DNF @ 31%. The concept of this book was FASCINATING and I wanted to get into it so badly, but every time I put it down I dreaded picking it back up, because the story dragged on. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free advance copy.

For all of us who didn't pay close enough attention in history class: This is historical fiction. That made it kind of a learning opportunity for me, as then I researched the real Andrew Johnson who was in a word- awful.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Forge Books for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review “The Murder of Andrew Johnson.” All opinions and comments are my own.

You might wish you’d paid a wee bit more attention in your American History class as you follow along in “The Murder of Andrew Johnson,” for what is here is a very complex tale about Mr. Johnson’s presidency as much as it is about the life (and death) of the ex-president. Burt Solomon, as in his previous novels, uses real people and real events to craft a plausible account of the suspicious passing of “the most hated man in America.” It’s little wonder that John Hay, our protagonist, thinks Mr. Johnson may have had help in his demise.

Mr. Hay is there in his capacity as reporter. But boy, this becomes more than just a search for a byline in the “New-York Tribune.” Luckily, readers get a fairly succinct description of the Johnson presidency, often described as a debacle, tearing down everything that Abraham Lincoln had started. And real soon we learn that are plenty of reasons why plenty of people may have wanted the man dead -- including some of the leading political “heavy hitters” of America -- Mr. Solomon doesn’t hesitate to name names. Then there’s the family -- some potential there, too. Very soon he knows he’s on to something, because he’s threatened, and eventually, attacked.

There are lots of history lessons to be learned here -- the book is as much a study of the times as it is an unrevealing of a mystery. Author Solomon also does a very credible job of describing his scenes and capturing the tenor of speech and social settings in the America of the 1870’s.

After crisscrossing the country, from Tennessee to the Potomac and points nearby, John Hay uncovers secrets that those in Washington City (as it was known then) would understand only too well, back then and perhaps, even to us of modern times. And for those who like their conspiracy theories and cover-ups -- oh, boy. The twists and turns in this one might have you pulling out a score card.

An Afterword explains how so much of this “implausible” story is based on fact. Truth is indeed, much stranger than fiction in this case, and used to full and entertaining effect, in “The Murder of Andrew Johnson.”

Andrew Johnson was arguably a horrible man, though he tried to appeal to the masses, and he loathed the establishment and anyone he deemed elitist (despite being elite). He set the US back years during his presidency. He had more enemies than anyone could count. Could someone so hated really die a natural death? That is what John Hay, a lawyer and part time bureaucrat sets off to determine. Will he be able to get to the bottom of Johnson’s death before winding up dead himself?

This was an entertaining book and I 100% wish that history would have played out the way this book described. Alas, it was fiction, but the author’s note was great in laying out the true story. I always love when author’s notes dive into some history, or how the book was developed. It’s been a few years since I took history class, and I didn’t pay attention then, so I enlisted my friend @histernerd to explain to me why Andrew Johnson was a bad guy. Can I just say wow? It’s hard for me to wrap my head around how we ever treated people so poorly. The book did a good job of weaving real history into the lavish and outlandish plot the author has concocted. I did struggle a little with this book, but I really think it was a me issue. The plot was well paced and that did help hold my attention. I also appreciated that it wasn’t long and drawn out like some historical fiction.

If you are looking for an interesting historical thriller, then check this one out.

Thank you so much to Forge Books, @Forgereads, Tor Publishing Group, and Netgalley, @Netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

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