The Great American Century begins, the modern world roars to life, Capitalists flaunt greed and seize power, Socialists and labor unions flex their violent will, and an extraordinary true story of love and sacrifice unfolds. The men and women of American Red are among the most fascinating in American history. When, at the dawn of the 20th century, the Idaho governor is assassinated, blame falls … governor is assassinated, blame falls on “Big Bill” Haywood, the all-powerful, one-eyed boss of the Western Federation of Miners in Denver. Close by, his polio-crippled wife, Neva, struggles with her wavering faith, her love for another man, and her sister’s affair with her husband.
New technologies accelerate American life, but justice lags behind. Private detectives, battling socialists and unions on behalf of wealthy capitalists, will do whatever it takes to see Haywood hanged. The scene is set for bloodshed, from Denver to Boise to San Francisco. America’s most famous attorney, Clarence Darrow, leads the defense—a philandering U.S. senator leads the prosecution—while the press, gunhands, and spies pour in.
Among them are two idealists, Jack Garrett and Carla Capone—he a spy for the prosecution, she for the defense. Risking all, they discover truths about their employers, about themselves and each other, and what they’ll sacrifice for justice and honor—and for love.
“Amazing storytelling. A legal thriller that holds you till the last train out.” — Michael Connelly, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Bosch series
“A cracking good tale! Part love story, part espionage thriller.” — Jacquelyn Mitchard, New York Times bestselling author of The Deep End of the Ocean
“Vivid, well researched and told bare-knuckled across a tapestry that is both broad and nuanced…with characters who are outsized and real.” — Mark Sullivan, international bestselling author of Beneath a Scarlet Sky
“A gripping story…unforgettable characters…fascinating.” — Adam Benforado, New York Times bestselling author
“A stellar novel of intrigue, adventure, engaging characters, and a fascinating backdrop. A true gem of a story.” — Steve Berry, multiple New York Times bestselling author
“An important story of intensity and emotional pull. Be prepared to be captured by this gifted storyteller.” — Jeff Kamen, Emmy-winning NPR and NBC journalist and author
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Amazing storytelling. A legal thriller that holds you till the last train out.
A stellar novel of intrigue, adventure, engaging characters, and a fascinating backdrop. A true gem of a story.
I am the author, so no review, but some have asked what it is about. This is from the back cover:
In AMERICAN RED, the Great American Century begins, the modern world roars to life, capitalists flaunt greed and seize power, socialists and labor unions flex their violent will, and an extraordinary true story of love and sacrifice unfolds. The men and women of AMERICAN RED are among the most fascinating in American history. When, at the dawn of the 20th century, the Idaho governor is assassinated, blame falls on “Big Bill” Haywood, the all-powerful, one-eyed boss of the Western Federation of Miners in Denver. Close by, his polio-crippled wife, Neva, struggles with her wavering faith, her love for another man, and her sister’s affair with her husband. New technologies accelerate American life, but justice lags behind. Private detectives, battling socialists and unions on behalf of wealthy capitalists, will do whatever it takes to see Haywood hanged. The scene is set for bloodshed, from Denver to Boise to San Francisco. America’s most famous attorney, Clarence Darrow, leads the defense—and a philandering U.S. senator leads the prosecution—while the press, gunhands, and spies pour in. Among them are two idealists, Jack Garrett and Carla Capone—he a spy for the prosecution, she for the defense. Risking all, they discover truths about their employers, about themselves and each other, and what they’ll sacrifice for justice and honor—and for love.
Vivid, well researched and told bare-knuckled across a tapestry that is both broad and nuanced…with characters who are outsized and real.
A gripping story…unforgettable characters…fascinating.
A cracking good tale! Part love story, part espionage thriller.
This book started off with a bang and just never-let-up! Really excellent historical fiction, with spies/double agents, espionage, many-layered trickery from all sides, and action galore. An exciting and suspenseful thriller out of America’s turbulent early 20th century. Fascinating characters and a complex plot left me completely satisfied. Loved it!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, The Story Plant, for an ARC in exchange for a review (and all of my reviews are honest. Why lie?)
#AmericanRed #NetGalley
What works for me:
1. The history
This is a well-researched, heavily-detailed novel. Marlett knows his subject matter. He has a gift for making history come alive. The opening plunges us into the conflict between two parties. One, the ruthless mine owners, who use capitalism and patriotism to justify their merciless treatment of their employees. Two, the equally ruthless union miners, who use the owners’ wrongdoings to justify their own merciless, bloody treatment of their employers. Fascinating. Disturbing. Intriguing.
Marlett also adds little tidbits of deliciously crazy facts, proving that truth is sometimes stranger than fiction.
2. The characters
This is a huge cast of characters. It would be easy to get lost among the various lawmen, law-breakers, attorneys, politicians, and the ever-shifting line between who is “right” and “wrong” in their actions. But we don’t, thanks to Marlett’s ability to juggle this cast.
Many are historical figures. Again, Marlett’s done his research. Their personalities and quirks all mesh with what the historical record shows.
Among them are Clarence Darrow, the criminal defense attorney for union boss Bill Haywood. (Darrow found later notoriety in the “Scopes monkey trial.”) He was a wily, slippery character, able to argue circles around everyone else. Newspapers dubbed him “America’s Lawyer.” I particularly enjoyed reading about him.
Neva Haywood, Haywood’s polio-striken wife, piqued my interest. Her continual self-justifications for “allowing” her husband to cheat with her sister were heart-breaking, but it’s infuriating how she turns a blind eye to her husband’s murders.
Two other characters of note: Jack and Carla, fictional characters who represent the Pinkertons and the union, respectively. Their own actions unsettle them. Each comes to a realization that neither “side” is truly in the right and that both sides are ruthless and resort to underhanded tactics.
3. The conflict
Marlett does a terrific job of showing how both sides engage in deceptive tactics. Judges, lawyers, lawmen: almost everyone in the novel bends or breaks the law. All of them justify their actions. It’s troubling.
What doesn’t work for me:
This is more a caution than a negative aspect of the book.
This is historical fiction. Characters hold prejudices and use language that is no longer socially acceptable. This includes racial and ethnic slurs, sexist terms, and the like. Even otherwise “sympathetic” characters use them. Still, most historical fiction readers should understand why these terms are used in this context.
A must-read for fans of historical fiction.