A nation shattered by its president’s murder Two diaries that reveal the true scope of an American conspiracy A detective determined to bring the truth to light, no matter what it costs him From award-winning journalist Timothy L. O’Brien comes a gripping historical thriller that poses a provocative question: What if the plot to assassinate President Lincoln was wider and more sinister than we ever imagined? In late spring of 1865, as America mourns the death of its leader, Washington, D.C., police detective Temple McFadden makes a startling discovery. Strapped to the body of a dead man at the B&O Railroad station are two diaries, two documents that together reveal the true depth of the Lincoln conspiracy. Securing the diaries will put Temple’s life in jeopardy—and will endanger the fragile peace of a nation still torn by war. Temple’s quest to bring the conspirators to justice takes him on a perilous journey through the gaslit streets of the Civil War–era capital, into bawdy houses and back alleys where ruthless enemies await him in every shadowed corner. Aided by an underground network of friends—and by his wife, Fiona, a nurse who possesses a formidable arsenal of medicinal potions—Temple must stay one step ahead of Lafayette Baker, head of the Union Army’s spy service. Along the way, he’ll run from or rely on Edwin Stanton, Lincoln’s fearsome secretary of war; the legendary Scottish spymaster Allan Pinkerton; abolitionist Sojourner Truth; the photographer Alexander Gardner; and many others. Bristling with twists and building to a climax that will leave readers gasping, The Lincoln Conspiracy offers a riveting new account of what truly motivated the assassination of one of America’s most beloved presidents—and who participated in the plot to derail the train of liberty that Lincoln set in motion. Praise for The Lincoln Conspiracy “History as a dangerous, inventive game . . . fascinating.”—Martin Cruz Smith “A notable fiction debut with an appealing detective hero and plenty of action. It gets off to a fast start and never stops.”—Library Journal “A historical puzzle as labyrinthine and grandiose as Scheherazade’s tales . . . As clever as Sherlock Holmes, as wily as Pendergast in Preston and Child’s series, and wickedly funny on top of it all, the irresistible McFadden is due to return in a sequel—thank goodness!”—Booklist (starred review) “[A] fast-paced, well-conceived adventure . . . There is nothing more fun than losing oneself in O’Brien’s rich and riotous mixture of reimagination and fact.”—Historical Novels Review “Gripping . . . The history and overall arc of the novel are superb . . . and Temple McFadden proves to be a worthwhile hero.”—Associated Press
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"I really enjoyed this book. O'brien has been able to bring Washington DC's period of Lincoln to life. I especially enjoyed all the details of neighborhood and terms of the day. I look forward to the continuing adventures of Temple and Fiona." — Dan (5 out of 5 stars)
"I really enjoyed this book. O'brien has been able to bring Washington DC's period of Lincoln to life. I especially enjoyed all the details of neighborhood and terms of the day. I look forward to the continuing adventures of Temple and Fiona."
“History as a dangerous, inventive game…Fascinating.”
“Gripping…The history and overall arc of the novel are superb…and Temple McFadden proves to be a worthwhile hero.”
“A notable fiction debut with an appealing detective hero and plenty of action. It gets off to a fast start and never stops.”
“A historical puzzle as labyrinthine and grandiose as Scheherazade’s tales…As clever as Sherlock Holmes, as wily as Pendergast in Preston and Child’s series, and wickedly funny on top of it all, the irresistible McFadden is due to return in a sequel—thank goodness!”
" i actually didn't finish it. I just couldnt stay interested in the book. I'm sure some people would find it exciting and interesting, but I found it violent and slow. "
" The setting was very well done; the basic premise was interesting but the conspiracy wasn't well-developed or very convincing. "
" Good historical fiction requires the emphasis be on a strong story that is supported by the research. Here, the author merely wants to show off all the research while the (potentially interesting) story is barely visible. "
" Interesting take on the aftermath of the killing of Lincoln. Dairies by Mrs Lincoln and Booth. Pinkerton, Stanton, Baker and Temple McFadden all trying to find the whole conspiracy, often at odds with each other. "
" The Lincoln Conspiracy is a mediocre historical thriller. I didn't find it terribly engaging and there were portions I found very disappointing. "
" Really liked this book and the twists the story had! Recommend!! "
" Did not like it too much but can be read. "
" I just got my mail and found i won this book!!! i am very excited to read it. ill let you know what i think when im done. "
" This book is a must read if you enjoy historical fiction, especially the Civil War era, or a good mystery. "
" I thought this book lacked in substance, I found very little of this book that I liked. There seemed several areas that seemed to have no point being in this other then being a page filler. Would not recommend this book. "
" I was really excited about reading this book as a student of the Lincoln assassination. The detail and accuracy was quite impressive. However the ending was a real disappointment and it left me wondering why I wasted my time reading this book. "
" It was alright. The story was solid, but it followed three main protagonists which got confusing sometimes. Also, there was never that moment where I just couldn't stop reading -- a very crucial moment for all mystery/suspense novels. "
" Especially compared to most historical fiction I have read, The Lincoln Conspiracy is loaded with startling plot twists and surprises. "
" This started a bit sloe for me, and I was never as involved or engaged as I would have liked, but it was an interesting, fresh take on Lincoln's assassination. Review to come. "
Timothy L. O’Brien is the executive editor at the Huffington Post, where he edited the 2012 Pulitzer Prize–winning series about severely wounded war veterans, “Beyond the Battlefield.” Prior to joining the Huffington Post he was a reporter and editor at the New York Times, where helped oversee “The Reckoning,” a series about the financial crisis that was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2009. A graduate of Georgetown University, he holds three master’s degrees—in US History, Business, and Journalism—from Columbia University. He lives in Montclair, New Jersey, with his wife and two children.
Paul Boehmer is an American actor best known for his numerous appearances in the Star Trek universe, in addition to Frasier, Judging Amy, Guiding Light, and All My Children. He is a 1992 Masters of Fine Arts graduate of the Professional Theater Training Program at the University of Delaware. As a narrator, Paul has won several AudioFile Earphones Awards as well as an Audie Award.
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