I really enjoyed this mystery set during the beginning of the civil war in Washington DC. One of the MCs is Abraham Lincoln which is way cool. I love the characters Adam Quinn and Sophie Gates. And the fact that Sophie lives in the Smithsonian towers is also way cool! There are spies, murder, romance, and lots of good stuff in this book.

The third book in the Lincoln White House series finds Adam Quinn once again investigating another murder— this time in the unfinished capital rotunda with the help of Sophie Gates and Constance Lemagne. The book explores issues of race and espionage in Washington during the early stages of the Civil War in a manner that is riveting. Each entry in this series is a revelation and fantastic read.

Murder at the Capitol, the third installment from the Lincoln's White House Mystery series, was a great read. I did not expect it to be that good. I recommend it.
Five stars.

It’s July,1861 in Washington, DC and political tensions are running high. There are thousands of troops in town, and President Lincoln is hoping for a decisive battle to bring the Civil War to a quick end.

The president’s confidant, Adam Quinn, is called to the Capitol the day after Independence Day when Congress reconvenes and a body is found hanging from a crane being used to construct the building’s dome. First impressions suggest a suicide, but Quinn’s keen eye along with assistance from journalist Sophie Gates and Dr. George Hilton’s detailed autopsy reveals the victim was murdered. Quinn and Gates are soon on the trail of what led to the murder and who killed the victim.

There are plenty of adventures in addition to solving the murder as Quinn and Gates help find the president’s missing sons and uncover a Southern female spy ring.

This historical is the third in a series and its intriguing premise, detailed historical research and interesting characters do not disappoint. I look forward to more tales of Quinn and Gates’ adventures and anticipate reading the first two books in the series as well.

Princess Fuzzypants here: It is the summer of 1861 and both sides in the Civil War are chomping at the bit for hostilities to start. Both sides hope to knock the other out with one gigantic victory and Washington is overrun with Union soldiers who have little to do but create chaos. But there are darker more nefarious forces at work in the Capitol. There are many Southern sympathizer in the city and some have chosen to be more active in their support of the South.
So when the body of a government worker is found hanging from the construction crane on the additions to the Capitol, once suicide is ruled out, it becomes the job of Adam, aide extraordinaire to Lincoln to find out what happened and what it means. Along the way he is ably abetted by two ladies and a black doctor. One turns out to be a great ally. One turns out to be a disappointment. One turns out to have so much more than what meets the eye. All will be put in grave danger before the villain is unmasked and brought to justice.
It’s an interesting historical tale that blends the factual with the fiction and examines the prevailing opinions of the time and challenges them as it flips them over. The characters are compelling. I love what the author has done with Lincoln in making him very human and real. All in all it was a cracking story that was a page turner.
Five purrs and two paws up.

This is the third book in a historical mystery series set at The White House in 1861, while Lincoln is president and the Civil War is the most current event.

I have not read the others in the series and I usually like to start such things at the beginning, so one thing is for sure: I liked this book so much that I will be seeking out books 1 and 2!

Character driven as well as plot driven, Murder at the Capitol was everything I like to read in a mystery wrapped up into a little package that was well worth my time!

Civil War between the States has started and a patent officer is found hanged in the Capitol. C.M. Gleason Adam Speed Quinn, detective to President Lincoln works with journalist Sophie Gates and black Dr. George Hilton to track the killer. Meanwhile Sophie finds out a social acquaintance is hiding a fatal secret, she is part black, and engaged to marry a man with slaves. In all the furor, Lincoln's sons go missing.. A complex tale in the middle of the chaos of war. Enjoy the puzzle whodunit.

A good historical mystery, an enjoyable and engrossing story.
I liked the well researched historical background, the solid mystery and the cast of characters.
I look forward to reading other books in this series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Murder At The Capitol is the third book in the Lincoln’s White House Mystery series.

It’s July 5th and the streets of Washington, D.C. are filled with revelers heading home from the July 4th celebration and soldiers awaiting orders to head off for their first major battle. A messenger has arrived at the White House with a message for President Lincoln’s confidant and friend, Adam Speed Quinn. Quinn is needed to report to the Capitol Building’s construction site. When he arrives he finds that there is a body hanging from the unfinished dome. He notices that his friend, Sophie Gates, an aspiring newspaper reporter, is there. He also sees Constance Lemange, a Southern belle and sympathizer, someone he has previously met. At first, it appears that the victim had committed suicide. Quinn engages Dr. Hilton to perform an autopsy. Once it is completed he has determined that it was murder. With the help of Sophie, Quinn sets off to learn who might have had it in for the victim.

I love historical mystery series and this one in particular. The author provides the reader with a view of what life was like for citizens at the beginning of the Civil War and for President Lincoln. The story is very well-written the characters are very interesting.

I’m anxiously awaiting the next book in this interesting and informative series.

In "Murder at the Capitol," C.M. Gleason’s third “Lincoln White House Mystery,” it’s 1861 - and the country is at war. A man is found hanged in the under-construction capitol building. We know he’s been murdered, it’s not suicide as someone would like us to believe. Adam Quinn, our series protagonist is called in as investigator.

Washington is a city besieged -- by northern soldiers. It’s going to be difficult to find a murderer in a city swelled to bursting. The dead man had apparently come in to some extra money -- probably not legally, ‘cause he’s dead, isn’t he. And of course Miss Sophie Gates, erstwhile journalist, since she was one that first came across the body is going to involve herself in figuring out the culprit. That makes it easy enough to involve Miss Gates in the story, Mr. Quinn’s thorn in his side.

Side stories involve Constance Lemagne, southern belle and aspiring southern spy. There’s Dr. Hilton -- who happens to be a free black man, not exactly the easiest of positions. He finds himself in trouble early, and it’s up to Constance to help him out, of all people. This is just an excuse by the author to set up another story, as you will come to see.

Then Sophie’s contacted by a young woman with a highly charged tale of woe of her own, and all Sophie wants to do is help Adam in his investigations. All of these stories sort of get in the way of finding out what really lies behind the murder of Pinebar Tufts (love that name!), so a reader does need to exercise patience, as everything is part and parcel, more or less.

The author does have much to say about the “peculiar institution” -- the horror of it leaps off the pages here. It would be difficult to write a tale involving the Civil War without having something to say about slavery, indeed.

And at the end, we have a murderer and we have -- entanglements! A little too neatly made up for some, though. Truly, I don’t think that everything can be said to be in keeping with the times and what would have been permissible for the times. I was disappointed in what the author came up with; the way she got two characters together seemed way too modern and unusual for me. It also took away from the original storyline. I guess I just didn’t see the point.

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for a copy of this book, in exchange for this review.

5th July 1861. After the celebrations of the 4th it is time for Congress to convene, but a body is found hanging from the unfinished dome of the Capitol. Witnessing the scene is Miss Sophie Gates and Miss Constance Lemagne. They ensure that Adam Speed Quinn, aide to the President is called to the building. Soon it is obvious that this is not a suicide. Adam with the help of Sophie investigate, among the rumours of an impending battle.
Although the third in the series it can easily be read as a standalone story but I would certainly recommend reading the first two is see the development of the characters and their roles.
An interesting and enjoyable well-written historical mystery, with its wide cast of likeable characters.

What a joy this book was to read, Set at the beginning of what will be the Civil War a dead body is found hanging from the unfinished dome of the Capitol. Of course an investigation begins and reporter, Sophie Gates is on the case. With the help of her friend, Miss Constance Lemagne. and Aide to the President, Adam Speed Quinn, they try to discover if it was murder or suicide?

July 4, 1861 Washington, D.C. and the city is bursting at the seams with troops almost shoulder to shoulder, streets impassable and gun fire and cannons going off night and day. The troops are itching to get into a battle but nobody can say when that will happen. Lincoln is trying to make it a short event but, as we know, it will last four years - April 12, 1861 to April 9, 1865. The Dome of the Capitol is under construction and Lincoln is in talks with his War Department. Then a murder disguised as a suicide comes on the scene. A man is found hanging from the unfinished Dome. The best person to investigate is Lincoln's best friend, Adam Speed Quinn. Quinn is joined in his task by journalist Sophie Gates and freeman Dr. George Hilton. Soon their investigation brings them into contact with a mysterious Southern lady, Miss Constance Lemagne along with various spies and a killer.
The mystery itself is engrossing and the history is very well researched, blending real and fictional characters seamlessly. The subject of slavery is, of course, center stage. I enjoyed this mystery very much and I hope there will be more in this series.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Fun historical mystery set in 1861 Washington, DC, and featuring, well the murder of Pinebar Bluffs at the Capitol. Adam Quinn, a confident of Lincoln investigates, along with Sophie Gates, who found the body and with whom he has a challenging relationship. This isn't as simple as it might seem because WDC in this period was a swamp (yes literally and figuratively both) filled with competing parties, spies, and bad acts. Add in Dr. George Hilton, a lot of small players and, who is Constance Lemagne and what does she want? No spoilers. You might find yourself checking to see who is real and who is fiction as you read along but this can be read without that info. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. It's fine as a standalone.

It's July 4, 1861 and tensions are running high in Washington, DC, as everyone anticipates the first large battle of the Civil War. In Murder at the Capitol by C.M. Gleason, it is expected the battle will take place at Manassas Junction near Bull Run, but Union generals don't think their troops are ready.

Young reporter Sophie Gates is headed to the Capitol for a session of the Senate. No sooner does she arrive when she is greeted by Constance Lemagne, a Southern belle living in Washington. Sophie isn't sure if she doesn't trust Constance because of her Southern sympathies or because of her interest in Adam Quinn.

As they are about to enter the Rotunda, a shout echoes through the room. To their horror, they see a man hanging from a huge construction crane, obviously dead. Sophie sends for Adam Quinn, a close confidante of President Lincoln, to determine if the man hanged himself or was murdered.

This series is well researched and eye opening. I always enjoy the adventures of Adam Quinn and Sophie Gates.

I haven't read the other books in this series, but I'll have to circle back. This is well done overall. The plot is engaging, and the historical aspects help add to the total package. The author's talent shows through quite well, and includes a number of characters. Recommended for historical mystery fans.

Thanks very much for the ARC for review!!

On Independence Day 1861, the citizens of Washington, D.C., are celebrating as if the country hasn't gone to war. The city is teeming with Union recruits, and President Lincoln is working with his War Department to end the conflict quickly.
The next morning, a dead body is found hanging from the crane beneath the unfinished dome of the Capitol. Lincoln's confidant Adam Speed Quinn is called upon to investigate. Working with Dr. George Hilton and journalist Sophie Gates, he discovers that the dead man was actually murdered. A second victim and an alleged female Confederate spy ring push him to work even faster to uncover the truth.
"Murder at the Capital" is an interesting historical fiction novel. Filled with facts, it sheds light on what life was really like in Washington, D.C., in the days leading up to the Civil War. I appreciated the opportunity to consider how the city's citizens and country's soldiers related to each other. The book also touches on race relations and offers insight into the viewpoints of both pro-abolitionists and pro-slaveholders.
Author C.M. Gleason writes in an engaging way. The story does move at a fairly slow pace sometimes, though, a few of the transitions between scenes are also abrupt, and the author uses too many dashes in my opinion. There is some sexual-related references, violence and profanity.
This book is third in a series. While it could stand alone, I would recommend reading the books in order. Gleason provides plenty of flashbacks, but it can be confusing in places.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. It's one I would recommend to history buffs, readers who enjoy light historical fiction and mystery lovers.

I received this ARC via Netgalley and Kensington Books, in return for an honest review. While the third book in this series, it is easily read as a standalone. This is a superb story for anyone with an interest in the American Civil War (1861-1865). The mystery revolves around a man who is killed and hung from the scaffolding of the not-yet-completed dome of the US Capitol building in Washington, DC. The series protagonists are Adam Quinn and Sophie Gates. Adam is a friend and confidant to President Lincoln, brought to Washington to be the President’s ‘odd job’ man. Ms. Gates moved from New York City after the scandalous end of her engagement to a member of the NYC old money families. The series brings them and a cast of both real and fictious characters together to solve the murder(s) as the American Civil War is really just beginning. Ms. Gleason does an outstanding job of tying in real events at the national and local levels to tell a very compelling story. Her historical research is informative and well-told in the context of the story. Even better, she keeps each character distinctly defined so you always know the points of view being told. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.

Thank you to Net Galley and Kensington Books for the chance to read and review this book. I really liked this book. It is part of a series, but can also be a stand alone story, It takes place in July 1861, just months after the Civil War has begun. A body is discovered hanging from the dome of the Capital Building, and most people think it was a suicide. After further investigation, the crime investigators are not sure-was it murder? Adam Speed Quinn, a close friend and confidant of Abraham Lincoln, is sent in to investigate and solve the crime I love to read about this time in history, and the author does a fantastic job of basing this story on actual events. It grabbed my attention right from the beginning-I plan to read the other books in this series! Highly recommend! . .