex than first appeared.
The two men are James Fraser, a white doctor who attended the dying man, and Speed Cook, a black man who wishes to start a newspaper.
It is the interplay between the two characters as well as the believability of the plot that sells the book. Fraser is the tradition hero with the tragic past and the love interest. Cook is the interesting character, and in many ways, it seems as if Stewart put more thought in him. Based on a real person, Cook is a former ball-player, future newsman, and two time college graduate. He also is mad as hell at how blacks are being treated. He sees the mystery as a way to battle this. Cook works because Stewart does not go the route of everyone learning the wrongs of racism and holding hands at the end. Fraser has changed, and Cook has changed; they have become friends. But it is never an easy friendship, and it isn’t a simple look at race at the time. There are racial attacks and not because of what Cook is trying to do. The best passages are those that focus on Cook dealing with society. In some ways, it feels as Fraser was added because he had to be, because Cook couldn’t go everywhere. It is worth noting too, that while Fraser is the only with the tragic past and the predictable love story, Cook has a loving family – he and his wife are clearly a team.
It is a historical mystery with a good dose of history and wonderful use of character and race.
I listen to the Virginia Historical Society Podcast. They tend to be pretty good. David O. Stewart was the speaker on two of the podcasts. The first was a talk about his book about Burr, and the second was about the Surratt’s (and in part to promote this book).
David O. Stewart is a really great and funny talker. I put the Burr book on my wish list, but ended up buying this one after I listened. Then I couldn’t wait to download it (okay, I had to wait, but you know what I mean).
Stewart usually writes non-fiction, and this is his first fictional work. There are some info dumps, sometimes a little too much telling.
So why four stars you ask?
Because unlike most writers who would take the premise and write a work of non-fiction (Cornwell on Jack the Ripper), Stewart writes his theory (if it is a theory and not simply a plot bunny) as fiction, but a fiction that is believable. The idea is based on a death bed comment about Mary Surratt. It is a mystery where two different men try to discover if the Lincoln assassination was more complex than first appeared.
The two men are James Fraser, a white doctor who attended the dying man, and Speed Cook, a black man who wishes to start a newspaper.
It is the interplay between the two characters as well as the believability of the plot that sells the book. Fraser is the tradition hero with the tragic past and the love interest. Cook is the interesting character, and in many ways, it seems as if Stewart put more thought in him. Based on a real person, Cook is a former ball-player, future newsman, and two time college graduate. He also is mad as hell at how blacks are being treated. He sees the mystery as a way to battle this. Cook works because Stewart does not go the route of everyone learning the wrongs of racism and holding hands at the end. Fraser has changed, and Cook has changed; they have become friends. But it is never an easy friendship, and it isn’t a simple look at race at the time. There are racial attacks and not because of what Cook is trying to do. The best passages are those that focus on Cook dealing with society. In some ways, it feels as Fraser was added because he had to be, because Cook couldn’t go everywhere. It is worth noting too, that while Fraser is the only with the tragic past and the predictable love story, Cook has a loving family – he and his wife are clearly a team.
It is a historical mystery with a good dose of history and wonderful use of character and race.
pmgunter's review against another edition
1.0
After 100 pages I just couldn't get into this book. I was hoping for more on the actual Lincoln assassination and the players behind it, but it just was mostly about two men and their individual backgrounds. I was disappointed.
booksuperpower's review against another edition
4.0
The Lincoln Deception by David O Stewart is an August 2013 Kensington publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It has been thirty-five years since Lincoln was assassinated. Now, Dr. Fraser, a small town country doctor from Cadiz, has heard a death bed confession from the lawyer that prosecuted the Booth conspirators, and a certain Mrs. Surratt. When asked by the man's daughters to put their father's professional papers in order, Fraser becomes obsessed by the confession and in uncovering a conspiracy.
Along the way the doctor meets up with a black gentleman that runs a small newspaper. The two become partners attempting to unearth long kept and explosive political secrets. They travel the country, going wherever a lead might take them. They get into a few scrapes as someone attempts to warn them off. The good doctor also meets an enchanting woman and falls under her spell.
The theories Cook and Fraser toss around include the involvement of the Catholic church, obviously the Southerners, the confederates and maybe even someone close to the president. In the end, the truth will cause a dilemma for Fraser and Cook. Will they tell what they know or will they decide to keep the secrets that could knock the nation off it's axis?
This was a compelling mystery that begs the answers to some obvious questions concerning Booth as the brain behind the assassination. Too many holes were left open, but the case was closed and as far as most were concerned the right man was killed for the crime and his cohorts were hanged. The End... but maybe not.
I loved the characters in the book. Cook was a real tell it like it is fellow and pulled no punches. Fraser was a bit more diplomatic. However, when all was said and done the two men had forged a life long friendship despite their differences of opinion. Fraser, a widower, who had lost his wife and child in childbirth, had a hole in his life he was at a loss how to fill, until he met Eliza, a friend of the Booth family. It looks as if the two might be headed for marriage until Fraser discovers Eliza's darkest secret. Will he be able to accept her once he knows the truth?
The theories, like most conspiracy theories, ranged from plausible to ridiculous. The "truth" could really have been more accurate than people would want to believe. But, all of this is pure conjecture and it made for a great little mystery. The thing that tipped this one over to a four star rating for me was the character development and the bonds that grew from the most unlikely of situations. There was a little something for everyone in this one. For those of you that are interested in this type of thing - the language was very mild, there was no sexual content, or graphic violence. Overall, I would give this one an B+
It has been thirty-five years since Lincoln was assassinated. Now, Dr. Fraser, a small town country doctor from Cadiz, has heard a death bed confession from the lawyer that prosecuted the Booth conspirators, and a certain Mrs. Surratt. When asked by the man's daughters to put their father's professional papers in order, Fraser becomes obsessed by the confession and in uncovering a conspiracy.
Along the way the doctor meets up with a black gentleman that runs a small newspaper. The two become partners attempting to unearth long kept and explosive political secrets. They travel the country, going wherever a lead might take them. They get into a few scrapes as someone attempts to warn them off. The good doctor also meets an enchanting woman and falls under her spell.
The theories Cook and Fraser toss around include the involvement of the Catholic church, obviously the Southerners, the confederates and maybe even someone close to the president. In the end, the truth will cause a dilemma for Fraser and Cook. Will they tell what they know or will they decide to keep the secrets that could knock the nation off it's axis?
This was a compelling mystery that begs the answers to some obvious questions concerning Booth as the brain behind the assassination. Too many holes were left open, but the case was closed and as far as most were concerned the right man was killed for the crime and his cohorts were hanged. The End... but maybe not.
I loved the characters in the book. Cook was a real tell it like it is fellow and pulled no punches. Fraser was a bit more diplomatic. However, when all was said and done the two men had forged a life long friendship despite their differences of opinion. Fraser, a widower, who had lost his wife and child in childbirth, had a hole in his life he was at a loss how to fill, until he met Eliza, a friend of the Booth family. It looks as if the two might be headed for marriage until Fraser discovers Eliza's darkest secret. Will he be able to accept her once he knows the truth?
The theories, like most conspiracy theories, ranged from plausible to ridiculous. The "truth" could really have been more accurate than people would want to believe. But, all of this is pure conjecture and it made for a great little mystery. The thing that tipped this one over to a four star rating for me was the character development and the bonds that grew from the most unlikely of situations. There was a little something for everyone in this one. For those of you that are interested in this type of thing - the language was very mild, there was no sexual content, or graphic violence. Overall, I would give this one an B+
quodfelix's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the layers of history in this book, an amateur detective in 1900 seeking to resolve a murder from 1865. I was particularly taken with portrayal of racism in 1900. It was certainly not why I read the book -- it was the Lincoln angle that intrigued me -- but I certainly appreciated it. It was a quick read. The story moved fast and was not very long, so I was not totally drawn into it as I might have been with a longer story. But it was just what I needed for a quick Spring Break read. Looking forward to the Wilson Deception next!
pmgunter's review
1.0
After 100 pages I just couldn't get into this book. I was hoping for more on the actual Lincoln assassination and the players behind it, but it just was mostly about two men and their individual backgrounds. I was disappointed.
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