What I liked about the story: the fact that this really did happen and the setting - just after the Civil War. Maryland was in the middle of the war and it was feasible that neighbors could have been either Confederate or Union. What I disliked about the story: I found the characters a challenge to follow. The fact that everybody was someone else's cousin and that first cousins could and did marry made it difficult at times to keep straight how some of the characters were related. Enjoyed this book based on the author's ancestor who shot her fiancé in front of the whole town. The description of the town of Jarrettsville, MD, and the animosity that existed between neighbors who had fought on different sides of the Civil War gave this reader a good feel for how emotions still ran high, even though the war was over. The various first hand accounts from the witnesses, prisoner, and victim was an excellent way for the author to tell the story. I became especially annoyed during her fiance's point of view. His behavior and abandonment of her was unforgivable. No small wonder she shot him..
Sad, but an interesting true story that brings to light the years directly after the Civil War
—katie
The murder occured in front of my childhood neighbors house.
—kickster
A really well-written book based on my hometown. :-)
—sandy
I enjoyed the different points of view ...
—Gamfn
