Chickahominy Fever: A Civil War Mystery

Rating:
Summary: Another terrific mystery
Review: Ann McMillan continues her poignant, thrilling mystery series with this book, her fourth. Always a clever plotter and a careful researcher, she grows bolder with her use of major historical figures, and to good effect. "Chickahominy Fever" opens at night in Confederate President Jefferson Davis's office. The Union army is nearing Richmond's door. Before the first scene is done we have a wonderful slice of Davis's tortured character, a keen sense of the political and philosophical pressure applied by a former Virginia governor now commanding troops, and the beginnings of a spy plot that propels the story to its remarkable finish. McMillan navigates with practiced sureness among the whites, slaves and free blacks of Civil War Richmond. She takes us from the wards of Richmond's sprawling Chimborazo hospital to the chaotic battlefields of the 7 Days, from high-society parlor rooms to life among working blacks. Her major characters, already cherished from the earlier books, continue to evolve and fascinate. And once again she populates the book with a memorable secondary cast. Another terrific mystery. Can't wait for the next.

Rating:
Summary: Just can't recommend this.
Review: I found the plot of this fragmented and although loosely based on an actual incident, improbable. The red herrings, rather than being effective, made the protagonist seem naïve. The only thing that saved this book, for me, was the history, but that's not enough for me to recommend it as a mystery.