James Rada Jr.

This is a historical fiction novel, with spy story and romance intertwined, the first in a series set in Western Maryland in 1922.

Matt Ansaro, a Pinkerton detective, is sent undercover to Eckhart Mines, the mining town he grew up in and hoped never to return to. His mission is to scope out any union activity in the mines, and try to prevent the devastating union riots spreading across the country from entering his hometown. However, his loyalty to both his job and his family are pushed to the limits when his own uncle joins the union.

Matt's emotions are further tried when he meets Samantha, a well-to-do, headstrong young suffragette with a general distrust of men. Despite their clashing beliefs, they form a bond. But having been burnt before, can either of them learn to love?

This book was a fantastic and engaging read that takes you back in time to the days of prohibition, with ripples from the Great War still being felt. The atmosphere of the book is immersive, pulling you in and showing you a glimpse into the life of a 1920's mining town. I really enjoyed it, and highly recommend it to fans of historical fiction anywhere. It does contain some violence and mature material, including one character who is a prostitute, so I would not suggest it for children 13 and under. However, there is nothing overly graphic, and the cussing is kept to a minimum, which I appreciated. Five stars.… (mehr)

In late 1918, World War I is winding down, but America’s major cities, like Boston and Philadelphia, are being decimated by Spanish Flu.

The disease hasn’t yet reached Columbia, Maryland, where Dr. Alan Keener, fresh out of medical school, treats a young mother named Sarah. She is feeling sick and feverish, classic flu symptoms, for which she is told to go home and rest. Sarah is found dead the next day, her lungs full of fluid.

The local authorities are reluctant to declare a health emergency over one death. They become convinced after the local death toll starts climbing, fast. All indoor gatherings are banned. Church services are moved outside. The local bars and taverns are forcibly closed. People start acting justifiably paranoid, afraid to leave their houses unless absolutely necessary. It becomes personal for Alan when his 5-year-old becomes one of the fatalities, and his wife almost joins her.

A traveling snake-oil salesman gets the flu, and during his flu-induced delirium, he believes that he is visited by an Angel of God. Mankind is being tested; he has been given the name of Kolas, and told to spread the disease as much as possible. Those who don’t die are the new Chosen of God. After nearly infecting Alan, Kolas is captured by the police, where he is "encouraged" to give up several samples of blood to be made into a vaccine. It helps to return things back to something approaching normal.

This is a very good, and very easy to read, novel about a famous, yet unknown, bit of 20th Century American history. While reading this book, in your mind, replace all mentions of "Spanish Flu" with "bird flu." Hmmm. . .… (mehr)