This book does two things very well. First, the story is fast paced and engaging; each scene moves the action forward. Second, it has a great setting --- one that is well-researched and fascinating. The majority of the story takes place in Washington, D.C., during the Civil War. The author takes the reader into the city at that time. We see the seedy neighborhoods of Southwest, the canal at Georgetown, and the townhouses in downtown DC. As a former DC resident, I appreciated the 150-year look-back into the city.

What a great book! Fascinating. I don't want to give too much away, but everything that happens here ratchets up the suspense (he sets up some great payoffs waaay in advance) and you find yourself rushing along to find out what happens next (which is too bad, because the prose really does sing here). What really got me was how the author gave us the daily life of Lincoln and those around him in a realistic way. Not every day in history is for the history books. People do have lives, even when they are in the throes of real drama, and Miller puts that on the page. Refreshing. And to cast this mystery over that backdrop--well, that makes this a rare treat.

A great first novel. (Heck, it would be great if it were his 23rd.) This is special. You will **love** The First Assassin.