What do you think?
Rate this book
Women Spies #2
Underground: Spies and Traitors in Lincoln's War
Some might call them heroes. Others consider them traitors.
The Women Spies books feature remarkable women who use daring, skill, and, yes, a bit of flirtation, to advance their cause and can be read in any order.
As the Civil War threatens to tear the nation apart, four women--a slave, a seductress, a soldier, and a spy--are willing to risk everything they have, except their convictions.
Hattie Lewis is one of the Pinkerton National Detective Agencies first female employees, but she is tired of playing a minor role in a man's world. When her boss asks her to accompany his top operative on a mission behind enemy lines, she readily accepts. But the mission threatens to have dire consequences for them both.
Although Mary Jane was born a slave, her mistress, Elizabeth (Miss Lizzie) Van Lew, always had other plans for her, including loaning her services to Jefferson Davis's household. Mary Jane soon becomes privy to the inner most operations of the Confederate government, which she then passes on to Miss Lizzie via her contacts in the Richmond Underground. When a secret from Mary Jane's past is revealed, she wonders if she will ever be able to free herself from Miss Lizzie's grasp.
Despite her name, Belle Boyd is no typical Southern woman. As she watches her father and cousins rush to join the Confederacy, she longs to do her own part. After realizing she isn't cut out for nursing, Belle resorts to using her coquettish charms to ferret information from occupying Yankees. But, after she is thrown into jail and threatened with the noose, will she finally realize her actions have consequences?
When Loreta Velasquez's husband is killed in a training drill, she decides to avenge his death by joining the Confederate Army. Disguised as a soldier named Harry T. Buford, Loreta participates in the battles of Bull Run, Shiloh, and Ball's Bluff. But when the hardships she experiences do not quench her thirst for glory, Loreta conceives a plan for the South's last chance to win the war.
Told from the viewpoints of these real-life women--both Confederate and Union--Underground:Traitors and Spies in Lincoln's War is an absorbing tale of love, loyalty, and liberation.
The Women Spies books feature remarkable women who use daring, skill, and, yes, a bit of flirtation, to advance their cause and can be read in any order.
As the Civil War threatens to tear the nation apart, four women--a slave, a seductress, a soldier, and a spy--are willing to risk everything they have, except their convictions.
Hattie Lewis is one of the Pinkerton National Detective Agencies first female employees, but she is tired of playing a minor role in a man's world. When her boss asks her to accompany his top operative on a mission behind enemy lines, she readily accepts. But the mission threatens to have dire consequences for them both.
Although Mary Jane was born a slave, her mistress, Elizabeth (Miss Lizzie) Van Lew, always had other plans for her, including loaning her services to Jefferson Davis's household. Mary Jane soon becomes privy to the inner most operations of the Confederate government, which she then passes on to Miss Lizzie via her contacts in the Richmond Underground. When a secret from Mary Jane's past is revealed, she wonders if she will ever be able to free herself from Miss Lizzie's grasp.
Despite her name, Belle Boyd is no typical Southern woman. As she watches her father and cousins rush to join the Confederacy, she longs to do her own part. After realizing she isn't cut out for nursing, Belle resorts to using her coquettish charms to ferret information from occupying Yankees. But, after she is thrown into jail and threatened with the noose, will she finally realize her actions have consequences?
When Loreta Velasquez's husband is killed in a training drill, she decides to avenge his death by joining the Confederate Army. Disguised as a soldier named Harry T. Buford, Loreta participates in the battles of Bull Run, Shiloh, and Ball's Bluff. But when the hardships she experiences do not quench her thirst for glory, Loreta conceives a plan for the South's last chance to win the war.
Told from the viewpoints of these real-life women--both Confederate and Union--Underground:Traitors and Spies in Lincoln's War is an absorbing tale of love, loyalty, and liberation.
349 pages, ebook
Published September 13, 2018
262 people are currently reading
332 people want to read
About the author
Kit Sergeant
17 books98 followersLike her character Addy in Thrown for a Curve, Kit has a practically useless degree in marine biology. A teacher by profession and at heart, she loves to impart little-known facts and dares you to walk away from one of her "light-hearted" chick-lit books without learning at least one new thing. Kit's female leads are all intelligent, strong, and stand fine on their own... but then again, a Prince Charming waiting in the background is always appreciated. As long as he puts the toilet seat down.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 11, 2018
well written lots of history good book for civil war history lovers
March 3, 2019
This is a book based on real people and real events. There are fiction parts to fill out the story of these women. There are four women featured: Hattie (pro-North, works for Pinkerton Agency); Belle (a pro-South Southern Bell, works as a spy); Mary Jane (black slave, works as a spy for a pro-North plantation woman) and Loretta, a pro-South women who disguises herself as a male and takes part in battles.
Hattie: She joins the Pinkerton Agency, helps protect President Lincoln in Maryland, works in Washington D.C., goes to Richmond to spy and gets in trouble there.
Belle: Quite headstrong she hates Lincoln and at school shoots the U.S. flag. She goes home, becomes a courier, has a history of spying and being arrested and even ends up on a blockade runner ship.
Mary Jane: This starts with her working on the plantation and then going to Jefferson Davis's home to serve as a spy for the Union. Her main advantage is the arrogance of Southern men who make the assumption that since Mary Jane is a black person she can neither read nor write. (It was illegal in the South to teach slaves to read or write.)
Loretta: She dresses as a man and actually takes part in some battles. She's eventually outed as being a woman and decides to become a spy.
More than one of the women ends up caught and in prison, by the way. Their individual stories are told quite well and it's very interesting to see just how passionate they were about their cause. This is where cultural history comes in since the women were raised in two different cultures, that of the North and that of the South. Some of these cultural differences continue right to the present day.
Hattie: She joins the Pinkerton Agency, helps protect President Lincoln in Maryland, works in Washington D.C., goes to Richmond to spy and gets in trouble there.
Belle: Quite headstrong she hates Lincoln and at school shoots the U.S. flag. She goes home, becomes a courier, has a history of spying and being arrested and even ends up on a blockade runner ship.
Mary Jane: This starts with her working on the plantation and then going to Jefferson Davis's home to serve as a spy for the Union. Her main advantage is the arrogance of Southern men who make the assumption that since Mary Jane is a black person she can neither read nor write. (It was illegal in the South to teach slaves to read or write.)
Loretta: She dresses as a man and actually takes part in some battles. She's eventually outed as being a woman and decides to become a spy.
More than one of the women ends up caught and in prison, by the way. Their individual stories are told quite well and it's very interesting to see just how passionate they were about their cause. This is where cultural history comes in since the women were raised in two different cultures, that of the North and that of the South. Some of these cultural differences continue right to the present day.
December 13, 2019
*SPOILER*
I loved this book it was easy to understand and follow even though each chapter was about a different character and continuing their story line. This story tells a lot about the lives of spies in the Civil war and what they had to do to survive. It was hard for me to put this book down it was well written and easy to follow each charecter's story line. I would recommend this story to readers who like to read historical fiction about the Civil War.
This book is about 4 different women- Loretta- women disguised as a man in the Confederate army after her husband died in training, Mary Jane- a slave who is free lives in confederate territory but for the union cause, Hattie- a union spy in the confederate working undercover for the Union good through Pinkerton Detective Agency, Belle- a true southern belle who spying for the Confederate side and man is she a pain and well know by both the Union and the Confederate soldiers.
Through out this books it tells each women's story and how they worked for their cause even when it was uncomfortable for them and they even served jail time over it sometimes.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved this book it was easy to understand and follow even though each chapter was about a different character and continuing their story line. This story tells a lot about the lives of spies in the Civil war and what they had to do to survive. It was hard for me to put this book down it was well written and easy to follow each charecter's story line. I would recommend this story to readers who like to read historical fiction about the Civil War.
This book is about 4 different women- Loretta- women disguised as a man in the Confederate army after her husband died in training, Mary Jane- a slave who is free lives in confederate territory but for the union cause, Hattie- a union spy in the confederate working undercover for the Union good through Pinkerton Detective Agency, Belle- a true southern belle who spying for the Confederate side and man is she a pain and well know by both the Union and the Confederate soldiers.
Through out this books it tells each women's story and how they worked for their cause even when it was uncomfortable for them and they even served jail time over it sometimes.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2019
The Ladies’ TURN
I was intrigued by this historical fiction novel that would follow four ladies who are spies during the Civil War. In general, I found it to be well written and engaging. However, the author did throw me with the use of modern terms in the book like newbie. I was so surprised to see that word in the first couple of pages; it certainly took me out of the moment. It drew me to research the word online; while the term “newie” was used in the 1830s, the term “newbie” wasn't really used until the Vietnam War. I was a fan of TURN on AMC, so I did find this to be an interesting read—except for the modern language in a work that is supposed to have at least have some basis in history. I did like that the author included a brief discussion of the historical basis for this story.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
I was intrigued by this historical fiction novel that would follow four ladies who are spies during the Civil War. In general, I found it to be well written and engaging. However, the author did throw me with the use of modern terms in the book like newbie. I was so surprised to see that word in the first couple of pages; it certainly took me out of the moment. It drew me to research the word online; while the term “newie” was used in the 1830s, the term “newbie” wasn't really used until the Vietnam War. I was a fan of TURN on AMC, so I did find this to be an interesting read—except for the modern language in a work that is supposed to have at least have some basis in history. I did like that the author included a brief discussion of the historical basis for this story.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
October 11, 2018
Although this book is interesting from a historical point of view, I found it a difficult one to read. I am not familiar with American history and found that I was unable to identify with the events surrounding the era. When faced with choices, one is inclined to take the easy way out, or at the very least ensure one's own preservation first. Sometimes that means that integrity slips. As in any war, there are two sides and fighting for what you believe always comes at a price. The book is well written, but painful reading. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
April 29, 2020
Seemed like it started in the middle of things I went back to checking hadn’t missed a chapter but then just went on from there. Good book. It seems I can follow the story Lin and characters well, but there is always just a short lapse that my brain has to take a breathe and think “ now which one is this? Oh, yeah. I remember...” Makes it a bit of a jerky read but still good.
Oh! The book is about the civil war and ladies who spied for north and south. It was interesting that they felt so absolutely strong on how they were different countries. Didn’t really get into the politics of what the divide was about but the passions of the people were described very well.
Oh! The book is about the civil war and ladies who spied for north and south. It was interesting that they felt so absolutely strong on how they were different countries. Didn’t really get into the politics of what the divide was about but the passions of the people were described very well.
February 17, 2019
A well written and informant book. If you are a history buff this book is for you. We know wartimes are dangerous, but this story is seen and written from a different perspective. All four women in this story are spys. And they will disguise themselves if need be to get information. They just want to do their part , and contribute to the cause. Lots of danger and excitement in civil war time. Excellent Read. I received this book for free from Ebook Discovery. I volunteered to review it and this is my honest review.
April 29, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I did think in one of the first scenes that they probably did not play the Star Spangled Banner when Lincoln was inaugurated. Even though it had been written, it was not made the National Anthem until much later. But overall, it was quite enjoyable and an easy read. I recommend the book and also think that this series on woman spies would be a great series to give to teen and preteen readers to get them interested in history. I had previously read "355" and would probably read other books in the series.
December 3, 2019
Underground: Traitors and Spies in the Civil War is the second book in the Women Spies series and is based on real people and events. The differences between these four women are very interesting since two were working for the South and the other two for the North. Some of the cultural and societal differences exist to this day.
I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 5, 2019
A lengthy and well written and thought out book. Great characters and storylines (obviously since it’s real life). Intriguing and captivating. I couldn’t put it down. It read as well as any fiction book I’ve read yet was full of historical fact and adventure. A story of two sides, of loyalty, friendship, love, and loss.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 14, 2022
SPIES RIGHT UNDER THEIR NOSES
I love books taking place during this time period, and this book was fascinating. It’s written as fiction but based on real people, and I found the stories of Mary Jane, Hattie, Belle and Loretta totally captivating. These women were spies during the Civil War, and reading about the things they went through to stand for what they believed in kept my interest from page one.
I love books taking place during this time period, and this book was fascinating. It’s written as fiction but based on real people, and I found the stories of Mary Jane, Hattie, Belle and Loretta totally captivating. These women were spies during the Civil War, and reading about the things they went through to stand for what they believed in kept my interest from page one.
February 27, 2019
So often in history women are not given their proper due. Only recently has this begun to change. I enjoyed the action and suspense as well as the dialogue and characters. I appreciated that both the Confederacy and the Union had main characters. I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery. I am voluntarily posting this review. This is my honest review.
February 21, 2019
This book is a history book, not uninteresting but not quite easy to read. But somebody that loves history will definitely find it interesting. "I received this book for free from eBook discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
May 9, 2020
This is another of my sister in law's interesting books about women spies in history. Her ability to research is amazing to me. She digs so deep. It's an interesting way to learn about the civil war from this perspective without reading dry history books.
April 15, 2021
Mildly entertaining
I love historical fiction but this read did not meet my expectations. The author followed several spies in the book. I found the prose amateurish. I apologize to the author. It just wasn't a very good read
I love historical fiction but this read did not meet my expectations. The author followed several spies in the book. I found the prose amateurish. I apologize to the author. It just wasn't a very good read
March 24, 2023
awesome
Must read for anyone looking for a well written, well researched, and serious minded reader. I learned a lot about the Civil War and women’s contributions on both sides. I would highly recommend. Couldn’t put it down!
Must read for anyone looking for a well written, well researched, and serious minded reader. I learned a lot about the Civil War and women’s contributions on both sides. I would highly recommend. Couldn’t put it down!
May 11, 2022
Not as good as the other books in this series, maybe because there wasn't much material to work with.
June 3, 2022
Civil War Women Spies
If you like historical novels the way I do, you should read all of Kit Sergeant's books. I learned a lot about the civil war reading her books.
If you like historical novels the way I do, you should read all of Kit Sergeant's books. I learned a lot about the civil war reading her books.
Read
January 14, 2023I enjoy history and thought this would be interesting. Sorry, but I got bored with it and finally quit after about 60%. I seldom do that, but it felt way to contrived.
July 9, 2019
This book tells the story of four women who went to extraordinary lengths to advance their respective causes during the American Civil War.
I didn't expect to have any sympathy for Loretta or Belle (not only were they for the Confederacy, they didn't seem to have the most pleasant personalities), but at some point I did end up feeling sympathy for them.
I found Hattie's story most engaging, and I admit my opinion of Pinkerton has dropped considerably after reading this. Mary Jane's story had the best sense of closure. The conclusion of Belle's story seemed a little open ended but was actually fitting for her story. I would have like one more chapter of Loretta's story to round things out a bit for her.
The book ends, not with the end of the war, but at the end of the women's service. It's not neat and tidy, but neither is life. Besides, the author's excellent notes about the women at the end ensure that the reader is not left hanging.
I've enjoyed the first two books in this series, and I look forward to the third.
I didn't expect to have any sympathy for Loretta or Belle (not only were they for the Confederacy, they didn't seem to have the most pleasant personalities), but at some point I did end up feeling sympathy for them.
I found Hattie's story most engaging, and I admit my opinion of Pinkerton has dropped considerably after reading this. Mary Jane's story had the best sense of closure. The conclusion of Belle's story seemed a little open ended but was actually fitting for her story. I would have like one more chapter of Loretta's story to round things out a bit for her.
The book ends, not with the end of the war, but at the end of the women's service. It's not neat and tidy, but neither is life. Besides, the author's excellent notes about the women at the end ensure that the reader is not left hanging.
I've enjoyed the first two books in this series, and I look forward to the third.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews