Rebel Falls

by Tim Wendel

With Rebel Falls , Tim Wendel takes us to late summer of 1864. The Civil War rages on. Sherman is marching on Atlanta, while the armies of Grant and Lee battle across Virginia. In the North, war-weariness has made Lincoln's bid for reelection seem doubtful. As the fate of the nation "conceived in Liberty" hangs in the balance, Confederate agents gather in Niagara Falls to plan one last audacious maneuver to turn the tide of the conflict. Rory Chase, a capable yet haunted young woman eager to contribute to the Union cause, accepts a mission from the Secretary of State, William Seward, to travel to Niagara Falls and prevent two rebel spies, John Yates Beall and Bennet Burley, from seizing the U.S.S. Michigan on Lake Erie and bombarding Buffalo, Cleveland, and other northern cities to sow fear and disorder ahead of the upcoming election. To succeed, Rory must gain the rebel spies' trust and, with the help of the Underground Railroad network still operating out of the elegant Cataract House hotel overlooking the Falls, foil their desperate gambit. But can she maintain the pretense of being a Confederate sympathizer long enough to unravel Beall and Burley's ingenious plot? With actual events underpinning the tumultuous story in Rebel Falls , a forgotten chapter in the history of the Civil War is revealed. Far from frontlines, Wendel's exciting, character-driven narrative about a consequential struggle in the shadow of Niagara Falls' dramatic beauty is gripping from start to finish.

Genres: Historical Fiction

270 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 15, 2024

About the author

Tim Wendel is an award-winning novelist and journalist. He is the author of 16 books, including Rebel Falls: A Novel, Summer of '68: The Season When Baseball, and America, Changed Forever, and Castro's Curveball. His stories have appeared in Gargoyle and The Potomac Review, and his articles in The New York Times, Esquire, GQ, Washingtonian and USA Today. A longtime writer-in-residence at Johns Hopkins University, Tim teaches fiction and nonfiction writing. Tim has worked has worked on both coasts, covering everything from the Olympics to the America's Cup. More information and his blog can be found at www.timwendel.com."

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually pick up historical fiction, but the allure of a Civil War tale centered around the taking of a Union warship in Lake Eerie caught my attention. I found this story to not only be well-paced with characters making you keen to continue turning the pages-- but I also found broader themes of the American Civil War extremely compelling and still topical. There are a number of enduring themes that are recounted, all without being heavy handed. Even though this is a work of fiction, the richly-illustrated events provided me with a window to a chapter in American history that I knew nothing about.

As one of the author's former students, I received an advanced copy of this book. That said, I have thoroughly enjoyed this work and my review is as honest as it can be under those circumstances.

[Doug Sherk · Rating 5 out of 5]

While not quite as prolific from a published title perspective as fellow Syracusan Joyce Carol Oates, Tim Wendel's work has spanned a wide variety of genre. With Rebel Falls, he weaves a gripping story of historical fiction based on little known real-life characters and events that came close to creating catastrophic destruction in Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit and other cities in 1864.

Wendel takes us into the mind of Rebecca "Rory" Chase, a young woman determined to contribute to the Union whose true gender is discovered before her company is sent into battle. She is expelled. Back home in Auburn, New York, she accepts a mission from the Secretary of State, William Seward, to travel to Niagara Falls and prevent two rebel spies and their expansive network from seizing the U.S.S. Michigan on Lake Erie. To succeed, Rory must gain the rebel spies' trust and with the help of the Underground Railroad network still operating out of a hotel overlooking the Falls, foil the plot.

The story is expertly told through multiple points of view that provide us with perspectives on a number of themes that remain highly relevant in the United States some 175 years later. The most comprehensive POV is that of our heroine, Rory. She is both complex and complicated, yet unwavering in her focus and determination. Her transformative growth leaves the reader wondering how easily history could have changed, as well as how, in some ways, little has changed in this country since the Civil War.

[Barbara Blindauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Late 1864 Rory Chase has lost her mother and a beloved uncle. She wants to do something to aid in ending the war, so she disguises herself as a boy and enlists in the Northetn Army. She is one of the top marksman until it is discovered that she is a girl and sent home. Her friend, Fannie Seward, daughter of Secretary of State William Stewart decides that Rory’s talent as an artist can be of help to her father. After carefully listening to Secretary Stewart she accepts the mission to go to the Niagara Falls area to be a spy. This book is based on true characters and some such as Rory are fiction, but it was not only a very good read, but a very informative, and historically accurate. The author did much research on which to provide a factual story. I heard the author speak recently and I enjoyed the process he went through to write the book. Not many books written about the Civil War include the contributions that woman made and this book does showcase women assisting in the war. I am delighted that a second Rory Chase book has been written.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wendel brings to life a mostly forgotten chapter of the Civil War. The writing is well researched and imaginative. Many characters really existed. The protagonist, Rory (not real), is spunky and somewhat like Zelig: always popping up in the right place at the right time. Characters could be a bit more fleshed out and there are some anachronisms. The book starts out slowly but, once it picks up speed, it becomes a good read. Well done Tim!

[Kristie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I found out Tim Wendel was writing a fictional account of real events that took place during the Civil War, I was psyched. I will read almost anything, but I have a deep love for historical fiction and the Civil War is one of the periods I enjoy visiting the most. Knowing that Wendel is a terrific researcher, and that he would be telling the story around a Civil War event that I knew nothing about made me even more excited about the book. REBEL FALLS did not disappoint!

So many stories of the Civil War take place right in the thick of things with descriptions of battles and marches, but REBEL FALLS focuses on events largely removed from the frontlines of the war. The story revolves around a plot by the Confederacy to take the fight into some of the northernmost cities in the U.S. with much of the book taking place in Niagara Falls. The focus on events taking place that far north doesn't mean the book is any less riveting nor the characters any less heroic, and it's fascinating to get a glimpse of life taking place farther from the violence of battle.

Rory Chase is the main character of the book, and she's charged by Secretary of State William Seward to attempt to disrupt the plans. I won't go into details about all of that to avoid spoilers, but I will say that my only complaint about the book (and it's not a big enough complaint to make me drop a star in my rating) is that I would have loved to have more background on John Yates Beall and Bennet Burley--the Confederate agents attempting to create chaos in the North. I did a little independent reading during and after reading REBEL FALLS, so that wish has been fulfilled and now I want to re-read the book with that knowledge tucked away for reference.

Tim Wendel's books have never disappointed me in the past, and REBEL FALLS continues that trend. I definitely recommend the book!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book did not flow well for me. The telling of the history was sometimes added just to add it and did not always help move the plot along or have much related to what was happening. Many of the conversations did not always feel realistic and people ended up in proximity to others or talking about something because the plot needed it to happen, but didn't make sense as to how they got there or why that would come up in conversations. Sometimes characters ended up in places or situations that did not make sense to me how they got there like something had been left out. One of the worst examples of this is when rebels run from a situation that Rory does not witness, but she makes it back to a location before the rebels without even knowing they had left. But there were interesting aspects and once I was invested I never wanted to abandon the book. It just wasn't a smooth fast read for me. It did tell a story that I didn't know about Niagara Falls and the USS Michigan.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Momentous actions in the past are often lost in the study of history, and the story here is an example of that. Based on the true story of Confederate activity on the northern border of the U.S., this is seen through the eyes of a fictional character, Rory Chase, who is friends with the (real life) daughter of Secretary of State William Seward. Asked to help discover the plot of Confederates on the border, Rory travels first to Niagara Falls and then on to Sandusky, OH, Rory finds that the plot is a little more complex than she first thought. I'm a big fan of historical fiction, although the Civil War era is not my usual reading choice. This is interesting, because the entire story takes place far from the scenes of battlefields but brings in big events and characters from the time period. It also takes place to many historic venues close to home!

[Deena Lipomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The summer before Lincoln's reelection, Rory Chase is tasked with spying on Confederate sympathizers to stop their scheme to wreak havoc in the north along Lake Ontario and Niagara Falls. Civil War history buffs will enjoy this thoroughly researched novel full of real characters, places, and plots that are not well-known. While Rory is not based on a real person, she is a good conduit for the connection between her Seward friends, the Underground Railroad, and a scene with President Lincoln. She also represents those conflicted about and tired of the war, though sometimes her narrative lacks urgency and slows the page-turning pace. Western NY readers may find a particular connection with this book.

[Brenda]

Can not seem to change the edition of this to hardcover which is how I read this book. Written by an author with local ties who will be visiting my local book store. Historical fiction is my favorite genre. The characters were quite shallow,not very interesting. The book was well researched and best of all local history.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction is one my favorite genres and Rebel Falls does not disappoint. The network of spies, Confederate and Union, in the North was an aspect of the Civil War that I never would have discovered except for reading this book. The development of the plot and the characters made this a delightful read as well as an informative one.

[Bob Gambarelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was extremely well written and fun to read. The plot development was very well scripted, and the characters were fully formed and complex. As historical fiction, it brought to light little known aspects of the Civil War. Would highly recommend this book.

[Luke Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun spy jaunt with a lot of surprises and lots of rich attention to detail. It's a timely reminder of the chapters in the civil war that get overshadowed by more famous events. The only problem was many characters didn't feel distinctive enough so sometimes blended together in places

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Civil War, upstate, New York, feisty, heroine, Interesting historical details, pace Of narrative uneven, A fairly good read.

[Sabrina · Rating 1 out of 5]

5 stars seriously?? Reads like a mighty girl book - blech.

[Cameron McKeon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Authored by a ‘cuse guy. A peek into the pivotal role cities like Niagara Falls played in the Civil War made digestible, thanks to a fast-moving (and fun) plot

[Brodie Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the latter stages of the Civil War, the Confederacy wanted to disrupt the northern border of the United States in the hopes of exploiting war fatigue, thereby swinging the 1864 election against President Lincoln and ultimately triggering a settlement that would end the war and recognize the Confederate states. This tale of two little-known Confederate agents, John Yates Beall and Bennet Burleigh, who were sent to pull off espionage-driven missions near Niagara Falls and in Ohio, is narrated by fictional character Rory Chase, a young woman who is a close family friend of Secretary of State William Seward. Contemporary major historical figures like Seward, President Lincoln, Walt Whitman, and John Wilkes Booth make appearances in the plot.

The prose clips along at a steady and engaging pace, with edifying precision in scenes set at historical sites like the Cataract House Hotel at Niagara Falls, the last stop on the Underground Railroad for enslaved people fleeing to Canada, and Sandusky, Ohio, where the U.S.S. Michigan was moored and a major prison for Confederates was located. Photography technology of the day is explored in some detail. Protagonist Rory is drawn as a courageous young woman who is determined to do her part for Secretary Seward in dealing with the Confederate agents, while at the same time confronting her own sense of loyalty and justice. Author Wendel, who is perhaps best known for his nonfiction works, provides an entertaining story that merges an interesting but largely unknown episode from the War Between the States, with historically grounded but imagined interactions with major players in the conflict.

Was this review helpful? I am an avid reader of historical fiction, and author. More of my reviews can be found at www.brodiecurtis.com

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebel Falls brings to life a little-known story of daring and intrigue among Civil War spies along the Canadian border. Maybe hardcore historians knew about Confederate efforts to attack Union ships on the Great Lakes and foil Lincoln’s re-election, but I knew nothing about it.

I loved the choice of protagonist, a feisty young woman named Rory Chase who uses her artistic skills and risk-taking nature to spy on Confederate terrorists. Guiding her in her efforts are an African-American man who ferries enslaved people across the treacherous Niagara River into Canada and a curmudgeonly widow who runs a photography shop.

The Niagara Falls setting adds an undercurrent of tension throughout and the powerful descriptions of it made me want to revisit the area.

Tim Wendel did an amazing job of research. I learned so much reading Rebel Falls, and I was entertained throughout by the unique characters and their exciting exploits. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a beautifully written tale of espionage and history.