Angel Trumpet: A Civil War Mystery [Paperback]

Ann McMillan (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Viking; Advance copy edition (1999)
• ASIN: B002K7F4KC
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Ann McMillan was born in Columbus, Georgia, and lives in Richmond, Virginia.

Ann's Civil War mystery short story, Castle Thunder, is now available on Kindle. Like her novels, the story tells a dramatic story of what might have happened against a scrupulously researched historical background -- in this case, the infamous Confederate prison.

"Please Dispose Of Properly" -- a short story with a modern setting (inspired by a trip to the Hanover County dump) -- appears in They Had It Comin' (Chesapeake Crimes IV).

Ann's four Civil War mystery novels set in Richmond weave together three points of view: Narcissa Powers, a white widow who becomes a Confederate nurse; Judah Daniel, a free black doctoress; and Brit Wallace, a British war correspondent.

Each novel has a medical theme. Dead March tells what happens when the "sack-'em-up boys" who rob graves to supply the medical school with cadavers dig up a murder victim. Angel Trumpet involves the hallucinogenic effects of datura poisoning. In Civil Blood, smallpox-tainted money wreaks havoc on those too greedy to destroy it, as well as the innocent with whom their lives intersect. Chickahominy Fever infects its heroine with malaria.

For more information, including a bibliography, see Ann's website, civilwarmystery.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A mystery with depth and power, October 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Angel Trumpet: A Civil War Mystery (Hardcover)

After reading McMillan's sparkling debut mystery, "Dead March," I waited eagerly to see if her second book would match that high standard. She did not disappoint. "Angel Trumpet" takes the engaging characters from Book I and propels them further into this fascinating time and place, Civil War Richmond. The mystery plot is woven in a tapestry of meaning and sub-meaning that gives the reader something lasting -- as well as a thrilling read. Narcissa Powers and Judah Daniel dig deep to solve a gruesome slaughter, and their world is populated with a remarkable cast of allies and suspects. The historical detail, once again, is adroitly handled and utterly believable. Book III can't come soon enough for me.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent historical mystery, September 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Angel Trumpet: A Civil War Mystery (Hardcover)

In 1861, the South recently won the Battle of Manasses. A lull before the bigger storm has set in as the fighting temporarily stops. Throughout the region, debate is common as not everyone feels war is the answer. Slave owners fear an uprising as the black population is much greater than that of the whites.

Confederate Colonial John Bretton returns home to visit his family in Manakin Plantation in Virginia. When he arrives, his worst nightmare becomes real. His parents and his wife are dead while their personal slaves hold the apparent murder weapons bloody knives. Thanks to the bravery of their nanny, John's son survives. She hid the lad before falling into a catatonic shock. To obtain the truth, family friend Dr. Cameron Archer enlists the aid of Narcissa (a white individual) and Judah (a black person). Their inquiry will soon lead to another murder with Judah being the prime suspect.

Civil War buffs and historical mystery fans will fully enjoy ANGEL TRUMPET. Through the eyes of a variety of Southerners, the story line provides a fascinating look at the early stage of the war. The structure of the mystery is well defined yet complex as many individuals have motives and opportunities to commit the slaughter. Narcissa and Judah symbolize race relations as they should be friends, but simply cannot since they are not equal. Ann McMillan has written a fascinating tale that will gain her much critical acclaim even as readers will demand more novels set in 1860's Virginia.

Harriet Klausner

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Richmond to Cornwell: Move Over, March 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Angel Trumpet: A Civil War Mystery (Hardcover)

In addition to being a rousing good mystery, Ann McMillan's Angel Trumpet, is also one of the best summaries of the slave rebellions around Richmond, a story not often told around here. It's hard enough to develop a good plot; to re-create Richmond as it was in 1861 is difficult indeed. But McMillan shines in both her story telling and her setting. Her meticulous attention to historical detail is a delight and a relief from the romanticized Confederate sterotype. Her African charaters, freed and slave, are richly alive. Judah Daniel has taught me as much about herbal remedies as Euell Gibbons. You'll not find a better Civil War series, a better historical novel, or a more enjoyable mystery. She's 2 for 2. I can't wait for the next installment.