The Lincoln Conspiracy    by Timothy L. O'Brien Order:  USA  Can Ballantine, 2012 (2012) Hardcover, e-Book     Reviewed by Bob Walch It is the spring of 1865 and a nation reeling from a disastrous Civil War must now cope with another tragedy. The country's leader, President Abraham Lincoln, has been assassinated. Although it appears that the men behind the president's death have been brought to justice, Washington, D.C. police detective Temple McFadden stumbles upon some evidence that suggests that there is a much wider conspiracy here and that the individuals behind it are still at large. McFadden finds two diaries on the body of a man found dead at the B&O Railroad station that point to a much deeper involvement of some important people in Lincoln's death. Of course, his determination to get to the bottom of the plot and unmask the culprits will place not only his life in jeopardy but also that of his wife, Fiona. As the investigation unfolds, McFadden will be matching wits and collaborating as well with a number of recognizable historical figures who range from Edwin Stanton, the Secretary of War, and Allan Pinkerton to abolitionist Sojourner Truth and photographer Alexander Gardner. At the heart of the case is a shadowy figure named Maestro. You'll never learn what his real name is, but heed the hints that point to one of the major industrial luminaries of the age. John Wilkes Booth also plays a key role in the clever conspiracy. I'll let you discover for yourself how the author resurrects the actor who gunned down Lincoln. If you enjoy reading historical suspense, this is a thriller you'll not want to miss. Besides a cast of intriguing characters and some surprising twists, The Lincoln Conspiracy has an ending you won't soon forget. Hopefully McFadden and his clever wife will return for an encore. They are worthy of further adventures and this novel will give them a solid fan base. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Historical books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews