Civil Blood: A Civil War Mystery

Smallpox breaks out in an American city. The country is at war, and the ethics of combat in question. Has the horrid disease been loosed intentionally? And by which side? Have children been enlisted in this war? The plot lines in "Civil Blood" could be lifted from today's headlines, but this is a mystery about Civil War Richmond (published months before 9/11/01). For all its eerie relevance to the present, this book is rooted unerringly in its era. Ann McMillan's well-drawn characters never warp out of the 1800s. They deal with the anguish of their own war and their own time. A mystery of substance. Another brilliant installment in McMillan's series.

In 1862 the American Civil War heats up with the Northern Army nearing the Confederate capital of Richmond. However, a greater threat to the lives of military in the area and the citizens of Richmond occurs when small pox is the cause of a death. Soon other deaths and accusations of germ warfare follow. Southern nurse Narcissa Powers, English reporter Brit Wallace, and former slave healer Judah Daniel look for the source of the deadly disease. As they separately dig deeper, each one shares the findings with the other. No segment of the city from the elite to the slums or of the two armies escape their evaluation as the trio tries to prevent an epidemic from happening. Fans of Civil War novels will, upon reading CIVIL BLOOD, play trumpets in tribute to the author for an entertaining historical who-done-it. The story line starts off very powerfully as a vividly graphic opening hooks the audience while introducing the lead characters. The tale slows down a bit during the investigation because the key players literally exchange notes from their respective interviews even though that technique smoothly blends into the main theme. However, the story line ends with an incredible finish that will fully satisfy the audience, sending them marching to the nearest bookstore to purchase Ann McMillan?s previous historical mysteries.Harriet Klausner

I was eagerly awaiting this book, and I was not disappointed. I read it through twice in the period of three days. The main characters are compelling (particularly Narcissa Powers) and the mystery is well-crafted. The connections to previous books in the series really enhance the story (although I don't believe you need to read the previous books to enjoy this one). The emotions and conflicts between the characters are stronger and more deeply felt than in the previous books in the series, which endeared the book to me. If you are a Civil War buff, you may find the book particularly intriguing. The second time I read it I kept referring to my copy of Shelby Foote's Civil War: A Narrative, to follow the military story taking place just down the road from Richmond while the plot events unfolded. This too, enhanced the story.

I often wonder where writers find the courage to write a series of books with the same lead characters....especially when the plots are so marvelously crafted, and the characters so well-developed from the very beginning. How can they possibly equal, much less surpass, what they have already done?.... "Dead March," Ann McMillan's first Civil War novel set in Richmond, was a gem; "Angel Trumpet," the sequel, intriguing in a completely different way, and extremely well researched. "Civil Blood?" Well....I have been waiting with eager anticipation, and some trepidation for the third book: "Civil Blood." Was three times in a row asking for too much? Could she do it? You better believe it!....Again, McMillan does her research and the characters jump out at us from the pages of this intriguing mystery. We are there with them in 19th century Virginia, and just as we think we have it all figured out...she proves us wrong. (And we are glad of it....)Here's to Ms. McMillan's fourth book in the series! (I think I'll place a back order for that one NOW....so she'll get busy and write it....Just have to wait for her to give it a title.....)