Lincoln's Bodyguard: In A Heroic Act Of Bravery Saves Our Beloved President! John Wilkes Booth Killed In Act Of Treason

Lincoln's Bodyguard #1

by T.J. Turner

In "Lincoln s Bodyguard," an alternative version of American history, President Lincoln is saved from assassination. Though he prophesied his own death the only way he believed the South would truly surrender Lincoln never accounted for the heroics of his bodyguard, Joseph Foster. A biracial mix of white and Miami Indian, Joseph makes an enemy of the South by killing John Wilkes Booth and preventing the death of the president. His wife is murdered and his daughter kidnapped, sending Joseph on a revenge-fueled rampage to recover his daughter. When his search fails, he disappears as the nation falls into a simmering insurgency instead of an end to the War. Years later, Joseph is still running from his past when he receives a letter from Lincoln pleading for help. The President has a secret mission. Pursued from the outset, Joseph turns to the only person who might help, the woman he abandoned years earlier. If he can win Molly over, he might just fulfill the President s urgent request, find his daughter, and maybe even hasten the end of the War."

Genres: Historical Fiction, Alternate History, Fiction, Mystery, Ebooks, Audiobook

224 pages, Hardcover

First published April 7, 2015

About the author

TJ Turner is a novelist, a historian, a research scientist, and a Federal Agent. He graduated from Cornell University and as a Reserve military officer, he has served four tours in Afghanistan and was awarded two Bronze Star Medals (2013, 2017). His essay about his deployments to Afghanistan—The Power ofTeddy Bears—was accepted and read on NPR’s This I Believe national essay series. Turner lives in central Ohio, with his wife, Nancy, and three children.

Reviews

[PamG · Rating 5 out of 5]

LINCOLN'S BODYGUARD by T. J. Turner is listed as the first book in the Lincoln's Bodyguard series but chronologically, book 3 is the first book in the series. This series is historical fiction using an alternative history storyline in which John Wilkes Booth gets killed before he can kill President Abraham Lincoln. By killing Booth, the President's bodyguard, Joseph Turner becomes an enemy of the South and his wife is murdered and his child is kidnapped. Several years later Turner receives a letter from President Lincoln asking for his help.

The story takes place in several areas of the USA including Washington D.C., Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri and Ohio. Joseph makes for a good protagonist. He is compelling and full of flaws and virtues. His goals are mostly clear and his motivations are believable and well-drawn. The secondary characters were well-rounded and enhance the story with believable relationships. The internal and external conflicts are well defined and do not feel contrived. The stakes are high and this made the book a page-turner for me.

The book explores a lot of themes including family, friendship, loyalty, betrayal, revenge, forgiveness, hardship, cruelty, murder and much more. It has a number of plot twists and turns. Overall, the world-building was fantastic and gave a clear sense of time and place. The plot was engrossing, powerful, shocking, fascinating, well-researched and thought-provoking. I believe that those than enjoy historical fiction and alternative fiction set during this time period will enjoy this well-written and haunting novel. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Elizabeth (Betty) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am definitely a fan of historical fiction, and this book did not disappoint in any way. It is a fast moving account of what could have been if Lincoln had been saved by his bodyguard rather than having been assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. The book is well written and developed and gives a vivid picture of the emotional state of our country at that time. This is a book that held my interest and kept me reading as I constantly wanted to know what would happen next. I thoroughly enjoyed every page. It is a book that I would recommend to anyone interested in mystery, adventure, history or historical fiction, and it even has a love story or two. You cannot go wrong if you chose to read this book.

[Marcia Swan · Rating 5 out of 5]

TJ Turner's debut novel starts with an alternative history premise and delivers an absorbing adventure tale. Lincoln's Bodyguard is more than just a historical thriller about what might have been, though. It's an allegory for modern times, as well, delving into the complex interactions among love and war, loyalty and betrayal, revenge and forgiveness, which are as relevant today as they were in the 19th century. Read the book for the adventure story, the plot twists, the period detail, and the fascinating historical characters. Appreciate it for its tightly written prose and emotional insight, and consider what might yet be.

[Wendy Beckman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of this book, which is due out this spring/summer. Tj Turner does a fantastic job of showing us what might have happened if Abraham Lincoln had not been assassinated that night at Ford's Theatre.

Turner, a veteran of three tours in Afghanistan, combines his military expertise with his own brilliant insights about history, politics, and our national economy. Lincoln's Bodyguard is scary in its plausibility. Besides being an intellectual treat in a "what if" kind of way, the novel is just a great piece of action/adventure writing.

This debut novel from Turner has set the bar high for his next work.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turner’s page-turning, nail-biting thriller is an amazing alternate history that fills the appetite of reader’s insatiable what-if curiosity and mixes in revenge, drama and a bit of romance to brilliantly widen the audience range. He successfully combines history fact and fiction and his gritty take-no-prisoners, narrative sets the tumultuous tone to the entire read. His characters are powerful and dazzlingly portrayed and his vivid, visual dialogue perfectly catalogs the atrocities and the altruisms during this endless, no-win war. Especially poignant was his post war draft; that will leave a lasting impression on readers.
If you like alternate history, thrillers, historical fiction or you just want to keep your heart beating fast for a bit of time this is your next must read.

Mr. Turner you’ve got my complete attention and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
It’s 1872, seven years since Joseph Foster saved President Lincoln from the bullet the assassin John Wilkes Booth meant for him. The country’s still in turmoil from the war that's been over for years but is still raging and each side is executing dastardly deeds and suffering huge losses. Lincoln’s tired and scared and just wants out of office but has been forced to endure term after term. He needs his most trusted ally and former bodyguard Joseph for one last clandestine, very personal mission that will send him into the belly of the beast to achieve.
Joseph doesn't hesitate to answer the Old Man’s call even though he’s not as young or as capable as he was seven years ago. He knows he should travel this road alone but when his former lover and Union spy, Molly insists on accompanying him he selfishly accepts her offer, maybe he just needs a friendly face or maybe it's something else. But one thing he does know is that accomplishing this assignment may finally lead him to retrieve his kidnapped daughter.

[Ionia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is no secret that I have a total obsession with all things Lincoln. I collect these presidential artifacts, muse over them and ponder the writings of and about the man himself to the exclusion of most other interests in life. So, I hate most Lincoln fiction. I didn't hate this book.

I don't love it, but I didn't hate it either.

The author has done a fine job of choosing an interesting historical period for his setting, and has created a main character that can carry a book even without the use of a popular historical figure. His story was well thought out and I liked that the main character had a life in his own right.

My issue with this book was my own inability to suspend belief. Yes, I came into this knowing that it was a re-imagining of events. Yes, I also knew from the description that Lincoln survived in this story. Oddly, that wasn't what I took issue with. I will not reveal too much here for fear of spoilers, but I will say that although Lincoln became famous for freeing slaves--he did not exactly champion equality--and there is a certain thread in this book that I just could not put aside.

This is a creative story filled with imagination. The research that went into it is obvious, but for me, I found it difficult not to compare to history and that made it hard for me to fully appreciate.

For those who enjoy historical fiction and can come into a book with an open mind, this book will thrill you with action, intensity and solid writing.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Our stories are already written. We had yet to act them out.”

More alternate history than historical fiction. Turner rooted his tale in the events of 1865 but, rather than allowing the consequences of Booth’s failure to spin off naturally, he tries to get history “back on track” in this seven-years-later novel. The story follows the mixed-blood guard whose intervention provides the book’s title, though curiously all that action happened five years before the current story.

“The life pulled from his body as his maker took possession of his soul.”

A good story and a fun read, but the history is unconvincing. The whole Lamon-Norris-Barons subplot seems contrived and ananchronistic. The real reconstruction struggle should have provided the necessary villains and heroes without introducing a Hunger Games-esque Lottery and labor unionism as motivators. The western separatist movement rings true enough.

“Death creeps quietly behind a man.”

The details were well-researched and gave a good feeling for the time and place, except for transportation. The horses pulled faster and longer than real horses, the trains were faster as well, and even afoot the people covered prodigious distances quickly. Standard fantasy fare, but knocks the reader out of the historical feel.

Quibble: When he surrendered to Sherman on April 18, 1865, Confederate General Joe Johnston had about 21,000 men, not 90,000 as reported here. On the other hand the "bushwhacker" insurgent campaign in Missouri throughout the war follows the pattern Turner suggests.

“Sometimes even death has to wait.”

(editted on April 1, 2016 to add quibble.)

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one day, forsaking my children and my delightful husband. I had no intention of doing this, but the book compelled me...well not so much the book as the writing. This was a fantastic read. The thought given to what would happen if Lincoln hadn't died- how it would affect the war and the people in the divided nation- was so interesting and complex. The book was full of surprises, which kept me reading and kept me forsaking my family. I'm giving this 5 stars. Very intriguing.

[Reader Views · Rating 3 out of 5]

LINCOLN'S BODYGUARD

TJ Turner
Oceanview Publishing (2015)
ISBN 9781608091430
Reviewed by Ben Green for Reader Views (11/15)

I am generally not a huge fan of alternative history. Though I find it interesting as a thought process, the idea of creating stories around it has never really interested me. That being said, “Lincoln's Bodyguard” by TJ Turner is not what I would typically think of as alternative history. Yes, it is set in an alternative historical setting, but the story itself is not particularly exploratory of the world it is set in, as the same story could be told almost anywhere. I actually think the author's choice to do this was very helpful, because it does not require the reader to have a great understanding of actual historical events, allowing people to focus on the story presented in the novel itself.

The story follows Lincoln's bodyguard as he goes on secret missions assigned to him by the President. At its core, “Lincoln’s Bodyguard” is an action/spy thriller set in an alternative Wild West. It is filled with twists, turns, and plenty of action. If you are looking for a fast and exciting read and happen to like westerns with a little more depth than usual, or if you are looking for a spy novel with a unique setting, then look no further as this book delivers both.

The main issue I have with the book, however, is that there is too much going on and some of the story lines in the book do not feel that flushed out. By Chapter 7 or so, I was starting to get frustrated, not because of the twists and turns, or because I was trying to keep track of what was going on, but because the number of people needing saving by the main character was getting irritating. In fact, it felt like I was reading about a character in a video game who, instead of completing one quest at a time, was running around activating them all at once. Because of this, parts of the story seem to drop off and then reappear unnaturally further down the road. While it is clear that the author put a lot of work into trying to spin a good yarn, I personally think it would have turned out better if he had focused on only one or two elements.

“Lincoln's Bodyguard” by TJ Turner is truly an enjoyable story that I had a lot of fun reading. I just feel that it tries to do too much all at once, and the book does in all fairness, suffer for it. Having said that, I think it is an excellent start, and well worth the price and time. I cannot wait for his next book and expect great things to come from Mr. Turner. Overall, I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

[Peter Hogenkamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lincoln’s Bodyguard is historical fiction at its best: authentic, thrilling and just plain good fun. Author TJ Turner starts out with the interesting premise that John Wilkes Booth does not kill Lincoln in Ford’s theater, and moves on from there: to a post-Civil War America that remains as divided as it was prior to the war; to a presidential administration torn by competing influences and petty jealousies (sound familiar?); to a postbellum South ripped apart by an occupying Federal Army at war with a stubborn Confederate insurgency.

Historical fiction is either made or broken by the research that went into the writing, and Turner did not disappoint: Lincoln’s Bodyguard is steeped in history—but reads like a thriller, taut and fast-paced. It is obvious that Mr. Turner knows his history, but he also knows his writing; the prose is fluid (and not overdone), the dialogue is genuine and appropriate for the setting, the characters are well-developed, and the pacing is fast, but not rushed.

Stories drive books, however, and Lincoln’s Bodyguard features a good one, a tail about a man on a journey to save his country and himself, a journey filled with pitfalls, romantic interludes and lurking enemies. Turner displays a veteran’s skill in his debut novel, which bodes well for fans of the genre: I look forward to his next offering.

[Fred Kirchner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this title. Mr. Turner did a terrific job creating a world in which the Civil War never ended and Lincoln became president for life. After several too many terms, he's controlled by interests that are profiting from the continued struggle between North and South. The protagonist of Lincoln's Bodyguard, Joseph Foster, saved Lincoln from Booth's bullet that night in Ford's Theater. Since that night, Joseph has fallen into an out of touch malaise. He's called back into action by President Lincoln, and given the task of protecting, as well as escorting, a woman with whom Lincoln is invovled back to Washington. The rest of the book tells the story of this journey. The author creates a US where the antebellum period never happened because the war never ended.

Even though this possibility runs against our history, Turner does his world building craftily enough that the reader is not burdened with it, and this allows the characters space to shine. Joseph is a reluctant warrior, hounded by his violent past, humbled by his dependence on alcohol, yet noble, self-effacing, and still very deadly as a fighter and agent. The villains are equally well-drawn.

This well-crafted debut novels augurs well for the writer. Look for more readable titles by T J Turner in the future--but they may also be about interesting variations on a past you thought you knew...

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down! I stayed up until 2 in the morning to finish it. I love historical fiction, but I was skeptical when I received a copy of this book as I usually don't like alternate history books. I soon realized that I couldn't have been more wrong!

I love the strong female character (Molly) who is witty, sassy, strong, and brave all while being charming. Her character makes me want TJ Turner to write another book that focuses on her!

Molly may be my favorite but that isn't to say that I care any less for the other characters. I love a book where I can care about the characters in the story, and this book doesn't disappoint. I felt myself cheering anytime something good happened and felt my heart skip a beat when something went wrong.

I don't usually re-read books, but I found myself picking this book up again. In fact I have read it three times already and I will probably pick it up again. I also purchased copies for my whole family. The only other books I have done that with are the Harry Potter series.

[Alannah Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be honest I don't know much American history but I was aware of Lincoln's involvment in the civil war and his death. As someone who is interested in history, I really love the whole alternative history genre, asking what would have happened if events had occurred differently. For example, what happened if Lincoln had survived his own assassination. I had read Stephen King's take on alternative on President Kennedy's survival so when I saw this book available on netgalley.com, I was eager to snatch it up!

I have to say that Turner did a brilliant job with this job, I really enjoyed reading it. The brilliant characters and storyline kept me hooked, I look forward to seeing more from this author

[Melissa Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down. Lincoln’s Bodyguard is a gripping page turner that imagines what would have happened if Abraham Lincoln had not been assassinated. TJ Turner convincingly takes us into the world of the late Civil War and engages us in the adventures of Lincoln’s bodyguard, Joseph, and his true love, the strong and gritty Molly, as they pursue and evade the forces that would tear down the country for their own benefit in a Civil War that rages on in the form of guerilla warfare and industrial oppression - a dystopia of the past. If you are looking for an engaging narrative, strong, believable and sympathetic central characters, and a vivid re-imagining of history, I highly recommend this book.

[Morgan Jameson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy historical fiction, you'll love TJ Turner's new book; Lincoln's bodyguard. Not only are historical stories notoriously difficult to write well, but so is writing in the first person, yet TJ nails it. His premise – 'What if Lincoln had lived' is unique, and coming from the perspective of an Air Force officer who served for years in Afghanistan, gives great credence to a story about an occupying force in the late 1860's – early 1870's. He made me look at Lincoln's death in an entirely different light. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it. I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Jim Satterfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable historical novel, based on a reasonable premise: What if Abraham Lincoln's bodyguard had thwarted John Wilkes Booth? Author T.J. Turner explores a post-Civil War America through the eyes of Joseph, the man in the shadow whose job is to protect Lincoln and help save a country still torn apart.

This alternative historical has something for everyone; from the neophyte to the most ardent Civil War reader. I particularly enjoyed the parallels between Turner's hero and the real John Wilkes Booth during the climatic chase scene.

A fun read. Looking forward to more from this author.

[Chauncey Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful! Elements of alternative history, suspense, action, and character development blend wonderfully in this exciting read. Mr. Turner has found the right balance between description and action. Each chapter adds an unforeseen turn for more thrilling adventures. In my book, Mr. Turner has earned the nickname, TJ “Page Turner”. Very well done, “Page Turner”, and I look forward to more! Please!

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5. I have read a lot of historical fiction in my time. I find it can be hit or miss. This book is a hit. The premise is an interesting one. What would have happened if John Wilkes Booth had not assassinated Abraham Lincoln. TJ Turner writes his tale very well. It keeps you interested right to the end. A very enjoyable read.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

TJ Turner's upcoming novel, LINCOLN'S BODYGUARD, is an outstanding revisionist look at what might have happened had Abraham Lincoln survived the assassination attempt at Ford's Theater. Highly recommended!

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant, alternative historical re-imagining that moves with the pace of a taut thriller and best spy novels. Highly recommend.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tj Turners debut novel is a fine work of fiction. I enjoyed the alternate reality he created by changing the outcome of one event in history. I look forward to reading his future work.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

T.J. Turner delivers a most interesting world view with his decorated military background. He experiences events differently than those of us who have not seen war. In Lincoln's Bodyguard, the alternative universe Turner paints where President Lincoln is saved from John Wilkes Booth by his bodyguard and later becomes his savior once again, is a unique twist on our sad history. Turner's story might have changed the future as we know it in a big way. His close POV brings you into the moment and into the writer's heart. You'll love the cadence to the author's words. A highly recommended read for those who adore history and would like to imagine Abraham Lincoln with a longer life.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally began reading Lincoln’s Bodyguard on the recommendation of a friend. Before I began the first chapter, I was skeptical. The majority of my reading is science fiction and speculative fiction, and I have always assumed historical fiction would be as boring as history itself.

But this book surprised me. The easy flow to the prose combined with the highly engaging characters caused me to get sucked right in. The descriptions of the characters’ travels and struggles offered up a crystal clear image of what this time period may have been like. I found myself thinking of The Old Man and Joseph throughout my day, stressing a little about how the characters would get out of a situation.

More than that, Lincoln’s Bodyguard has changed the way I think about history. If an alteration to this one (admittedly important) moment in history could have such a drastic impact, imagine if other events had occurred differently. In truth, every single moment in history could have gone a different way. The history that we know is the result of nothing more than decisions made by people of that time period. The idea that any historical event could have occurred differently or not at all is fascinating. Once you scratch the surface, you find yourself wanting more!

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction at its best! T.J. Turner's debut novel grabs you from the first page and doesn't let go! His expertly-written alternative history from the Lincoln era mixes superb ingredients for a gripping tale: a turbulent, age-defining setting; deep development and explanation of a flawed, yet heroic, character; engaging and detailed supporting characters of both the good and evil variety; well-researched and historically-linked story environment details; and, most importantly, a suspenseful, thrill-ride of a character plot with very original and captivating twists on the actual history from the time. In fact, Turner masterfully weaves splendid historical details into his storyline, which is fascinating in its effortless flow, exciting sense of anticipation, jaw-dropping surprises, and descriptive richness. From the first sentence to the last, Turner's ability to balance elegant narrative prose with accessible dialogue is intimately familiar, as if you've read T.J. Turner novels for years. With a debut work like this, you just might read Turner novels for years to come. That's certainly the hope and belief of this very satisfied reviewer.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit: I love alternative histories. If things were tweaked just slightly, or largely, what could have been? TJ Turner poses one of the hugest What Ifs imaginable: What if Lincoln’s bodyguard had prevented John Wilkes Booth from assassinating the president? What would have happened to our country? To the beginnings of the civil rights movement? To Lincoln himself? Told from the perspective of the bodyguard Joseph Foster, TJ reinvents history in his action-packed debut novel. Turner writes captivatingly, and the world he creates is well-researched and easily believed as an alternative to our true history. Lincoln becomes a shadow of the president many of us identify as our favorite in history, and the USA descends into turmoil and guerilla warfare. I spent a few late nights with this book, unable to put it down while following Joseph on his last mission for the president through the twists and turns of the ugly political climate that develops when Lincoln continues on as president of an ever more divided and bitter nation.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't generally read much historical fiction, but I am glad I took the chance to experience Lincoln's Bodyguard. The premise itself is appealing, and makes me curious to read other books using a similar concept.

The narrative moves at the perfect pace, with a great deal of dialogue and new revelations coming just often enough that I sometimes couldn't find a good place to stop and place the bookmark! What struck me while reading this book was the pervasiveness and consistency of the political process (legitimate and corrupt) as we think we know it, throughout history. The use and abuse of relationships to achieve and maintain power has always been a force that drives history. It is not new -- something that can be easily misunderstood when we focus only on contemporary politics and do not study enough history. (guilty!) Thanks to Mr. Turner for this layer of enlightenment, on top of a quick and entertaining story.

Looking forward to more!

[Larry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is based on a set of interlocking assumptions that challenge history. What if Lincoln hadn't been assassinated? What if the South had continued to fight the Civil War as a guerrilla campaign ( a stretch, given the state of the Confederate Army by 1865)? What if the North was controlled by the business elite (not so great a stretch), a group that saw great advantage in continuing the war and that maintained Lincoln in office as little more than titular head of the government? What if Lincoln fathered a child by a freed slave (Mary Todd having died of a fever), and wanted to escape his duty and have a quiet life? What if his former bodyguard, a half-Miami Indian avenger of his murdered wife, was the key to saving Lincoln? Turner writes well, so I ignored all of my misgivings about the set of assumptions that drove the book, but the Black Crow assassin who worked for the country's elite kept me from surrendering wholly to the book's plot.

[Mary Thomas Watts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This debut novel by TJ Turner takes the reader to the late 19th Century as this historically meticulous author imagines it might have unfolded had Abraham Lincoln skirted Fate that April night at the Ford Theatre. From Lincoln's White House and the dim, dangerous, gaslit streets of nighttime Washington to the Confederate South, whose insurgents have plunged the country to the brink of collapse, Joseph Foster, Lincoln's former bodyguard, steps back into service in pursuit of justice, peace, and putting his own ghosts to rest.

Having served three tours in Afghanistan, author and historian TJ Turner brings both his scholarship and life experience to this riveting historical tale of heroism and human frailty, a tale that resonates in the state of American wars and politics as we know them today.

[Judy Dapolito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joseph Foster, the hero of this alternative history, prevented Lincoln’s death at Ford’s Theatre and has been suffering for it for the last seven years. His wife has been murdered and his young daughter kidnapped. His career is ended, and the war continues. Now he’s called back to the White House because Lincoln, who is still president, has a secret rescue mission for him that only Joseph has the loyalty and skill to undertake. But an official mission, a meeting with the leader of the ongoing Confederate resistance, masks the secret one, and Joseph is accompanied on his journey south by Lincoln’s young security advisor who has orders to kill him. Those orders, of course, do not come from the president. Aided by his former mistress, Joseph fights his way through expected and unexpected obstacles to reach a resolution that is both surprising and rewarding.

[Nae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved this book. The author calls it "revisionist historical fiction." I call one heck of a fascinating read. Basically, Abraham Lincoln did not die at Ford's theater, he was saved by his bodyguard, whose parents were white/Indian. The South is still rebelling with guerrilla warfare and the North has instituted what they call a "draft" that takes southern children to be forced labor in northern factories ... and the story goes on from there. Fast paced, horribly believable of what "might have been" and even bearing subtle undertones that eerily sound like presentiments of what we currently face in our country's current political environment, this is one book I really enjoyed reading.