Turner’s historical fiction novel, Angel in the Fog, is the third in his alternate history series in which Lincoln was not assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. I enjoyed the historical content, the suspense, and the action. Having read the first two in the series (Lincoln’s Bodyguard and Land of Wolves), I have to admit this one was my favorite. I devoured it in two sittings. The book was well-written, the characters complex and well-developed, and the plot fast-moving and intriguing. This prequel to Lincoln’s Bodyguard fleshes out the story of Molly Ferguson, a character readers met in books one and two, and one ripe for in-depth exploration. I found Angel in the Fog more exciting and interesting than even the original. All are suspenseful, fast-paced, well-written and well-researched with complex well-developed characters.
An added treat here is the introduction not only of Molly Ferguson, but a real life character, Kate Warne, who Pinkerton hired as the nation’s first female detective. strong, self-possessed, independent, strong, self-possessed, independent woman, Warne trains Molly to be a detective. These women were undaunted by the notion prevalent at the time of the Civil War that women were intellectually inferior to men and used their brains—as well as their sex—to their advantage to get the job done.
As a young girl, Molly was tragically uprooted from her family home and loved ones. This event set off circumstances that molded Molly into a strong and courageous warrior in the War between the States. Readers follow her personal growth as well as her groundbreaking career as a female spy. Turner seamlessly weaves her story into American history.
********************
Angel in the Fog as well as Lincoln’s Bodyguard and Land of Wolves are available through:
