Grindstone

by Donna Walsh Inglehart

Set in the 1000 Islands, this suspense novel captures the Civil War through the voices of a young Irish immigrant and a Confederate spy. Far from the battlefields, a web of espionage threatens to destroy them both.

Isolated, lonely, Anya lives on Grindstone Island, struggling to survive on her own, awaiting the return of her brother who enlisted in the Union Army. Douglas is on the run, a Confederate spy accused of betraying his comrades after the failed attempt to bomb New York City. GRINDSTONE is based on historical accounts of the Confederate spy ring based in Canada, as well as the journals of Irish immigrants arriving in the States in the aftermath of the famine.

Genres: Historical Fiction

210 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Donna Walsh Inglehart has published two novels, BREAKING THE RING (Little, Brown) and GRINDSTONE (Troubadour Interactive). With award-winning aerial photographer, Ian Coristine, she co-authored his memoir, ONE IN A THOUSAND, an iPad app ebook selected, twice, for the International MarCom Award (Platinum). Donna is currently working on a contemporary suspense series set on the Maine coast.

Reviews

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book would have worked as just the story of an Irish immigrant living alone on a small island on the US/Canadian border during the Civil War. Instead of leaving it that way Inglehart adds extra layers to the story and gives the reader a layered look at the effects of the Civil War from all sides from varied characters. Despite it's subject matter, it's a gentle read and it's beautifully written.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtful character studies drive this Historical Novel. It does not shy away from the truth
and is a terrific read!

[Awesome Indies Book Awards · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when you set the Irish Potato Famine against the contemporary American Civil War? You get Grindstone, a new historical novel/romance set in the isles of the St. Lawrence river. The main character, Anya, is born in Ireland but makes the journey across the Atlantic along with thousands of other Irish, fleeing near certain death as the Blight grips the country. Her twin brother Finn soon volunteers to fight in one of the bloodiest wars in American history, and disappears. Now on her own, Anya is forced to tell the people of Grindstone she's married, and that her husband is in the Northern Infantry. Living alone on winter-blasted Grindstone is no treat for a lone Irish schoolteacher, in an era where Irish were thought of as practically nothing.

Meanwhile, the Kennedy brothers hatch a terror plot to burn out several northern cities, along with John Wilkes Booth and a man named Jonathon Douglas. When Douglas refuses to go through with the plot, be brings a group of fanatical Southern separatist murderers searching the Thousand Isles, including Grindstone.

Technically, the book is well-written and compelling. Though the beginning of the book is heavy on narrative and it slowly plods towards the intriguing portions of the story, the author skillfully injects enough historical detail and atmosphere to bring the past to life.

Characters shout, laugh, and live with unique voices, especially the wounded veteran Michael and his younger siblings. Even Finn, who occupies only Anya's thoughts, comes to life through his letters. Readers will enjoy a fantastic North, carefully and thoughtfully rendered, along with the contemporary politics, manners, and minor details which add to the ambiance of mainstream published historical novels. Communication, like penning letters and visiting the general store for replies and other news every few days, was one of the most interesting portions of the book.

Perhaps the most compelling portion of the book (after about 10-15%, when the book really gets into its swing) is how realistic it seems, rather than plotted. Rather than following the traditional plot arc, Grindstone works its way into a unique and satisfying storyline. This book comes highly recommended for fans of historical novels, the Civil War, or simply good writing.

The book had quite a number of double spaces and some single spaces after periods. Though we’re posting this at 4 stars, we can’t give Awesome Indies approval for the book until this formatting issue is fixed.

I received this book free of charge from the author in return for an honest review.

[Andrew Garbacz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy the historical fiction aspect of this book as a fan of American history. But this story was slow at times, and I didn’t really love the ending.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was written by a local author and reviewed by my local newspaper, so that was how I was introduced to it. I enjoyed the story and also learned quite a bit about that time, that area of the St Lawrence and it's islands, and the Civil War. It was quite surprising to me to find out there was a Confederate conspiracy to fire-bomb New York City.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. A quick read and very well written. It certainly brings to life the hard life of a single woman on a small island in the Saint Lawrence River. It also describes a confederate plot to bomb and burn NY City.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story of Canadian-America border during American Civil War. Irish famine emigrants, conscription of newly arrived Irish, the Thousand Islands area, and Southern sympathizers and conspirators.
Writing a little stilted, and pregnancy after one time together always cliche.

[Julia Flanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Couldn't put it down. I felt like I was there in the 1000 Islands, on the St. Lawrence River, back in time.