Customer Reviews

The Lucifer Contract (Civil War Thriller)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In 1864 New York City is divided over the Civil War. However, none of the residents are split over a rumor that a militia of Kentuckians are poised to burn down the city in an act of terrorism. Almost no one believes it since the residents mostly support the democratic party and think Lincoln and his cohorts are the source of the rumors.

Not even thirty, Peter Tonneman is already a weary journalist on the New York Evening Post, whose assignment is the nation. Peter learns that the rumor has a lot of substance as Morgan's Raiders have been seen in the vicinity. Now all he has to do is prove it before he loses his life.

The sixth book in the Meyers' "Tonneman family" saga is a brilliant novel that brings to life the various prejudices that shaped the Civil War. Peter like his ancestors of the past two centuries, is a wonderful lead character and the historical factoids add a taste of authenticity to a well written, exciting historical novel. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction will want to read the entire six books that breathlessly describes two hundred years of New York City (starting when it was New Amsterdam), turning this into one of the best series in the genre.

Harriet Klausner

Although the desciptions and details of this Civil War mystery were very interesting and obviously well-researched, the plot was not as tight as previous Tonneman books. While character development was fair, not great, the very short chapters seemed to jump from place to place in the city - a little helter skelter. Overall I would recommend this book, but again, the earlier ones are better.