When the Missouri Ran Red: A Novel of the Civil War

by Jim R. Woolard

In a powerful Civil War epic coursing with raw human drama, award-winning author and master historian Jim R. Woolard forges a young man’s harrowing coming-of-age journey from Confederate captive to Union prisoner to unchained force of vengeance during the most controversial episode in American history…

Autumn, 1864. Rebel bushwhackers have seized and looted a small town in Missouri. Wounded and left for dead by his half-brother, seventeen-year-old Owen Wainwright is captured and conscripted by the Confederate Army. As the troops’ blacksmith, he witnesses the horrors of war the savagery of General Selby’s Iron Brigade, the massacres of Union troops, the bloody battles at Lexington, Westport, and Mine Creek. Against all odds, Owen survives with the help of an unlikely ally—a new friend in arms and the only person he trusts. But if fate is cruel, war can be crueler . . .



Caught in the crossfire of a deadly Yankee ambush, Owen is arrested and jailed in a Union prison. Beaten and brutalized by guards, he begins to give up hope—until a U.S. marshal comes to him with an unusual offer. Owen’s traitorous half-brother is wanted for murder. If Owen agrees to help the U.S. marshal infiltrate the Texas winter camp of Confederate guerillas—and bring his brother to justice—Owen will have both his freedom and his revenge. But the risks are great. The price of getting caught is death.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Civil War, Historical, Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published September 28, 2021

Reviews

[Lydia Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great history lesson and so well written. Paul Lane I am looking forward to reading more of your novels.

This novel is set in the days of the American Civil war in the state of Missouri. The area was mixed as whether to support or not support the south's decision to secede from the union and the war begins. Paul Lane put a lot of research in this novel. The tragedy of a family destroyed by a war they didn't want. He is a vividly descriptive storyteller. I am not even a history buff, but I really enjoyed this journey. A must real.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woodlard did an amazing job with "When The Missouri Ran Red". The wealth of information and placement of it really immerses you in the story. His main character, Owen Wainwright's, growth from childhood naivety to manhood is such an interesting adventure that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this in a good reads giveaway I enjoyed it a lot

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel satisfies on many levels. It details a small glimpse of the Civil War in the Western theater, an aspect overlooked by most authors. The author delves into detailed descriptions of everything in the narrative, including the components of the meals consumed. The characters in the story are all believable, down to the last detail. The plot, while somewhat complicated, is very realistic and believable. Overall a worthy effort and well worth the time spent.

[Alexand Niles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not something I’d normally pick out but was intrigued enough to give it a go! Although it was a slower paced book for me, it was great storytelling all around and the details helped fill the world.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Kensington Publishing and Netgalley to allowing me to read this ARC I almost quit this book before I got started when the author seemed to refer to William Quantrill as a Jayhawker in his preface. I’m glad that I continued because I found it enjoyable and well researched. It did an excellent job of capturing the turmoil and division in Civil War Missouri. The main character is Owen Wainwright, a very likable young man growing up in Sedalia, Missouri working in his uncle’s hotel. The coming of age story begins with Owen joining the local Union militia company in time for the Confederate cavalry’s siege and capture of the town. Captured by Gen. Joe Shelby’s Iron Brigade he serves as clerk and blacksmith for the scouts. In this capacity he is witness to several raids and battles. But the story also reveals stories of ordinary civilian life in a war torn state. Throughout the book we see that there are good men and bad on both side of the conflict. Owen has hopes of returning to his home and girl, when with a cruel twist of fate, he is caught in an ambush and captured by Union troops. A corrupt system misidentifies him and he is thrown into a Union prison where he is brutalized by guards. Nearly giving up hope he is released by a U.S. Marshall with an unusual request, help him capture or kill Owen’s half-brother and other criminals who are involved with Confederate guerrillas on the run for Texas. This gives us an interesting look at the work of law officers of the period. Throw in a love story and I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in history and the Civil War.

[Bryan D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow is all my vocabulary skill allows. When the Missouri Ran Red maybe my new favorite of Jim R. Wollard overtaking Morgan’s Raid. He not only tells a damn good story, he also educates one on the historical time that is empty in today’s writing that I have encountered. I was checking out map locations on my phone while reading the story. Each chapter has been greatly framed by Woolard that the reader after finishing one chapter wants to go to the next chapter! Just like the old time radio and early TV shows had cliff hangers, Woolard is able to duplicate this in his fashion in each chapter making the whole read a complete enjoyment and wanting more! Can’t wait for the next book!

[Jame_EReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Goodreads giveaway, Jim R Woolard and Kensington Publishing for this wonderful book in exchange for my honest review.
Jim R Woolard/author has given an extensive information about this well-written coming of age book about Owen Wainwright during the American Civil war. I love history and this book is a great fictional read for history buff who wanted to know more about the confederate union and Yankees.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea half these things happened but I'm so glad I read it! Civil war buffs will love this like I did no doubt! War, family and the choice some made cozy many people their lives. This book totally blew me away and I'm definitely looking forward to reading more books in this genre and by This author!

[CC Sanders · Rating 2 out of 5]

Civil War Missouri is genuinely one of the most chaotic and underwritten periods in American history. This book had every right to be something.
I glossed over this one and I genuinely could not figure out why I was struggling, because I love this era. The guerilla warfare, the bushwhackers, Missouri torn between Union and Confederate sympathies, civilians caught in actual crossfire. It should have had me. And then I started paying attention to what exactly was making me slide off it.
The historical texture is there. The research is solid. But the prose is doing this 19th-century formal narrator thing, Owen writing as an old man looking back, and all the urgency just... drains out of it. Everything is described from a distance. Not felt. And after a while I realised I was reading a plot summary of events that happened to someone, not inside a person experiencing them.
Then there's Lance. The villain. (Are you seriously telling me we're doing this.) Half-brother with a violent father, so at least the backstory exists on paper, but the text does absolutely nothing with it. He is simply mean. Mean at ten, mean at seventeen, mean until he gets shot and the book goes "the world is better with him gone" and moves on. No interrogation of what the same brutal father did to both of them. No moment where you understand his logic, even a terrible logic. He's a walking obstacle with red hair.
The women are decorative. Laura is described almost entirely through her physical features and through how she makes Owen feel, and Morgan (the more interesting character, a girl disguised as a boy soldier) exists mainly to die meaningfully. Both of them are in service of Owen's story, not their own.
What I keep coming back to is that this book has all the right ingredients for something genuinely interesting about what war does to civilian loyalty, about how geography and family can pull you in opposite directions when a conflict has no clean lines, about what it means to fight under a flag you don't fully believe in. And it gestures at all of that. It just never actually asks the hard question. Everything resolves. Owen becomes a judge. The epilogue is warm. The war ends and life goes on nicely.
Civil War Missouri deserves a book that refuses to let you off the hook. This isn't it.

[Cam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A coming of age story set during the civil war, Woolard creates a good story filled with human drama, filled with amazing historical detail.

The fall of 1864. Rebel bushwhackers have seized and looted a small town in Missouri. Wounded and left for dead by his half-brother, seventeen-year-old Owen Wainwright is captured and conscripted by the Confederate Army. He witnesses the horrors of war firsthand: the savagery of General Selby’s Iron Brigade, the massacres of Union troops, the bloody battles at Lexington, Westport, and Mine Creek.

Against all odds, Owen survives and is taken captive by the Union, thrown in a Union prison, beaten and giving up hope, he is made an offer. If he will help the US Marshals find his brother in Texas, and bring him to justice, he will earn his freedom.

The risks are great. If caught, he will face certain death.

This was an amazing civil war story and for civil war buffs, this is a must read. Although the meticulous attention to historical battles can be a bit dry, I enjoyed learning more about them.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to receive an ARC of this story, I am born, raised and have lived in Missouri my whole 64 years. I have done some research of the Civil War in Missouri plus toured the Battleground in Springfield and the Lexington sites. But nothing I had seen or done could have shown or let me experience what the actual soldiers, prisoners and families went through as this wonderful historical fiction did.
The war scene descriptions were excellent and the storyline was easy to follow. Now to the con. I didn’t enjoy the last of the book as much as I had the first 75%. I also felt the romance scenes were sometimes out of place, but looking at the book as a complete work, I would highly recommend. A great depiction of the Civil War, one of the Wars I haven’t read as much about.
I received an ARC from Kensington Books along with NetGalley for my honest review. This one comes in with 4 stars.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review is for When the Missouri Ran Red by Jim R Woolard.

First things first-I love the cover art; good curb appeal.

The story itself is divided into 5 parts. I found the first 2 parts; basically the first third of the book (100 pages out of a 294 page book) rather slow; slow enough that I wasn't sure about continuing the read.

But, I did continue and overall I'm glad I did. The storyline picked up; the characters filled out which then caused me to become invested in them.

I do recommend this book, but because of the slower beginning I'm giving this 3 stars.

Full Disclaimer: I was provided a complimentary copy of this book as a Goodreads giveaway winner; received in hardcover print format; in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating System:
* not worth finishing, ** would not recommend, *** would recommend, **** would highly recommend, ***** have/would read again.

[Star Gater · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ask and you shall receive. I was seeking nonWW II historical fiction books when I saw on NetGalley and requested to read this Civil War novel.

The story centers around a young man who throughout grows up due to life circumstances; coming of age. Without spoiling, I appreciated the ending when he was able to make it home. I was satisfied when I closed my Kindle.

There are no epic battles. It's day-to-day tasks like a western. Details of camp, horses, bathing, and personal relationships are written so well, I could smell the coffee.

I would recommend this for civil war reading enthusiasts as a gift.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for accepting my request to read and review When the Missouri Ran Red.

#NetGalley
#KensingtonBooks
#WhenTheMissouriRanRed
#JimRWoolard
#HistoricalFiction

[Jean-Luc · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful historical novel taking place at the tail-end of the American Civil War, a richly detailed tapestry of the bloodiest episodes of the conflict that took place in Missouri at the time. Cleverly plotted and blessed with some very colorful characters & some unforgettable battle scenes, this rollicking & truculent novel should definitely not be missed by anyone interested in 19th century American military history.
Higly recommended and to be enjoyed without any moderation whatsoever 👍

Many thanks to Netgalley and Kensington for this terrific ARC

[Julie Pint · Rating 3 out of 5]

A coming of age novel set in the Civil War. As a history geek, I was thrilled to win this from Goodreads. The book is filled with many details and that often bogged the book down. There is a definite story here and it has great potential. Two brothers on different sides with one only looking out for himself. One of the things I enjoyed was not only the telling of the history of a part of the Civil War era, but also a bit of family history in the sharing of important “pieces” that were treasured in our protagonists family. It brings things full circle.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book presented civil war in Missouri in a new light. Missouri towns were ravaged by north and south alike. The bushwhacked joined the south and added their own extra violence. Being a border state, Missouri towns were only afforded small inadequate protection or their own militias made up of old men and youngsters who had not gone to war. Owen Wainright was shot by a stray bullet. His murderous, thieving half- half brother shot his dog. The animosity between them would only grow. There was bound to be a bad ending. Excellent.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a free copy of this book by goodreads and Jim R Woolard. This was greatly appreciated as this was a very interesting book to read. The book was well written with interesting characters and great character development. I felt many emotions while reading this book. It was easy to feel what the characters were feeling. If you are a fan of history and/or the Civil War, you will like this book. I am already looking into other books by Jim R Wollard.

[DianeLikesToRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is perfect for Civil War buffs and people who want to know more about the war. I did not know about any of these events until I read this. It is a well researched novel. had no idea half these things happened but I'm so glad I read it! I'm definitely looking forward to reading more books in this genre and by this author.
Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Livvy June · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first Historical fiction that I didn't DNF and actually enjoyed!
The beginning was very grabbing but I will say around 100 pages there were soooo many characters like 30 plus characters to remember and it was confusing but once the characters narrowed down I finally understood and liked it.
The ending was very fast but I liked how it ended.
Overall I would recommend it to anyone who likes Historical fiction and people new to the genre!

[Francis Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. Great characters and a compelling story. Imo, although tactics and troop movements are necessary, the author had a few too many for my liking. I also thought it hard to believe that Owen, Morgan, and her father would be on patrol with Lance. But the action, plot, and characterizations were very authentic, and I definitely recommend it.

[Donald Paulsrud · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book with some very interesting characters. It has enough history in it to satisfy most history buffs and it is written well enough to satisfy novel lovers as well. (It is a human story woven around historical events at the end of the Civil War.) This is the 1st book I have read that was written by Woolard and I look forward to reading some of his other work.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Civil War novel with great characters and a plot that keeps you reading. Morgan was a favorite of mine. Definitely added to the plot. Seemed like there wasn’t possibly a happy ending for Owen but the author makes it end in a perfect way.

[Aletha Pagett · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novel of the civil war had a great story line but I struggled to stay engaged. There seemed to be a lot of excess verbage and description which made it difficult to continue reading. This book was received from Goodreads.

[Sam Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

#WhentheMissouriRanRed #NetGalley
Thanks Net Galley for ARC!

A very mild story. Very. I was lured by "Missouri bushwhackers" and found my most hated type of character - whitehat naive do-gooder among them. Great prose, but young Owen is much too sweet for me.

[Kenneth Guillaume · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible story, I recommend getting at least half way through the story before setting it down (if you’re so inclined to do so). Let the author build the plot then you will finish the reading 175 pages in an evening as I had.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of a young man in Missouri during the American Civil War. He started out as a Union supporter, was then captured by the Confederates and served with them in a non combatant role and was then returned to his home. An interesting read about the war, but slow moving.

[Joshua · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent historical novel that focuses on a young man and his experiences during the Civil War. It is written in the first person and provides a lot of historical detail. I would recommend this book to anyone that is interested in Civil War history or historical fiction in general.

[Kimberly Amos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rather enjoyed this story. It read very much like a military strategy book, but with just enough excitement to keep you moving along. I'd recommend this for anyone interested in the Civil War, especially if you weren't familiar with the Midwest's involvement.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic story (and history lesson). Brutal life, brutal choices to be made.

this was a goodreads giveaway