Final Resting Place by Jonathan F. Putnam

FINAL RESTING PLACE by Jonathan F. Putnam is a historical mystery with Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas as two of the main characters. In fact, they oppose each other in a murder trial based on actual events from “the highest profile trial of the year in Springfield” where Lincoln (a Whig) defended a Democrat accused of murdering a political rival and Douglas (a Democrat) acted as prosecutor. What makes this mystery especially appealing are the numerous references to the very contentious Illinois election held on August 6, 1838, almost exactly 180 years ago.  It was fascinating to read about the raucous political debates, anonymous and abusive letters to the editor, influential newspaper coverage, and religious revival. Lincoln’s real life friend Joshua Speed narrates this story and comments at one point, “Life in the frontier town had been oriented around three nearly universal public institutions: Politics, Commerce and Liquor.”

Although referring to a slightly later (1850s) period, a recent New York Times article by Jennifer Finney Boylan, “The New Know-Nothings,” draws some intriguing parallels to today’s political partisanship, especially changes in the Republican Party. Putnam, too, mentions this comparison in his historical note: “Those who think the current political moment is beset by unique coarseness and animosity would do well to study the American political environment of the nineteenth century, especially in the Western states such as Illinois.” If you enjoy historical mysteries based on solid research, definitely look for FINAL RESTING PLACE - it is filled with personal anecdotes, courtroom drama and political twists.

Putnam is a Harvard-trained lawyer and amateur Lincoln scholar who has written two other books in this series: These Honored Dead and Perish from the Earth.  Once you have enjoyed those, consider Girl in Disguise and the Seneca Falls Inheritance series, excellent historical mysteries set in the mid-1800s.  

Spring Break selections...

Does the name Kate Warne mean anything to you? How about Rose Greenhow? Or Elizabeth Van Lew? Given some context (the American Civil War era), I recognized the latter two names as spies, but I had not heard of Kate Warne until I read GIRL IN DISGUISE by Greer Macallister.  This work of historical fiction is set in a favorite time period for me and describes the adventures of Warne, who was the first female detective operative for Allan Pinkerton. 

Readers will also recognize other historical figures, particularly Abraham Lincoln who Warne helped protect from an assassination attempt prior to his inauguration. GIRL IN DISGUISE is a mostly fun mystery read, with a series of cases described and solved.  It becomes more serious as the war evolves and danger increases as the cases turn to protecting military secrets and therefore saving many lives. Chicago of the 1850’s and 1860’s also features in the story; Warne seems to have considered it home and is in fact buried in the Pinkerton family plot in Chicago’s Graceland Cemetery. Library Journal called GIRL IN DISGUISE a “stellar historical novel featuring a fierce female lead.”  Similar titles would be Seneca Falls Inheritance by Miriam Grace Monfredo or Girl Waits with Gun by Amy Stewart.

CELINE by Peter Heller involves another private investigator and she is someone I would really love to meet. I think you would agree: after all, the author says, “her favorite snack was a chunk of Lindt chocolate bedded on a tablespoon of peanut butter. She could have lived on it.” Celine is sixty-eight, comes from a privileged background, and specializes in cold cases, often involving adoption and birth families. Her companion, Pete, and son, Hank, provide a balance and steadying support, plus the occasional firearm such as a high-powered rifle or even a .44 Magnum (also, I learned, called a Bear Minimum).

The newest case comes from Gabriella whose father, Paul Jean-Claude Lamont, was a nature photographer; he disappeared years ago and was presumed killed by a grizzly bear. But rumors and hints of his involvement with the CIA persist. Celine and Pete head for Yellowstone National Park in order to investigate, and soon realize they are now being tracked. CELINE is filled with suspense and clever, descriptive writing.  With starred reviews from Booklist and Library Journal, it seems destined to join both of Heller’s previous novels, The Dog Stars and The Painter, as a best seller.  

If you are looking for something light, try CLOSE ENOUGH TO TOUCH by Colleen Oakley. It’s basically a romantic comedy movie in written form. Due to a rare allergy to human touch, Jubilee (what a great name!) has not left her house for the nine years since high school.  But circumstances shift and she needs to find a job; working at a library (another smile for that choice), brings her into the lives of Madison, an old high school classmate, and of Eric, newly moved to town and his troubled adopted 10 year-old son called Aja. As Jubilee increasingly faces her fears, this novel has some hilarious moments and some sweet and tender ones, too. It is certainly a feel good story that has been lovingly crafted with attention to detail like the small bicycle print that appears on the endpapers of the hard cover. If you enjoy novels by JoJo Moyes and Jodi Picoult, CLOSE ENOUGH TO TOUCH is the perfect beach read – or Spring Break choice.