This debut novel feels like a real labour of love. As explained in the 'Notes from the Author' section, the story was inspired by local history and the life of a real Union soldier, William Henry Howe, who is buried close to the author's home in Pennsylvania. The author's extensive research on both Howe's life, and the American Civil War era more broadly, is clear throughout the story.

The tone is down-to-earth, and sometimes feels surprisingly gentle, noting subtle details, which adds to the sense of realism. It creates a vivid picture of time and place. I liked the empathy which the author has for Howe; he treats his subject kindly. This book is sure to appeal to Civil War history buffs, and I hope it finds a wider audience too.

'Notes from a Deserter' is not without its imperfections, but I really liked the ethos of the project, so on reflection I'm upping this to 5 ⭐

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.