Jackall’s Mistress is a beautifully rendered Civil War-era novel that exceeded my expectations. Having only previously read Gone With the Wind as a reference point for fiction set in this period, I approached this book with a degree of skepticism—an unfair comparison, perhaps, but one I suspect many readers might share.
To my delight, Jackall’s Mistress distinguished itself with a thoughtful treatment of the historical moment. While it may not delve as deeply into character development as Margaret Mitchell’s classic, it offers a more restrained yet sincere portrayal of both Union and Confederate perspectives on the realities of war. The novel treats its characters—and the complexity of their choices—with empathy and care, inviting readers to reflect on the shared humanity that endures even when it feels impossible to go on.
The central storyline is a thread of forbidden love, and I found myself fully immersed and genuinely reluctant to part with the characters by the final page. I will certainly be seeking out more of Chris Bohjalian’s work.

Chris Bohjalian never disappoints. His style of writing and descriptive words pull the reader into his stories, and The Jackal's Mistress is a perfect example. This vivid tale, set in the Shenandoah Valley during the Civil War, gives the reader a perspective on the life of civilians, particularly women, during the conflict. Libby Steadman, whose husband is fighting with the Confederacy, runs a mill with Joseph and Sally, enslaved workers who were freed, and her niece Jubilee. Thrown into situations not typical during peaceful times, Libby makes choices she would not make if the country was not a war. Libby, faced with trying to survive and worry about her husband, will encounter Union soldier Jonathan Weybridge. Bohjalian is able to develop these characters so that there is compassion and understanding in the relationship despite the roar of cannons and violence surrounding them. This book was released on March 11, 2025. I give it 5 stars and highly recommend reading this novel if you enjoy historical fiction, the Civil War, a story with a strong woman, or stories about resilience.

Riveting! Chris Bohjalian sure knows how to keep a reader glued to his books. This book is about a young woman living in Virginia during the Civil War. Her husband is fighting for the Confederates, living her at home with two former slaves and a smart alecky niece. A Union officer is wounded and left in a nearby abandoned home as the Army retreats. Libby, the protagonist decides to take in the Union officer and nurse him back to health.

The tension in this book is palpable. The characters are beautifully drawn. Plot turns abound, with some interesting twists at the end.

Highly recommended.

I have read many of Chris Bohjalian's books. This particular book is based on a true story of individuals from both sides of the Civil War conflict who cross paths and become involved with each other. Quite an interesting tale. I always enjoy Mr. Bohjalian's writing style and his ability to weave a great tale.

This book was inspired by a true story the author came across some twenty years ago, and the idea began to germinate.

A woman in Virginia decides to nurse a Union Captain, left for dead by his own men, back to health. She hopes she can exchange his life for that of her Confederate Captain husband, who is a prisoner of war. Close proximity makes these two see each other as people, not monsters, and begin to forge a friendship.

Chris Bohjalian writes books that always immerse me in a world I know little about. In this case, he shows how the Confederacy had battles often right in their own backyard. They could hear the cannon fire, yet daily life went on.

He has created a very memorable character in Libby Steadman, who must run the mill in her husband's absence, even though she is not yet 25. A word I rarely use comes to mind to describe her character: plucky. She is faced with challenges of all sorts, and always rises to the occasion. I also enjoyed her niece Jubilee. The author shows how hard life was for African Americans in the South, and also the North, even when they were free.

This was a good book with memorable storyline and characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, Chris Bohjalian, and Doubleday Books for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed historic fiction novel The Jackal’s Mistress by Chris Bohjalian. I usually do like his work and this one did not disappoint. I really liked that this story set during the Civil War in Confederate Virginia seemed true to the time period. And when I found it was based on a true story, it made the novel even more interesting. Libby Steadman, the heroine, runs a mill in the absence of her husband who has been captured by the Union. What follows is a tale of compassion for the Union soldier she rescues and hides at great risk to herself and her niece and the two freed slaves who work the mill. Very compelling!

The Jackal's Mistress is a thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of human relationships and the moral dilemmas that arise when societal demands clash with personal values. The book masterfully weaves together themes of identity, morality, and the human condition, leaving readers questioning the boundaries between right and wrong.

One of the most striking aspects of the novel is its portrayal of how societal expectations can complicate our own morals and values. The characters are faced with impossible choices, forced to navigate the treacherous waters of cultural norms, personal relationships, and their own sense of justice. As I read, I found myself pondering the ways in which societal demands can both shape and conflict with our individual values.

The novel also highlights the power of personal relationships to trump societal expectations. The bonds between characters are tested and transformed by the challenges they face, revealing the depth and complexity of thier human connections. Through its nuanced exploration of these relationships, the book shows how our personal experiences and emotions can both inform and conflict with the expectations placed upon us by society.

Overall, The Jackal's Mistress is a gripping and thought-provoking read that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled with the complexities of human relationships and the moral ambiguities of life. Bohjalian's masterful storytelling and well-developed characters make this novel a compelling exploration of the human condition, and so will give bookclubs and readers much to comp-template and discuss.

Thank you BookBrowse, NetGalley, and Double Day/Penguin Random Books for a chance to read this ARC for my honest review

I received a copy of The Jackal's Mistress through BookBrowse. It was something I requested on a lark and promptly forgot about it. Thankfully, I remembered it. This is a fabulous, atmospheric story. The emotions and tensions were palpable, and I won't forget this story. It was a fresh take on a Civil War story, and I applaud Chris Bohjalian for writing it.

Chris Bohjalian has a way of bringing you into a story, surrounding you with well-written characters, and then throwing tension into the mix to keep you turning pages. The Jackal's Mistress was a wonderful change in the setting of historical fiction that I typically read, taking place during the Civil War. I found the story to be well-written, interspersing setting and character development with the progression of the story. Libby and Jonathan's story was intense and gripping and I would highly recommend it.

Something about growing up in northern Virginia I love these stories of North/South conflict! Living between the capitals of the US and Confederacy and some of the most interesting battles of the American Civil War! I've been to so many of the places mentioned in this novel.

Liked: What a great story Chris Bohjalian dug up! I loved that this was based on a true-ish story. I found all the characters to be really interesting. Wish there had been more POV from Sally and Joseph. There backstory as freed slaves with children who left to live elsewhere was something I wish I knew more about.

Disliked: I felt like these characters never had any moments to just be. There was always some drama going on. And while that moved the story, there could have been more to explore more everyday like on the farm, not just the tense moments.

This is an interesting historical fiction set during the Civil War with alternating perspectives (a Northern soldier and a Southern woman). Even though it's a Civil War story, it's quietly told. The most excitement happens in the final battle. I often got lost in the internal dialogue amidst the external dialogue. One person would say something, then we'd get the other person's thoughts for a couple of pages, and then that person would reply. More than once, I had to turn back the pages to remind myself what they were talking about. I like the title's draw, but in the back of my mind, through the whole book, I wondered what it meant because I wouldn't have described Libby and Captain Weybridge's relationship in that way. I love the book cover.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy of The Jackal’s Mistress by Chris Bohjalian in exchange for an honest review. It’s out now so you can - and should - run to get it! (The audiobook is also tremendous and features an interview with the author.)

I absolutely loved this novel set in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley during the final year of the Civil War. When Jonathan, a severely wounded Yankee captain, is left for dead in an abandoned farmhouse, Libby, a grain mill owner and wife of a Confederate captain held captive in a Union prison camp, secretly takes him in, hiding him in her own house. Helped by her employees, freed slaves Sally and Joseph, along with her feisty niece Jubilee, Libby risks all to save Jonathan.

Taking place over just two months, the novel explores themes such as slavery and freedom, the horrors and business of war, and at its core, our shared humanity. It’s a gorgeously rendered narrative with humor and pathos alike. One of the best books I’ve read so far this year. Five enthusiastic stars.

I love Chris Bohjalian, and I have read many of his books. I particularly love his wildly different premises for each new book. His writing is always sharp and has moments of unexpected violence. He's really very imaginative. To me, he's the Quentin Tarantino of writing.

However, I started this one and the beginning turned me off so much that I just couldn't get into it. It is very much like Cold Mountain, and I am just not in the right frame of mind for that setting, time period, or level of lawlessness. My husband read it and liked it ok but agreed that this book is not for me. I will still read Bahjalian but hope someone else loves this one.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy for review.

I loved everything about this book. The Civil War time period is one of my favorites to read about and the storyline was compelling without being overly heavy, given the topic. The friendship that grew between Libby and Jonathan Weybridge was gentle and thoughtful and Bohjalian did a fantastic job of writing a book that made you sympathize with each of the main characters. I don’t want to write any spoilers so I’m trying to tread lightly but this might be my favorite of his yet.

I also really loved the afterword, lots of really great information in that about the true story of "Libby" and "Weybridge" so don't skip that!

At first I regretted requesting this one. Once I'm approved for a book, I'm going to read it. The beginning is pretty gory and graphic, tragedy after tragedy. I feared the rest of the book would continue in the same way.

Of course, it's a Civil War story, so sunshine and rainbows are few. But after the beginning, the story moves off the battlefield and into the stories of a few people the reader gets to know. The author does a good job helping the reader understand the southern perspective, how not all southerners are evil and not all northerners are good. Most people are just caught up in something.

I liked the 12-year-old but the narrator of the audiobook did her voice like a 5-year-old, which was a bit odd. Otherwise the narration was good.

Thank you for the ARC, NetGalley & LibroFM. I purchased for my library.

Chris Bohjalian never disappoints! Each of his novels is different from the last. The Jackal's Mistress is a suspenseful and richly detailed historical thriller with complex characters caught in impossible situations. A steadily ratcheting sense of dread is a hallmark of Bohjalian's novels, and this is no exception.

I feel like I've strayed from the historical fiction genre lately. Not purposefully, but just because I've been picking up other books. And I'm so glad this was my choice to get back into it. What an amazing book! One thing I love about Chris Bohjalian is that he doesn't limit himself to one genre - he's comfortable across several of them. And he writes so well - it really does feel like you're transported across space and time to experience his novels, not just read them.

Libby is simply an amazing character. She's strong, she's stubborn and she's real. She does what she has to and lives up to her morals and convictions, regardless of what others think about her. Jonathan's character wasn't a huge surprise - proper, honorable and dutiful. But Jubilee stole the show for me - I loved her forthrightness, her sass and her spunk, even in the face of all that she had seen and lived through.

I was unaware until the end that this was based on a true story - it made it even better for me once I realized that. If you are a fan of historical fiction, this is a great read and worth the effort.

Review will be posted on 3/28/25
Libby Steadman lives in the Shenandoah Valley and helps to operate her husband's mill. Her husband, Peter, is a Confederate soldier. He is being held captive by the Union army in a prison and his fate is uncertain. Libby lives and operates the mill with Joseph, who was formally enslaved by her husband's family. Joseph has helped her in so many close calls as the fighting is coming closer to their land. Joseph's wife encounters an injured Union soldier and Libby decides to help him despite the dangers. He has been left for dead, with his leg partially amputated and he is in dire straits. The parallel storyline is from this soldier's point of view, Captain Jonathan Weybridge. He is a Union soldier and professor from Vermont. While fighting nearby, he got hit by a canon and he has been left behind. Both Libby and Jonathan long for their spouses and have much more in common despite being on conflicting sides of the war. As time progresses, a fast friendship ensues, but rumors are going around that a Union officer is on the loose and this puts Libby in a dangerous situation if she is caught harboring Jonathan. To make matters worse, Jonathan needs medicine in order to survive and the only place that has what they need is at Harpers Ferry, twenty miles away. Chris Bohjalian's The Jackal's Mistress is an adventurous romp that will transport readers to the Civil War and highlight a challenging time in our nation's history.

Bohjalian writes a compelling Civil War tale that is actually based on real-life people; however, it is to be noted that he took some historical liberties. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed this story that felt more adventurous than romantic despite the title. Bohjalian builds suspense throughout the novel and it kept me flipping the pages. In addition to this, Civil War fans will especially relish all the historical details and the author paints a vivid picture of the time.

A heartbreaking Civil War tale of a left-for-dead captain and the kind hearted woman that risks everything to save him. I couldn't put this book down and though I've not read anything by Chris Bohjalian in the past I will definitely be reading all of their books in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the advance review copy!

The story of a woman alone in the Civil War South and the Union soldier she decides to help, endangering the formerly enslaved couple who live with her and her own niece, is a deeply felt and moving work. I thoroughly believed every aspect of it – and found myself rooting for her despite her prejudices. Didn't realize until after I was done that it is based on a true story, but that only adds to my appreciation. Well done!