The next John Hay historical thriller from award-winning political journalist Burt Solomon, this time focused on one of America's most controversial presidents: Andrew Johnson.

Andrew Johnson was called The Great Commoner, appealing to the masses, loathing the establishment and anyone he deemed elitist. Once Johnson made an enemy, you became his enemy for life. He saw insults where none were intended and personal loyalty meant everything…and his devoted fans would follow him into the depths of Hell. He was also the first U.S. president to be impeached.

Time however waits for no man and even the Famous (or Infamous) must leave this world eventually. But when a man has as many enemies as the Devil, what death could really be a natural one? From political opponents to most of his own family, the suspects are endless, and the truth not really wanted. John Hay, lawyer, sometimes governmental bureaucrat, and now journeyman investigative reporter, is set on finding that truth. And it may wind up killing him.

Burt Solomon is a contributing editor for The Atlantic and National Journal, where he has covered the White House and many other aspects of Washington life. In 1991 he won the Gerald R. Ford Prize for Distinguished Reporting on the Presidency. He is also the author of the acclaimed Where They Ain't, a history of baseball in the 1890s. Solomon, his wife, and their two children live inside the Beltway. The Murder of Willie Lincoln is his first novel.

Categories

• Fiction / Thrillers / Historical
• Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Historical
• Fiction / Historical

Product Details

ISBN: 9780765392725
ISBN-10: 0765392720
Publisher: Forge Books
Publication Date: October 3rd, 2023
Pages: 288
Language: English
Series: The John Hay Mysteries

Praise for The Murder of Andrew Johnson

“Solomon evokes the period brilliantly … Fans of alternate histories should check this out.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

Praise for The Attempted Murder of Theodore Roosevelt:

“[Solomon has] a gift for mining fascinating nuggets from my city's past.”—George F. Will, columnist at The Washington Post

“Historian Solomon’s meticulous details and the real-life figures woven into the narrative make it both informative and entertaining.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Hay is a fallible, engaging character with interests in boxing and poetry as well as sleuthing, and his narration brings to life a time and place as it unravels a crime.”—Booklist

“Historical mystery fans who relish rich period details will be eager to see Hay again.”—Library Journal

Praise for The Murder of Willie Lincoln

“An original plot, plausible characterizations of historical figures, and solid prose combine to make this historical fiction debut a winner.”—Publishers Weekly

“The puzzle is plausibly immersive, the solution heartrendingly surprising…Solomon portrays Hay as an effective, likable sleuth and compelling political player.”—Booklist

“An engaging roman a clef…here’s hoping that Mr. Solomon finds something else for John Hay to apply his fertile mind.”—The Washington Times