Dead March: 1

Some historical novels duck the difficult issues of the time, or distort those issues with modern interpretation. "Dead March," on the other hand, is unflinching and clear-eyed as it deals with the wrenching issues that faced Richmond, and all America, in 1861. Narcissa, the young white widow, and Judah Daniel, the free black healer, have a prickly relationship that rings true. One reveiwer complains that previous reviews characterize them as buddies, which they aren't. That's a problem with mini-review shorthand, but it's one of the virtues of the book. The mystery is well told and deftly plotted. The characters are full of life. This book has appeal far beyond Richmond. If this is really the author's first novel, it's a stunner.

Not only is Dead March a top-notch mystery but it also rich in detail about life in the South at the start of the civil war. The character development and vivid descriptions of people, places and events put the reader squarely in the middle of the action. A very good read that held my interest from start to finish. I'm waiting for the next one.

Dead March is a Civil War mystery that is right on target. Ann McMillan combines deadly accurate historical and medical research with excellent plotting and characters with real depth. Main character Narcissa Powers is both a woman of her century and a person today's readers can identify with. Virginians may particularly like the references to Richmond, Chesterfield, Hampden-Sydney College and the Medical College of Virginia in the 1860s, but this is far more than a local book, drawing on national, medical and social issues of the times - not to mention a page-turning mystery plot. If you're looking for a Christmas gift, for a friend or yourself, this is it. I can't wait for the sequel.

DEAD MARCH gives historical mystery readers everything they need to beg for more: Ann McMillan has created likable characters whom we want to know better. Civil War sentiments are explored just enough, and historical scientific facts are combined with interesting protagonists in a highly readable way. Especially when young white widow Narcissa Powers interacts with Judah Daniel, an intriguing freed slave and "conjure" woman, future prospects for sequels come to mind. Although there is the beginning of love interest (choices, yet) for Narcissa, I hope Judah too gets her just share. A conjure woman will manage that, surely. If Anne Perry's ancestors had moved to the states, she would have written like McMillan. If Agatha Christie had any historical interest, she could have also.

In 1861, both sides expect to quickly and easily win the Civil War. However, the impact of battle has not been felt and deaths have not yet increased. White Virginian Narcissa Powers rushes to the side of her dying brother Charley Wilson, a medical student. She is shocked when he dies from a minor infection. However, before succumbing, he manages to whisper the dreaded word "resurrection". Later, she finds a burnt letter form Charley in which he explains his role as a grave digger, seeking corpses for medical research. He insists one such corpse was the victim of murder and not a disease. At about the same time, Cyrus Roper hires free blackwoman Judah Daniel to investigate the deaths of Charley and the cadaver that appeared to be a murder victim. Soon, Narcissa and Judah defy society's basic tenet of their segregated society and join forces to uncover the truth. DEAD MARCH is a lively retelling of the period between Fort Sumter and the first battle of Manassas, which begins the bloody and deadly stage of the Civil War. The story line is intriguing, fast-paced, and extremely authentic; while The mystery is first rate. The prime characters are all understandable and their motives fully developed. In this debut novel, relationships remain tenuous as they should be at this point. Fans of historical mysteries and the Civil War era must read Ann McMillan's fabulous story that hopefully will be followed with more period who-done-its.Harriet Klausner