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A Civil War Mystery #1
Dead March
A debut mystery in the style of Anne Perry and Kate Ross unites a well-to-do young white widow and a free black medicine woman, as they attempt to solve the murder of a Virginia slave girl in 1861.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 18, 2012
I thought this was a great book.
Set during the early days of the Civil War, the author did an excellent job in the portrayal of her characters as devoted, proud Virginians and their love of their way of life. A lifestyle that of course led to the enslavement, degradation and death of many.
Narcissa Powers is a strong woman, recently widowed however, she is not, an aggressive, sufferagist type. The author keeps her true to her Southern roots.
What limitations are imposed upon this Southern genteel lady having been born in to this type of lifestyle? The desire to follow her conscience comes only after she convinces herself there is nothing left for her (no husband, child, home) and her refusal to become a burden to her family.
I would've like to have had more interaction between Narcissa and Judah Daniel. I'm thinking since this is the first book, their relationship will continue to grow in subsequent sequels.
Set during the early days of the Civil War, the author did an excellent job in the portrayal of her characters as devoted, proud Virginians and their love of their way of life. A lifestyle that of course led to the enslavement, degradation and death of many.
Narcissa Powers is a strong woman, recently widowed however, she is not, an aggressive, sufferagist type. The author keeps her true to her Southern roots.
What limitations are imposed upon this Southern genteel lady having been born in to this type of lifestyle? The desire to follow her conscience comes only after she convinces herself there is nothing left for her (no husband, child, home) and her refusal to become a burden to her family.
I would've like to have had more interaction between Narcissa and Judah Daniel. I'm thinking since this is the first book, their relationship will continue to grow in subsequent sequels.
January 3, 2021
I really enjoyed this historical murder mystery.
I delves into the plight of women and slaves in the time just at the start of the Civil War in Richmond Virginia.
Things are difficult for the narrator in 1861 as Narcissa has suffered the loss of her husband and child and is now faced with the death of her brother. She volunteers at the local hospital to get more information about the somewhat accepted practice of grave robbing.
She is aided by her cousin, Miss Powers and an incredibly influential free black herbalist and conjure woman Judah Daniel. Also assisting is a British journalist who is in town to report back to England what the Americans are doing.
This was very well written and compelling story telling. The killer was a complete surprise.
I borrowed a copy from the public library.
I delves into the plight of women and slaves in the time just at the start of the Civil War in Richmond Virginia.
Things are difficult for the narrator in 1861 as Narcissa has suffered the loss of her husband and child and is now faced with the death of her brother. She volunteers at the local hospital to get more information about the somewhat accepted practice of grave robbing.
She is aided by her cousin, Miss Powers and an incredibly influential free black herbalist and conjure woman Judah Daniel. Also assisting is a British journalist who is in town to report back to England what the Americans are doing.
This was very well written and compelling story telling. The killer was a complete surprise.
I borrowed a copy from the public library.
September 29, 2023
I was pleasantly surprised by this little novel of suspense, set in Virginia at the start of the civil war.
Once again, I picked it from a shelf of bargain books in a thrift store. What made me choose it? A woman author, with pivotal women characters as lead protagonists, unusual in the nineteenth century.
I found myself intrigued by the unfamiliar (to me) time and place in which the story unfolded. The characters are great, the pace keeps one in suspense, and the plot took unexpected detours. All combine to make a strong mystery. I will definitly be hunting down more of McMillan's works.
Once again, I picked it from a shelf of bargain books in a thrift store. What made me choose it? A woman author, with pivotal women characters as lead protagonists, unusual in the nineteenth century.
I found myself intrigued by the unfamiliar (to me) time and place in which the story unfolded. The characters are great, the pace keeps one in suspense, and the plot took unexpected detours. All combine to make a strong mystery. I will definitly be hunting down more of McMillan's works.
March 21, 2024
A Murder Mystery in the Deep South
I have been looking for mysteries that were either during or around the Civil War. I saw this series as a possibility. The first couple of chapters set the "mood" of the gentile/slavery South prior to setting up the first pieces of the mystery. I did like the characters of the story and the sequencing of their entry into the mystery. My problem was that the action or lack thereof in the middle was off-putting. But the last third of the book was well done and the twist at the end was unseen. I will likely read the next. A 4.2 out of 5 rating.
I have been looking for mysteries that were either during or around the Civil War. I saw this series as a possibility. The first couple of chapters set the "mood" of the gentile/slavery South prior to setting up the first pieces of the mystery. I did like the characters of the story and the sequencing of their entry into the mystery. My problem was that the action or lack thereof in the middle was off-putting. But the last third of the book was well done and the twist at the end was unseen. I will likely read the next. A 4.2 out of 5 rating.
January 4, 2026
Actually 3.5 as a rating. Some of the historical facts have been altered, but the whole slavery issue plays a part in this mystery. The role of the medical profession of the time also has a place in this story. The two main female characters are interesting. I might read another one of these books down the road.
May 29, 2017
An interesting little mystery. It was different to read about the Civil War from a southern point of view.
May 16, 2021
Dead March (Civil War Mysteries Book 1)
Against the background of a beautiful city in turmoil, clues come fast and furious. The players converge at the hospital and secrets are shaken loose, leading to surprising and satisfying denouement. But relationships are only beginning to develop among the cast, and the reader must wait for McMillan's next volume to learn the outcome. The credible detail and authenticity of setting and scene will captivate those with a renewed interest in the American Civil War, which has been aroused by Cold Mountain and Ken Burns's PBS series. --Barbara Schlieper --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Against the background of a beautiful city in turmoil, clues come fast and furious. The players converge at the hospital and secrets are shaken loose, leading to surprising and satisfying denouement. But relationships are only beginning to develop among the cast, and the reader must wait for McMillan's next volume to learn the outcome. The credible detail and authenticity of setting and scene will captivate those with a renewed interest in the American Civil War, which has been aroused by Cold Mountain and Ken Burns's PBS series. --Barbara Schlieper --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
May 26, 2011
Narcissa has lost just about everyone she loves, and as a widowed woman in 1861 Richmond, she is beholden to the relatives who deign to take her in.
In this opening book of mysteries from Ann McMillan, Narcissa is called to the bedside of her brother, and in the aftermath of his illness a mystery unfolds. The mystery takes in grave robbing for the purpose of providing cadavers to medical schools, childbed fever, and the beginning of the American Civil War. McMillan weaves in the social parameters and the layout of wartime Richmond quite well, and makes us care about the characters. She also fleshes them out while keeping the story moving and concluding it in a tidy 300 pages.
While I enjoyed Dead March, and it was indeed mysterious, I cannot in all honesty call Narcissa a "sleuth." She was more of a damsel in distress who suddenly finds strength she didn't know she had, and she is surrounded by strong, interesting characters who bring bits of the puzzle to her. It was refreshing to have the murderer revealed and not have it be a surprise. That was thoroughly enjoyable.
Dead March got three stars instead of five because it took quite a while to get rolling and because the three protagonists aren't so much a mystery-solving team as a group to whom interesting things happen.
In this opening book of mysteries from Ann McMillan, Narcissa is called to the bedside of her brother, and in the aftermath of his illness a mystery unfolds. The mystery takes in grave robbing for the purpose of providing cadavers to medical schools, childbed fever, and the beginning of the American Civil War. McMillan weaves in the social parameters and the layout of wartime Richmond quite well, and makes us care about the characters. She also fleshes them out while keeping the story moving and concluding it in a tidy 300 pages.
While I enjoyed Dead March, and it was indeed mysterious, I cannot in all honesty call Narcissa a "sleuth." She was more of a damsel in distress who suddenly finds strength she didn't know she had, and she is surrounded by strong, interesting characters who bring bits of the puzzle to her. It was refreshing to have the murderer revealed and not have it be a surprise. That was thoroughly enjoyable.
Dead March got three stars instead of five because it took quite a while to get rolling and because the three protagonists aren't so much a mystery-solving team as a group to whom interesting things happen.
August 19, 2009
I expected to enjoy reading this Civil War mystery, but I had no idea how much I'd look forward to the time I could spend with the characters. Narcissa is a strong-willed woman, not in a aggressive way, but in a well-mannered way. Southern women are to be cherished, but she is a widow and hasn't a place in the world until her sister-in-law, Mirrie, asks her to help her with running of the house so that Mirrie can assist her invalid father with his work. This gives Narcissa a purpose in life as well as the opportunity to investigate the cause of what she is sure is the murder of her brother.
Judah Daniel is cautious with her dealings with Narcissa, but they work well together as they can in the South during the time of the Civil War. I liked learning about the plants she chose for her medicines and what she grew in her garden. I enjoyed watching the relationship build between the two women.
This is a very well written mystery story and I was taken aback by the whodunnit. It made sense, but it was startling.
I am very glad that this is a series. I have the third in the series, CIVIL BLOOD, and I am looking for ANGEL TRUMPET, second in the series. Ideally I'll read the series in order. Keep your fingers crossed.
Five shivery Southern beans.....
Judah Daniel is cautious with her dealings with Narcissa, but they work well together as they can in the South during the time of the Civil War. I liked learning about the plants she chose for her medicines and what she grew in her garden. I enjoyed watching the relationship build between the two women.
This is a very well written mystery story and I was taken aback by the whodunnit. It made sense, but it was startling.
I am very glad that this is a series. I have the third in the series, CIVIL BLOOD, and I am looking for ANGEL TRUMPET, second in the series. Ideally I'll read the series in order. Keep your fingers crossed.
Five shivery Southern beans.....
February 2, 2016
Rating: 3.5*
I'm one of those people fascinated by anything Civil War related, but have put off reading this book because reading about murder during a war seems a wee bit redundant. But I shouldn't have put it off as this book was really interesting. Not necessarily gripping. I found it easy to put this book down, but always picked it up again. I read it ten pages at a time LOL. And there is definite "authenticity" to the book since the author lives in Richmond herself and has been a writer and editor for the Medical College of Virginia.
One think that I would have REALY liked is an epilogue or notes at the end of the book that brought the reader "up to date" on the medical issues in the book. The main storyline is based on what, at the time, were just medical theories - and also medical isues which were common at that time but are very uncommon now. As it was, I googled everything and figured it out myself, but the author could have written a few short paragrahs and saved me some googling time.
I'm one of those people fascinated by anything Civil War related, but have put off reading this book because reading about murder during a war seems a wee bit redundant. But I shouldn't have put it off as this book was really interesting. Not necessarily gripping. I found it easy to put this book down, but always picked it up again. I read it ten pages at a time LOL. And there is definite "authenticity" to the book since the author lives in Richmond herself and has been a writer and editor for the Medical College of Virginia.
One think that I would have REALY liked is an epilogue or notes at the end of the book that brought the reader "up to date" on the medical issues in the book. The main storyline is based on what, at the time, were just medical theories - and also medical isues which were common at that time but are very uncommon now. As it was, I googled everything and figured it out myself, but the author could have written a few short paragrahs and saved me some googling time.
September 6, 2016
Solid historical fiction mystery set in Richmond, Virginia at the onset of the Civil War. It was great to see some of the finer details of Richmond City in 1861 brought to life. Beyond that, the authenticity of free blacks and slaves is palpable and the mystery, though not too hard to connect the dots, is compelling throughout. The character of Brit Wallace, a British journalist, is a welcome dash of energy and levity. It was especially interesting to read a scene where a plot in the famous Hollywood Cemetery is being dug up. I did have trouble tracking Narcissa Powers's spoken parts in several of the chapters; her voice could get lost in the mix. But anyone with a thirst for historical accuracy in a Civil War era mystery can't go wrong with Dead March.
September 23, 2016
I don't normally much like fiction, but I decided to pick this one up because of its Civil War setting. I then went on to read the rest of the series and wish the author would write more. McMillan worked hard at realism and it's difficult to find anachronisms, a challenge when you have a female protagonist in a mid-19h century time frame. The author succeeds in making Narcissa Powers realistic to her time but still strong enough to be acceptable to a modern audience (had to make her a widow, though, so she would be free to investigate). The addition of a free black woman as a second protagonist allows the author to take her characters into colorful and unfamiliar surroundings. The mystery is good enough to maintain interest. I like these books and would buy more in the series.
September 25, 2012
I'm starting to find more interest in American historical mysteries than I used to. This is a good debut. Some interesting insights on Richmond at the onset of the war. Can't help comparing to All Other Nights by Dara Horn or Murder at Manassas by Michael Kilian. Amazing that people thought of the first battle of the war as an entertainment and a picnic experience. Nice mentions of O.W. Holmes, H. Greeley. Looking forward to reading the next in the series. Curious whether Narcissa will get more "spine" and become more critical of the assumptions of her upbringing in the next book.
April 2, 2013
Interesting historical mystery set at the beginning of the Civil War. The main characters are two women from opposite ends of the social spectrum -- one a white widow who becomes a nurses' aid at the beginning of the war and an african-american woman who is an herbalist/midwife/conjure woman -- who solve the mystery together. It was a little show going at first, but I can see that the author was setting up the background of the characters. Once that was finished, I really enjoyed and look forward to reading more of this series. I'm sorry I missed them when they first came out!
November 27, 2016
Although I do love historical fiction I'm not the biggest murder mystery fan. However this series has truly grabbed me. It doesn't get too bogged down in descriptions. The action is well written, and I found myself rooting for Narcissa and Judah. The scientific, and medical aspect of it was really interesting as well. Also I definitely want to see what happens with the determined "Brit". I say it was a good read overall. Worth taking on a plane or a long road trip to pleasantly pass the time.
January 11, 2023
It was definitely interesting. With some cool portrayals of early Civil War history in Virginia, for those who are not already too steeped in the field (there's nothing new). I read it straight through and the writing and transitions are clear.
But there is not a single character in there who I felt had depth, development, in the ways I'd have wished. I neither liked nor disliked a single character. Most felt like stereotypical placeholders.
But there is not a single character in there who I felt had depth, development, in the ways I'd have wished. I neither liked nor disliked a single character. Most felt like stereotypical placeholders.
October 4, 2013
Another series that I started to read in college, but never finished. I chose this for my mystery book club and we were all impressed by the author's research and her choice to make her heroine unsure about the moral arguments about slavery on either side of the issue. The writing is very good, and I wished I had more knowledge of Richmond so I could enjoy the setting more.
February 19, 2012
Dead March is the story of a murder mystery during the start of Civil War. Although history books may seem boring, Ann McMillan manages to masterfully blend history and mystery together. This book is hard to put down and the suspense will keep you on your feet throughout the entire book.
May 8, 2009
Excellent series about a nurse during the civil war. Part mystery, part romance. Can be hard to find.
March 31, 2011
I would read more of these. The tone and subject matter reminds me of Charles Dodd's books.
November 29, 2011
It was ok; not quite as good as I had hoped. The characters are interesting but didn't completely grab me. Good twist at the end.
February 28, 2013
I enjoyed this little historical mystery. I do find the ending ambit tedious. Problem solved but shenhadnto eliminate all loose ends so some dragging and unnecessary fillers.
October 13, 2013
Interesting tale of mystery and medicine set in the past.
October 22, 2014
A pretty good mystery laced with an adequate amount of Civil War and period facts to keep it interesting.
July 13, 2015
Extremely slow pace. I found the characters to be uninteresting and undeveloped.
April 9, 2017
I tried to like this book as I am a huge fan of civil war fiction and nonfiction. However the characters and storyline just couldn't hold my attention. The descriptions of clothing and places were often overdone and the plot bored me.
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February 24, 2019Awful. Poorly written. Stopped at page 51 because it still wasn’t grabbing me. I didn’t care an iota about any of the characters. I wasn’t connecting. Shame, as I thought the concept would be interesting.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews