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.
