The Rogue's Plot: The Untold Story of 1777

by Ronald Gibbs

WHAT IF?

At the height of the American Revolution, a rogue British officer, craving recognition from his superiors, launches a diabolical plot to spread smallpox among General George’s Washington’s Army. He expects the disease epidemic to incapacitate the American army and swiftly bring down the rebellion, at little cost to the King’s forces. Will the plot be uncovered? Will it be stopped in time? Will the rogue be caught? If an outbreak starts, might it spread uncontrollably? In a race against time, a gifted American surgeon, from his position as a prisoner of war, learns of the plot and must find a way to thwart the rogue’s scheme. With the future of the young United States at stake, The Rogue’s Plot weaves characters both historical and imagined into an intriguing and entirely plausible history about what happened in winter 1777.

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 26, 2024

Reviews

[Avellina Balestri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing sequel involving more medical what-ifs, this time leaning into hypothetical germ warfare. Banastre Tarleton becomes a significant player as the villain of the narrative, in concert with Charles Lee. It should be emphasized that neither of these historical characters actually committed this dastardly deed; indeed, I could go on at length in defense of Banastre, who I believe has been unfairly branded as a war criminal. There is not even any clear evidence that he had a brutal streak that exceeded what was the norm among young officers of his general background and situation. It is mostly layers of Patriot propaganda based upon a skewed reporting of the massacre at Waxhaws. But putting that to the side, this is a speculative alternative history, and the author's clear enthusiasm and extensive knowledge pertaining to 18th century medical practices is quite impressive and lends a sense of authenticity to the setting.