Murder at Manasses (Harrison Raines Civil War Mysteries, Book 1) [Hardcover]

Michael Kilian (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 10, 2000

A mystery series set on the front lines of the Civil War. Battle by battle. Crime after crime.

With a journalist's eye for detail, and a novelist's flair for intrigue and drama, Washington correspondent Michael Kilian has created one of the most original and engaging mystery series of our time. Based on actual events and extensive research, these innovative mysteries follow the Civil War chronologically, battle-by-battle, using a specific historic battlefield as a setting for each novel.

Harrison Grenville Raines was born and raised on a Virginia plantation, but he does not share his family's sentiments on slavery--or war. Hoping to avoid the politics that divide the nation, he earns his living as a gambler, horse trader, and investor. But then, on July 21, 1861, Harrison finds himself in the fiery heart of the war's first battle--when he escorts a British actress to the front lines of Manassas and witnesses the first Confederate victory. But that isn't all he's witnessed--Harrison is the last person to see a Northern major before he was killed fleeing the Rebels. But this seeming act of cowardice is actually a cold-blooded murder. And Harrison is willing to cross the lines between North and South to prove it.

Based on the historic Battle of Bull Run, this remarkable debut unveils the murderous passions that flared during the most devastating military conflict in American history.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The first battle of the Civil War provides background and theme for this debut novel in a projected series that will combine mystery with the history of the period. Southern-bred gambler and horse trader Harrison Raines provides reluctant escort for an actress friend from Washington who wishes to observe the fighting at Manassas. Instead of the quick, decisive Union victory expected, however, there comes a panicky retreat, then rout, of federal forces. As the escaping troops overtake the observers, Harry watches a yellow-haired officer valiantly try to stem the retreat and rally the soldiers. Later he learns that the same officer has been slain and is being branded a coward who led the retreat. The convolutions of the plot, as Harry's efforts are enlisted, preempted and resisted by various interests concerned with the officer's death, allow Kilian to introduce a slew of historical figures from Clara Barton to Abraham Lincoln. Some, like Allan Pinkerton, play large roles; others, such as Nathaniel Hawthorne, make cameo appearances. The plot strains as it navigates some very strange turns, and the narrative never seems to find a pace it's comfortable with. Perhaps like the federal troops who wilted in the first combat, Kilian will rally to more valiant efforts in future battles. Meanwhile, Ann McMillan's Civil War series (Angel Trumpet, etc.) remains a better bet for those who like their mysteries colored in blue and grey. (Jan.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

This lumbering historical mystery from Washington reporter Kilian (Major Washington, 1998, etc.) initiates a new series whose successive volumes, observing chronological order, will be set on key Civil War battlefields. Accordingly, Kilian begins with Manassas (a.k.a. Bull Run), the first campaign of the war. When Harrison Grenville Raines, a good-natured Virginia wastrel living in Washington, is persuaded by actress and adventuress Caitlin Howard, the lady he admires, to escort her to observe the hostilities, the decidedly unmilitary Raines is enlisted to investigate the mysterious death of a Union Army officer whose reputation as a gambler and a coward has left him coldly mourned by comrades who suggest that he deserved his death. The truth is somewhat more complicated than that, as the resourceful Harry, a gambler in more senses than one, eventually discovers in solving the crime and learning some truths about his own manhood. Along the way he encounters an impressively top-heavy cast of characters, whose fictional creations share space with such historical figures as John Wilkes Booth, Clara Barton, detective extraordinaire Allan Pinkerton, and President Lincoln. The story creaks and groans under the weight of Kilian's obviously diligent research, but it has real substance, if less style, and the series seems on the whole a promising notion. -- Copyright ©2000, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 306 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Hardcover; 1st edition (January 10, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425172333
• ISBN-13: 978-0425172339
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,347,589 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Historical detail--average mystery, January 22, 2001

By 

booksforabuck "BooksForABuck" (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Murder at Manasses (Harrison Raines Civil War Mysteries, Book 1) (Hardcover)

In an effort to curry favor with Caitlin (his love but not, alas, his lover) Harrison Raines joins the throngs of Washington D.C. residents who plan to see the rebellion broken and the Union restored. The (First) Battle of Bull Run/Manassas turns out differently, however. In the retreat, a Union Major is killed--well out of range from Rebel forces. Raines is called on to solve the mystery, keep his lady's favor by protecting her friends, and keep himself from being arrested as a spy.

The historical details in MURDER AT MANASSAS are both convincing and well integrated into the novel. As a former Washington resident, it is enjoyable to read about the city as it was then, and compare it to what it is now (in many ways it hasn't changed a great deal).

Where the novel fell short was in the mystery and in the characters themselves. Other than Raines, I did not feel that any of the characters were fully developed. Instead, they were caricatures playing a role and then vanishing. Raines' obsession with Caitlin was not especially sympathetic, reducing the readers understanding of Raines' motivations.

After a lengthy and exciting set of investigations, Michael Kilian wraps up the mystery rather abruptly and, to my mind, unsatisfactorally. That said, overall, I enjoyed this book and would strongly recommend it to mystery fans with an interest in the American Civil War or in Washington D.C.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Murder Mystery Washingtonians Will Love, March 13, 2000

By 

Ray Johnston (Hedgesville, WV USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Murder at Manasses (Harrison Raines Civil War Mysteries, Book 1) (Hardcover)

MURDER AT MANASSAS is an especial treat for people familiar with the Washington, D.C. area.

Michael Kilian has faithfully recreated what the city, its residents, politicians, soldiers, and Civil War culture were like in the 1860's.

As a former American History teacher, I couldn't put Murder at Manassas down. I'm looking forward to upcoming titles based on other Civil War battles.

Kilian does a great job of researching the era and setting for his novels as both MURDER AT MANASSAS and MAJOR WASHINGTON demonstrate. He works a lot of historical people into his fiction, fleshing out characters you know such as John Wilkes Booth and others who may be new to you such as Confederate spy Belle Boyd.

A quick and enjoyable read.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super Start to Historical Series, September 27, 2002

By 

Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Murder at Manasses (Harrison Raines Civil War Mysteries, Book 1) (Hardcover)

Harrison Raines has found himself in a hard spot. A Virginia native, he's loyal to his state and family. But he also opposes slavery. Living in Washington doesn't make finding his desired neutrality any easier to find.

When a friend insists on going to watch the first, and certainly the only, battle in the Civil War, Harry reluctantly accompanies her. Instead of a quick victory, they are shocked when the Union soldiers flee right past them. The next morning, the retreat is being blamed on one Major shot down during the last moments of the battle. But Harry is convinced that the man was really murdered. He's hired by the man's family to learn the truth and redeem his name. With his carefully guarded neutrality on the line, Harry sets out to find the truth, wherever that may lead, including a smuggling plot that the victim may have been involved with.

I was very impressed with this mystery debut. The story is obviously well researched; I was completely transported back to 1861 while reading it. The plot moves forward at a leisurely pace, but throws some great twists in as the story progresses. Still, it is possible to follow exact what happens if you're paying attention. The characters were interesting and realistic, and the use of real people added just the right amount of fun to the proceedings without being too far fetched.

As a fan of US history, I'm looking forward to more books in this series that is part mystery and part political intrigue. The mix looks to be just right for many more entertaining books.