Product Description

An unlikely pair of crime solvers returns in an elegant and haunting Civil War mystery rooted deep in the politics, culture, and lore of its time

Devoured by both mystery lovers and Civil War buffs, Ann McMillan's Dead March won comparisons to Anne Perry. With the same enthralling blend of vivid suspense and period detail, Angel Trumpet continues the adventures of Narcissa Powers, a well-to-do young white widow, and Judah Daniel, a free black root doctor and conjure woman.

On a nearby plantation outside Richmond a scene of slaughter greets a homecoming colonel: his whole family butchered, with their servants clutching knives--yet seemingly drugged. Called in by an army surgeon, Judah and Narcissa--aided by their British journalist friend Brit Wallace, and hampered by a spoiled madcap belle with a passion for ghosts and secret passages--explore this bizarre crime. As the two women unravel this deadly knot, another murder makes Judah a prime suspect in a city that quivers at the specter of slave rebellion and shivers in anticipation of the next drum roll . . .

"This is a book you'll have trouble putting down." --Richmond Times Dispatch

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1423804 in Books
• Published on: 2001-02-16
• Released on: 2001-03-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Narcissa Powers, a white widowed nurse, and Judah Daniel, a free black healer, as well as many secondary characters introduced in McMillan's debut Civil War mystery, 1998's Dead March, return for a second outing. In Richmond, Va., in October 1861, with the war at a temporary lull, Col. John Berton returns from the front to find his parents and wife slain and his house slaves in a stupor. The fear of slave rebellions is intense; if Berton's slaves committed the murders, it is important not only that they be punished, but that word of the slaughter be kept quiet. For not only might the news inspire further uprisings, but it could sap the will of the soldiers who have left loved ones behind. Surgeon Cameron Archer, Powers and Daniel find themselves unlikely and uneasy allies as each tries to unravel the same mystery for different reasons. McMillan's descriptions of 19th-century medicine, transportation and social customs are fascinating, but the novel's frequent shifts in viewpoint give it an episodic feel that blunts its dramatic thrust. Even so, this is a solid entry in a series of high interest and great promise. Agent, Nancy Yost.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Narcissa Powers, a rich white widow, and Judah Daniel, a free black herbalist, tackle another puzzling murder. They investigate the bizarre slaughter of a colonel's entire family near Richmond. A solid, satisfying Civil War-era historical.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
This Civil War mystery describes the political, social, and economic complexities of the time while engaging us in an outrageous misdeed. Confederate Colonel John Bretton returns home to his plantation, the scene of brutal murder. Narrator Kimberly Schraf unravels the evil doings of an unknown perpetrator, voicing males and females, blacks and whites with unique personas. White widow Narcissa Power and black herbalist Judah Daniel collaborate to seek out justice during their tumultuous investigation. B.J.L. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Customer Reviews

It's a little scary...
Well, maybe just the beginning is scary. The plot is well developed and intriguing. The characters are interesting and hook you into the story. I really enjoyed reading this book and the rest in the series. I have recommended it to many friends and they also enjoyed this book. (I haven't gotten the book back yet.) I hope you find this a good read.

Immersed into History, Once Again
At last! It finally came into paperback! I am too cheap to buy hardcover fiction, so I am very testy and impatient to get paperback editions. Ann McMillan did not disappoint me. Thank you, Ann! You set me back a century or two and I was oh, so comfy and fascinated. What an interesting interaction between black and white culture during "The Great Conflict," played up by the author quite believably. One reviewer here did point out that there was little to the mystery part of the story, but I think if a reader is more interested in the historical atmosphere and characters, they will not be disappointed. I picked this series up for a variety of reasons, least of all the mystery aspect. I am not a "mystery lover," thus I am unsure of what "mystery" conditions apply; but I recommend this book to anyone looking for a well written tale of women, race relations, plantations and murder all set during the Civil War.

Good ideas, poor execution
McMillan has some wonderful, dramatic ideas in this book. However, she doesn't convey them well on paper. Her work lacks dramatic tension and emotional impact, and important plot twists go by so rapidly the reader's left going "Huh?". I like that she deals with the issue of race in 19th century America without resorting to stereotypes, and I thought her battle scene was reasonably well done. Still, the shallow nature of the writing ended up leaving me cold.