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The Accidental Spy #1

An Accidental Spy

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Some secrets change the world...

Once a privileged heiress, Annabelle Ross is now struggling to hold her home and her life together through the devastation of the War Between the States. But with a forced marriage and a desolate future on the horizon, her hopes are beginning to dwindle. When she discovers an encrypted note on a dying soldier, she seizes the opportunity to use it to deliver a message of her own. Instead, she’s mistaken for a spy and captured. Now her only chance to escape is the handsome soldier in charge of discovering her secrets.

After his brother is captured by enemy soldiers, Matthew Daniels vows to rescue him at any cost. When a secret society offers him a chance for retribution, Matthew must decide between his loyalties and his convictions. To prove himself, he’ll have to first unmask the spirited spy holding the key to their plans or risk losing his brother forever.

★ An Accidental Spy is a 2020 rewrite of the previously published title Leveraging Lincoln (The Liberator Series book one)

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 24, 2015

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887 people want to read

About the author

Stephenia H. McGee

30 books804 followers
Stephenia H. McGee is a multi-published author of stories of faith, hope, and healing set in the Deep South. She lives in Mississippi, where she is a mom of two rambunctious boys, writer, dreamer, and husband spoiler. Her novel The Cedar Key was a 2021 Faith, Hope, and Love Readers’ Choice award winner. A member of the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), she loves all things books and history. Stephenia also loves connecting with readers and can often be found having fun with her Faithful Readers Team on Facebook. For more on books and upcoming events and to connect with Stephenia, visit her at www.StepheniaMcGee.com.

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5 stars
308 (48%)
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214 (33%)
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85 (13%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
Profile Image for S.A. Krishnan.
Author 31 books236 followers
August 5, 2020
Enjoyable historic fiction
Annabelle is just trying to escape from the despicable suitor who has been arranged for her and she is trying to protect her inheritance both from plunderers and from being usurped. Her escape plans come in the form of Captain Mathew Daniels. The captain was a strong man, but he had been forced to act in a particular way because he had to protect his brother who had been caught.
Their story of how they manage it, forms the entire plot.
The characters have been etched beautifully well and in the backdrop of the Civil War, the settings of the story were so clearly explained that it seemed like watching the events for real.
Enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
2,377 reviews166 followers
April 29, 2017
"To get your brother back, you need leverage."

Captain Matthew Daniels never imagined that the kind of leverage he was being offered, in order to find his imprisoned brother George, was the kind that could cost him his life and misrepresent him as a traitor to the Confederacy. How could he have gotten himself mixed up in such a scheme? Not only that, a beautiful young woman, a "Miss Smith", has unknowingly gotten herself involved as well, serving as a messenger in a dangerous game of coded missives. The blond spitfire seems to straddling both sides of the same fence, what Daniels wants to know is, just what does she have in mind?

Annabelle Ross is desperate to escape her step-grandfather's nefarious plans for an arranged marriage to his despicable son, ultimately confiscating her inheritance, and ruining Annabelle's chances for the kind of future that her father wanted her to have. Already their once beautiful Mississippi plantation had been mercilessly plundered by Union troops, and more recently served as a makeshift hospital for the wounded on both sides of the nation's bloody civil war. Her only hope arrives in the form of a delivery, hopefully sending her closer to her true uncle who can save her from the clutches of an unwanted suitor. How could she have known the cyclone of events that would ensue or that a face from her past would continually resurface?

"Leveraging Lincoln" is really quite fascinating, as the author skillfully weaves a complicated web of conspiracy in and out of history, with both fictional and actual characters intersecting beautifully in a tale that could easily be believable. What a great story, . . . . which has only just begun.
Profile Image for Jeanne Alfveby Crea.
986 reviews109 followers
May 27, 2018
After reading Stephenia H. McGee's delightful Her Place in Time, the novella with a few of the same characters, I had to start this series! I love how the author captures sentiments from the civil war, that are also timeless to today. Division is nothing new, but there is always hope we can learn from history. I was immediately rooting for Matthew & Annabelle, and Annabelle's surrogate mother Peggy. I am looking forward to the adventure sure to be found in the next two stories in this series.
Profile Image for Lindsay Jacobs.
316 reviews3 followers
May 4, 2024
Such a clever historical fiction! Set during the Civil War from a Confederate perspective. Fast paced and well written.
Profile Image for Crystal Caudill.
Author 8 books544 followers
May 3, 2016
This book is a must read for those who love historical fiction set in the Civil War Era. Mrs. McGee does a marvelous job of interweaving the historical facts of the John Wilkes Booth’s conspiracy to assassinate President Lincoln and “what if.”

If you struggle with Civil War novels not having a fair view of Southerners or sometimes Northerners, this novel does a fantastic job of balancing both. There is no strictly good guy or back guy when it comes to Confederates and Yankees, although this book is distinctly written from the Southern perspective. Both sides have very realistic evil qualities and very real honorable qualities.

Annabelle is a strong female character with very human faults who manages to get herself entangled in a scheme of national proportion as she tries to save her plantation from the greedy fingers of a step-grandfather. As a reader, you love her spunk and level-headedness. The woman is a survivor and has the spunk to endure the realities of a devastated South.

Captain Matthew Daniels is a man whose loyalty and honor are admirable but also lead him into his own entanglement with those of less than honorable intentions. He is a hero a head above the rest (and if you read the book, you will get my little pun). His fierce loyalty to his brother and his determination to rescue the older brother whom he looks up to are qualities which will make you admire him.

This first book of the series is mainly focused on the entanglement of both the hero and heroine into Booth’s conspiracy and the unfolding of the first attempt on Lincoln’s life. The story is action packed, moves a good clip, and is completely satisfying in the adventure aspect. The budding romance between Annabelle and Matthew is slow and acts more as a subplot to the action around it. It is believable and something the reader looks forward to in the next book of the series.

If you are into history and a realistic Southern view of the Civil War this is a great series to pick up. It has a mixture of everything desired in a novel. I, for one, loved the detail and the Southern view realistically applied. I highly recommend you purchase this book.

*I was given a free copy of this e-book in exchange for my honest opinion, which you have read above.*
Profile Image for Zelma.
216 reviews11 followers
November 11, 2015
Very nice book, this is the first book I have ever read by Stephenia H. McGee. I am very impressed. Very easy to read. Characters are well developed. Starts out with Annabelle working on her plantation during the civil war. Her home was converted to a hospital, most of her furniture taken from the soldiers. She was left the plantation with the stipulation she had to get married then it would be transferred into her new husbands name because a woman owning land just wasn't done. Her Grandfather wanted her to marry her uncle "Not by blood but by marriage" who is quite a bit older than she is. But in the mean time she meets Matthew who is trying to get his brother set free from a prisoner camp. I don't want to mention more due to spoilers but which man will Annabelle choose, the one she was arranged to marry or this new mystery man, and is there more to the story with Matthew, Booth, and President Lincoln? Lots of twists and turns, I even love Annabelle's servant Peggy, I just have to laugh esp with the scene of her trying to ride a horse. I can't wait to read how the story continues in Losing Lincoln Next summer!
Profile Image for Audrey.
1,792 reviews81 followers
October 1, 2016
Annabelle's grandfather threatens to force her into a marriage to a man she detests. Unwilling for it she runs away and unwittingly ends up in a spy ring with a conspiracy to kidnap president Lincoln. Annabelle faces much danger and Captain Matthew Daniels tries to protect her. Can she trust him? This is a fantastic story of the Civil War from the Southerners perspective.
Profile Image for Sherry Ledet.
254 reviews6 followers
May 8, 2016
I received this book as a gift from the author for a review. Leveraging Lincoln is written by Stephenia H. McGee. It is set in the last months of the War Between The States. If you like to read love stories written in this period you will enjoy this book.
Profile Image for Jill Derrick.
254 reviews3 followers
August 2, 2017
Great read

The story line is amazing. The civil war stories were so realistic and I have read many books that agree. So anxious to continue the story and follow the remarkable characters.
Profile Image for Andrea Boyd.
Author 28 books265 followers
November 27, 2015
Leveraging Lincoln is an intriguing tale with many plot twist that will keep you moving forward, wondering what will happen next.
Profile Image for Deena Adams.
493 reviews113 followers
April 29, 2020
If you love historical fiction set in Civil War times, this is a must read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Very well written and engaging.
Profile Image for Joleen.
2,686 reviews1,227 followers
August 16, 2025
I used to be a member of a Civil War round table and one of the main speakers had an evening about the kidnapping attempt of President Lincoln. Interestingly John Wilkes Booth was a part of that, actually he was the ring leader. John Surratt Jr., a Confederate spy and courier, became a key figure in Booth's plot, recruiting co-conspirators and inviting them to meetings at his mother's boardinghouse in Washington, D.C.

This book's two main characters, Matthew Daniels and Annabelle Ross were caught up in this event.

Matthew Daniels was one of David O'Malley's recruits into Surratt's plot on the promise that O’Malley would help him retrieve Matthew's brother from a federal prison camp. However, he didn’t know the extent of what O’Malley and Surratt's group were actually planning. O'Malley's other promise was that this would end the war sooner.

On the other hand, Annabelle Ross was accidentally entangled in this plot. She was picked up by soldiers for having the "wrong password" as she was trying to deliver to a confederate soldier a message found on a dead soldier at her home. But this sadly ended her in custody as a spy.

It was fascinating how many times Annabelle was either in custody or running for her life, or trapped in everybody else’s plans for their future, dragging her along. It turns out both parents of Matthew Daniels and Annabelle Ross had made an agreement of marriage to one of the Daniels brothers when she was only a young girl. It became Matthew‘s mission to bring her to his brother, George, to finalize that agreement.

What a fun ride. Serious, but still fun.

This was an audiobook, but I won’t rate the book by how the narrator read it. She wasn’t bad, just a bit dramatic a bit. It wasn’t enough of a distraction to take away from how good the book was.

Now, was it Christian fiction? I’m not sure. I would say not specifically, but it was clear. There were Christian morals involved.

The book is part of a serial, so it ended abruptly, or I should say, there was no end. The rest of the story is in the following two books.
Profile Image for Lisa.
1,110 reviews51 followers
November 19, 2020
I listened to the audiobook on audible that is the first in the trilogy of The Accidental Spy. Annabelle Ross is just the kind of young lady who finds the backbone to stand up to her wretched, abusive step-grandfather and his schemes to have Rosswood Plantation for his own. I am glad Annabelle took matters into her own hands, even if they led her down an unexpected path. This path is the cliffhanger for the second book, A Dangerous Performance.

Peggy Annabelle's maid, was a sassy, insightful lady who made me laugh. Her mannerisms and speech were just what was needed to provide humor in the story and guidance for Annabelle. While she is limited in her role as a maid in the 1860's, she doesn't take much from anyone and doesn't back down. I look forward to seeing what she is going to do to help Annabelle.

I found the time just flew by as I was caught up listening to the events and misfortunes of Annabelle Ross. I am sure book two and three will be just as exciting!

Thank you to the author for an audiobook version. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions of this review are my own.
Profile Image for Victoria.
212 reviews32 followers
April 19, 2024
I've had this book on my shelf for a while and now I wish I'd read it earlier. And also I wish I'd known that the series was one continuous story so I could've sourced the other books in the series before starting because now I don't know how it ends! This story was arresting right from the start and I immediately became very invested in both lead characters. Secrets spy rings during the American Civil War made for a very interesting plot. Annabelle is a lovable character though a little clueless at the beginning. I really liked Matthew especially watching his character and convictions change and grow. The romance is a little lighter than other Stephenia H Mcgee books I've read and no romance should ever end without a kiss! But given the overall series storyline, I expect to be well compensated with many kisses in the next two books! Overall a great book and now I have to go find the other two books so that I can finish their story!
282 reviews8 followers
May 16, 2018
I read this book about a week ago and its one of those books that you keep thinking about. If you like Civil War historical romance with suspense, plot to kidnap the president, murder plots and your heroine keeps being accused of being a spy by the Yanks & the Rebs then this book is for you. The hero? All he's trying to do is free his rebel brother from a yankee prison camp and finds more trouble than he bargained for - not counting trying to save the heroine. This is also a fun read with some humor thrown in.

This is my first book by Stephenia H. McGee but definitely won't be my last one. I received this book from the author with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions are my own and I highly recommend this author and Leveraging Lincoln. Looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
70 reviews
August 9, 2020
I did enjoy the story at first because it reminded me of when I'd seen the movie about Mary Surratt and the conspiracy to kidnap Lincoln. I very much dislike books that make you have to go out and buy even one more to get the story wrapped up and this one seems to leave you hanging twice since it's a 3 book series and this one has already left me hanging as to the outcome of the Captain and Annabelle and whether George is alive or not. Also what happened to the conspirators (since many of them in this book were fictional, other than John Wilkes Booth, and John and Mary Surratt). I'm curious, but not enough to make me go out and buy two more books to find out the answers and possibly still not get them.
Profile Image for Christina Sinisi.
Author 8 books577 followers
July 9, 2023
I respect the respectful way the author wrote this book. So many people don't know, or choose to ignore and forget, the terrible things that happened during the American Civil War. So many people want it to just go away, blot the South from history, but I wish they wouldn't.

Start with...slavery is bad. Was before the American South existed, and still is. But there was so much more...and some of the tactics used by the North, in particular, were terrible.

Not that the book is lopsided in any way. The romance is interesting as well...but I will say the heroine got on my nerves a bit. I'm not going to finish the 2nd book in the series because I lost interest when the heroine didn't trust the hero, yet again.

Still, I think there is a lot to be said of the insightful writing here.
Profile Image for Terri.
910 reviews
July 25, 2022
Part 1 of 3.
What an amazing historical book about a young woman that gets caught up in a spy ring while just trying to save her home and land. This book is fiction but pulls in true history to mingle within. It is a 3 part series so book one leaves us wanting the rest of the story and I know book two will do the same but it is a great story and I am loving it. There is danger and mysteries and of course the question of who is the good guy and can they be trusted as well as how things were for women during the civil war era. It is action-packed so it keeps you guessing what will happen next. I loved it and recommend it as long as you are aware it is a 3 part book.
356 reviews5 followers
January 25, 2018
An exciting story during the Civil War

Well written and plotted out. The trials and tribulations of the three main characters are well plotted and thought out. It is nice to see the strength the war has made of the heroine. The historical facts put in play make for a believable tale. The slow paced romance between Annabelle and Daniel move the story along and entice the reader to the next nook on the series. I know that I'm going to order it. I also caught only 2 errors in wording and not like the glaring and distracting one on other books. Thanks.
Profile Image for Anne Wise.
398 reviews9 followers
February 6, 2020
Anything by this author is a jewel

I was taken by surprise and entirely fascinated by the plot of this story. At first I couldn’t believe it possible because it seemed too farfetched but by the end of the book, I became a believer that this could have actually happened. As usual I loved the characters this author creates, especially Captain Matthew Daniels and although the heroine is quite headstrong and even silly at times she is quite believable for the time she may have lived in.
1,247 reviews3 followers
August 12, 2020
Well-written and researched historical Civil War spy adventure with a lovely cover in this clean novel. Always love author's books but couldn't help but to be disappointed after reading it all night to discover that it is to be continued. As someone who prefers closure or stand-alone books, I somehow felt duped. Otherwise, related to quality of writing, research and plot, it is of a five-star rating for those who enjoy this genre.
831 reviews3 followers
September 24, 2020
Riveting

Enjoyed seeing Matthew and Miss Belle interact and their growth in trusting each other. Peggy is a smart cookie especially when discerning people and their hearts. It was war and the descriptions of the battles may be too much for some readers as they are somewhat graphic but do accurately describe what is was like. Only negative is that story continues in the next book.
970 reviews4 followers
April 14, 2022
A Cliffhanger Ending

I'm having trouble reviewing this book. On one hand, it has an interesting plot and I will probably read the second book to find out what happens next. On the other hand, I wish the author had given us more of an ending for this book. I also wish the characters had been more complex and that McGee had explored the main characters' ambivalence toward the war.
Profile Image for Linda.
Author 10 books35 followers
December 31, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this Civil War novel. I am already reading the second in the series. The author wove an engrossing story through the real life events of the war as the heroine seeks to reclaim her inheritance and gets swept up in a spy ring. The hero wants to save his brother, a prisoner of war. Their paths converge and they must figure it out. I learned new things about this difficult time of our nation.
49 reviews
September 27, 2025
This author never disappoints

She has done it again. I've loved all of her civil war books. Some have been difficult to read because of the tragedies of war but always well worth the sadness they elicit. The characters are believable. The plots interesting. I love the fact that the language is clean and the storyline pure. I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
Profile Image for Loretta.
386 reviews
May 1, 2018
Takes place during the Civil War. Most of the south has been destroyed and plantations taken over by the north. Rosswood was turned into a hospital where Annabelle Ross helped the wounded. This story was written as fact and fiction about how Annabelle got involved with Lincoln. It's a very much want to keep reading up to the end!
88 reviews
August 17, 2023
This is the first of a trilogy that leaves you wanting more. It ends in a cliffhanger and everything before that is a wonderful piece of historical reality/fiction about the ending of the Civil War and how it effects both North and South. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next installment!!
83 reviews4 followers
May 15, 2024
First time reading anything by Stephenia H. McGee and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Civil war historical fiction is my favorite genre. I feel like this book had a different take on the war than anything else I have read. It held my attention and was a quick read for me. I would definitely recommend this book and author to my friends! And I am looking forward to continuing the story.
Profile Image for Jana Johnson.
30 reviews
June 2, 2024
Loved this!
Set in the Civil War era and around the presidency of Lincoln. The added fiction to the historical time period was fun! I enjoyed the adventure and mystery. It wasn’t loaded with romance, but enough to be sweet. And now I’m left on a cliff hanger! I want to know what happens for the characters! Soooooo on I go to the second book in this series.
Profile Image for Megan Hamsher.
81 reviews33 followers
March 12, 2017
Leveraging Lincoln
(Liberator series, Book #1)
By Stephenia H. McGee

If you're after realistic historical fiction in the Civil War era,
put Stephenia McGee's Liberator series on your wishlist!

With a colorful cast of characters and multiple plots going, you won't want to stop after reading the first book.

....and in a few moments Annabelle found herself trailing a group of soldiers,
who were more likely to be spies, into a cold morning
and down the road that would lead her ever farther from home.
e-book version, page 203

...."I don't like the looks of what's goin' on here.
Something's up with this whole thing.
They's plannin' somethin'.
I just know it."
Peggy
E-book version, page 257

Annabelle is strong, stubborn, and a challenge to men.
Peggy is the nosy friend who always knows how to get to the truth (and a lousy horseback rider).
Matthew is a soldier who will fight for those he loves ...
even if he is branded a traitor and deserter to do it.
Other characters fall in the "love to hate" category,
such as "Grandfather" and O'Malley.

From a plantation used as a field hospital to battle to the 2nd inauguration of Lincoln,
each plays a part in the future of a country that hangs on a thread....

I'm looking forward to reading the other two books in this series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews

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