Call Each River Jordan

Abel Jones #3

by Owen Parry, Ralph Peters

Dispatched to the battle-scarred ridges of Tennessee by President Abraham Lincoln, Federal Agent Abel Jones endeavors to solve an exceedingly heinous crime steeped in racial hatred and teeming with biblical overtones. When Union troops discover the brutal massacre of 40 runaway slaves, General Grant worries that abolitionists, endangering the war effort at a particularly critical juncture, will politically exploit the slaughter.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Civil War, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical, American Civil War

323 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

A pseudonym used by Ralph Peters

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third of the Civil War mystery series featuring Union Major Abel Jones written by Ralph Peters writing as Owen Parry. In this one, Jones, a Welshman who is an officer in the Union army, is called upon by President Lincoln to investigate the mass murder of 40 runaway slaves in Tennessee. Before he can report to General Grant, Jones gets caught up in the horrific Battle of Shiloh in April of 1862. Following that, Jones sets off on a mission that requires him to gain cooperation from the Confederates...

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only occasionally read mysteries (and only certain writers, at that), but I do buy my wife many different mystery series, especially historical mysteries. This is one of them, and I've enjoyed the first 3 in the 6-book collection, reading them sporadically over several years. I'd say this is the best of the first 3 books. Very enjoyable story which seems to adeptly capture the Civil War era and some of the major figures of that time. This one was a bit more intense than the earlier ones - more graphic war violence; strong religious tones; emotional moments of love, death, honor, cowardice, courage - all the best war themes!! The protagonist, Major Abel Jones, is well-constructed and a character that you can become very fond of following. Highly recommended to those who like historical mysteries.

[Jonne Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Union Major Abel Jones is sent to investigate the murder of 40 runaway slaves during The Battle of Shiloh in the Civil war. I must confess that at the beginning of the book I found the writing so helter-shelter and confusing that I nearly put the book down permanently. But as I read I realized that the writing in the beginning was to draw you into the confusion and panic of the battle he inadvertently found himself in on his way to report for his assignment.

The investigation must take place behind the Confederate lines and so armed with a letter to General Beauregard from General Grant and a white flag, Abel starts on an amazing adventure that pairs him with a young Confederate Lieutenant and his man servant.

This book has a great story line, well developed characters and is filled with both human dramas, mystery and at times both comedy and suspense .........a real page turner!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through the first quarter to third of this book I wondered if I was going to be able to finish it. The language is that curious formal pattern often used in books taking place I the 19th century that seems much like pontificating. But I began to see the curious development of the characters and of the horrible deeds described and hung on. I can't say I ever really liked Major Able Jones, but the story moved quickly and was compelling enough to make it a good read. It was long on gory reality as well as on religosity. Able Jones was a little too "humble" and wise for a 32 year old. Still, I enjoyed it and will probably seek out other books in the series.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

These Abel Jones mysteries are quite fun…mind you, they deal with a tough era (the American civil war) and were written at a time when we weren’t as socially conscious about the hurtful nature of words and phrases. Also, war is described in some detail.

So, many may find these books offensive.

In fact, our main character says something likely to offend every religion, race, and nationality except the Welsh. (Good Methodist Welsh, that is)

But, the main character is in fact, a character.

Read digitally, on an iPad.

[Patrick Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third and best of the Abel Jones mysteries. Here Jones is sent on a mission by President Lincoln to investigate the mass murder of 40 runaway slaves in Tennessee. On his way, Jones gets caught up in the bloody hellscape of the Battle of Shiloh in April in 1862. Surviving that he finds he must enlist the help of Confederate soldiers to solve who was behind the killings. The Welsh/19th century vernacular of Jones is one of the winning features of this book.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not having read #1 or #2, one is immediately plunged into battle and surrounded by the cacophony of sounds, the pungent orders, the horrific sights of mangled bodies--some still alive. Major Abel Jones is on a mission from Washington and sent to find General Grant, but has to fight his way to the General. The plot is intricate and populated with wonderful drawn characters. I'm ready for #4!

[Marsha Valance · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my 14 best mysteries read in 2001.

[Lezlie Crump · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pleasantly different

Fun and thought provoking. The first was slow but the rest was wonderful. The characters were realistic and likable. Best I have read in a long time.

[Gordon Saxon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did not disappoint, hard to put down. Great job Ralph Peters, I mean, Owen Parry.

[Thedaringshow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book for various reasons. Giving it 4 stars.

One reason was the fact it was written in an unfamiliar dialect. The story was told in first person by a Welshman. The author used distinct cliques that I perceive to be specific to a particular area of the world or time frame. I've grown extremely fond of the phrase "let that bide" which to me was another way of saying "let that go."

Another favorite for me is, "Whenever things go awry, see. In plague or war or what have you. Instead of rolling up their sleeves, they call for a messiah. It makes of Jesus no more than the world's mechanic." kindle location 3567

For whatever reason I found the peculiar dialect to be a refreshing change.

The story opened up in the middle of a war. Carnage and blood were trivial attributes the author used to describe the scene. Which brings me to another reason why I liked this story. The tale of how ants saved Jones life and the desperate attempt at survival displayed in the eyes of soldiers as described in this book added humanism and empathy for those in the middle of combat.

Abel Jones, the Welshman, could not stay his derriere out of trouble. His encounters with the renegades of the south would add, for some, an emotional sourness for southerns as they cheer Abe through his journey.

The investigation of the murders of 40 Negros was not high on the list of permissible acts. But the author made it the focus of the entire story. Through his direction, the incorporation of slavery, Christianity and cultural diversification created a well told fictional piece.

I've found a new respect for those that fight in war, regardless of the type of war, the demons are real. They emerge in various forms and justify their existence.

[Elgin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ran across this at the library and picked it up because it looked like historical fiction set during the Civil War. The book opened with a very graphic description of the Battle of Shiloh; in fact I found this so interesting that I have checked out a book about that battle to read later this month. There were also some scenes that tried to capture the essence of Grant, Sherman, and Beauregard, but I do not know whether these were accurate; something else to learn more about. The protagonist, Abel Jones, is a Civil War era detective and is one of Peters' regular characters. As a mystery story it was pretty good, but I enjoyed the historical background more. I wish there had been more in the way of legitimate history though.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written book - Ralph Peters (writing as Owen Parry) certainly captured how it felt to be in America in the spring of 1862. I thought his description of the battle of Shiloh was especially realistic.
Abel Jones, our affable Welshman, is sent by Union General Grant himself behind Confederate lines to solve a mystery: who murdered 40 slaves?
I enjoyed Peters take on Confederate General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard, as well as US Grant and William Sherman.
There are several passages where Jones dismisses novels - basically saying novels are nothing more than lies put down on paper. You want a good story, read your Bible. It seems the author is have a little fun with his readers.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book by Owen Parry I had ever read! I've read other Civil War mysteries, but they don't hold a candle to the Abel Jones mysteries that Parry has written. I not only couldn't put the book down, but I was transported into the Civil War like never before. In the story, Abel Jones heads south to solve a gruesome crime involving Confederates and 40 murdered slaves. I highly recommend this series to any Civil War buff who loves mystery and suspense! This first person account of a Welsh-American northerner who fights the war, and goes undercover for Lincoln, gives us a uniqure perspective into the War Between The States!

[LemonLinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

In book three of the Abel Jones series by this author, forty slaves are found after they have been butchered and/or hung in the area which now lies directly between the two armies. Jones is sent as an emissary of the US Government with papers for safe passage into enemy territory to work with the Confederates to solve this mystery. He encounters more horrors of war, rampant prejudice and danger lurking at every turn, but he is intuitive and together with a couple of Confederates is able to uncover the culprits and once again outwit this latest adversary.

This is a good one for those who enjoy a good HF mystery and for aficionados of the Civil War.

[S. A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I commended the author on how well he mimicked the prejudices and small mindedness of the average 19th Century person. Then I found out who he is in real life and realized that those are his actual opinions today and it's no great stretch. Books are still entertaining, though. He's a talented writer.

But don't BUY them if you're a liberal. Get them from the library. You don't want your money going to this Fox News contributor who has vilified captured servicemen in uniform, called for the boundaries of the Middle East to be redrawn and for the political assassination of Julian Assange.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Pe...

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Civil novel with the same main character, Abel Jones, now a Captain. This one is set in the South just after the battle of Shiloh and Captain Abel is sent to solve the mystery of the brutal deaths of 40 slaves who have attempted to run away to the North. This one has much more battle detail and some interesting Confederate characters. Again, I enjoyed the historical information. Captain Abel is a very likable character. Owen Parry has a great gift of detail as he unravels the story.

[Jan Aldergate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like historical mysteries and I am interested in the Civil WAr, so this book was right up my alley. Love the character of Abel Jones, and the way he is written. As the book is first person narrative, very clever handling of his character so that you realise that not all of his observations are quite true. Mr Parry has the Welsh lilt down and the mystery in this one was really secondary to the portrayal of the South during the War. But a satisfying conclusion in which Abel accounts for himself Ably.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know what happened but I lost interest over the course of a month as I plugged away. I enjoyed the first book in the series several yrs ago, didn't care for the second nearly as much, and now--after getting into the Civil War/Lincoln the past several years--thought I was primed to return.
Parry is a superb writer, too.
Lackluster rating is likely more me than Parry because I haven't been able to finish 3 of the last 4 I've read. I need a good book that I can enjoy and finish...

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Three in Owen parry's Abel Jones Civil War mystery series. This was another really good one. This time, Maj. Jones is sent by General Grant across Confederate lines to investigate a massacre of 40 runaway slaves. Lots of action as a result of this.....and again, Parry's style of storytelling rises above the typical to become very well-written literature. He has really captured the style of speaking and thinking of the time. I'd highly recommend this book.

[Marvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parry creates likable, complex characters who are open enough to learn from people they have been acculturated to dismiss as inferior. There are some interesting observations about religion, too, as when a young runaway slave explains to the main character, a pious (though not extreme) Methodist, "how com Jesus was a Negro" (236-39).

[Karen Hogan · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like anything to do with the civil war and you like a good mystery, you'll like this book about a yankee soldier who joins a rebel officer who tries to find the murderers of a group of free slaves. Very good read.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

More from Able Jones. Always worth the read

[Lisa Rathbun]

I know it's book 3, but I read it first. The first person narrative has a distinctive voice that sticks with you. Now I want to read more in this series. (L)

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love this series of books. Civil War Mystery.

[Mark Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery, suspense, American history. What a wonderful combination.

[David Manuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm hooked! Historical fiction, memorable character in Able Jones, wonderful writing/descriptions. I got this book as a free download and have bought #1 in the series. .

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

As enjoyable as the Abel Jones series can be, this book seemed a little light on plot to me. It simply didn't seem to flow as easily as the first two novels.

[Andrea Elkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imaginative and haunting. A good mystery set very much in the midst of the American Civil War. Surprisingly I had no difficulties with the grammar.