In 1856, Alan Pinkerton recounts in his memoir how his 30- year-old detective agency changed directions after making two major decisions. He hired Kate, a woman operative, and aligned the agency with the railroads. It expanded into avenues Alan had not dreamed possible.
He and his operatives investigated and stopped attempts on Abraham Lincoln's life, infiltrated a Confederate spy ring, which in turn led to the beginning of the Secret Service. Alan details his participation with the Underground Railroad and his involvement with John Brown. His friendship and admiration of John Brown led to the confrontation Alan had with his wife, which ultimately led to their adversarial relationship; a relationship Alan could not end because of his mixed feelings for the woman he'd loved since she was 14 years old.
Alan recalls his admiration for Kate and the excitement of working with her. Their relationship evolved into a love affair spiced with the adventure of solving crimes together. But previous commitments and tragedy marred their love affair.
Mr. Lerner has created a vivid fictionalized account of Alan Pinkerton in an engrossing tale. He includes Pinkerton's involvement with historical figures from John Brown to famous Confederate spies. He sprinkles in Pinkerton's personal observations of Abraham Lincoln, giving an interesting analysis of the man. In the end, Lerner portrays Alan's ability to live life on his terms, no matter the cost to himself or others.
This romantic adventure conjures up the passionate life
story of the Civil War era's legendary private eye,
recounting dramatic exploits and his clandestine love
affair with his partner Allan Pinkerton's story opens in
Chicago on the eve of the American Civil War. After
battling con men, train robbers, and vicious gunmen,
Pinkerton senses that change is in the air. Already
committed to the abolitionist cause and the Underground
Railroad, he allies himself with John Brown's radical
antislavery crusade. Upholding the law with one hand, he
unapologetically breaks it with the other. Kate Warne
joins the Pinkerton Agency-its first female detective- and
quickly takes her place as Allan's closest confidante. He
asks Kate to join him, and she embraces his cause in all
its contradictions and extremes. Comrades-in-arms, their
romantic passion becomes the most combustible and
irresistible kind, the mutual affirmation of a world of
two. Together they save the life of Abraham Lincoln on his
inaugural journey to Washington, root out Confederate
spies within the Union government, and establish the
nation's first Secret Service, sending their agents deep
behind enemy lines. Blind to all consequences, the secret
lovers learn too late that some battles, no matter how
right the cause, cannot be won.
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