March 4, 1861: On the day of Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration, the last thing anyone wants is any sort of hitch in the proceedings—let alone murder! Fortunately the president has young Adam Quinn by his side . . . Lincoln’s trusted entourage is on their guard. Allan Pinkerton, head of the president’s security team, is wary of potential assassins. And Lincoln’s oldest friend, Joshua Speed, is by … friend, Joshua Speed, is by his side, along with Speed’s nephew, Adam Quinn—called back from the Kansas frontier to serve as the president’s assistant and jack-of-all-trades.
Despite the tight security, trouble comes nonetheless. A man is found stabbed to death in a nearby room, only yards from the president. Not wishing to cause alarm, Lincoln dispatches young Quinn to discreetly investigate. Though he is new to Washington, DC, he must navigate through high society, political personages, and a city preparing for war in order to solve the crime. He finds unexpected allies in a determined female journalist named Sophie Gates, and Dr. Hilton, a free man of color. Together they must make haste to apprehend a killer. Nothing less than the fate of the nation is at stake . . .
more
Great research. A wonderful setting for a mystery series, starring a former Kansas tracker who finds himself in Lincoln’s White House in the early days of his administration.
A wonderfully written and researched historical mystery set in the time of Lincoln. The characters are fascinating and the mystery intriguing!
This was a 3.5 star read for me. The book takes place during the inauguration of Lincoln. The body of a guest is found during the ball. Adam is at the ball with his Uncle a close friend of Lincoln. He sets out to solve the crime. Even though Adam is not familiar with DC or politics he sets out to solve the crime using his tracking skills. The author has done a lot of research and I really enjoyed all the history. I liked the characters and their relationships. I did however find the mystery to be weak and was disappointed in the solution. The book was well written and easy to read. I do look for word to reading the next book in the series. Enjoy
Fabulous and interesting look at the Lincoln White House with rare bits of historical information. Great characters and it kept me reading both for the mystery AND the world itself. I can’t wait to read the sequel: Murder in the Oval Library.
Greatly enjoyed the mystery wrapped in the history lesson. I loved reading about Washington DC in Lincoln’s time period. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
It’s President Lincoln’s Inaugural Ball and the room is filled with people, both supportive and non-supportive. This gives Adam Quinn, a long list of possible suspects when a murder is committed. Lincoln has had so many death threats that his staff can’t be sure if he was really meant to be the intended victim. Adam is determined to find out just who the killer is .
I really liked this book. It was entertaining with a lot of historical information.
To me it was a page turner. It has you trying to figure out who committed the murder.
Loved it! Fast read, engaging historical imagery, interesting characters.
An engrossing, eye opening fiction story based in real history and events. I read late into the night and I enjoyed every minute of it while also learning some history.
Great story and characters. Book 2 is in my reading queue and I am really looking forward to it.
I love a mix of history and mystery, and while this isn’t my usual time-period, I found it fascinating. Perhaps Washington hasn’t changed all that much! There were a couple of small stumbles on the author’s part but generally this was entertaining, fast-paced, and pleasurable. I’ll read the next in the series!
A good puzzle mystery
First book in a new series and it was wonderful. Loved the insight to the presidency of Abraham Lincoln.
Great historical mystery! Can’t wait for the next one.
I live a few miles from Washington D.C. (born and raised in Arlington County), so D.C. is very familiar to me. My mother worked in the White House as secretary to the Science Advisor to the President under Kennedy and then Johnson, and I joined her at work when I didn’t have school. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about a place I used to pretty much wander in during the 1960’s. The story rolled along in a very enjoyable read and I’m glad I found it to read.
Historical writing set in Washington, during Lincoln’s inauguration. It has interesting characters with mystery twist.
In this historical-mystery-fiction novel, Murder in the Lincoln White House by C. M. Gleason, gives us the first installment of the Lincoln’s White House Mystery series. As far as first in a series books goes, this is a whopper of one. The descriptive detail takes you back in time to 1861, the day Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated, as if you are walking on the cobblestone back alley streets with them or dancing at the ball in your hoop skirt.
Adam Quinn is part of Abraham Lincoln’s assistants. He is the jack-of-all-trades guy. Not knowing fully why he was brought on until President Lincoln’s inauguration ball when a man is found stabbed to death and the President assigned Mr. Quinn to find out the who and why. Mr. Quinn proceeds his duty using the skills of animal hunting that he learned from the Kansas frontier to track down a murder during a time of uncertainty and a country in transition doesn’t make his job easy.
What keeps you reading is not only the scenery portrayed in detail, but the storyline itself and how at that time, some slaves were considered “free”, the north and south were fighting, and women still weren’t allowed the freedom of today. The combination of all these things happening back in 1861 and a murder at the inauguration ball made one amazing thriller of a story.
One of the most fascinating parts of this story to me is that Adam Quinn saw people for people. That his training from back home leads him to trust people to help no matter what color or background. He saw that people are people and did what was needed to get things done.
Then on top of all that, you will keep guessing right to the end on who-did-it!!! the small twist and turns are so well written that you just have to keep reading to find out what happens.
Don’t be fooled and think this is one of those mystery novels that are heavy in thought it is not. This is so well written and grabs your attention, that you will breeze right thought it and before you know it it’s over and your left with thought of “WOW, well played”. Five thrilling stars.