Rating: 
Summary: A Murder Mystery Washingtonians Will Love
Review: MURDER AT MANASSAS is an especial treat for people familiar with the Washington, D.C. area.Michael Kilian has faithfully recreated what the city, its residents, politicians, soldiers, and Civil War culture were like in the 1860's. As a former American History teacher, I couldn't put Murder at Manassas down. I'm looking forward to upcoming titles based on other Civil War battles. Kilian does a great job of researching the era and setting for his novels as both MURDER AT MANASSAS and MAJOR WASHINGTON demonstrate. He works a lot of historical people into his fiction, fleshing out characters you know such as John Wilkes Booth and others who may be new to you such as Confederate spy Belle Boyd. A quick and enjoyable read.
Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly enjoyable!
Review: This is a delightful read for anyone familiar with Washington, DC and northern Virginia. Having lived there for a great many years, I had great fun following along with the adventure. And, it is a good story! I couldn't put it down; really wanted to know how it would turn out. I did not find it too ridiculous to include so many known people. As a gambler and man about town it seems reasonable the hero would be acquainted with a wide range of characters in what was a relatively small community at the time. And, he only claimed acquaintance! Recommend it highly and intend to send it to some of my friends back in VA.
Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly enjoyable!
Review: This is a delightful read for anyone familiar with Washington, DC and northern Virginia. Having lived there for a great many years, I had great fun following along with the adventure. And, it is a good story! I couldn't put it down; really wanted to know how it would turn out. I did not find it too ridiculous to include so many known people. As a gambler and man about town it seems reasonable the hero would be acquainted with a wide range of characters in what was a relatively small community at the time. And, he only claimed acquaintance! Recommend it highly and intend to send it to some of my friends back in VA.
Rating: 
Summary: Great book!
Review: This is a very good book and I really enjoyed reading it. I suggest that any civil war buff or mystery lover buy it and buy it now. This book really kept me interesed in it and I couldn't put it down. I don't think I have ever read a book as fast as I did this one. I'am not a mysery lover but this book was a goodin. I just had to know the ending. The author definetly did his homework on the sunject, to better bring to life the characters and the struggles of their time period. It's not the greatest but is one of the best I've read. I suggest buying this book. It one's of my favorites.
Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: This is a very good book and I really enjoyed reading it. I suggest that any civil war buff or mystery lover buy it and buy it now. This book really kept me interesed in it and I couldn't put it down. I don't think I have ever read a book as fast as I did this one. I'am not a mysery lover but this book was a goodin. I just had to know the ending. The author definetly did his homework on the sunject, to better bring to life the characters and the struggles of their time period. It's not the greatest but is one of the best I've read. I suggest buying this book. It one's of my favorites.
Rating:
Summary: Original Setting Makes For A Solid Mystery
Review: This is good solid mystery. Michael Kilian paints a good picture of the times. Everything is well researched and the novel is historically accurate. I am no expert but I read books about the Civil War and Kilian seems to hit the mark. The language and the tone of the story are also as I would expect of the 1860s. Probably the best elements about this story are the characters. The character of Harrison Raines, the protagonist detective, is written well. He behaves exactly how we would expect a gentleman from the south to behave. The other minor characters are also well researched. The characters we are treated to: a joke-story telling President Lincoln, a cowardly and traitorous John Wilkes Booth, a drunken photographer and oddball Matthew Brady, etc. There is no lack of historical figures with each page. However, as far as the mystery goes, I found myself wanting a little more details. The scandal of the black-market shoes is a little convoluted and could have been more straight forward. Additionally, since I neither live in the Beltway nor reside in Virginia, Maryland or Pennsylvania the lack of maps was my only other complaint.
Rating:
Summary: Original Setting Makes For A Solid Mystery
Review: This is good solid mystery. Michael Kilian paints a good picture of the times. Everything is well researched and the novel is historically accurate. I am no expert but I read books about the Civil War and Kilian seems to hit the mark. The language and the tone of the story are also as I would expect of the 1860s. Probably the best elements about this story are the characters. The character of Harrison Raines, the protagonist detective, is written well. He behaves exactly how we would expect a gentleman from the south to behave. The other minor characters are also well researched. The characters we are treated to: a joke-story telling President Lincoln, a cowardly and traitorous John Wilkes Booth, a drunken photographer and oddball Matthew Brady, etc. There is no lack of historical figures with each page. However, as far as the mystery goes, I found myself wanting a little more details. The scandal of the black-market shoes is a little convoluted and could have been more straight forward. Additionally, since I neither live in the Beltway nor reside in Virginia, Maryland or Pennsylvania the lack of maps was my only other complaint.
| 
