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10th out of 34 books
—
11 voters
The Lincoln Conspiracy
by
Timothy L. O'Brien (Goodreads Author)
A nation shattered by its president’s murder. Two diaries that reveal the true scope of an American conspiracy. A detective determined to bring the truth to light, no matter what it costs him
From award-winning journalist Timothy L. O’Brien comes a gripping historical thriller that poses a provocative question: What if the plot to assassinate President Lincoln was wider and...more
From award-winning journalist Timothy L. O’Brien comes a gripping historical thriller that poses a provocative question: What if the plot to assassinate President Lincoln was wider and...more
Hardcover, 353 pages
Published
September 18th 2012
by Ballantine Books
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Giveaway! Ends Dec. 16th @ Let Them Read Books!
"I was tasked earlier in my life to keep order on the streets of San Francisco. Later on, keeping my identity cloaked in service of the Union, I tried to track Jefferson Davis himself in Richmond. And I spent twelve days chasing an enigma until my men corralled John Wilkes Booth in a burning barn. But goddammit, madam, I find your husband to be a unique and incalculable bother."
Thus is the description bestowed upon our hero in The Lincoln Conspiracy...more
"I was tasked earlier in my life to keep order on the streets of San Francisco. Later on, keeping my identity cloaked in service of the Union, I tried to track Jefferson Davis himself in Richmond. And I spent twelve days chasing an enigma until my men corralled John Wilkes Booth in a burning barn. But goddammit, madam, I find your husband to be a unique and incalculable bother."
Thus is the description bestowed upon our hero in The Lincoln Conspiracy...more
3.5 stars. Oh, President Lincoln is going to be a very popular subject for the near future, I can see. Between several books coming out about him recently and the Lincoln movie being in theaters now (I saw it this past weekend and it was very good), I think we're in for a very Lincoln filled 2013. No complaints here!
The death of Lincoln is still an event that captivates many minds both here in the United States as well as the rest of the world. The whole story takes place in the time period just...more
The death of Lincoln is still an event that captivates many minds both here in the United States as well as the rest of the world. The whole story takes place in the time period just...more
As many of you know I enjoy reading books about the United States Presidents and First Ladies, so when I saw the pitch for this one I was in. While Lincoln has been assassinated prior to the start of this book, we do get to interact with his wife, the widow Lincoln. We see her as a weeping widow, but I also felt that the author played into her “madness” a little excessively. We hear a lot about the late President through people who knew him well, such as Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton, and othe...more
The Lincoln Conspiracy is a historical fiction which takes place soon after the assasination of Abraham Lincoln. After two dairies appear we follow Temple McFadden, a Washington D.C. police detective(or defective, as his wife puts it), must rush to decipher the conspiracy revealed in the two dairies. Timothy O'Brian did an excellent job of describing the time and place, putting the reader there. I could actually feel the pervailing attitudes of the era. An excellent job by O'Brian, and an excell...more
I've been reading a lot of Lincoln books to get ready for a project we're doing next year. I think this one is pretty good. It had a great character - Temple McFadden - as the protagonist, some good action to keep it moving and a twist to make it interesting. Not to say that this was a great book or even a compelling mystery because it wasn't. It was just a good read that could benefit from some changes. There have been a number of books about secret diaries or letters that contain conspiracy me...more
It is 1865, and President Lincoln has just been assassinated. In the midst of the uncertainty in Washington D.C., detective Temple McFadden stumbles across a dead man – and the two diaries he carried with him. When he’s set upon almost as soon as he leaves the scene of the crime, Temple knows there’s something in those diaries that’s incriminating. The question is, what?
When he realizes that one belongs to the President’s wife Mary, and the other to none other than John Wilkes Booth, Temple know...more
When he realizes that one belongs to the President’s wife Mary, and the other to none other than John Wilkes Booth, Temple know...more
Taking place in the late 1800's after Lincoln's assassination, The Lincoln Conspiracy is a novel about a police detective Temple McFadden who finds himself in possession of two diaries. These two journals put together reveal the truth about the conspiracy behind the Lincoln assassination. Before he knows it, Temple finds himself in grave danger as he holds onto these prized documents.
What ensues is a cat and mouse chase with Temple and some shady characters who want to get their hands on the di...more
What ensues is a cat and mouse chase with Temple and some shady characters who want to get their hands on the di...more
Did John Wilkes Booth act alone? Who was really behind Lincoln’s assassination? What about Mary Lincoln’s supposed “madness”? These questions and more are what set Temple McFadden and friends on what may well be a life-ending quest for some of them.
The Lincoln Conspiracy is a very well-researched book that throws up a few theories to make us think in a year when there seems to be a much-renewed interest in Abraham Lincoln and his life. In this novel he doesn’t really appear as this is after the...more
THE LINCOLN CONSPIRACY. (2012). Timothy L. O’Brien. ***.
It seems as if we are in the grip of Lincoln-mania, what with all the movies and books that I am seeing on the market. Here’s the latest. In what purports to be a thriller, centered around the assassination of Lincoln and its attendant conspiracy, what we really have is an excellent presentation of the author’s research on the period. We manage to go away from this book with a real feeling of the Washington of the day, and a sense of the p...more
It seems as if we are in the grip of Lincoln-mania, what with all the movies and books that I am seeing on the market. Here’s the latest. In what purports to be a thriller, centered around the assassination of Lincoln and its attendant conspiracy, what we really have is an excellent presentation of the author’s research on the period. We manage to go away from this book with a real feeling of the Washington of the day, and a sense of the p...more
Temple McFadden is a Washington Police Detective with a lame leg but a feisty spirit. His story begins with a trip to the train station to pick up a package, a trip that will help him earn some well-needed money. What he witnesses instead is a suspicious murder and his reaction is to grab a package secreted on the victim’s body. Here begins super trouble for Temple, his wife Fiona, and numerous other characters who will be chased, brutally attacked and escape death numerous times.
Why? It turns o...more
Why? It turns o...more
I am sometimes a bit apprehensive when authors begin to tinker with history; but this novel did a pretty good job, I thought, in telling a good story while still remaining well within the realm of historical fact and potentialities. Other than the several main characters, all those mentioned in the book were real historical figures, such as Mary Todd Lincoln, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, Alan Pinkerton, Sojourner Truth, the assassination conspirators, as well as numerous others. I found mysel...more
Find the enhanced version of this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....
To say Timothy L. O'Brien's novel The Lincoln Conspiracy is a captivating read seems almost redundant. I mean, what book involving Lincoln doesn't captivate the imagination? In this regard I feel the term has been overused. So how then should I describe this piece? Striking certainly applies, though provocative, surprising and compelling are all equally appropriate.
I think the most appealing aspect o...more
To say Timothy L. O'Brien's novel The Lincoln Conspiracy is a captivating read seems almost redundant. I mean, what book involving Lincoln doesn't captivate the imagination? In this regard I feel the term has been overused. So how then should I describe this piece? Striking certainly applies, though provocative, surprising and compelling are all equally appropriate.
I think the most appealing aspect o...more
When Temple McFadden ends up with some rather odd diaries, he is immediately thrown into a series of (mis)adaventurs that will take him to, and through, some of the most notorious people of the 19th century, and surrounding the assassintion of one of America's most beloved presidents.
Just who really was behind the murder of the man known as "Honest Abe"?
McFadden is the man, with a little help from his wife and many friends, that is going to find out.
I found this book a joy to read, if one can se...more
Just who really was behind the murder of the man known as "Honest Abe"?
McFadden is the man, with a little help from his wife and many friends, that is going to find out.
I found this book a joy to read, if one can se...more
"From award-winning journalist Timothy L. O’Brien comes a gripping historical thriller that poses a provocative question: What if the plot to assassinate President Lincoln was wider and more sinister than we ever imagined?
In late spring of 1865, as America mourns the death of its leader, Washington, D.C., police detective Temple McFadden makes a startling discovery. Strapped to the body of a dead man at the B&O Railroad station are two diaries, two documents that together reveal the true dep...more
In late spring of 1865, as America mourns the death of its leader, Washington, D.C., police detective Temple McFadden makes a startling discovery. Strapped to the body of a dead man at the B&O Railroad station are two diaries, two documents that together reveal the true dep...more
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This is a very entertaining book that revolves around the appearance of two diaries soon after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. One diary belongs to Mary Lincoln, the President's widow. The other is an encoded diary that belonged to John Wilkes Booth, the man who murdered President Lincoln. Both diaries contain information which could reveal truths not only about Lincoln, but also about those who plotted to kill him. They have the potential to rewrite what we know about history. W...more
Incredible, Amazing, Fantastic....just a few of the adjectives I can think of to describe this book by Timothy O'Brien.
Books about Lincoln invariably sell well. We, as a nation, have a strange fascination with President Lincoln. With his life, his presidency and especially with his death. This book takes place roughly one month after the assassination. It features a detective named Temple McFadden. An Irish immigrant who revered President Lincoln. Through unfortunate circumstances, Mr. McFadden...more
Books about Lincoln invariably sell well. We, as a nation, have a strange fascination with President Lincoln. With his life, his presidency and especially with his death. This book takes place roughly one month after the assassination. It features a detective named Temple McFadden. An Irish immigrant who revered President Lincoln. Through unfortunate circumstances, Mr. McFadden...more
4 likes · like · see review
Abraham Lincoln was assassinated at the theatre in April 1865 by John Wilkes Booth. We think we know what happened. Maybe we're wrong. This is an intriguing thriller, written with an immediate, almost journalistic style (not surprising, considering the profession of the author), which transports us back to Washington DC during the brutal, racist and dangerous days after the American Civil War and the murder of the country's president. We are placed in the capable and courageous hands of police d...more
This was an interesting book and there were things that I liked and disliked about it. I liked all of the characters in the book, especially Temple and his wife Fiona. Temple's childhood story was compelling and he is just one of those people that seem to court trouble and it made for an exciting read. Fiona shows herself to be perfectly capable of taking care of herself and does so with intelligence and skill several times in the book. My favorite part of the book was the descriptions of Washin...more
What if the assassination of President Lincoln had been part of a larger plot? What if its execution was known and supported in government, as well as the larger political community? O’Brien posits this, loosely, in his fiction debut. The book reads in a slow-paced fashion (akin to the era) and plods along, chasing this idea throughout, complete with mysterious cipher and an ever-evolving plot that grows as more information is peeled back. While the premise is strong, the delivery is somewhat le...more
I don’t typically take my historical fiction American style, but I thought the legacy of Lincoln would be intriguing. Since I am not knowledgeable about that time period of American History, I was unfamiliar with some of the historical figures. But some I knew, like infamous John Wilkes Booth, Mary Todd Lincoln, Allan Pinkerton, and Sojourner Truth. More importantly, I really liked the main characters – Detective Temple McFadden, his strong-willed wife Fiona, and their faithful friend, former sl...more
I won this book in a Twitter contest. It arrived at my door and I began reading without any expectations or advanced word of mouth because it was just published.
To cut to the chase, it's a good book. Like a lot of books in the historical fiction genre, it starts with a bang. In fact, if you're not paying attention on the first page, you'll miss a lot of important action and plot points as the author explodes out of the gate. I admit to growing tired of the trend of trying to rush past the reader...more
To cut to the chase, it's a good book. Like a lot of books in the historical fiction genre, it starts with a bang. In fact, if you're not paying attention on the first page, you'll miss a lot of important action and plot points as the author explodes out of the gate. I admit to growing tired of the trend of trying to rush past the reader...more
This was a different book. Different in a good way. Not perfect, but really engaging and like nothing I've read in a while.
Temple McFadden is a police detective in a time when the police are not as concerned for the public welfare as they are for personal gain. He is different. He, in fact might be considered one in a long line in the Sherlock Holmesian tradition.Smart, dedicated yet flawed. He is married to a woman far ahead of her time, Fiona. In fact Fiona is a doctor at a time when women we...more
Temple McFadden is a police detective in a time when the police are not as concerned for the public welfare as they are for personal gain. He is different. He, in fact might be considered one in a long line in the Sherlock Holmesian tradition.Smart, dedicated yet flawed. He is married to a woman far ahead of her time, Fiona. In fact Fiona is a doctor at a time when women we...more
O'Brien has written a story of intrigue and mystery surrounding the assassination of President Lincoln. He has mixed historical and fictional characters throughout this work very effectively. The historical details appear accurate and are very detailed. Perhaps at times a bit too detailed but that would depend on one's taste in reading.
His main character is a flawed police detective who seems to be loved by both his wife and his many friends from all backgrounds and races. He finds himself in a...more
His main character is a flawed police detective who seems to be loved by both his wife and his many friends from all backgrounds and races. He finds himself in a...more
A great deal of research went into 'The Lincoln Conspiracy' by Timothy O'Brien. I did enjoy learning about Mr. Pinkerton and the amazing Mary Edwards Walker, the only woman to ever receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.
I was very disappointed the lack of mystery and suspense in this book. I would have greatly preferred that the author had written a historical fiction book about Mary Edwards Walker.
I did love the quirky characters in this book. Temple McFadden, a Washington D.C. detective wa...more
I was very disappointed the lack of mystery and suspense in this book. I would have greatly preferred that the author had written a historical fiction book about Mary Edwards Walker.
I did love the quirky characters in this book. Temple McFadden, a Washington D.C. detective wa...more
Synopsis:
It is early summer 1865 in Washington D. C. President Abraham Lincoln had recently been murdered. His grieving widow still occupies The White House.
Irish-American Detective Temple McFadden, happened upon a man that he'd known that had taken part in questionable activity during the Civil War. At a train station Temple watched as this man was murdered. In this man's coat pocket were two leather notebooks. Temple removes these notebooks and makes a speedy and precarious run for safety. Tw...more
It is early summer 1865 in Washington D. C. President Abraham Lincoln had recently been murdered. His grieving widow still occupies The White House.
Irish-American Detective Temple McFadden, happened upon a man that he'd known that had taken part in questionable activity during the Civil War. At a train station Temple watched as this man was murdered. In this man's coat pocket were two leather notebooks. Temple removes these notebooks and makes a speedy and precarious run for safety. Tw...more
Temple McFadden, a Met detective, mistakenly comes into possession of two valuable diaries days after Lincoln is assassinated. The two diaries belong to Mary Todd Lincoln and James Wilkes Booth. These diaries reveal the sinister plots of those who wanted to assassinate the President and how much the government was involved. But Temple isn't the only one who wants these diaries. The Union Spy Network, the Pinkertons and others want to these diaries for their own sinister purposes, and they are wi...more
An interesting read about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. By all accounts there was a conspiracy to kill Mr. Lincoln and there is no doubt that John Wilkes Booth was the shooter. This book takes the reader on a chase through the streets of Lincoln’s Washington, after the assassination, to discover what really happened. Intertwining true historical figures and fictional characters the reader is given an “it could have happened this way” scenario.
Although is has been reported that Mr. O’Brie...more
Although is has been reported that Mr. O’Brie...more
Potential readers may think this is another account of what took place when Lincoln was assassinated. This book is much more interesting than that. Imagine that you could rewrite a potential explanation that combined the clarity of fact with the excitement of fiction. This historical novel does just that. Through the eyes of fictional detective Temple McFadden, the reader learns of extra, fictional mysteries that occurred as Lincoln was assasinated. The diaries of both Mary Todd Lincoln and John...more
Note- I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from the publisher.
This book was filled with a lot of action! I loved it! It was a great read and one of the things that I enjoyed the most while reading this book was the time setting of the story. I love historical fiction when it is written like this. The author really was descriptive in the surroundings that I could visualize the location of where everything was taking place. There was mystery throughout the whole story up until the ver...more
This book was filled with a lot of action! I loved it! It was a great read and one of the things that I enjoyed the most while reading this book was the time setting of the story. I love historical fiction when it is written like this. The author really was descriptive in the surroundings that I could visualize the location of where everything was taking place. There was mystery throughout the whole story up until the ver...more
I’m not a big fan of historical fiction but I enjoyed this book and the outstanding job by the author of making it feel like Washington D.C. just after the end of the civil war. A lot of time must have been put into research to create such an authentic background. The setting is definitely the strongest part of this novel.
The plot features a flawed protagonist and his wife in search of two very important diaries. At no time did the pace slow down right from the beginning. There’s enough action t...more
The plot features a flawed protagonist and his wife in search of two very important diaries. At no time did the pace slow down right from the beginning. There’s enough action t...more
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| Sir Read-A-Lot's ...: Review | 5 | 13 | Nov 23, 2012 01:48pm |
Tim O'Brien's novel, "The Lincoln Conspiracy," is a historical thriller set in Washington and New York in the weeks following the Lincoln assassination. The first in a series of novels about the exploits of an Irish-American detective and his wife, "The Lincoln Conspiracy" is a gripping tale of intrigue, riddles, and murder and a riveting account of what motivated the assassination of one of Ameri...more
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